Ascot United Racers 0 – 2 Binfield 2nd Feb 08 Cup Quarter Final
Gloves were the order of the day as there was a hard frost and the match was delayed half an hour to allow the pitch to thaw.  It was still a bit frosty in places once we’d kicked off, with Binfield switching ends for the sunnier goal-mouth. 
  
Both teams started in positive style in what was a close and exciting game, Binfield had a lucky break when Lordy’s speculative pass/shot was deflected in to the Ascot net to put Binfield 1-0 up.  Ascot chased an equaliser with some good play; several crosses drifting dangerously across the Binfield 6 yard area.  The strong defending of the Binfield back 4 saw to it that Ascot never really tested Robert, and he held anything on target with ease.  Binfield kept pressing and made sure the Ascot defenders were kept very busy, helping keep the pressure off the defence.  Half-time 1-0.
  
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Ascot restricted to no real shots on target, and had no luck when the did get in striking range.  Binfield never considered sitting back on their lead and continued to press for a second goal, and came close with some great testing corners, one when a good headed flick from Mark nearly found the target, but just led to a goal-mouth scramble that Ascot managed to clear.
  
A pivotal spell towards the end of the game saw an excellent shot from Ascot hitting the post, but within a few minutes, at the other end, Daniel hit a trademark edge-of-the-area blaster into the top corner for 2-0, effectively settling the match with only a few minutes to go.
  
Man of the Match: It was a tremendous team performance and all through the game I look for outstanding performances deserving of the MotM award, I must have considered everyone in the team at some time and really think that it would unfair to select one individual when it was such a great team effort.  So well done to everyone, you all played your part.
  
On balance, I think it is fair to say Binfield deserved to win the game as they had more and better chances, but Ascot also did themselves proud and could easily have taken the game to extra-time, or won, and were a great credit to themselves, their manager and the club.  Thanks are also due to Terry and the Ascot parents for their very friendly and sporting attitude making us all feel welcome.  I don’t say that about every team, but here it is well deserved.
  
Team:  Robert, Ben F, Lordy, Daniel, Michael, Lewis, Dev, Alexander, TC, James, Mark, Matthew and Jacob