A SOLITARY first-half goal for Tuffley Rovers was enough to sink battling fourth-bottom Ascot United in the Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

The opening quarter-of-an-hour was fairly even with Tuffley pressing and enjoying most of the possession, although it was Ascot’s Aaron Ross who registered the first shot on goal.

Josh Dillon played James Goodey in after 20 minutes – Goodey shot wide of the left hand post for Ascot – but it was Tuffley’s killer blow which came in the 37th minute when defender Mark Pritchett’s far post header from a deep cross beat Matt Hill.

Trailing at the interval, the Yellamen were stronger in the second half and Goodey and James Brazier failed to convert a 57th-minute chance.

As time ebbed, Brazier’s mazy run led to his own curled effort which sailed agonisingly wide of the right-hand post on 81 minutes before Dillon blazed over in the final minute after the ball had fallen at his feet.

Ascot United travel to Brimscombe & Thrupp on Saturday (3pm).

  • SANDHURST Town return to Hellenic League Division One East action at home to Rayners Lane on Saturday (3pm).
  • EVERSLEY & California were beaten 3-1 by Balham in their Combined Counties League Division One clash, Sam Hutchings netting for the Boars.

Eversley & California visit Worcester Park this coming Saturday (3pm).