Yellamen claim shock cup win over Wycombe
Ascot United humbled League 1 play-off chasers Wycombe Wanderers in their Berks & Bucks Senior Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, Louis Bouwers scoring the winning goal from the spot as the Yellamen went through on penalties.
In front of a club-record crowd of 1,267, the step five level side defeated a Chairboys team six levels above them in the football pyramid to set up a final clash with either Championship side Reading or Milton Keynes Dons.
This may not have been Gareth Ainsworth's first choice starting XI – with the visitors’ side featuring several triallists and
Andre Burley – most recently at Maidenhead United – however, there was still a sprinkling of first team experience, and this was still a magnificent achievement for manager Jamie Tompkins and his players.
It is perhaps even more special considering the Yellamen came into the game off the back of a four-game winless run, having lost at bottom of the table Holyport the previous week.
It’s an upset that ranks as one of the biggest in the Yellamen’s history and they had to do it the hard way, holding their visitors to a goalless draw before beating them on penalty kicks.
Wycombe threatened sporadically, with Jess Olukolu’s free kick flying just over the bar in the early stages, but Ascot responded well with Taylor Morgan’s shot deflecting wide from Sean McCormack’s cross.
Chris Ellis then produced a fantastic block to deny Sullay Kaikai as Wycombe threatened again, before Tom Scott’s shot for the hosts was easily saved by Adam Pryzbek midway through the half.
The visitors had one last chance, late in the game, but were foiled by the excellence of Sam Gray.
The tie went straight to spotkicks and, after both teams missed their opening spotkicks, Gray was the hero, saving a couple more while Duarte Surpanu, Merrick and finally Bouwers netted under extreme pressure to send Ascot through.
Cue scenes of delirium at the Racecourse Ground as fans invaded the pitch to celebrate with the players.