Tilehurst YM 2 - 2 North Ascot
(aet - Tilehurst YM win 3-0 on penalties)
This was Tilehurst's first game in 7 weeks and the lack of match practise and fitness showed as a big North Ascot team enjoyed the better of the first half, without either team managing to carve open many opportunities.
The game was played in a good spirit on a crisp cold morning at the Rec, and was well refereed by ex Premier League official Jeff Winter.
Both teams hit the woodwork early on. The ever-lively Michael Harvey who gave the Ascot left back a torrid time on the right flank went past his man and chipped a high cross in to the Ascot box which looked harmless but was misjudged by the keeper and bounced back off the cross bar evading the on rushing Richard Godfrey.
Ascot's effort that troubled the woodwork was far more extravagent, not to mention intentional as their giant German in midfield caught a right foot half-volley as sweetly as you like from 30 yards but the ball cannoed back out and safe for Tilehurst.
For all Ascot's possession and greater presence in midfield, they failed to cause too many problems for Tilehurst as the excellent back three of Tim Waters, Matt Gill and James Williams soaked up all their attacks.
The away team were causing Tilehurst trouble throughout with their height from corners and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead from this area. On the stroke of half time, the ball was swung in to the far post where their big fella got on the end of it and nodded past Bobby Buck in goal.
Tilehurst changed formation at the start of the second half which saw the game even up rapidly. They also brought on substitutes Mark Harding and Mr Wales Mark Tancock and they helped Tilehurst to gain more possession of the ball.
The equalizer for YM could not have been more fortuitous however. on 60 minutes Joe Edwards got the ball out on the left hand side of the Ascot penalty area and laid it back for Mark Harding whose right foot floated cross sailed in high at the back post much to everyone's surprise and amusement!
YM stand in keeper Bobby Buck had to be at his best as the 90 minutes drifted to a close. Another long range effort from the Ascot midfield was heading towards the top left corner but Bobby threw out a fist high to his right to deflect the ball away.
The game was always heading to extra time and 5 minutes in Ascot regained the lead. A hopeful ball forwards didn't look like it would cause any problems until a moment of indecisiveness between YM keeper Bobby Buck and James Williams allowed the Ascot centre forward to nip in and roll the ball into an unguarded net.
YM's never say die attitude came to the fore once again when the excellent Matt Gill rampaged forward and into the North Ascot area. His cool finish for his 6th of the season personified what Matt Gill's season has been all about and took the game to penalties.
This was the second cup game for Tilehurst in which this had occurred and this time they helfd their nerve as Tilehurst Man Of The Match Bobby Buck made two saves, one World class, and the third Ascot penalty was pulled wide. COnversely Tilehurst converted all three of theirs to go through 3-0 on penalties.
North Ascot Tilehurst YM
Saved Harding scores
Wide Harvey scores
Saved Tancock scores
