For Egham Town to be able to mount a promotion push to re-establish Step 4 status, particularly in a season with two promotion places up for grabs and next season seeing the Combined Counties League expanded to three divisions, the Sarnies need quickly to become a force again at this level. Two games in, no points; this is still a work in progress. Against an Ascot United side making their debut visit to Runnymede Stadium the difference between a squad that had had a decent campaign behind them and one that has been rebuilt after relegation was clear.
From the off the “Yellamen”, 7th in the Hellenic Premier before being moved sideways, looked sharper and better organised than their hosts. An early chance for Sarnie forward Anthony Thomas went begging when he hesitated before being tackled, and the visitors took advantage. Chris Ellis, a more than decent centre half, had a couple of spells at Egham, and once scored at Camberley Town from just inside the home half. His most eye-catching asset, though, is a superb, and dangerous, long throw. Nine minutes in he had his first chance to use it, landed the ball on the head of his skipper Louis Bouwers and Ascot had the lead. Further Ellis throws saw several versions of near-panic in the home defence, Keyode Conteh clearing the touch from one off the line. Egham looked jittery, even in possession and went further behind because of it. A throw-in halfway up the left wing, even in their own half, ought not to have had midfielders and defenders all of a flutter but when Jack Hatcher was caught in possession Usman Lallistan took full advantage. Egham played some nice football but could only muster a couple of weak shots from Thomas and Kiemon Robinson.
From the restart Robinson curled in an inviting pass for sub Nathaniel Mensah, on for Thomas, but the ball evaded the striker. Ten minutes later a long punt down the Ascot inside left caught Egham keeper Sam Freeman out at the edge of is box. The ball bounced over him, and as held his head in hands Lallistan kept his head to score from another gift. Freeman made some amends with a fine save from Ben Hodges. Ascot controlled the game for the most part, restricting Egham to a couple of late shots from Robinson and Mensah.
Egham are at home to Lancing in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday. Next Tuesday the Sarnies might be away to Southall (who played at Ashford Town (Mx.)), depending on results / replays from Saturday.
EGHAM TOWN: Sam Freeman, Kildane Tesfu, Justin Thompson, Jack Hatcher, Tristan Toney ©, Keyode Conteh, Zaine Gangadeen, Tyler John, Ashley Elson, Anthony Thomas, Kiemon Robinson. Substitutes: Omar Hassan, Tommy Cole, Nathaniel Mensah (Thomas, HT), Lekan Ejiunmi, Harry Tubb (Hatcher, 54).