Solitary goal keeps Ascot in box seat
Ascot United’s play-off ambitions remain in their own hands after a hard-fought 1-0 against Badshot Lea on Saturday. After a stellar first half showing that yielded just one goal, the home side endured some nervous moments in the second period but held on to take a priceless three points.
Big push required as play off race spices up
With just three points separating third and seventh positions at kick off, a win would ensure The Yellamen would go into their final match next weekend with their destiny still in their own hands. And, with already-relegated Badshot Lea standing in their way, this was as good as a chance as they could ask for.
However, they’d need to do it without injured striker Ben Harris; manager Jamie Tompkins naming Louis Rogers, George Butler and Ollie Mason in a shuffled starting line-up.
3pm, eyes down and heads screwed on.
Yellamen batter Badshot in first half but only score
Chasing a win, Ascot knew goal difference might also be crucial in the end of season shake-up and they should have been out of sight by half time.
That said, it was home ‘keeper Mark Scott who was in action first, tipping Kai Allsopp’s effort over inside the first minute.
But after that, it was the home side who laid increasing siege to The Baggies’ defence, and they scored with their first opportunity when Sean Fraser swivelled and converted in the six yard box after Harry Grant’s corner had fallen invitingly within range (pictured, shooting-stars.co.uk)
Ex-Baggy Harvey Harry then drew a brilliant save from visiting ‘keeper Jake Simpson after racing into Anas Igozouln’s delightful through ball and unleashing a thunderbolt, but Fraser would show his worth at the other end with a brilliant block to stop Reece Mather’s effort troubling Scott; Mather doing extremely well to wriggle his way through the home defence to tee himself up.
Cue The Alamo
That was the visitors’ only further chance of a one-sided end to the half where Harry Grant side-footed wide of a gaping target from Igozouln’s cross, then incredibly side-footed wide of another empty net albeit from further out – Igozouln again winning possession and squaring the ball – before clearly frustrated Grant volleyed a third effort ever, albeit the hardest chance of them all.
George Lock then saw a shot and follow up header blocked before Igozouln completely missed when trying to convert in the afters, and Simpson then produced an incredible save on the line to keep Chad Goulter’s close-range header out three minutes before the interval, but somehow the visitors were still in it as the sides changed ends.
Awful second half sees visitors grow in confidence
After the break, injuries to Igozouln and Ollie Mason ended their afternoons early, but before that there were nervy moments when Jaheim Kamara escaped down the left and cross into the six yard box only for Finn Evans to slip as he shaped to shoot.
In truth, it was a horrible watch, and Ascot’s attacks were more limited. Within them, Igozouln’s 58th minute cross – two minutes before his departure – would cannon between Holland and Simpson before the latter gathered.
But it was Badshot Lea who looked more likely to score and Ascot were indebted to Scott for denying Evans a goal – racing from his line to produce a big save after substitute Charlie George and Kamara had combined for the latter to tee him up.
Grant’s luckless afternoon continued when he lobbed over late-on from Khalid Simmo’s knock-down, but there were anxious moments leading up to the seven added minutes when George’s free kick took a deflection before being cleared in front of Scott.
But results are what matters, and they the one they wanted to take six points from the Easter programme.
What’s next for Ascot?
A final day date at Kingstonian next weekend, with four teams going for three play-off place, The K’s being one of them.
Ascot United: Scott, Lock, Butler, Rogers, Fraser, Goulter, Grant, Harry (Simmo 60’), Holland (Gater 75’), Igozouln (Payne-James 60’) Mason (Jones 60’). Sub unused: Edwards
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Man: Sean Fraser (Ascot United)
Away fans estimate: 10