Nov 06, 2016
Bourne Supremacy- Hat trick hero guides Royals to Plate Victory
Bolstered by the signing of new keeper, Sam Dunks, Ashridge approached the match with a renewed sense of purpose.
The team came charging out of the blocks, with a rejuvenated and focussed Dom rampant on the right wing. His first minute cross was headed agonsingly wide by Ted, and then Ben C came close with a half volley on 5 minutes. However, not everything went to plan, as on 12 minutes in barely their 2nd foray into the Ashridge half, the visitors took a shock lead with a shot going agonisingly into the corner of the net.
There was however no panic and within 2 minutes, Ben c's inch perfect cross was headed in by Dom. Dom almost scored a second when his volley from Ben W's cross went over the bar.
On 32 minutes a pin point pass by Callum to an onrushing Alex enabled him to beat a defender before picking his spot and unleashing an unstoppoable drive into the Barton goal. 2 minutes later, the same player doubled the advantage with a similar strike.
At half time, Ashridge were 3-1 up but the game was still very much alive as Barton were playing with great determination- the next goal was expected to be crucial. After a fairly uneventful 10 minutes, a perfect back heel by Sid set up Alex, who had time to look up before scoring another peach of a goal to complete a deserved hat-trick.
Alex then set up Ted with a defence splitting pass for Ted to cleverly beat the onrushing keeper and put the game beyond the reach of the visitors. There was still time for Dan to back heel Peter's assist from 3 yards out to complete the scoring and conclude what was in fairness a flattering 6-1 victory.
The game was hard fought and tricky in parts, but with confidence flowing from having a dedicated keeper and the players taking their chances it was a very pleasing day all round. We play U17 Royals in a local derby in the quarter final on 10 December, with the winners facing the daunting task of a potential visit to all conquering Basingstoke in the semi final in January.
Next up - a friendly at Woodley on 12 November