Scammell thrilled with 'overdue' run

Sportsdesk • Published 18 Feb 2010 11:31 0 Comments

ASCOT manager Stuart Scammell admits his side's recent wins over Highworth Town and Flackwell Heath have even been a bit of a surprise to him.

After beating Highworth 3-1 at the Racecourse Ground last Wednesday evening, the Yellamen made it six points out of six with an entertaining 5-3 win over the Heathens on Saturday.

United have now gone unbeaten in four games to move seven points clear of the Hellenic Premier Division relegation zone.

And, while Scammell, pictured right, feels their current purple patch is long over due, he thinks it is just what is needed to keep them in the division.

He said: "I'm feeling glad that we've finally put together a little run of results. It's long over due if I'm honest, but I think it's been threatening to happen for some time now.

"We have had to put in an awful lot of hard work and the players have always been willing to put in the effort on the training ground. They have been working to our instructions and that is starting to show in our results.

"Like most managers I've had a look at the fixtures to figure out how many points I think we can pick up for the rest of the season.

"I would be lying if I said that I had Highworth Town and Flackwell Heath down as wins, I didn't. Those points are bonuses for us, but they were thoroughly deserved."

Despite United leaping up to 16th place in the table, they are not out of the woods yet as Malmesbury Victoria and Carterton have a whopping six games in hand.

But Scammell feels his side are giving themselves more than a fighting chance of beating the drop.

He said: "It would have been great to have put together this sort of run in August and September, but this season has been a real learning curve for us.

"I was quite open about our aim for the season and that was to establish ourselves at this level and do everything we can to stay in the division.

"Our aims have not changed and these results have improved our chances as well as showing that we can compete at this level. There is still a long way to go, but we are certainly going in the right direction."

On Saturday against Flackwell Heath, United fell behind to two early goals before Rob Saunders got them back to 2-1 from the spot.

A Chris Farrelly wonder-goal and a Steve Curtis header then put them in front before Heath squared it at 3-3 on the stroke of half time.

With the game delicately poised going into the second half it was the Yellamen who took the initiative and went back in front through a Jon Keogh header.

Young striker Tom Semadeni then doubled the advantage to seal a priceless win.

Scammell said: "That was one of the hardest half-time team-talks I've ever had to give.

"I felt like jumping up and down I was so angry about the goals we had conceded, but then I was delighted to be in the game after conceding twice early on.

"The second half we took the game to them and I think we were worthy winners."

Things do not get any easier for United this weekend as they take on sixth placed Witney United.

Scammell added: "What we know about them is that they are a team that is always there or there abouts.

"There are no gimmes in this league, and Saturday will be anything but that."

Ascot: Lyons, Gier, N Curtis, Keogh, Corbett, S Curtis, Standing, Saunders, Farrell, Lunn, Bennett. Sub: Semadeni

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