Scammell - It's all about us now

Published 24 Feb 2010 12:00 0 Comments

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Ascot United

ASCOT United boss Stuart Scammell believes his side's Hellenic Premier Division fate is in their own hands after another excellent result away at Witney made it five games unbeaten for the Yellamen.

Hosts Witney had won eight games in a row at the Polythene UK Stadium and had scored in 22 consecutive matches stretching back to early October leading into the contest.

But a workmanlike display from Scammell's side secured a priceless 0-0 draw, which keeps United six points and three places clear of the drop zone.

Teams below have up to seven games in hand on the Yellamen. But after picking up two wins and three draws in their last five games to move clear of danger, Scammell is convinced his side have survival in their sights.

He said: "It is all about us now. We are not worrying about anyone else's results. We sat down a few weeks ago and figured out what we need to do to stay in this division and the sort of run we are on is exactly what we needed.

"We needed to pull our fingers out and become more competitive in this division and we are starting to show that we have done that.

"We set a target and the guys have responded brilliantly. They know what is required and I couldn't really ask for more from them. Their attitude has been first class.

"Witney have been beating teams for fun recently, especially at home. So to get a result there is massive. It is just a shame that we don't have a fixture this Saturday because we want to keep the momentum going."

On Saturday United were without skipper Tim Standing, who was suspended following his red card against Oxford City Nomads. This saw Andy Lunn play in central midfield alongside Rob Saunders, with Richard Mills partnering Jon Bennett in attack.

The hosts had the lion's share of chances, but Scammell felt his side did a professional job and were worthy of a share of the spoils.

He said: "We lined up the same way we always do in a 4-4-2, but I told the boys to be a bit more mindful of their defensive responsibilities and not to give anything away.

"I'm sure people will point the finger at us and say we were boring, but there is not a team in the league who would not take that result at Witney."

And indeed the Yellamen could have snatched all three points at the death, had it not been for a breathtaking save from Paul Tassell to deny substitute Chris Page an 89th minute winner.

Scammell said: "It was an absolutely superb save. I would go as far as saying it was the save of the season.

"Rob Saunders put in an excellent cross - he can put it right on a six-pence - and Chris Page arrived and got a great header on it, but their keeper flung out a hand and turned it away.

"But to be fair they went straight up the other end and their lad headed over when he had an open goal, so we are definitely delighted with the point.

"They will probably feel they should have won on the balance of play. But we went there got the result, shook hands and now we move on."

A quirk of the fixture list means that the two sides will be reunited next Wednesday evening at the Racecourse Ground in United's next fixture.

Scammell is expecting a more free-flowing game and admits it is one he is looking forward to.

He said: "I think it will be a different game. The surface there made things awkward, but the Racecourse is in pristine condition.

"It allows teams to get the ball down and play if they want to. Witney are a very effective footballing side and I think they will come and try to play.

"When the fixtures came out at the start of the season the games against the perennial frontrunners in this division - the likes of Witney and Shortwood are the ones you look at and get excited about.

"Those games are what it is all about. We have worked so hard to get to this level and we will do everything we can to make sure we have more games against these sides next season."

Ascot: Lyons, Gier, Corbett, Curtis, Lamb, Lunn, Curtis, Saunders, Bennett, Mills, Farrelly. Subs: Page, Semadini.

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