

Whilst it was the perfect start for the home side, it didn't last long at all. Four minutes later, goalkeeper Jodie Gray-Piazza took a little too long to clear ger lines allowing Hana Lalani to nip in, win the tackle with the keeper, and slide the ball into the empty net. 1-1
The game then settled into something of a midfield battle between two good sides who like to knock the ball about. Actonians were edging the possession and looked that yard sharper but Ascot were by no means out of their depth. The visitor's goal-scorer, Lalani, looked to be their most potent attacking force. Aside from her goal, she was very happy to try her luck from distance, which she did on a number of occasions, hitting the target on most, even though Gray-Piazza dealt with them well.
Approaching the end of the first-half, Actonians were awarded a free-kick way out on the left, some 30 yards from goal. The set-piece was delivered deep into toward the back post where Jasmine Williamson rose above everyone to head down into the corner of the net. 1-2
Behind, but certainly not downcast, Ascot pressed for an equaliser before the break and, with a minute remaining, came within a few inches of doing just that. Liv Glover burst through, chasing down a ball in a similar position to Lloyd's opener. However, this time the ball had just a tiny bit too much pace on it, allowing Hadrava to come off her line and just reach the ball ahead of Glover, blasting her clearance against the striker and out for a goal kick.
HT Ascot United 1 Actonians 2. A slender lead for the visitors at the break and one that, on e the balance, they probably just deserved. However, credit to Ascot who were battling away giving as good as they were getting. The main difference seemed to be that Actonians had that little bit more nous and were a pace quicker getting to the ball.

Unsurprisingly, after such a nasty injury and long break, the second half failed to ignite for either team. The introduction of Molly O'Reilly for Actonians certainly added some liveliness to their attack and a little mirth to proceedings with her constant banter to and fro with the bench. However, goalmouth incidents were at a premium at each end until we entered the last five minutes of normal time, knowing that there were at least 12 minutes to be added on. That was when Bramwell pumped a free-kick from the halfway line into the home box which very nearly deceived Gray-Piazza before the keeper got back to tip the ball over the bar. Then on the stroke of 90 minutes, a ball into the heart of the Ascot box saw O'Reilly and Gray-Piazza slide into a 50-50. The striker reacted the quickest to get to her feet and strike goalward only for a good block from Erin Huntley to seemingly save the day. However, the ball looped up perfectly for Lalani to plant a header over the defenders and stranded keeper into the net. 1-3. There was another small hold-up after the goal due to another injury, this time to goalkeeper Gray-Piazza. Captain Phil Holden took over the gloves and managed to raise a cheer from the home support when she first punched a shot over the bar and then made a good stop when the resultant corner produced a low drive from the edge of the box.
The electronic scoreboard had stopped at 99:35 but we had played well over 100 minutes by the time the referee blew for the end of the game.
FT Ascot United 1 Actonians 3. Defeat for Ascot but certainly no disgrace. They fought hard against a very good Actonians team who just had that little extra. However, the signs are that, should Ascot gain promotion, they are capable of holding their own in the next level. Actonians will face either Ashford United or Margate in the quarter-final. However, it's back to league action for both teams next weekend. Actonians welcome 9th placed Dulwich Hamlet to town looking to avenge a 2-0 away defeat in October. Meanwhile, Ascot travel to Oxford City who boast a 100% home record so far.
Ascot United: Gray-Piazza, Mitchell, Todd, Huntley, Drage, Torry, Holden(c), Fox, Lloyd, Littlechild, Glover. Subs: Rowntree, Doyle, Robertson, Perkins, Kjaer
Actonians: 1.Hadrava, 5.Bramwell, 4.Clement, 3.Farah Luboya, 19.Dredge, 16.Beaufort, 9.Turnet, 15.Hanif, 8. Williamson, 13. Reimer, 10.Lalani. Subs: 7.Redhead-Ling, 14.O'Reilly, 12.Pejcic
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: c50
Entrance: £5.00