Yellawomen lose 1-0 as Bournemouth all-but-champions
Ascot United Women lost 1-0 against Woodley United on Sunday, all-but-ending their title dreams in their final league game of the season. The Yellawomen’s defeat, coupled with victory for Bournemouth, means that only defeat for Sports by a double-digit margin in their final fixture next week can deny the Dorset side the title.
Maths simple: earn better result than Bournemouth
Coming into the game The Yellawomen were three points clear of second-placed Bournemouth, who were in action at Warminster Town and still had one game remaining after Sunday’s encounters. Therefore, the title would be Ascot’s if they recorded a better result than Sports, although the pendulum could swing either way on both sides’ tricky road trips.
Lenny’s back but limps off injured early
The Yellawomen were initially buoyed by the return of Sarah Jones after several weeks abroad, but sadly her afternoon lasted just six minutes when she was forced off injured with a calf strain.
Replacement Hayley Cruickshanks almost applied the finishing touch to Ascot best and only chance of the half, although she was unable to convert Tiff Skinner’s probing cross which fizzed across the six yard box in the 16th minute; Amelia Kimble doing well in the build-up.
Woodley strike first, and Bournemouth forge ahead too
The blustery wind failed to make for a decent spectacle, although Woodley profited from having it at their backs when they took a 39th minute lead. Ascot conceded a free kick on the left wing, Charley Evans swung it in, and substitute Sajunae Turner planted a first-time effort past Nicole Spittle to give her side a slender half-time advantage.
And, as news filtered in that Bournemouth were leading 2-1 at Warminster at the interval, the title pendulum had swung very much towards the South Coast.
Yellas huff and puff but it’s not enough
With the wind behind them, the Yellawomen enjoyed most of the possession in the second half, but such was its strength that many attempted balls over a stubborn home defence ended up running away from danger.
Matters weren’t helped by the 50th minute sin-binning of Alix Todd, although in that spell her side had arguably their best chance when Skinner held the ball up well for Kate Fox, who saw her powerful drive beaten away by Sophie Cheadle before Kimble struck the loose ball wide.
Late substitute Kayleigh Richardson-Taylor’s cross sat up too much for Phil Holden, who could only side-foot volley over the bar, and with time running out it was Woodley who threatened twice, firstly when Tina Brett threaded the ball through for May Hamblin – who dragged her shot wide of the right-hand post – and then in the 90th minute when Sarah Lawrence’s long-range effort cannoned back off the crossbar.
Maddie Robertson did the same for Ascot in added time – her corner skimming the top of the frame en-route to going safe for the hosts – but that was it for a disappointed travelling contingent of around thirty fans.
Sarah Jones was equally disconsolate at her injury that ultimately left Ascot without enough pace to really trouble Woodley, and whilst years may not be on her side – crucially talent and pace still is – and the Yellow faithful are hoping to see her come back next season for another hoorah.
Bournemouth ultimately won their match 4-1 and would need to lose by an unconceivable twelve goals in their final fixture to gift the title to Ascot.
The title is theirs, and congratulations them. As for Ascot, well there’s always next season – but there’s still a cup to play for in this campaign.
What’s next for Ascot?
The Yellawomen are in Combined Counties Cup quarter final action on Wednesday evening with the intriguing visit of Championship side’s Watford’s Development Team.
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Player: Katie Vince/Erin Huntley (shared)
Ascot United: Spittle, Vince, Huntley, Robertson, Todd, Holden, Couzens, Fox, Kimble, Jones, Skinner. Subs (rolling): Luckhurst-McCord, Cruickshanks, Killick-Bird, Richardson-Taylor, Barrett
Attendance (est): 100 (30 away)
