Published: Thursday, 4th September, 2008 10:00
Exciting times for Scammell
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Ascot boss Stuart Scammell says this season's contest in the Hellenic League is shaping up to be a thriller.
STUART Scammell admits this season’s Division One (East) campaign in the Hellenic League is already shaping up to be a thrilling contest.
Ascot currently sit second in the league after an unbeaten start to the season and are sandwiched between neighbours Wokingham & Emmbrook and Binfield.
With the three local sides already getting into a position to challenge for honours, it promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in years and Ascot boss Scammell knows there will not be much room for any slip-ups.
He said: “It’s going to be very exciting, there’s a number of teams who I expect to be up there at the end of the season and that’s the beauty of this league.
“The most important thing is to make sure we keep in touch with the teams who are expected to be up there and at the moment we’re doing that.
“I couldn’t really have asked for a better start. It was disappointing to concede two late equalisers in our first two games but if someone had offered me 14 points from our first six games I would have taken it.
“We’re 11 points better off than we were at this point last season so it’s been a very promising start and there’s still a lot more to come from this side.”
Scammell added: “We need to maintain this from now. We’ve got a couple of tough months coming up which will see us playing a lot of away games so we will need to be strong.
“We’re at home to Launton Sports on Saturday who haven’t started very well so it’s an opportunity for another three points and one I expect us to take.”
Last weekend saw Ascot put in a strong second half display to crush Prestwood 6-1 at the Racecourse.
Sam McIntyre put the Yellamen in front after just six minutes but Prestwood shocked their hosts with a late equaliser to go in level at the break.
But Ascot picked things up after the restart and ended up romping to victory thanks to a four-goal salvo from Jon Bennett and one from Steve Curtis.
Scammell said: “The first half was atrocious. I haven’t seen us play as badly as that in a long time.
“It was not acceptable so I made a change at half-time and the guys reacted really well. I wanted an early goal and we got that through Steve Curtis and that settled us down a bit.
“It gave us the platform to go on and win comfortably. It was good to see Jon get another four goals but, to be honest, he probably should have had seven or eight. He had so many chances but didn’t show his usual killer instinct in front of goal.”
Ascot: Lyons, Gavin, Curtis, Hallt, Watson Curtis, Standing, Dennison, Boddy, McIntyre, Bennett.
* In other news from the Racecourse Scammell has moved to strengthen his squad with the signing of Ben Dunk from rivals Kintbury Rangers.
The winger, who can play on the left or right, has been brought in to add extra competition to the side.
Dunk has been on Scammell’s radar for some time and the the Ascot manager is delighted to have finally got his man.
He said: “It’s a great signing for us. He’s two-footed, can play on either wing and his range of passing is excellent.
“He’s got a lot of experience even though he’s only 23 and will be a real asset to our squad.
“It’s a big coup for us and I’m just really pleased to have finally got him signed on Kintbury didn’t want to lose him.
“But he wasn’t happy there. He came to watch us against Chalfont Wasps in pre-season and was impressed by what he saw and I think that persuaded him to come here.”
Dunk, who had a spell at Winchester City last season, goes straight into the Ascot squad this weekend to take on Launton Sports at the Racecourse (3pm ko).
Scammell’s men are looking to protect an unbeaten start to the season and keep up the pressure on league leaders Wokingham & Emmbrook who sit one point above them in the table.
The manager said: “Ben will go straight into the squad for Saturday. We got all the paperwork done in time so that’s a big boost for us.”
The Ascot manager also revealed that the acquisition of Dunk will, injuries permitting, be his last of the campaign as he now feels he has amassed a squad capable of winning silverware.
He added: “I think I’m done now – that’s about it for us in terms of new players.
“If we get injuries that might change but at the moment we have good competition in all positions.”
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