Despite the best efforts of Storm Bert, I managed to get to two games this weekend. After my trip over to Finmere on Saturday, I eventually opted for a return to The Racecourse Ground on Sunday for a Southern Region Division One North clash between Ascot United Reserves and Caversham United. As any long-term readers will know, Caversham were a major reason for BotP getting more involved with The SRWFL, even sponsoring one of their players for a couple of seasons. So, it is difficult to see the team struggling a little at the moment. Every team goes through tough periods, and The Goats are no different. They are a small club and have recently put out a social media request to create a partnership with another club in the pyramid. The link to the post is here. If anyone reading thinks they may be able to help, click on the link and get in touch with the club. I can assure you, they are great bunch and deserve any backing they can possibly get.
Caversham defend a 1st half corner Ascot knew that they could close the gap on Beaconsfield with a win, and started the game accordingly. Within two minutes of kick-off, Holly Robinson in the Caversham goal, was called upon to thwart Sarah Jones, who had been put clean through by a ball that dissected the Goats defensive line. It was to become something of a theme for the day. Three minutes later, Jones was again played in on goal and, this time, Robinson hesitated slightly giving the striker time to compose herself and a slip the ball into the net. 1-0
Not an ideal start for the side second from bottom, but they were clearly determined not to capitulate and, despite Ascot largely dominating possession, the home side were not able to add to their lead, at least for a while. Jones turned provider, playing in Delphi Perkins, who put her effort wide. The same player then went close again after 18 minutes. However, Robinson wasn't having to work too hard at this stage.
Just before the half-hour mark, Ascot did increase their lead, but it owed a little to fortune. A ball through the defence looked to be meat and drink to Robinson, who slid out to claim it. However, the ball squirmed out of her grasp, presenting Sarah Jones with an opportunity to chip it into an unguarded net. 2-0. Such a shame for the goalkeeper, who before and after this unfortunate slip-up, performed brilliantly for The Goats.
Conditions were not helping either side to put together any flowing moves. The gusty wind making it very difficult to judge the weight of pass, even when keeping the ball on the deck.
Caversham were battling away as best they could, with a few players out this weekend. Katie Dearling, who was previously sponsored by BotP for 2 seasons, probably better known as a defender, was ploughing a lone furrow up front. One thing she will always give is 100% effort, but the Ascot defence was proving to be a tough nut to break down. At the other end, Robinson saved well from Brejge Gering and Sarah Jones again, as well as throwing herself at the feet of any attacker that came inside her penalty area. No lack of bravery there.
Then, just before the break, Caversham almost, and probably should have, snatched a goal back from nowhere. Dearling somehow wriggled free on the left before slipping the ball across the face of goal. How it stayed out, with a number of players coming in on it, is a mystery. However, it did and Ascot managed to smuggle the ball clear from literally on the line. That could have hit an attacker or a defender and gone in, but when as the saying goes, when you are at the bottom, things just don't seem to run for you.
HT Ascot United Reserves 2 Caversham United 0. Awful conditions for watching, let alone playing. Ascot were, no doubt, worthy of their lead and will feel that they could and should be further in front. Caversham, for their part, worked their socks off to stay in the game, and credit to Holly Robinson for being a formidable last line of defence.
Not an ideal start for the side second from bottom, but they were clearly determined not to capitulate and, despite Ascot largely dominating possession, the home side were not able to add to their lead, at least for a while. Jones turned provider, playing in Delphi Perkins, who put her effort wide. The same player then went close again after 18 minutes. However, Robinson wasn't having to work too hard at this stage.
Just before the half-hour mark, Ascot did increase their lead, but it owed a little to fortune. A ball through the defence looked to be meat and drink to Robinson, who slid out to claim it. However, the ball squirmed out of her grasp, presenting Sarah Jones with an opportunity to chip it into an unguarded net. 2-0. Such a shame for the goalkeeper, who before and after this unfortunate slip-up, performed brilliantly for The Goats.
Conditions were not helping either side to put together any flowing moves. The gusty wind making it very difficult to judge the weight of pass, even when keeping the ball on the deck.
Caversham were battling away as best they could, with a few players out this weekend. Katie Dearling, who was previously sponsored by BotP for 2 seasons, probably better known as a defender, was ploughing a lone furrow up front. One thing she will always give is 100% effort, but the Ascot defence was proving to be a tough nut to break down. At the other end, Robinson saved well from Brejge Gering and Sarah Jones again, as well as throwing herself at the feet of any attacker that came inside her penalty area. No lack of bravery there.
Then, just before the break, Caversham almost, and probably should have, snatched a goal back from nowhere. Dearling somehow wriggled free on the left before slipping the ball across the face of goal. How it stayed out, with a number of players coming in on it, is a mystery. However, it did and Ascot managed to smuggle the ball clear from literally on the line. That could have hit an attacker or a defender and gone in, but when as the saying goes, when you are at the bottom, things just don't seem to run for you.
HT Ascot United Reserves 2 Caversham United 0. Awful conditions for watching, let alone playing. Ascot were, no doubt, worthy of their lead and will feel that they could and should be further in front. Caversham, for their part, worked their socks off to stay in the game, and credit to Holly Robinson for being a formidable last line of defence.
Ascot about to make it three The second half started with conditions even worse than in the first half, the wind blowing at almost gale force and horizontal rain in the faces of the Caversham defence. With the conditions against them in the second half, it was always going to be a difficult 45 minutes.
With only six minutes played int her second period, Ascot increased their lead. A corner from the left dropped into the centre of the Caversham box where Keren Banduka was on hand to stab it over the line. 3-0. Two minutes later, the same player was put clean through and looked odds on to get her second before Robinson brilliantly and bravely threw herself at the ball, blocking the strike and taking a knock in the process.
The attacking waves from Ascot were now as relentless as the wind from Storm Bert. Just past the hour they had an effort cleared off the line and then, from another left-wing corner, captain Laura Moss crashed a header off Robinson's bar. It was only a matter of time before the next goal arrived and, sure enough, on 69 minutes it did. Tiffany Skinner with an absolute belter from 30 yards, dipping over Robinson leaving the keeper helpless. 4-0
Four minutes later another substitute, Stephanie Ferreira was played in behind the Goats defence. She steadied herself before calmly stroking the ball past Robinson. 5-0. You feared for Caversham now. Having been chasing the ball for the entire game, they were starting to tire and Ascot looked in the mood for adding to their tally.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Lou Pullen got in on the act for The Yellas. Her low, angled drive flew past Robinson into the bottom corner. An excellent strike, giving the goalkeeper no chance. 6-0. With just under ten minutes remaining, Ascot struck again, and it was a goal that summed up Caversham's season so far. Another corner, this time from the right side was played into the mix. Just as the ball reached the area a sudden, sharp gust caught it, directing the ball close under the Caversham bar. Robinson adjusted her footing and managed to get to the ball but could only palm it away as far as Keziah Banduka, who slotted the ball home to make it seven. 7-0. Even the wind seemed to be against the visitors.
There was still enough time for Robinson to pull off another great stop, this time thwarting Ferreira again, before referee Paul Surtees drew a close to the game.
FT Ascot United Reserves 7 Caversham United 0. A comprehensive victory for Ascot, taking them to within striking distance of Beaconsfield. Only two points separates the teams at the top now. The defeat means that Caversham fall to the bottom of the table, dropping below Chesham on goal difference.
Next weekend Ascot welcome third placed Abingdon United Development to The Racecourse, in a real title-chasing six-pointer. Abingdon beat Ascot 1-0 in August thanks to a Beth Hawtin strike on the hour. Caversham make the journey North to take on Kidlington Youth at Exeter Park. This will be their first meeting this season.
Ascot United Reserves: 1.Allen, 16.Moss(c), 5 Killick-Bird, 6.Russell, 2.Wright, 8.Pullen, 4.Sumner, 17>gering, 14.Wilson, 9.Jones, 3.Perkins. Subs: 7.Ward, 12.Keziah Banduka, 11. Ferreira, 10.Skinner, 15. Keren Banduka
Caversham United: Robinson, Buckingham, E.Burns, S.Burns, Dearling, Downey, Fletcher, Paton, Scott, West, Wicks. Subs: Clarke, Goldring, Timms
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
With only six minutes played int her second period, Ascot increased their lead. A corner from the left dropped into the centre of the Caversham box where Keren Banduka was on hand to stab it over the line. 3-0. Two minutes later, the same player was put clean through and looked odds on to get her second before Robinson brilliantly and bravely threw herself at the ball, blocking the strike and taking a knock in the process.
The attacking waves from Ascot were now as relentless as the wind from Storm Bert. Just past the hour they had an effort cleared off the line and then, from another left-wing corner, captain Laura Moss crashed a header off Robinson's bar. It was only a matter of time before the next goal arrived and, sure enough, on 69 minutes it did. Tiffany Skinner with an absolute belter from 30 yards, dipping over Robinson leaving the keeper helpless. 4-0
Four minutes later another substitute, Stephanie Ferreira was played in behind the Goats defence. She steadied herself before calmly stroking the ball past Robinson. 5-0. You feared for Caversham now. Having been chasing the ball for the entire game, they were starting to tire and Ascot looked in the mood for adding to their tally.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Lou Pullen got in on the act for The Yellas. Her low, angled drive flew past Robinson into the bottom corner. An excellent strike, giving the goalkeeper no chance. 6-0. With just under ten minutes remaining, Ascot struck again, and it was a goal that summed up Caversham's season so far. Another corner, this time from the right side was played into the mix. Just as the ball reached the area a sudden, sharp gust caught it, directing the ball close under the Caversham bar. Robinson adjusted her footing and managed to get to the ball but could only palm it away as far as Keziah Banduka, who slotted the ball home to make it seven. 7-0. Even the wind seemed to be against the visitors.
There was still enough time for Robinson to pull off another great stop, this time thwarting Ferreira again, before referee Paul Surtees drew a close to the game.
FT Ascot United Reserves 7 Caversham United 0. A comprehensive victory for Ascot, taking them to within striking distance of Beaconsfield. Only two points separates the teams at the top now. The defeat means that Caversham fall to the bottom of the table, dropping below Chesham on goal difference.
Next weekend Ascot welcome third placed Abingdon United Development to The Racecourse, in a real title-chasing six-pointer. Abingdon beat Ascot 1-0 in August thanks to a Beth Hawtin strike on the hour. Caversham make the journey North to take on Kidlington Youth at Exeter Park. This will be their first meeting this season.
Ascot United Reserves: 1.Allen, 16.Moss(c), 5 Killick-Bird, 6.Russell, 2.Wright, 8.Pullen, 4.Sumner, 17>gering, 14.Wilson, 9.Jones, 3.Perkins. Subs: 7.Ward, 12.Keziah Banduka, 11. Ferreira, 10.Skinner, 15. Keren Banduka
Caversham United: Robinson, Buckingham, E.Burns, S.Burns, Dearling, Downey, Fletcher, Paton, Scott, West, Wicks. Subs: Clarke, Goldring, Timms
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Caverhsam launch a rare 1st half attack
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