Yellamen fight back to draw 3-3 despite ‘keeper red card
Ascot United twice came from behind – despite the dismissal of goalkeeper Sam Swyer early in the second half, to salvage a remarkable 3-3 draw with Kingstonian on Tuesday evening. Trailing 2-1 and against the ropes, defender Regan Clark-Salter was forced to don the gloves after Swyer’s red-card, but he and his side produced a truly heroic performance to earn a first point of the season.
Ascot seek to get off the mark
Following Saturday’s reverse at Bedfont Sports, this was a chance to get some points on the board in their second league game of the season. Visitors Kingstonian had drawn their opening league game but had largely got the better of their hosts in the two seasons where they have faced off, including a league double in their favour last campaign.
Naison O’Neill, Fope Deru and Ishmael Amiri came into the starting line-up in three changes since Saturday, whilst new addition Faleel Green was named as a substitute.
Action packed first half sees Kingstonian lead
After a fairly tepid opening quarter, the game burst into action when visiting ‘keeper George Hill made a sprawling save to divert Quaye Vine’s effort away; Vine himself helping-on Harley Platel’s weak shot after Deru had squared from the right.
But The K’s were dangerous going forwards and Rocky Williams struck the inside of a post in the 21st minute – but that was only a warning – as Eddie Simon was brought down in the penalty area moments later before stepping up to convert the resultant spot-kick to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
But Ascot felt aggrieved in the 33rd minute when Isaac Brown charged down Hill’s attempted clearance and struck the inside of the right-hand post – although what actually looked like the wheel behind the goal-line – not that the assistant referee had any chance of keeping up with play.
Clark-Salter then cleared off the line for Ascot before Brown’s low shot was tipped away by Hill as the sides traded chances.
However, Williams scored from long range into the bottom right with Swyer rooted to his spot to double Kingstonian’s advantage in first-half stoppage time – it looked as if that would be a killer blow – although Vine gave Ascot a lifeline barely a minute later when he checked from his right to his left foot and sat Hill down with a shot into the bottom right hand corner; 2-1 and very much game-on as the sides changed ends.
Scintillating, stunning, stirring second half display
Words alone will never do the second half justice.
It was barely a minute old when Swyer came charging from his area, came off worse in a foot race, and was given his marching orders for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Cue Clarke-Salter – and he would impress in sticks – he needed to.
Early doors, he would claim everything predictably thrown at him, and after surviving for ten minutes, the Yellamen were handed another lifeline when Deru was fouled by Hill in the box, and Vine nonchalantly rolled the resulting penalty into the bottom right; 2-2.
Incredibly, the Yellamen now looked more likely to score and with a brave, attacking mantra they unpicked the visitors defence courtesy of Deru and Brown’s one-two – Deru fired hard and low – but Hill was equal to it.
But The K’s would surely exploit the space afforded to them by Ascot’s numerical disadvantage and when Williams turned provider for Splatt in the 65th minute, he hammered past Clarke-Salter at the near post to put his side 3-2 ahead.
Would that be one blow too many for the home side?
No.
Ascot never gave up, used their substitutes wisely, and even when Brown started limping around, he carried on gamely, even if it was now like nine-and-half men against eleven.
And, their reward would come. Substitute Cameron Rohart-Brown would loop a diagonal ball over the visiting defence – it sat up – but Brown got over it and flicked it under Hill to level it up once again and spark pandemonium on and off the pitch (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk).
That goal came in the 83rd minute, but there were still fifteen further minutes played, given the overages.
Clarke-Salter, and his warriors in front of him, stood firm in a truly remarkable second half performance. All the hosts now need for their next game is a ‘keeper.
Or just start with ten men, including Clarke-Salter in the sticks…
Ascot United: Swyer, O’Neill (Rohart-Brown 60’), Schutter, Clarke-Salter, Pache, Allsopp (Long 66’), Brown, Deru (Zini 63’), Platel (K. Green), Vine, Amiri (T. Green 66’).
Venue: The Racecourse, Ascot
Attendance: 223
Weather: 22c, cloudy
Ascot United MOM: Quaye Vine
Entertainment: 5
Away fans estimate: 50
One-word summary: Fearless