Tuesday 24th October 2006 NWCFL Challenge Cup Rnd One Ashton Athletic 1 Eccleshall 2

For the second match running Ashton lost by the odd goal in three as Eccleshall snatched the victory with two goals in the last 10 minutes in an entertaining match under the Brocstedes Park floodlights.
The match got off to a flying start with high tempo play from both teams and some promising attacks for Ashton through Pete Woodcock and Tom Potter down the left which was to be the precursor for the opening goal.
In the 4th minute a great passage of play from back to front through the midfield allowed Woodcock to find Potter cutting into the box from the left, and the resulting shot could only be pushed away by Kociak in the Eccleshall goal. In the resulting scrambled it was Steve Wallace for Ashton who got first to the ball and forced the ball over the line.
Eccleshall bounced back and excellent one and two touch football through their own midfield created problems for the Ashton defence. Eccleshall's Machin almost got free on a couple of occasions, denied only by some last ditch tackles from the Ashton back line, and from one such incident the visitors had a claim for a penalty turned down by the referee who adjudged that the challenge by Rothwell had played the ball before the man.
The game was end to end, and with both defences stretched to the limit a goal seemed imminent. For Ashton Simon Gallanders shot wide, and two long range efforts by Dean Ennion tested the Eccleshall keeper. The industrious Pete Woodcock provided a great platform for the Ashton team as he held up play and consistently brought team mates in to play when he could get on the ball.
Unfortunately the accuracy of Ashton's passing was diminishing as the half wore on whilst that of Eccleshall was improving and their three pronged attack gradually took the upper hand through good ball retention, and excellent movement off the ball.
Despite this period of dominance by Eccleshall, a couple of good saves at full stretch by Ashton keeper Andy Hewitt, returning to the side after a long injury lay off, and spirited defending by Ashton including a run of Eccleshall corners kept the visitors at bay and allowed Ashton to go in at half time a goal to the better.

The second half was equally frenetic and end to end as Ashton rose to Eccleshall's challenge laid down in the latter stages of the first half. More good work in the box after 48 minutes from Woodcock and his pass found Potter who shot just over the crossbar. The influential De Matteo also went close after a sharp counter attack, and Karl Williams forced yet another good save from Hewitt in open play and a couple of his long range free kicks also went close.
In the 66th minute Woodcock almost increased Ashton's lead with a smart shot which flew past the upright.
As time slipped by Eccleshall play became more direct, stretching the Ashton defence down the flanks and forcing a series of corners. One such set piece led to the equalizer as the cross was flicked away by Hewitt the delivery back into the box by Machin resulted in a bout of head tennis in the Ashton six yard box which finally fell to De Matteo who rose highest to glance the ball into the roof of the net, out of reach for Hewitt.
Ashton's response was instant as a super shot from Potter was cleared off the line after an Ashton corner. With Ashton pressing for a winning strike another Eccleshall counter attack forced a somewhat reckless challenge on the edge of the Ashton box in the 87th minute which resulted in a free kick to the visitors.
With three practices from similar positions already taken, Williams made the most of the chance to produce an exquisite curling free kick which cleared the wall and dipped into the top corner giving the despairing Hewitt no chance.
Ashton's effort were doubled and they almost recovered the position as a Dean Ennion effort was blocked and then a Steve Bennett run and cross shot was cleared off the line moments before the referee blew up for full time.
Yet another excellent performance by Ashton which has brought no reward, but as long as the team keeps playing with such determination the results will surely follow. But, credit where credit is due in this match as a strong Eccleshall side took crucial chances when presented to them.
Karl Williams was given the MoM award for Eccleshall, whilst another sterling performance by Steve Rothwell secured Ashton's accolade.
Back to league action it is then with a match against Oldham Town on Saturday at Brocstedes Park, 3pm KO whilst the reserves will take the short trip to Crilly Park to face Atherton LR Reserves

Saturday 21st October 2006 Winsford United 2 Ashton Athletic 1

Ashton traveled to second placed Winsford on Saturday and narrowly missed out taking a point after a spirited second half fight back at the Barton Stadium. Had it not been for a collective lapse in concentration straight after the re start the team would surely have got something from the game
The Ashton work rate was tremendous throughout the match and great determination was evident as the team endeavored to build on three solid draws in the previous games against Cheadle, Padiham and Holker.
Winsford however started very strongly and were clearly determined to make amends for the 1-3 home loss last week against promotion rivals Padiham. Both Danny Topping and Dave Hanlon were made good early progress down the flanks but the Ashton back line stood firm.
The Ashton distribution from the back was not finding targets consistently enough and the Winsford midfield pair of Mark Quinn and former Ashton man Danny Jarrett was able to break up the majority of advances by Ashton through the midfield.
Ashton's best moments came from the efforts of Tom Potter down the left with some good combination play with Pete Woodcock, whilst Gallanders and Ennion worked hard to take a foothold in the midfield.
Just as Ashton seemed to be getting some momentum into their play a prolonged stoppage for an unfortunate head injury to Winsford's Dave Hanlon, and a couple of other minor injuries allowed the home side to regroup.
After the restart and as the half wore on Winsford's dominance grew and a series of crosses from both flanks stretched the Ashton defence. Whilst the first ball was generally cleared the loose ball seemed to be running for the home side and a couple of second phase shots from the edge of the box went narrowly wide. Aaron Cameron was also tested with a shot by Chris Melia after a maizy run along the 18 yard box.
The build up of pressure finally paid off for Winsford as another shot from the edge of the box could only be parried by Cameron, and striker Scott Weir was the sharpest to the rebound to slot the ball into the net to give the home side the lead.
Ashton's best effort of the half came in the 44th minute as a good cross by Ennion from the right had Winsford's Neil Marsh at full stretch to deny Woodcock at the near post. The resultant corner also had Winsford scrambling but did so effectively to secure a half time lead.
The second half got under way in the most dramatic fashion as the Ashton team as a whole failed to react to a driving run from the tricky Dave Hanlon directly from the kick off. The set move had runners breaking clear and wide of the ball carrier, one of which, Scott Taylor was on hand to receive a ball lofted into the box and finish superbly across the advancing Cameron.
Despite this setback the Ashton team refused to concede and every player must be congratulated on the level of effort and commitment shown in chasing what must have seemed a lost cause.
Nevertheless chase it they did, and with greater possession achieved by better quality passing Ashton were able to build some pressure on the Winsford backline. Some excellent deliveries into the box from wide positions looked likely to bring dividends and a series of corners also had the Winsford back line scrambling again.
Some outstanding play from Potter down the left flank provided the break through. His run and pin point cross in the 70th minute was met by Woodcock on the 6 yard box, providing Ashton with just reward and pegging the score back to 2-1.
This forced Winsford to up their game with Dave Hanlon and Mark Quinn doubling their efforts, and Scott Taylor forcing another save from Cameron.
Then with the minutes ticking away an Ashton corner was swung in wind assisted and as keeper Danny Morton caught the ball the Ashton players called for a goal, claiming that he had collected it behind the line. The referee blew his whistle but to the amazement of most in the vicinity awarded a free kick to Winsford for a foul on the keeper.
This proved to be last incident of an enthralling match enjoyed by a healthy attendance at the Barton Stadium, and sets things up nicely for Winsford's top of the table clash with Runcorn on Tuesday night.
Man of the Match for Ashton was skipper Steve Rothwell, with some to draw defending throughout the match, whilst the bravery of Dave Hanlon after his head injury, allied to his effort and oustanding skills earned him Winsford's accolade.
Ashton's next game is against Eccleshall FC in the League Challenge Trophy on Tuesday 24th October 7.45pm kick off at Brocstedes Park, before returning to league action again on Saturday 28th October at home against Oldham Town, 3pm KO.
Meanwhile on Saturday the Reserves travel to Atherton LR for a 3pm KO

Wednesday 18th October 2006 Cheadle Town 1 Ashton Athletic 1

A full bloodied encounter at the Park Road Stadium produce a good spectacle and with Ashton having the better of the first half hour, and the last 15 minutes of the second half, but Cheadle more prominent in the middle stanza, a draw was considered by most observers to be a fair result.
The first half was hectic with both defences holding the attacks at arms length until a Richard Sharpe strike for Ashton went just wide in the 23rd minute. Cheadle responded in kind as the lively Dean Martin let fly, forcing Aaron Cameron into a great save to turn the ball wide.
Steve Bennett, Simon Gallanders and the two forwards were combining well down the right flank but the final cross lacked accuracy.
Ashton was, not for the first match guilty of conceding too many free kicks around the box, but fortunately the resulting dead balls were dealt with.
After 27 minutes Ashton then took the lead as an under hit back pass to the Cheadle keeper Mellor was charged down sharply by Gallanders, and as the ball broke kindly to Pete Woodcock he finished clinically from the edge of the box, to grab his first goal since joining the Club.
Ashton pushed forward again forcing Mellor to punch away after a well-taken free-kick by Gallanders just two minutes later.Cheadle then raised their game and some slack passing out of the Ashton defence and through midfield allowed Cheadle the foothold in the game they were seeking. The extra effort by Cheadle finally got its reward in the 40th minute as Martin produced a great turn and shot from just inside the box as the Ashton back line momentarily switched off claiming that the Cheadle striker was tugging at his markers shirt to gain leverage as he turned.
The linesman was then seen waving his flag furiously and gesturing that he had seen some shirt pulling, and it did seemed that Ashton's claims were going to be backed up. However once again a discussion between linesman and referee went against Ashton as somewhat curiously the linesman told the referee that it was the Ashton defender was guilty of shirt pulling and thought that a penalty should have been awarded!. As to why he was flagging so furiously after the goal had been scored was a complete mystery to every one but himself.
Half-Time, 1-1.The goal before half time gave Cheadle a lift as they dominated after the restart, with Ashton failing to get any sort of passing rythmn going, and left Sharpe and Woodcock having to feed off scraps. The Ashton defence held firm in this period with skipper Steve Rothwell turning in a great shift again.
A Lee Wakefield strike went just wide whilst Martin was always a threat with his back to goal, and another attempted shot and turn on 76 minutes had Cheadle claiming for a penalty but the referee correctly played on.
Ashton fresh legs were introduced just after the hour mark, along with a change of team shape and this arrested the initiative from Cheadle.
The Ashton passing started to show again with Dean Ennion particularly prominent and with this better possession a number of openings were created and a series of corners had to be dealt with by the Cheadle back line. Then in the 88th minute Ashton could have pinched it if a low shot from Gallanders hadn't been deflected and gone the wrong side of the post.Another battling performance from all 14 players produced Ashton's third draw on the bounce and with the defensive determination at the fore who is to would say that another good result cannot be achieved as the team travel to Winsford on Saturday for a 3pm Kick off.
Menwhile the Reserves are also on their travels with a trip to Blackpool Mechanics, 3pm KO.

Cheadle match back on Wednesday 18th October

We have now been advised that the league match at Cheadle Town on Wednesday is on, 7.45pm kick off.
It was Saturday's reserve team fixture that was the victim of a postponement due to Cheadle's involvement in the Stockport Senior Cup

The friendly against St Helens Town at Brocstedes Park will still take place, Kick off 7.45pm. The Ashton team will be a mix of 6 or seven players returning from injuries sustained whilst on first team duty, several recovering from illness and it will also present a chance for a few of the reserves to impress.
St Helens, without a reserve team of their own and with a new management team recently appointed will be using the match as an opportunity to look at a few new signings and also give a run out to players on the fringe of the first team.
With players from both sides looking to stake a claim for first team place, a competitive match can be expected.

Saturday 7th October 2006 Ashton Athletic 0 Holker OB 0

Ashton missed the chance to climb up the table with a second draw on the bounce against Barrow based Holker. With both teams keen to build on 1-1 draws last week against Padiham and Runcorn respectively it was obvious from the start that both sides meant business.
For Ashton great heart can be taken from a first clean sheet of the season, the trademark of previous seasons, whilst some fluent football in periods throughout the game crafted a series of chances which on any other day might have delivered maximum points.
Ashton did not however have it their own way with Holker also carving out chances of their own, which combined with some last ditch defending could also have secured all three points for the Cumbrians
This was Holker's first ever visit to Brocstedes Park and within the first ten minutes a strong competitive edge was shown by both sides. Straight from the kick off Holker’s central defender, Coulter scythed down Ashton's Gallanders from behind, which if later in the game would surely have warranted at least a yellow card. However Referee Mark Bibby seemed to have his lenient head on for the moment and never even spoke to the offender.
Not to be outdone the Ashton defence responded in kind with several "over-entusiatic" challenges resulting in free kicks inside the defensive half which handed the early initiative to Holker.
In between the stoppages in play Ashton's Steve Bennett was making in roads into the Holker defence, latching on to a great through ball after 5 minutes, but his normal quality of first touch eluded him and the defender was able to recover and get his foot in.
Tom Potter was also having success down the left wing, with several surging runs and quality crosses that were unfortunately not matched by the finishing, as the rampant Bennett latched on twice at the back post, but the angles were too narrow and the shots found the wrong side of the side netting.
Simon Gallanders found space on the edge of the box but first Stephens in the Holker goal and then a defensive block prevented Ashton from taking the lead.
Holker had a couple of long range efforts easily gathered by Cameron in the Ashton goals and on a counter attack another mistimed tackle from Gareth Weigh on Holker's lively Rob Bruce finally got the referee reaching for a yellow card.
Holkers first clear cut chance fell to Southward after 23 minutes as he bounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box, a good first touch and early shot tested Cameron who produced a good stop and the follow up shot from Danny Keenan was saved again and parried out for a corner.
Ashton responded well but good passing through the midfield was spoiled in the final third as both Ashton wide men were caught offside on several occasions to kill any momentum the home side were building up.
As half time approached Ashton finished the stronger with good efforts from Pete Woodcock, a handful for the Holker defence throughout the game, and then shots from skipper Steve Rothwell and Steve Wallace failed to bring reward.

The start of the second half was delayed as assistant referee Jones pulled a calf muscle and was replaced by the referees FA assessor.
The second half was equally competitive as tackles flew in all over the pitch, and during this early period of the second half Holker had the best of the game with midfield pair, Todd Bamber & Callum Livingstone creating openings that forced Cameron into 2 more excellent saves to deny the visitors.
A triple substitution and a change of shape to the Ashton team turned the tide as the fresh legs wrestled the initiative and it was now Ashton pushing forward for the first goal. Playing a more direct game into the strength of target man Woodcock, and with lively substitute Sharpe quicker to support the Ashton attack the chance to seal the win looked on the cards.
On 75 minutes it nearly paid off for them, when a through ball put Woodcock clear & his thunderous shot rattled the bar and hit with such powers as to rebound to safety over the heads of the Ashton advancing players. Richard Sharpe effort was then cleared off the line before a Woodcock downward header was well saved by Stephens.
Holker were not finished and started to hit Ashton on the counter attack with shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Bibby as a last ditch tackle by Rothwell took the ball as Bruce fell to the ground somewhat theatrically.
A surging run through midfield by Livingstone was spoiled by another dive as the player lost control of the ball with the Ashton defence only guilty of standing its ground. This time a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box, and then it was hand bags at 5 paces as Livingstone was confronted by several players about his actions and as a result of which Cameron was cautioned. From the free kick Bamber shot high & wide, justice was the cry from the home support.
Ashton then turned the screw, and young Holker keeper Stephens and his defence needed to be at their best, as first Daly to cleared off the line before a superb tackle by Low prevented Bennett getting in on goal. Then in the dying minutes Richard Sharpe forced an excellent save from Stephens with a snap shot for just inside the box.
As the teams trooped off both might have thought they could have taken all three points. Meanwhile the spectators reflected on the game and despite the blank score line it was widely agreed that it had been an excellent afternoon's entertainment nonetheless - shame the same could not be said for the "other" game that day with England once again failing to rise to the challenge.
Holker skipper showed great endeavour throughout the game and got the MoM award, whilst midfield play maker Simon Gallanders posted another great performance to claim the home sides accolade.

Ashton's Reserves were also rueing some missed opportunities as they returned from Colne with a more than credible 0-0 draw.

Next match for the first team will be Wednesday 18th October away to Cheadle Town 7.45pm KO whilst the Reserves play Cheadles Reserves at home on Saturday 15th October 3pm KO.

Saturday 30th September 2006 Padiham 1 Ashton Athletic 1

A battling performance secured the first away point of the season for Ashton and gave the team a great boost after disappointing results in the previous 3 games.
The squad rediscovered the determination levels evident in the Runcorn match, a quality that needs to be replicated in every game.
Padiham had the majority of possession but could not create many clear cut goalscoring opportunities and were frustrated by the resolute defending of the Ashton back line.
Padiham's best chances in the first half came from free kicks from around the box, most of which were somewhat needlessly conceded by the eager defenders, however this eagerness also ensured that the set pieces were repelled.
It was Ashton however that came closest to taking the lead as Pete Woodcock released Steve Bennett into space down the right wing, cutting in to shoot hard and low across the Padiham keeper Gavin King, who did well to glanced the ball onto the post and then out of play. Unfortunately for Ashton, and despite the Padiham defence setting up for a corner the referee awarded a goalkick.
Padiham continued to dominate but Ashton's compact defence held firm and with Padiham becoming more and more frustrated the visitors started to play some sharp passing moves through midfield, with Simon Gallanders particularly prominant.
This foothold gave the Ashton team renewed confidence and as half time approached a great ball from Steve Wallace found Striker Pete Woodcock down the right wing who beat the full back and broke down the flank. The recovering defender cut across to stop the run, but a superb delivery into the box by Woodcock landed in the path of the advancing Potter who smashed the ball into the top corner to give Ashton the lead after 42 minutes.
The second half started with Ashton pushing forward and another Steve Bennett run got behind the Padiham defence and a precise delivery to Pete Woodcock on the edge of the box was taken early by the striker whose shot went inches wide. Padiham then took control again continuing in a similar vein to the first having good possession but struggling to find a way through the stubborn Ashton defence.
An Ed O'Neill effort from the edge of the box was well blocked by Cameron in the Ashton goal, and then re-gathered at the feet of two advancing Padiham players. Cameron was again tested from a spectacular overhead kick in the box.
Ashton were finding it hard to clear their lines and a speculative lob into the box by the influential Paul Paynter found its way to Paul Fildes on the penalty spot unmarked who blasted the ball hard and low giving Cameron no chance, and make it 1-1 after 60 minutes.
Then game became more open with Ashton fighting back and the next 20 minutes became more end to end but neither side could create an open chance.
Fresh legs were introduced and a couple of half chances came and went for both sides. Perhaps the closest to grab all three points was a superb swerving shot from Ashton's Man of the Match, Simon Gallanders forced a finger tip save from Padiham keeper King in the 85th minute.
Ashton were clearly delighted with the point from a strong Padiham side that were well larshalled by their skipper, and MoM Paul Paynter.

Next week the team will entertain Holker OB from Barrow at Brocstedes Park, whilst the reserves will travel to Colne FC. Both are 3pm Kick offs. The first team also have a midweek away trip to Cheadle Town on the cards, 7.30pm kick off.