ASCOT United once again showed why they are the best side in the Combined Counties League by defeating title rivals Spelthorne Sports 2-1 at The Racecourse Ground on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Completing the double over them, the Yellamen moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier Division table, although they have played one more match.

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The crowd of 260 didn't witness the most exciting of games, but they would have admired a gritty performance from United, who stayed calm and defended resolutely as the visitors piled on the pressure in the second half.

Inspirational skipper Louis Bouwers stood out at the heart of the back four, while keeper Sam Gray produced an equally impressive performance.

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Jamie Tompkins' men took an early lead when Aiden Higgs was brought down by Joe Dyett wide out in the penalty area. The Spelly skipper injured himself in the process and needed three minutes of treatment before Harry Laflin fired home his spot-kick in the sixth minute.

Higgs was given a golden opportunity to double the lead when he raced onto Laflin's through ball, but he shot weakly straight at keeper Henry Poole.

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With half-an-hour gone, Ascot's rearguard were being tested more and more, but they gave Spelthorne very few opportunities to create a decent scoring chance.

In a bid not to allow the visitors to take a grip on the game, Tompkins made two changes at half-time with James Richardson and Kai Walters replacing Laflin and Lamin Sankoh.

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And Walters was involved in the build-up to Ascot's second goal in the 52nd minute. The move should have been stopped, but a Spelthorne defender hesitated and Ben Hodges was given time to hammer the ball high into the left-side of the net from close range.

Lesser sides would have probably dropped their heads, but the men from Sunbury-on-Thames are not a bad team and continued to push forward in a spirited attempt to get back into contention.

Their persistence paid off after 65 minutes when they were awarded a penalty close to 25 yards out and Jack Mills curled a superb free-kick past Gray.

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Soon afterwards, the keeper did well to push out a Mills thunderbolt, but the goalie could only look on as Graeme Edwards headed a corner onto the top of the crossbar.

Ascot had a chance to restore their two-goal advantage when Richardson burst clear down the left, but his shot was pushed away by Poole at the expense of a corner.

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And, at the other end, Gray was again called into action to deny Spelthorne grabbing an equaliser in stoppage time.

The Yellamen have played better, but they did enough to secure another three points in their quest to lift the title which looks a certainty providing they are able to complete their fixtures – but, unfortunately, that is currently looking unlikely.

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