ASCOT United gave themselves a major boost ahead of their FA Vase second-round tie at Newhaven this Saturday with a shock 2-1 win at Uhlsport Hellenic League leaders Thatcham Town last weekend.

“It was unbelievable really,” commented player-manager Jeff Lamb.

“We were once again right up against it with players missing. We had three 17-year-olds playing and two other players making their debuts.”

It was one of the teenagers, James Goodey, who snatched victory with a goal in stoppage time, with new signing Richard Bennett having earlier opened the scoring on his first appearance.

“It was a good team effort,” added Lamb, who was forced to play himself again.

“They (Thatcham) created more chances and applied the pressure, but we defended really well to keep them out.”

One of the stars of the back four was new signing Louie Bouwers, a former skipper of the University of Exeter football team.

Louie Gilpin, another of the youngsters, and Gavin Brainch also impressed as the Yellamen kept Thatcham’s formidable attack at bay.

Keeper Carl Dennison played his part, denying hot-shot Shane Cooper-Clark with his feet well outside his area and centre-back Gary Smith did brilliantly to block Cooper-Clark’s far post header from James Tennant’s cross.

But it was the visitors who looked the most likely to score as the game wore on and they went ahead just before half-time. Bennett picked the ball up on the right wing, cut back on to his left and curled a superb effort over Rackley into the top left-hand corner.

The second half began as the first had ended with the hosts laying siege to Ascot’s goal.

Jordan Seward, Cooper-Clark and Mark James all went close before Cooper-Clark rammed the ball through a crowd of players for the equaliser.

Brainch twice rescued his side with a goal-line clearance and a well-timed challenge, while Dennison needed lengthy treatment when clattered by Tennant, who moments later was close to scoring.

But play switched to the other end, where the Yellamen struck in dramatic fashion.

They won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, from where Paul Coyne swung the ball in. Gilpin’s shot on the turn was blocked, but Goodey reacted quickest to the loose ball and slotted home the winner.

Dennison finished the game limping, but should be fit for the Vase trip to Newhaven, who currently lie eighth in the Southern Combination League Premier Division.

Lamb is hoping some of those players who missed the Thatcham game will be available for Saturday’s Vase encounter (3pm).