Actonians provide stern test but Ascot impress
Ascot United Women’s encouraging pre-season continued with an entertaining 0-0 draw against fellow Step-Four outfit Actonians at The Racecourse on Sunday.
After weathering an early storm, the home side grew into the game and were arguably the better outfit over the 90 minutes.
Pakistan International Amina Hanif was a constant threat for the visitors, whereas home defender Bella Cox continues to impress at left-back and would be the watching Ultras’ player-of-the-game.
But both goalkeepers stole the show in the second half. Actonians’ German ‘stopper Elisa Dogor produced a fine save midway through the half to deny Poppy Dearlove – diving high to her own left to claw Dearlove’s rasping effort away with her right hand – before Ascot’s Cherry Preisner eclipsed that with a stunning penalty save, somehow getting down low to claw away a late spot-kick that looked destined for the bottom left.
For the watching crowd of approaching 100 and despite being a friendly, it was an excellent footballing spectacle.
The Yellawomen entertain AFC Portchester in a friendly next Sunday (10th) before their National League South West league campaign begins at Bristol Rovers one week later.