Ascot United draw 2-2 with battling Wanderers
Ascot United Women were twice pegged back by well-organized Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday afternoon as the sides drew two-all. The Yellawomen were frustratingly short of bringing their A-game to the hosts’ Burnham FC home, but take nothing away from the Bucks outfit who were well-drilled and fought for every ball.
Would Yellawomen score after four at The Gore?
Nath Baker’s troops had scored a goal exactly four minutes into each of their four halves of football played so far this season, and standing in their way of extending their perfect start was a Wycombe Wanderers side who had won one and lost one of their opening two league matches. Unpredictably, Wanderers were defeated by AFC Portchester on the opening day – who Ascot themselves beat last weekend – before a morale-boosting win on the road at Selsey on the same day.
Travelling fans delight in September sun
The Yellawomen were well-backed by their travelling support behind the goal, but it was a somewhat frustrating first half performance that owed as much to the physical, pressing game of Wycombe as their own profligacy in front of goal.
After a well-balanced opening quarter of an hour, a clearly unimpressed Baker berated his team to move the ball quicker, and moments later they were ahead. The goal itself was all about Leah Littlechild, who pressed and won possession in the middle of the park, took a couple of touches a fired over ‘home keeper Amber Taylor from fully 25 yards.
Chloe Ball and Leah Robertson then linked up for the latter to go through on goal, but after rounding Taylor she was denied by fantastic covering defending.
Ball then fired narrowly over with her left foot after a neat flick on by Jess Drage, but Wycombe were far from out of it and drew level in the 25th minute. The goal itself had more than a hint of offside about it after Kayla Potter had raced clear and picked out Jess Watkins, but the flag stayed down and she had the easiest of finishes in space at the far post.
Chances for both sides as Yellawomen toil
Molly Carter might have done better when well-placed soon after as the hosts threatened again, although Liv Glover was bemoaning two efforts that went begging for Ascot; firstly slicing wide after Alix Todd and Beth Lloyd had combined well in the build-up, and then firing over first-time from Ball’s dangerous cross.
But lively winger Emani Kassem went close to giving Wycombe a surprise half-time lead, weaving her way down the left wing and drifting across the box, only to fire wide of Jody ‘keeper Gray-Piazza and the right-hand upright.
Second half stalemate again as hosts finish strongly.
As in the first half, the opening stages were a cagey affair, but the Yellawomen would restore their lead just inside the hour mark through Lloyd. Phil Holden managed to wriggle her way through a couple of challenges having received the ball from Glover, before dinking the ball through to Lloyd to drill past Taylor.
Taylor then produced a brave save at the feet of Glover moments later; Ball’s cross picked out Lloyd who in-turn deftly played-in Glover, but Taylor came swiftly off her line to smother at her feet.
But Potter was a constant threat for the hosts and just four minutes after going behind she brought her side level; skipping into space and sliding an accurate cross-shot past Gray-Piazza from the tightest of angles.
Potter then forced Gray-Piazza into a low save after fashioning space for a shot with her back initially to goal, before heading over at the far post when Ashleigh Harte and Kassem had formed an overlap down the right for the latter to cross.
And, only a fine covering tackle from Maddie Robertson late-on thwarted danger when Potter’s pace looked to have evaded the Ascot defence; Ascot ultimately escaping with a draw.
What’s next for Ascot?
Tier-six outfit Denham United Ladies swoop into Berkshire next Sunday as the Adobe Women’s FA Cup trail begins for Ascot, a kick-off pushed back to 4.30pm to cater for a busy weekend of football in and around The Racecourse.
Ascot United: Gray-Piazza, Knight, Todd, Torry, Drage, Maddie Robertson, Holden, Littlechild, Leah Robertson, Ball, Glover. Subs (rolling): Lloyd, Luckhurst-McCord, Lacy, Doyle, Couzens
Entertainment: 4
Away fans (estimate): 20
Reporter’s Star Player: Kayla Potter (Wycombe Wanderers)
Goals:
AUFC: Littlechild 17’, Lloyd 59’
WWFC: Watkins 25’, Potter 63’