ASCOT United were pegged back by 10-man Tuffley Rovers on Saturday afternoon as the Yellamen lost their Hellenic League Premier Division encounter 2-1 in Gloucestershire.

Dom Sullivan had opened the scoring with a debut goal, but a much-changed Ascot side saw their lead cancelled out before half time and succumbed to a 70th-minute strike.

Notable absentees from the starting line-up were stalwarts in the shape of ‘keeper Lee Allen and Samir Regragui, although with a host of other regulars missing, manager Neil Richards was forced into a major reshuffle of his pack.

That said, his troops took the lead in the 20th minute when Sullivan planted a header past Dave Evans from Jonny Denton’s free-kick.

James Goodey and Louie Gilpin had already seen efforts saved by Evans, but they were incensed when Shayne Bradley received only a yellow card for a high challenge on Ascot’s Louis Bouwers.

However, it was another home player, defender Courtney Hamilton, who saw red for the hosts soon afterwards, but despite playing an hour with 10 men, it would ultimately be their day.

Firstly, Bradley fired a superb free-kick past stand-in keeper Tim Amoui and into the top corner to level matters before half time, before Ash Bird netted the winner with a cross-shot midway through the second half.

Goodey saw a shot saved in the 73rd minute, but there would be no equaliser in a second half otherwise devoid of chances.

All in all it wasn’t a great day for the Yellamen as most of their relegation-threatened counterparts picked up points, but a full-strength side and a bit of luck in their remaining six league outings will see them right.

Ascot United travel to Lydney Town on Saturday (3pm).

  • SANDHURST Town stunned Hellenic League Division One East title hopefuls Virginia Water with a 3-0 away win last Tuesday.

The Fizzers took the lead through Jonathan Malone, and were 2-0 up before the break when Conor Harlowe found the back of the net.

The prolific Charlie Oakley made it 3-0 on 50 minutes, and fourth-placed Sandhurst held on for all three points.

Sandhurst Town were due to visit Eversley & California in the Aldershot Senior Cup last night (Tuesday).

  • FIFTH-PLACED Wokingham & Emmbrook return to Hellenic League Division One East action at home to Holyport on Saturday (3pm).
  • GOALS from Kelvin Karanja and Noah Kibreab gave Staines Llamas a 2-0 victory at Eversley & California in Division One of the Combined Counties League.

The beaten Boars drop to ninth in the table ahead of a trip to second-bottom Bagshot this coming Saturday (3pm).