Flackwell Heath knock Ascot United off the top
Flackwell Heath assistant manager Paul Shone praised his side’s performance following a 2-1 win over then-league leaders Ascot United on Tuesday night.
It was the Heathens' second win in as many weeks at the Racecourse Ground after defeating Ascot 2-0 in the Berks and Bucks Cup a week earlier.
James Keeley would grab the first for the visitors, latching onto the end of a Duarte Surpanu cross. The low ball caught the Ascot defence off-guard, with Keeley left to finish in the 27th minute.
Ascot would grab one back in the second half, when Flackwell Heath ‘keeper Cairo Richards brought down Brendan Matthew a couple of minutes before the hour mark. The resultant penalty was converted by Joshua Masters.
Nevertheless, United’s lead would only last for a few minutes.
A free kick in the
Ascot third was whipped into the box, which the home side struggled to clear. Jack Shakespeare caught hold of the ball just outside the penalty area, bending his effort through a sea of red and yellow shirts into the back of the net to retake the lead.
The result leaves Flackwell Heath in 6th, but only on goal difference, with five teams trailing new league leaders Burnham by two points. Speaking after the game, the Heathens’ assistant manager spoke highly of his side, and insisted they would take each game as it comes.
“It was going to be a tough game, of course,” said Shone.
“Off the back of last week, going over there and putting them out of the county cup, we knew they were going to shuffle their pack – obviously they have a very strong squad available to them.
“It was going to be a tough game, [but] one we rose up to and came away with all three points.
“It was a tough first half, but we dominated possession, played some much better football and put ourselves in front.
“Credit to them, in the second half they came back strong – we didn’t really start well, but credit to them they were on the front foot for the first 10-15 minutes and levelled.
“We didn’t let them settle back into that rhythm; we got back into it and went 2-1 up.
“Overall, it was a very pleasing, strong display from us and one we’re very happy with.”
W Ascot United's defeat presented Burnham with the chance to go top of the table and Ben Murray's team weren't about to look that gift horse in the mouth.
They defeated Edgware & Kingsbury 2-1 away from home onTuesday to move two points clear at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North table.