Ascot United’s flying start to the season has coincided with a former Reading FC and FA Cup-winning goalkeeper coming out of retirement.
The Yellamen lead the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North by a point from Reading City and boast one of the division’s meanest defences in no small part thanks to goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown.
Ascot have just beaten a club record 10 wins in a row in all competitions and extended that to 11 games at the weekend following a 2-1 win at home to London Lions.
The team have been on an unbeaten run since the 8th October when they visited Wokingham & Emmbrook at Lowther Road. The streak includes two Isuzu FA Vase victories, a trip to Newport Isle of Wight in October and another away tie with Broadbridge Heath, sending them through to the Third Round Proper, as well as a Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup win over FC Deportivo Galicia.
Crucially, Ascot United took all three points at home against fellow title race contenders Burnham at the beginning of November.
Ashdown has played in 20 games this season since signing first team forms in the summer – he had previously been coaching young goalkeepers at the club – having last played competitively in League Two for Oxford United in 2014/15.
The stoppers career saw Championship and Premier League games for Reading and Portsmouth as well as an FA Cup win with the South Coast side, not to mention a UEFA Cup appearance.
Reading City and Ascot United will meet in a top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday 6th December at The Rivermoor in Reading. Full fixtures and results are here.
