IT’S HEAVEN IN DEVON AS YELLAS MAKE IT SEVEN!
ASCOT UNITED Women rounded off a successful debut season at Step-four with a comeback-win at Marine Academy Plymouth on Sunday.
The Yellawomen, who have enjoyed a resurgence in form since the Christmas break, were behind early-on before levelling it at the break and bagging a second-half winner to record their seventh league win of the campaign.
Third time lucky for Cox’s Crop!
Having seen their previous two attempted Devon clashes postponed due to rain – this was an otherwise unplanned end-of-season affair – thankfully there was no risk of what went before when the first game was postponed with the team already en-route and the restaging called off just as the team had arrived at Ivybridge.
Ascot had won the reverse fixture and it looked like they were set for recording a double in a dominant display when they went after their hosts early-doors; Alice Balaam failing to convert Jacey Lane’s cross at the back post before Anaisa Harney headed Bella Cox’s corner onto a post.
But Plymouth would take the lead amongst a 26th-minute goal-mouth scramble and Libby Carter – given the first 45 minutes in goal – would make a fine save to keep her side in touch before Mae Goulden got the final touch to level it after Poppy Dearlove had been involved.
Priceless Preisner comes on, but Doyle earns the spoils
In the second half, Cherry Preisner replaced Carter in goal, but it was Libby Doyle capped a player-of-the-match performance when she swivelled on the edge of the box and curled home a 75th-minute winner.
Late-on, the visitors put their bodies on the line to deny Marine an equaliser, and they held on for three more points to finish in 7th place with a neutral goal-difference.
Manager Andy Cox said it was “a great finish to a great season. We have learned plenty year in 1. Onwards and upwards.”
Meanwhile, in Portsmouth…
Elsewhere, a record 667-crowd watched Swindon Women snatch the title from Moneyfields at the John Jenkins Stadium in Portsmouth. At the start of the day the home side were one point above Swindon and therefore needed just a draw to win the league and promotion, but Swindon nicked the silverware with a 2-1 win in a game when they led 2-0, before The Moneys bagged what was a mere consolation in the 100th minute.
Swindon are promoted. Portishead and Worthing go down. Ascot will go again in the National League South West Division next season, and bring it on!
[Ed says: Huge congratulations to the Andy and the side on their achievements this season. Anyone who knows the Women’s game understands that moving up a level and staying there is a massive achievement, but to go toe-to-toe with the big guns, finishing mid-table, and winning the County Cup in their first season is incredible. We have a solid foundation for next season and we wish those players departing – including those heading overseas to further their development – all the very best].