ASCOT 2 PARSONAGE COLTS 3
07-01-2007
LEAGUE MATCH
With XL again winning, the pressure was on Parsonage to take 3 points to close the gap at the top again to just goal difference.
The first half was not spectacular to watch but both teams made up for the lack of playing good football with commitment and desire that has to be applauded. Ascot had one decent effort that was on target, but it hit Keith Ragon in the head and Parsonage had two efforts my James Tevenan, that should have been put away. Also Oliver Bessex’s fine run saw him hit the outside of the post. 0.0 half time.
Shortly into the 2nd half Parsonage had to reshuffle as defender Ryan Grigg went off again with a reoccurrence of a knee injury that has kept him out for the last few games. Approx 8 minutes into the half, Ascot who had been threatening to score for a while scored to really bring the game to the boil. James Tevenen missed a very good opportunity to bring the scores level, but with Parsonage now pushing forward and playing two up front, Ascot were happy to exploit the gaps in the Parsonage midfield and very nearly scored again themselves, which would have finished Parsonage. With 8 minutes left a fine run and switch of play from Keith Ragon, resulted in Jack Lawrence running down the right before hitting a low shot into the bottom corner that went in via the inside of the post. 1.1.
With both teams now looking to win it and time ticking away, a tame effort from Parsonage was only parried away by the Ascot keeper, James Tevenan was quickest to react and toe poked home a ball that seemed to bounce around in front of the Ascot goal line for eternity. 2.1 Parsonage. With barely 2 minutes left on the clock a goal mouth scramble in the Parsonage area saw neutral referee Mr. Robert Fox of Woodford Youth fame, give a penalty to Ascot for an incident on an Ascot player. I can categorically say that hand on heart I and the Parsonage parents just could not see why the penalty was given, but given it was, and although “The Con Man” got a hand to it, it crept into the bottom corner. 2.2.
With less than two minutes left and a draw now inevitable, Parsonage mustered one last attack. A blocked shot went out for a corner. The corner wasn’t really cleared and tremendous persistence from Jack Clark saw him hit a ball into the box which was met on the half volley by Ross Cope, who smashed one into roof of the net to give Parsonage the victory with just seconds remaining. Finished 2.3.
Not a passing display today from both teams, but that said you cant fought both teams commitment in a thrilling match that wasn’t for the faint hearted. Cant fought Keith, the Ascot players and parents who kept the heads, unlike some of the Parsonage players after the penalty decision……………….
Good Luck Ascot, for the rest of the season. Keith you showed again today that you can mix it with anyone on your day and I think that although you have been a bit inconstant you have established yourself well in this division which will give you the platform for next seasons 11 aside. Well done.
Parsonage: Kain, Ragon, Grigg, Bessex, Tevenan, Clark, Lawrence, Cope, O`Sullivan