Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division: Slimbridge 0 Ascot United 0 (From Gazette Series)

Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division: Slimbridge 0 Ascot United 0

10:18am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Gloucestershire Sport

A WELL organised and hard working Ascot United side left Slimbridge with a well deserved point on an eminently forgettable afternoon where chances were at a premium.

The visitors lost Eric Kusi to a straight red card on the stroke of half-time, but reorganised well and frustrated the Swans, who, had they had more of a cutting edge up front, could have nicked the points.

Ascot fashioned the first opportunity on three minutes when captain John Bennett won a tussle with Jamie Inch down the left flank, and his shot was turned away by Swans keeper Dave Evans at the near post.

As the resulting corner skidded across the Slimbridge goal, Ascot centre-back Liam Woozley, with the empty goal in front of him, somehow contrived to hook the ball clear of the goalline.

Daniel Holloway was beginning to cause problems for the visiting side, and he used his pace to good effect on 14 minutes, with another probing run. His cross found Marvyn Roberts, who volleyed wide.

Roberts brought a save from Ascot Keeper Chris Grace with a shot on the turn.

On the stroke of half-time, Ascot were reduced to ten men, following Kuzi’s two-footed challenge on Tom Cole.

As Slimbridge applied pressure at the start of the second period, they had a lucky escape after a quick break from the visitors. Ian Brooks was played through on goal, and was felled outside the penalty box by the advancing Evans.

After consulting his linesman, the referee deemed that the Swans keeper was not the last man, and he escaped with a yellow card.

The Swans’ best chance of a goal came with just nine minutes remaining, when Grace was penalised for picking up a backpass, and Slimbridge gained an indirect free kick ten yards from the Ascot goal. As the visitors contested the decision, the ball was slipped sideways to Holloway, who skied the ball high and wide.

In the third minute of added time, Roberts failed to convert a chance after Grace dropped the ball under pressure from Micky Bryant.

The Swans travel to Wokingham and Emmbrook on Saturday (3pm), before returning to Wisloe Road the following weekend when they entertain Thame United.

Slimbridge: Evans, Anson, Wellon, Hine, Inch, Wood, Ward (Bryant 63), Cole, Roberts, Martin (Nash 53), Holloway.