Saturday 18th November 2006 Ashton Athletic 2 Darwen 2

North West Counties Football League Division 2

Ashton’s never say die attitude was on full view once again but unlike at Runcorn last week, the persistence in this match was rewarded with a point against much fancied Darwen, currently occupying 4^th place in the league.

A barn storming second half comeback more than made up for the lacklustre first half performance as late goals from substitutes Martin Rigby and Pete Tarpey pulled back a two goal deficit.

The first half showing from Ashton lacked the spark and commitment displayed in previous games, not helped by the very lenient approach of referee Goodwin to several late challenges by Darwen players in the early exchanges, which put Ashton on the back foot.

As a result Ashton got pinned back in their own half and after only 12 minutes this pressure paid off as Simon Gallanders was dispossessed on the edge of the box, and a quick through ball reached Darwen captain Stuart Telfer whose early shot was drilled into the roof of the net to give the visitors the lead.

Darwen continued to dominate the midfield and the influential Telfer produced a great through ball to Gareth Costello whose pace carried him clear of Ashton’s left back, Pat Aspinall. Fortunately for Ashton Mike Davids was quick to cover across and his slide tackle denied Costello a shot on goal, and although the attacker fell theatrically over the challenge the referee rejected the claim for a penalty.

The game became a midfield battle as the Ashton team strived to gain a foothold in the match and both teams cancelled each other out, with any advances by Ashton snuffed out by the excellent defensive duo of Charles Moss and Craig Chadwick in the heart of the Darwen defence.

Then in the 30^th minute, Ashton’s first clear chance, as a great passing move straight off the training ground was initiated by Pat Aspinall deep in his own half. Aspinall played an accurate ball into Tom Potter who laid it off to Adam White in midfield before spinning away down the channel for the return pass from White. The pace on which was judged superbly and after one touch Potter delivered a pin point cross to Pete Woodcock unmarked just outside the 6 yard box, however his powerful header fizzed inches wide with the Darwen keeper, Dan Holland nothing more than a spectator.

After 35 minutes White then played another defence splitting ball for Steve Wallace to burst through one on one with the keeper only to be pulled back as the linesman flagged for an off side against Pete Woodcock who had made no attempt to join in play.

Telfer again found space on the edge of the Ashton box in the 37^th minute but his left foot shot was well saved by Andy Hewitt. Then from a corner Darwen’s Steve Shackleton got first to the ball after a goal mouth scramble ensued from a corner but he was also denied by a good block by Hewitt. However as the ball fell to Mike Winer his mistimed clearance was intercepted and crossed to the far post by Costello to find Telfer. Telfer’s whose shot was half blocked by the advancing Mike Watson but unfortunately the block merely deflected the ball into the opposite corner of the goal, giving Hewitt no chance.

HT 0-2

The second half started with Ashton visibly more up for it and starting to put a few strong tackles in of
their own. Despite that it was Darwen who had the first chance as good work down the left in the 50^th minute by Lee Stott ended with a superb cross that was not read by the Ashton defence, and thankfully for Ashton it was also missed by the Darwen attackers and the ball ran out for a goal kick.

From then on it became one-way traffic as Ashton dominated, restricting Darwen to the odd break away that were easily dealt with by the Ashton back line.

Steve Bennett on as a substitute broke down the right in the 61^st minute before playing in Pete Woodcock whose driving run was capped off with a superb far post cross well met by Gallanders, but his shot was too well timed and was put narrowly over the bar.

On Ashton’s next attack more good work down the right, first with Mike Davids and then again by Steve Bennett allowed Bennett to deliver a pass into the advancing Steve Wallace just inside the box and as Wallace touched the ball forward in preparation for a shot his legs were taken from under him, a stone wall penalty or so everyone thought, that is with the exception of the officials who waived play on.

This injustice merely served to spur the home side on to even greater efforts as Gallanders then returned the earlier compliment with a quick free kick that found the head of Woodcock but keeper Holland saved the effort at full stretch.

Woodcock also had a shout for a penalty refused in the 80^th minute having had his standing leg kick from under him on the penalty spot when he was about to pull the trigger.

Undeterred Ashton poured forward and the pressure finally paid off as a clearance from and Ashton corner was whipped back into the box by the energetic Tom Potter directly to Martin Rigby whose header found the bottom corner.

With time running out it seemed that Ashton’s second half blitz would be resisted by Darwen until Woodcock once again secured quality possession just inside the Darwen half before releasing Wallace down the right channel and whose cross was spilled at full stretch by Holland allowing Pete Tarpey to pounce and slam the ball home from close range, and giving Ashton a well deserved draw out of a game that looked done and dusted at half time.

Darwen’s defensive General Craig Chadwick earned himself a MoM award whilst a great “leading the line” in the second half won Pete Woodcock Ashton’s accolade, although he was run close for the honour by several other hard working Ashton players especially the handful who played to their potential in BOTH halves of the match!

Next Saturday 25th November 2006 the team travel to Leek CSOB whilst the reserves entertain Reserve Division run away leaders FC United Reserves, both are 3pm kick offs

Saturday 11th November 2006 Runcorn Linnets 4 Ashton Athletic 1

After a resounding 4-1 away win against 8^th placed Castleton Gabriels last week the Ashton Latics were on their travels again hoping for a repeat performance, and to inflict another defeat on promotion chasing Runcorn Linnets. The sides met earlier in the season at Brocstedes Park as Ashton put a halt to Runcorn’s unbeaten start to their league campaign, an issue that added more than a little spice to the fixture.

Runcorn, playing at their temporary and well appointed home at Witton Albion’s Wincham Park were clearly in a more focused mood but it was Ashton’s strike force that had the best of the early exchanges despite playing into the teeth of a gale force wind.

Pete Woodcock was cleverly released by Tom Potter and his attempted lob of the advancing keeper, Robbie Holcroft was slowed down by a finger tip save at full stretch just enough for a covering defender to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Long range efforts from Mike Watson and Tom Potter for Ashton went wide, and then after 15 minutes Runcorn finally made the most of the howling wind at their backs forcing Ashton onto the back foot. Andy Hewitt gathered well coming between players from a cross by James Swales and then made comfortable saves from long range efforts from Mike Young and Thomas Boden, and a flick header from Swales after good work down the right by Colin Quirk.

Ashton’s defence was now pegged back in the defensive third and this pressure finally paid off for Runcorn as they were awarded a free kick in the left wing area after what seemed like an innocuous challenge.

Runcorn’s Quirk took full advantage swinging in a vicious ball that gathered speed on the wind, deceived all the outfield players before burying itself in the bottom corner and giving the home side the lead after 34 minutes.

This gave Runcorn the momentum they had been looking for and another long range effort from Young fizzed wide. Yet another soft free kick was awarded by the referee after the lively Colin Flood was brought down on almost the same blade of grass as the free kick that produced the goal.

Having got his eye in Quirk grabbed the ball eagerly and lined up a similar delivery. This time the wind gusted even stronger and a wrong footed keeper Hewitt who misjudged the flight of the ball as it shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 after 38 minutes.

Ashton then bounced right back as Runcorn’s skipper Newell was caught in possession and Pete Woodcock broke through and produced a superb left foot finish giving Holcroft no chance and pulling one back for Ashton.

A 2-1 deficit looked a good half time score for Ashton knowing they would benefit for the weather conditions for the rest of the game. Runcorn had other ideas however as they pushed forward and forced a corner. Up stepped that man Quirk who once again whipped in the set piece towards the near post, and once again the wind severely deviated the path of the ball and swung it into the top corner with the Ashton team seemingly powerless to prevent it.

Once again however Ashton showed the growing character within the side and just before half time a Mike Winer through ball split the Runcorn defence and found Steve Wallace who just beat the advancing Holcroft to the ball, but the toe poke slid agonisingly past the post. HT 3-1

Just minutes after the restart Wallace was again put clear but this time the dependable Holcroft came to Runcorn’s rescue again with a great save.

Runcorn could see that Ashton were not going to lie down and lifted their work rate to keep them at bay and, as Ashton did for parts of the first half played some good passing football on the ground This created a couple of half chances for Flood and strikers Mike Young and Paul Scott that were well handled by the Ashton back line.

Then in the 60^th minute a momentary lapse in the Ashton defence allowed a throw in to bounce in the box and unchallenged Scott pounced to head the ball into the top corner to increase Runcorn’s lead.

Again Ashton would not give in as first Steve Bennett cut in from the right and the shot rattled the underside of the bar but the rebound ran off to safety. Then Adam White drove forward but his shot was too straight and was easily saved by Holcroft. Pete Woodcock was then put through by Simon Gallanders and thought he had reduced the deficit with a well taken finish, only to be denied by a late flag from the assistant referee.

Another spirited display from Ashton but the wind was the biggest winner, and of course Runcorn’s Quirk. Another MoM for Steve Rothwell, with another excellent defensive display whilst Runcorn’s accolade went to Colin Flood on his return to Runcorn, who was a great influence in the Runcorn midfield throughout the game.

Meanwhile the reserves were also hit for four, going out of the Reserve Division Cup at the hands of Padiham Reserves by 4-2, with Ashton’s goals both scored by Matt Mahoney on his debut for the Club.

Next Saturday, 18^th November Ashton entertain Darwen FC at Brocstedes Park – 3pm kick off; whilst the Reserves have a blank Saturday before playing host to FC United of Manchester Reserves in a league match on Saturday 25^th November.

Saturday 4th November 2006 Castleton Gabriels 1 Ashton Athletic 4

Ashton finally found their scoring boots as any nervousness shown in previous games in front of goal was blown away by some powerful build up play and clinical finishing by four different players. Castleton, comfortably placed in 8th position in the league had no answer to the speed and determination of the Ashton team throughout the match and but for some sound goalkeeping could have gone down to an even heavier defeat.
Ashton took the initiative from the outset as Pat Aspinall and Tom Potter ran riot down the left wing producing two terrific moves and strikes on goal that went narrowly wide. Ashton then got the breakthrough as a short corner allowed Potter the room he needed to shoot hard and low into the bottom corner after 15 minutes. Young debutant Adam White, a thorn in the Castleton side throughout the match also got in on the act shortly afterwards, forcing the Castleton keeper Mark Canning to save a long range effort.
Castleton then came into the game with captain Micky Bartholomew a constant danger in attack with his clever play, and following good hold up play from him midfielder Andy Pheby forced a good stop from Andy Hewitt in the Ashton goal.
Steve Wallace and Simon Gallanders then came into the game down Ashton's right as Gallanders made Canning save again, before setting up Potter who fired just over the top in the 23rd minute.
Ashton were looking comfortable at the back however a momentary lapse in concentration was again ruthlessly punished by their opponents, when Pheby was allowed to turn and shoot hard and low from inside the 18 yard box to put the home team level after 25 minutes.
This spurred on Ashton to greater effort as youngsters Mike Winer and White out fought the Castleton midfield, and two surging runs by Winer deserved better but first a right footed strike and then a shot with his left foot were well saved by Canning to prevent Ashton from taking the lead.
Castleton then broke down the middle and a Brad Barrington strike made Hewitt save by the post.
As half time beckoned more good build up play and through ball by Ashton resulted in a one on one for Simon Gallanders, however Canning was again on hand to deny the Ashton winger.
Half time 1-1
The second half got underway with Castleton seemingly responding to a stern half time team talk as they pushed forward in greater numbers. A corner was allowed to float across the Ashton 6 yard box and then Bartholomew found space on the edge of the box but his volley went over the bar.
The midfield pair of Winer and White then got going again to swing the game back to Ashton with good passing and ball retention through the midfield.
After 60minutes Ashton then took the lead as a good through ball from Mike Watson found Simon Gallanders in space behind the Castleton back four and a hard and low shot was drilled across the advancing Canning and into the bottom corner.
Gallanders then turned provider as another pin point through ball fell into the path of Steve Wallace who blasted the ball into the back of the net in the 68th minute and give Ashton a two goal cushion.
Castleton fought back as Matty Russell and then Bartholomew squandered opportunities to test Hewitt, with shots failing to find the target.
Ashton were then denied a clear penalty as Gallanders was up ended by left back Lee Chadwick, but unsighted the otherwise excellent referee, Hussain could not give the penalty, whilst his assistant who was 15 yards and in full view of the incident seemed to be day dreaming as he just looked at the referee rather than flagging for the foul.
Castleton then had two further speculative efforts by Bartholomew and Chadwick before Ashton striker, Woodcock kept up his current run of three goals in his last three games by driving the ball home from the edge of the box following a poor clearance by Castleton keeper Canning in the 88th minute.
A great midfield performance by 19 year old debutant Adam White earned him the man of the match award, however there were several other top performers who pushed him close, not least his midfield partner Mike Winer and Potter and Aspinall down the left.
A well deserved win and a valuable three points for Ashton and a great confidence booster before next weeks match away to high flying Runcorn Linnets. The game on Saturday 11th November 2006 is a 3pm kick off and will be played at Runcorn's temporary home at Witton Albion's ground, Wincham Park.
Ashton's reserves went down 0-3 last week to a strong New Mills side, but will be hoping to bounce back in the first round of the reserve division cup away to Padiham, 3pm KO. End

Saturday 28th October 2006 Ashton Athletic 0 Oldham Town 2

Ashton made three changes from the midweek cup exit against Eccleshall with centre forward Pete Woodcock on holiday and Garreth Weigh and Mike Watson working. Steve Bennett, Mike Winer and Martin Rigby came in and the line up was adjusted.
A failure to convert several decent goal scoring opportunities when dominating play once again cost Ashton dearly, whilst the visitors took two out of only a handful of clear chances that they had throughout the whole 90 minutes.
From the first whistle the home side were in the ascendancy as a powerful run from the back in the 2nd minute by Martin Rigby punched a hole in the Oldham midfield and a well timed pass found Dean Ennion in space on the edge of the box. The powerful strike was fumbled and then re-gathered by keeper Danny Pearson.
A clear chance in the 4th minute fell to Richard Sharpe after a defence splitting pass from Gallanders, Sharpe did very well to round the keeper but his shot was then cleared off the line by recovering defender, Tony Hanlon.
Steve Bennett then crafted an opening, dribbling his way towards the penalty box from the right, only to be fouled inches outside the box, resulting in a free kick. The opportunity to deliver a telling set piece was squandered as the delivery cleared the advancing attackers by a country mile.
Oldham were playing on the counter attack, but effectively so as first Matt Barnes volleyed over the top from a Leon Melia cross, and then Darren Scanlon evaded Ashton Keeper Hewitt (on walkabouts!) but the speed of his break was such that his team mates were unable to catch up play and the cross was easily cleared by Mike Davids.
The game became a midfield battle with both back lines coping well with their opponents attacks, until Gallanders once again unlocked the Oldham defence with a superb reverse pass to find Sharpe whose first touch set the ball nicely for an attempt to loft the ball over the advancing keeper, but unfortunately for him the effort was saved.
Then in the 40th minute a long kick from Hewitt caught the wind, cleared the retreating Lee Deakin at right back and fell into the path of the pacy Tom Potter whose first time shot went narrowly wide.
Ashton then forced a corner which was taken short and the cross from Potter was well met at the back post by Rigby, but his header was easily gathered by the Oldham keeper.
Oldham fought back and a free kick was drifted into the box but Oldham's Lee Scanlon headed wide under good pressure from Bennett.
Bennett was then in action at the other end, put clear by another good through ball by Ennion and from the deep cross Sharpe seemed to have found a yard only to be penalised by the referee for a push.
In the 42nd minute a great save from Andy Hewitt kept Oldham at bay as Scanlon shot after a great cross field ball by Melia. Then just before half time Ashton forced yet another corner and a superb delivery across the face of the goal looped over the keeper but none of the Ashton attackers read the flight and the ball was easily cleared by David Bowker at the back post.
Half time 0-0
The second half saw Ashton once again on the front foot as another piercing run by Bennett was once again brought to an abrupt end inches outside the box by a tackle from behind, but referee Duckworth deemed it a fair challenge and waved away the claims for the free kick.
A minute later an almost duplicate incident occurred as that which happened just before half time, this time a well taken corner by Oldham drifted across the face of the Ashton goal without anyone making a challenge and ran through for a throw in.
Then a key moment, as first some over elaborate play in the midfield and then a mix up between Ashton defenders Davids and Rigby allowed the dangerous James Curley a sight of goal, and from the edge of the box he buried the ball into the top corner to give Oldham the lead.
Ashton bounced back and pressured the Oldham box. A couple of long throws almost brought dividends as a Tom Potter shot was deflected wide by a last ditch block by Ogunlade and then a great flick by Rigby fell just out of reach for the advancing Ashton players.
The second Oldham goal came from another defensive mistake as Rigby and Rothwell went for the same ball, but Matthew read the mix up and then beat Mike Davids to the loose ball before lifting the ball cooly over the advancing Ashton keeper Hewitt.
The Oldham team were now content to defend deep and play on the break whilst Ashton's play became hurried and disjointed, playing into the visitors hands. Fresh legs were introduced during the last 25 minutes which brought back some structure to the play. Good work by Mike Winer allowed Gallanders space to find Sharpe who shot narrowly over the bar. Another great run by Bennett was again brought to an end just outside the box but again the calls for a free kick were denied by the official.
Unperturbed, in the 78th Minute Bennett cut in from the right to unleash a good left foot shot that shaved the upright.
Gallanders then found space in the box, rounded the keeper but his shot come cross could not find the target of a team mate or the back of the net.
With the three points guaranteed Oldham ventured forward in the dying minutes with Barnes and Lee Scanlon firing high and wide before a glancing header by sub Mark Adshead also failed to find the target.
After the final whistle Ashton can reflect on some excellent play for long periods of the match and the creation of some good goal scoring opportunities will surely bring reward for the team in the not to distant future, as long as the team keeps playing in such a positive manner.
Meanwhile those odd mistakes or lapses in concentration must be eliminated as most teams at this level of football will always take advantage, as Oldham did today.

Nick Murphy was given the MoM award for Oldham with terrific work rate especially in the second half to wrestle the upper hand from the Ashton mifdfield, whilst an influential first 70 minutes earned Simon Gallanders the Ashton MoM.

On Saturday the team travels to Castleton Gabriels whilst the reserves are at Brocstedes Park against New Mills Reserves, both 3pm KO