Beth says bye in 3-0 defeat
Beth Lloyd played her final home game for Ascot United before retiring as her side slipped to an unexpected but deserved defeat against Keynsham Town on Sunday. In a tepid affair, the visitors scored three second half goals to upset the form book and take maximum points back to the West Country.
It’s all about the leader (and boy did we need her!)
Lloyd was given a guard of honour and captain’s armband as she entered the pitch in front of the home faithful – including her family and partner – for one last hurrah at The Racecourse.
The talismanic striker, whose 23 goals last season were pivotal in propelling the Yellawomen to Step Four alongside a league cup triumph, will retire at the end of this season’s remaining two away games.
Poor first half sees few chances
In a tepid encounter, Lloyd would have the first chance inside five minutes, but her curling shot with the outside of her foot was easily saved by visiting ‘keeper Chloe Jones.
Mia Delaney’s shoulder-drop and drive opened up space for a long range effort that Jones parried midway through the half, before Anaisa Harney fired over from a promising, central position six minutes before the break.
Keynsham rarely threatened and it was only with the last kick of the half that they might have scored, although Mia Mugford sliced narrowly wide of the top right after wriggling through a challenge and going to ground as she shot.
The inevitable rain started falling just before the break to further dampen a muted atmosphere; could either side find the cutting edge needed after the break?
Keynsham warrant win in impressive second half showing
The answer was yes – and credit goes to the visitors, who were resolute in defence and clinical up-top in a second half showing that earnt them a deserved victory.
Their opening goal came from a corner – headed in despite the efforts of Cherry Preisner’s initial save – after Amelie Collins had drawn the initial set play via a sprawling save from the Ascot number one.
That goal came in the 68th minute, and it was 2-0 three minutes later when stand-out player Brooke Stirrup – perhaps feeling at home at The Racecourse – released Vicky Vipond down the left. Kate Fox struggled to keep pace and chopped her down, and up stepped Mugford to roll the resultant spot-kick centre-right of Preisner.
Preisner would hobble off after a long delay giving substitute goalkeeper Libby Carter the chance to play against a side she had featured for ninety minutes in the reverse fixture, but she would be beaten by a fine, long range Stirrup effort that sailed over her and into the bottom left in the last minute of regular time.
There would, however, be over ten minutes of injury time due to the earlier delays – even the electronic scoreboard conked out – as did Delaney who hobbled off after taking one knock too many, leaving the Yellas with ten on the pitch.
But take nothing away from the visitors whose long journey home will be sweeter on a day when it began even earlier for them with the change in daylight saving time.
Decorated and dedicated; The Racecourse salutes one of its finest
But the final word goes to Lloyd. Having started out in Newbury as an unprecedented junior alongside male players Theo Walcott and Charlie Austin, she progressed through Arsenal’s academy and first team squad to the USA, where her scholarship in Connecticut yielded success as one of the leading scorers across the pond. Returning home, she trained as a P.E. teacher and played for Enfield, Reading and Wimbledon. However, it is her recent stint with Ascot that gifted so much – not just through her goals – but with her on-field vision and off-pitch leadership.
Boots are often left behind, but these ones are very big to fill.
Ascot United: Preisner (Carter 83’), Fox, Cox, Huntley, Kettle (Balaam 26’ (Weston 61’)), Dearlove, Maxted, Harney (Goulden 65’), Delaney, Lane (Luscombe 65’), Lloyd (c).
Venue: The Racecourse, Ascot United
Attendance (estimate): 80 (10 away)
Weather: 9c, drizzle
MOM: Beth Lloyd (Ascot United) and Brooke Stirrup (Keynsham Town)
Entertainment: 1
One-word summary: Stale