Ascot United are gearing up for their biggest occasion at The Racecourse for several years when they welcome EFL 1 side Wycombe Wanderers in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup Semi Final on Tuesday (7.45pm). Tickets still available here, and we’ve gone back to print for this match with a 40-page programme available to collect on the gate.
The Yellamen have come through 5 rounds to get this far and victory would set up a final against the winners of the other semi-final between Reading and Milton Keynes Dons.
Ascot come into the game off winless in four – a run that has ended any lingering hopes of finishing 2nd in the league – but form often goes out of the window in cup ties.
Wanderers are unbeaten in March with three wins and two draws to boost they play-off push, now lying 8th in League 1. Tuesday night’s programme lists their full squad, but just how many players with first-team experience take to the field is unknown, although The Chairboys don’t have another game until 2nd April so it could be an opportunity for manager Gareth Ainsworth to exercise a few senior legs.
It will also be a privilege to welcome the 2nd-longest serving manager in England’s top-four divisions. Ainsworth has been at the helm since 2012 and only Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver (appointed 2009) has had a longer term in office. His management guided Wanderers to The Championship for the 2020/21 season and having looked doomed with five matches to go they almost survived with a brilliant run-in only to finish 22nd, agonisingly short of survival.
Back to Tuesday, and as ticket sales creep towards the 4-figure mark there is a possibility of breaking the official long-standing stadium record attendance of 1,149 set for an FA Cup tie back in 2011. Look out for a site map in the matchday programme which indicates the local of additional catering and toilets, plus the outside bar area – and note that no alcohol may be consumed in view of the pitch due to Premier and Football League regulations.
With the weather set fair and expected to reach 18c on Tuesday there really isn’t anywhere else to be, so tell your friends and relatives all about it and let’s pack out the ground for this memorable occasion!
Finally, huge congratulations to our Ladies Reserves who rounded off their TVL 3E league campaign with their 18th win in 18 league matches after an 8-1 win at Woking Ladies Reserves on Sunday. John Swallow’s side scored 103 goals and conceded only 11 en-route to the title and they now have the chance to add more icing on their seasonal cake with a league cup interest that continues at TVL 1 Champions Badshot Lea in 2 weeks’ time. League table here. Goalscorers on Sunday were Clodagh Farrell (3), Freya Johnson (2), Lou Pullen (2) and Amy Linge.
