Ascot United 0-0 Uxbridge
Saturday 22 February 2025
A match played in weather more akin to late April, then late February saw Uxbridge & Ascot play out a 0-0 draw which the visitors would have taken at 3pm, although with the home side down to ten men for the final 10 minutes, there was a chance for this to have been more - but a third clean sheet in a row is a good foundation to start a tricky run of games.
The game itself was a surprisingly low-key affair given it was 3rd v 4th, and the opening exchanges saw neither team able to exert themselves. Ascot did finally create a chance on ten minutes though, when Khalid Simmo drilled the ball across the face of goal but the ball skewed wide for a throw-in. A couple of minutes later the visitors gave the ball away at the back, letting Simmo in, but he was only able to guide the ball straight into the arms of George Legg. Uxbridge came more into the game as an attacking force, with the front three of Dernell Wynter, Ada Okorogheye and Daniel Fosu always looking to stretch the defence, although it was from a corner that brought the best chance on the half hour, as James Taylor rose well with the keeper - but the header went narrowly wide. The next corner also caused some nervousness in the Ascot defence as the ball and keeper were bundled into the net, but to nobody's surprise a foul was given. On 31 minutes Fosu did really well to out muscle the defender in the box, but his volley went agonisingly wide as Uxbridge began to exert some control on the game. Andrio Brandao also went close with a curling shot that went high and wide. As the half drew to a close Ascot could have easily taken the lead when a low Harvey Harry cross was put inches past his own near post by CJ Fearn.
HT 0-0
The second half followed a similar plan to the first, with both sides cancelling each other out, in fact it wasn’t until the hour mark that the first action of note arrived when Harry cut inside and unleashed a fine effort that Legg was more than equal to, Legg was called into action a couple of minutes later making another fine full-length stop from a long-range effort. Massimo Giamattei was having an excellent game at the back for Uxbridge and it was from his cross on 65 minutes that saw Wynter fire a shot just over, for the Reds first real chance of note in the half. The visitors bought on substitute Morrison Hashii for his debut, and the lively forward almost had an immediate impact as he closed down the keeper and blocked the clearance, the ball flew goalwards but fellow substitute Jonathan Hippolyte was unable to get a touch and the ball went just wide. On 80 minutes Ascot defender Joe Gater received a straight red for retaliation after a challenge with Harry Rush, and Uxbridge maybe sensed an opportunity to win the game. However Ascot are a well organised team and they shut the game down, with neither side able to fashion any chances of note - apart from with almost the last kick of the match Uxbridge switched off at the back and gave the ball away on the edge of the box, however Ascot were unable to capitalise, and the ball was cleared to safety and to give both sides a point and probably the right result.
The tough away games continue for Uxbridge now, with a trip to Leatherhead on Tuesday evening, never the happiest of hunting grounds for the Reds, but one they can look forward to being unbeaten in four games
FT 0-0
Att 289
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