Ascot overpower Chesham 4-1 on the road
Ascot United Women returned to winning ways on Sunday afternoon with a resounding 4-1 win over fell step-four outfit Chesham United in the first round of FA Women’s National League Plate knockout stage.
Having qualified by virtue of their finishing position in the earlier group stage, Andy Cox’s side took to the field at The Meadow looking for a first win since their league victory at Maidenhead United four weeks earlier.
Since then, The Yellawomen had lost two cup and one league game – failing to score and conceding eleven – but it was a very different outcome this time around.
Two players returning to the starting line-up teed up Ascot’s opening goal after 21 minutes; Erin Huntley’s interception followed by Alice Balaam’s cross ended up being turned into her own net by a home defender.
Chesham would level five minutes later via a good finish at the far post, but Darcey Maxted would smash the visitors ahead once again in the 35th minute with a screamer from 30 yards.
And, the stuffing was knocked out of Chesham when Ascot netted their third in the 38th minute as Anais Harney headed home; Balaam’s cross providing another assist.
Maxted then turned provider with twelve minutes remaining for Beth Lloyd to make it 4-1.
Ascot will wait to see who they play in round two of a competition featuring step three and four sides; Chesham currently sit bottom of the National League South East section, and the visitors wish them well in their quest to overturn recent fortunes.
A section of the 98-or-so in attendance returned from Buckinghamshire happy, and they will be hoping for a continuation of that form when they entertain Reading Community Trust at The Racecourse on Tuesday evening in a hotly-anticipated County Cup tie (7.45pm).
Photo courtesy of Chesham United Women’s Twitter Feed.
