Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 9:00am

Yellamen defeat old foes Marlow

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Rob Saunders set up the first United goal

ASCOT United did their chances of staying in the Hellenic Premier Division the world of good last Saturday by picking up another precious three points against old foes Marlow United.

The Yellamen scored a goal in each half to grab the win against their former Reading Senior Division rivals and open up a healthy eight point gap above the relegation zone.

Just a month ago Stuart Scammell's side looked to be right up against it as they try to avoid dropping straight back down to Division One (East) at the first attempt.

However after losing just one of their last seven league games the in-form Yellaman have given themselves a bit of breathing space above the bottom four.

And despite the likes of Malmesbury Victoria still having seven games in hand on them, United are starting to look genuinely capable of beating the drop.

Manager Stuart Scammell said: "To be honest it was a god awful game of football, there wasn't much in it for the neutral.

"But I said last week it was all about the three points and we will take that every game for the rest of the season.

"It is nice to beat Marlow United because we have grown up with them in a way.

"We have followed them from the Reading League up to the Hellenic League and for the last few seasons have been aspiring to match what they have done."

On Saturday Ascot welcomed back Rob Saunders, Paul McGrotty and the Curtis brothers, Nick and Steve, to their starting XI.

After putting in a man of the match display in last Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against high-flying Witney United, Jeff Lamb kept his place at centre back.

This meant that McGrotty partnered Saunders in an all-new central midfield partnership. And the latter was heavily involved as Ascot raced into a first half lead.

Saunders' excellent delivery from a 24th minute free-kick was clattered against the bar by Chris Farelly. But Steve Curtis was on hand to volley the ball home to put the Yellamen in charge.

Ascot remained in the ascendancy for the rest of the half and hit the bar twice more, however they failed to add to their lead as they went in 1-0 up at the break.

In the second half Ascot continued to put pressure on their opponents but struggled to break down a well organised Marlow defence.

But eventually their persistence paid off when full-back Rob Gier linked up well with Steve Curtis down the right to set up young striker Tom Semadini for the second.

Jamie Jackson in the United goal was in good form at the other end as the Yellamen secured their fifth clean sheet of the season.

This weekend Ascot will face a much sterner test when they host title-chasing Almondsbury Town.

Scammell said: "Almondsbury are a very good side and if you look at the league table they look like they might have the edge on Reading Town at the top.

"They have only lost twice all season, but one of those was on Tuesday against Oxford City Nomads.

"I'm a big fan of Oxford. I've said before I think they are the best footballing side in the league.

"They proved that Almondsbury are beatable if you get the ball down and play, so we will be trying to do that."