Actonians win 3-1 against injury-hit Ascot
Ascot United Women lost 3-1 against Actonians Women in Tuesday evening’s Combined Counties League Premier Cup Third round tie. Having led early-on, the home side lost three players to knee injuries as the London-based visitors showed their status to bounce back.
AC’s troops test themselves against step-four opposition
This was the second outing in the midweek cup competition having seen off QPR in the previous round, although Actonians – flying high in the tier-four National League Division 1 South East – would surely be sterner opposition.
And, after two blank Sundays, this was the first outing for the home side since beating Wycombe Wanderers sixteen days ago, although Will Blithing would this time take the reins with first team manager Andy Cox overseas.
As for the game itself, there were three notable first half incidents, all of which involved goals.
The home side were first to show inside five minutes when Kate Fox raced onto a through ball and kept her composure to slot into the bottom right hand corner.
But Actonians were gifted an equaliser just four minutes later when Jodie Gray-Piazza showed too much of the ball to Hana Lalani, who won a fifty-fifty challenge with the home ‘keeper and saw the ball end up in the net.
Jasmine Williamson then nodded into the bottom right three minutes before the break to send Actonians in 2-1 up at half-time.
The second half was a near non-event and was only settled late-on when Actonians nodded home a third late-on, although Gray-Piazza would be replaced by Phil Holden in goal in the aftermath after seemingly jarring her knee in attempting to keep the ball all; Erin Huntley’s brave block in the preceding play having initially looked to have averted danger.
But the main incident was a lengthy hold-up earlier-on, following a serious knee injury to half time substitute Leah Robertson. Robertson had looked lively prior to the 55th minute when she went down under a heavy challenge with visiting defender Mara Bramwell – eleven minutes the hold-up before she could be moved off the pitch – and that added to the first-half exit of Jess Drage, also with a knee injury.
Ascot battled hard but couldn’t breach a well-drilled Actonians side who were worth their win.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellawomen are back in league action with a trip to Oxford City on Sunday; City having won all five of their home games so far this season (2pm). They may need to call on their squad depth for this one, although they know they have plenty of talent in their ranks.
Ascot United: Gray-Piazza, Mitchell, Todd, Torry, Drage, Huntley, Holden, Fox, Littlechild, Lloyd, Glover. Subs: Rowntree, Doyle, Robertson, Perkins, Kjaer
Entertainment: 2
Reporter’s Star Player: Erin Huntley (Ascot United)
Attendance (estimate): 50