Kamara-man Jaheim stars in 2-0 win

Ascot United cruised to a 2-0 victory over South Park (Reigate) on Tuesday evening. In a high-tempo display, the home side needed to be patient in earning their win against a resolute Sparks side, but eventually found their way through on a night when winger Jaheim Kamara epitomised his side’s attacking intent.

Yellamen look for return to winning ways

Having lost their last two matches, the home side were looking to bounce back, and standing between them and points was a South Park side with a near-identical record; three wins and three defeats each – but only below Ascot by a marginally inferior goal difference.

Manager Gavin Smith named a full strength squad with new signing Ezekiel Williams on the bench; fellow midfielder David Garlinge absent after gaining minutes 24 hours earlier for Badshot Lea.

Dominant first half for Ascot, but they draw blank

In a totally one-sided first half, the home side enjoyed around 80% of possession, but for all their neat, quick-passing, they couldn’t find a way past visiting ‘keeper Danny Bracken.

Khalid Simmo’s early give-and-go with Troy Murray saw Simmo drag wide, before Bracken got down well to deny Kamara.

Mesemering team-play then teed up chance number three – Bailey Lamb, Cheick Sylla and Kamara all involved, but Fope Deru shot just wide at the end of it.

Bracken’s uncomfortable save – part-tipping and part-spilling Sylla’s effort over the bar following Sylla’s assist saw another chance go begging in the 20th minute – but it was Lamb’s effort from Simmo’s wicked free kick on the half-hour mark that came closest, only for Bracken’s sprawling save to just-about keep the effort out.

Home ‘keeper Kie Plumley made one decent save in-and-around all of that, but the home side should really have made their superiority count before the break.

High-energy second half yields reward

Josh Edwards’s hamstring tweak in the first half saw him replaced by George Lock at half-time, and the latter would almost cap a nice one-two with fellow half-time substitute Andrio Brandao, although Bracken got down quickly to smother his cross-shot.

But just before that, the home side had taken the lead as, with 54 minutes played, Ibby Sankoh’s cross picked out man-of-the-match Kamara, Kamara showed too much skill in the box and was tripped, and Simmo took the honours from the spot.

However, Bracken guessed right to deny Simmo, only for top-scorer Sylla to convert a difficult rebound; reacting first to volley into the top right when airborne.

A triple goal-line clearance in front of Plumley with fifteen minutes remaining was as close at The Sparks came in an underwhelming performance from them, before Brandao slotted home in the 92nd minute as-cool-as-you-like to wrap up the win in an impressive display.

Lamb at the back certainly played his part in the win, but it was lights, Kamara, action for the impressive youngster on the wing.

Only nineteen years of age and in his second season of senior football, the man-of-the-match has improved immeasurably since the start of the season.

The win lifts Ascot up to sixth place; only four points off top spot with the teams in-and-around all having played seven or eight games.

The table always looks better after a win. The challenge is to reproduce, back it up, and then some more…

What’s next for Ascot?

Ascot United remain at home this Saturday when seventh-placed Harrow Borough are the visitors (3pm).

Ascot United: Plumley, Sankoh, Murray, Edwards (Lock 46’), Lamb, Allsopp (Williams 79’), Deru (Dehghani 69’), Le-Paih, Sylla (Trickett 73’), Simmo (Brandao 66’), Kamara.

Venue: The Racecourse, Ascot

Attendance: 156

Weather: 15c, cloudy

Reporter’s star man: Jaheim Kamara (Ascot United)

Entertainment: 4

Away fans estimate: 5

One-word summary: Controlled