No ifs or butts as Rams progress
Ascot United were beaten by step 3 Beaconsfield the County Cup Fourth Round on a cold Tuesday evening at The ‘Course writes William Powell.
The Yellas took the lead 5 minutes into the cup tie, Sean McCormack was brought down inside the six yard box by Rams’ goalkeeper Matt Rowley. Ascot forward Harry Laflin stepped up to take the penalty and emphatically powered his effort into the bottom corner.
Sadly for the home side their lead was short-lived as three minutes later the visitors equalised. James Dobson whipped in a beautiful cross and Luke Neville popped up at the back post and his fantastic header beat the helpless Hugo Sobte.
The Rams then turned the tie on its head and took the lead in the 13th minute via another goal resulting from a corner. Neville managed to wriggle free of his marker, beautifully placing his effort in the bottom corner through a crowded box. And, Beaconsfield extended their lead 36 minutes into the encounter. This time, Dobson’s cross – somewhat fortunately for the Rams – evaded the Ascot defence and sailed into the top left corner.
Laflin nearly netted again to pull one back for the Yellamen before the break. After bringing the ball down and looking certain to fire goalwards, Laflin was stopped by a fantastic last-ditch interception from goal scorer and centre back Neville. George Lock then came very close in the 36th minute when his effort from a tight angle fired narrowly over the crossbar with Rowley at full stretch.
HT Yellas 1-3 Rams
Beaconsfield nearly put the game to bed in the 58th minute when Troy Chiabi, on the half turn, fired wide of the top corner. At the other end, Ascot substitute Ollie Harris came agonisingly close to making an instant impact when, after a delightful McCormack cross, Harris’s effort rattled the crossbar.
Harris then had another great chance in the 71st minute after being beautifully played through on goal by Ascot defender Ollie Lahtinen-Kalsi. After latching onto the through ball, his strike squeezed wide of the far post. The Yellas continued to push for a goal and the chances continued to come – Harris once again going ridiculously close to scoring when a speculative long-range deflected effort rattled the woodwork – Rowley with no chance.
But that was as close as they would come before the end of the game and there will be no silverware for Ascot this season; although to be fair their trophy cabinet is looking pretty good for the time being!
FT Yellas 1-3 Beaconsfield Town
A disappointing result for the Yellamen but there are many positives to take into Friday’s game away at Binfield.
