Sat 23rd Mar 2019
Suburban Football League North Division
Ascot United 2-5 TAFC Development team
TAFC goals: Joe Naylor (3), Will Salmon, Leslie Barkers-Obua
Well,well ,well another 100 mile trip to and fro, another win, another Joe Naylor hat trick, another clean sheet - 3 out of 4 is not bad!!!
Against previously unbeaten League leaders Ascot Utd who had conceded 8 goals in 9 home games on a bumpy dry pitch - this was the 90th game played on it this season, we started sloppily and allowed our opponents one half chance and one good chance both caused by players stepping in and not winning the ball. Our midfield seemed unsettled and took more time than usual to get to grips with the opposition. In that time we also created and missed an excellent chance from the hard working Clem Asante who, if he could match his finishing to the rest of his game would undoubtedly play at a decent level. Alex Holmes worked hard and affected the game at both ends of the pitch.
On 20 mins Clem ran onto another excellent pass from Chris Clark, held off a couple of defenders for Joe Naylor to finish. Score 0-1.
Some 7 minutes later we conceded our first goal in open play in 650 minutes, when a scuffed clearance allowed their left winger to get in behind and chip David Saunders in goal who got a fingertip to, the ball but was unable to prevent an equaliser. Score 1-1.
Almost immediately we retook the lead with a powerful strike from Will Salmon following a one two with Prince Nimoh. Score 1-2. We then began to look relatively confident and showed the confidence that comes with a decent unbeaten run.
There was a presumption that Ascot Utd would come at us hell for leather at the start of the second half but the wind was taken out of their sails within minutes when Prince Nimoh again forced his way through challenges and crossed the ball from the right to the near post where the Silent Assasin had arrived from wide out on the left to record his 27th goal of the season to date. Score 1-3.
The longer the game better we were both on and off the ball and Les Barkers- Obua who has been outstanding on the left side of the back 3 finished after a number of deflections following a Billie Busari corner. Score 1-4.
We then gave away a penalty after 2 poor decisions, score 2-4, but having introduced quality off the bench we hit back immediately with Joe Naylor completing a hat trick by cutting in from the left after a Connor Church pass. Score 2-5.
Despite the odd alarm we saw the game out with Ross Hazel getting more game time and Harry Gutsell making a couple of interceptions and firing a strike over the bar.
A very decent squad performance which leaves us 3 points behind our opponents with 4 games each to play.
All we can do is keep winning and hope they slip up.
Onto Leverstock Green away next Saturday (the first of my 71st year).
Team: D.Saunders.C.Clark,M.Stacey (R.Hazel),L.Barkers -Obua.
W.Salmon (H.Gutsell) C.Blake. B.Busari. P. Nimoh (F.Hercules), A.Holmes(C. Church), C.Asante, J.Naylor.