Swindon take the spoils with Wiltshire win
Annie Colston’s strike early in the second half was enough for league leaders Swindon Town to overcome battling Ascot United Women 1-0 in front of a crowd of 434 on Sunday afternoon. The Robins created all of the chances and deserved their win, but The Yellawomen can hold their heads high after another gritty display in their third league game of the season; all three of which have come against sides billed as main contenders for the title.
Another journey on the big stage
The match pitched early table-toppers Swindon Town against minnows Ascot United at the hosts’ 15,700 capacity County Ground, and manager Andy Cox was able to name a full-strength squad with the returning Poppy Dearlove and Molly Gladwell in the starting line-up alongside Beth Lloyd, who had scored Ascot’s debut goal at National League level one week earlier.
The question was how they would handle the big stage, especially against a side who had scored fourteen goals in their opening three games, and in front of a sizeable crowd.
Even-stevens early on
The opening fifteen minutes were closely contested – Ascot acquitting themselves well without really threatening – whilst maintaining a tight grip on the hosts’ lively attack at the other end.
But Cox’s side were indebted to the sharp reflexes of Cherry Preisner in the tenth minute when she got down well to get fingertips on Colston’s snap-shot from an improbably tight angle; the faintest of nicks to turn the ball away for a corner.
As the half wore on, it looked as if Swindon’s greatest threat would come from Ascot’s repeated attempts to play out from the back, but Swindon’s best chances came from those of their own manufacture.
Swindon knock on door but Ascot won’t open it.
Ascot right-back Alice Curr – who had a stellar half – did well to clear off the line after Colston hassled Katelyn Wort and won a corner that caused chaos at the far post midway through the half, before Preisner’s fine save to turn Izzy Cook’s first-time shot from close range denied Swindon again after Gipsy Viveash had finally found space down a right wing otherwise bossed by Bella Cox at least back.
Curr was on hand again seven minutes before the break to clear when Preisner was left stretched from Helena Diaz-Butcher’s floated cross, but the closest Swindon came was in the 42nd minute when Preisner made herself big enough to thwart Taylor McDonald when clean through before Erin Huntley was well positioned to scoop Viveash’s follow-up shot off the line.
Ascot failed to trouble home ‘keeper Hannah Cox, with only Lloyd and Mia Delaney both sensing champagne moments from long range that were off-target earlier in the half.
Yellawomen introduce more options after going behind early-on
Swindon took the lead two minutes after the restart through the impressive Colston, although she benefitted from a fortunate rebound off Huntley when her first attempt was blocked, before curling a fine right-footed effort over Preisner and into the top right-hand corner; Preisner with no chance.
Izzy Cook’s long-range effort looped onto the top of the crossbar in the 55th minute and Preisner stood up well to block the same player’s shot after Colston’s intelligent reverse pass had unpicked Ascot’s defence, but the visitors would battle hard and eventually show greater threat.
That came after the introduction of debutant Jacey Lane, together with Dani Dias and Liv Glover, and although they help force a succession of late corners, Swindon’s goal remained intact.
Lloyd would fire wide from distance before her departure for Glover, and even late substitute Anaisa Harney caused a nuisance with her physical presence, but the visitors just couldn’t prise an opening through the stubborn home defence, and they succumbed to defeat.
But they left the field with their heads held high, particularly stand-out Yellawoman Darcey Maxted, who was fantastic in defence; the number six winning her battles and distributing to good effect.
The show goes on. The travelling ultras love it.
Ascot United: Preisner, Curr, Cox, Huntley, Wort, Maxted, Dearlove, Fox (Glover 75’), Lloyd (Dias 75’), Delaney (Harney 84’), Gladwell (Lane 61’). Subs unused: Luscombe, Machado, Balaam
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Player: Annie Colston (Swindon Town), Darcy Maxted (Ascot United)
Attendance: 434 (40 away)