AAFC 3 Congleton 2 - Carlsberg FA Vase 2nd Round Qualification replay

Two goals from Paul McVeigh, one in each half, and one from Richard Sharpe canceled out strikes from Congleton's Hadrell and Harris to secure a place for Ashton in the third stage of this year's FA Vase.
After receiving a scare in the original tie on Saturday, Congleton arrived at Brocstedes Park in more focused mood and set off at a cracking pace in the early exchanges exerting pressure on the home defence and two good efforts by Haddrell and Hurst created by Harris down the right threatened the lead.
Sherlock breaks clear and smashes a shot against the bar
to present McVeigh with his first goal of the night

However as Ashton started to get a foothold a superb cross ball by Burke found Dave Sherlock in behind his full back and unleashed a thunderbolt which crashed against the bar and fortunately for Ashton fell kindly for striker Paul Mc Veigh, who blasted home from 8 yards after 9 minutes. 1-0
This lifted the home side and both teams probed for openings but the defences kept the upper hand limiting sight on goal. Congleton had the edge and with a greater share of possession as the half wore on, had Ashton camped in their own half.
The pressure finally paid off as good play down the Congleton right was not adequately repelled and Haddrell found space just outside the box in the 37th minute to fire through a crowded box and find the corner of the net, giving keeper Hewit no chance. 1-1
Congleton were flying and any advances by Ashton were limited, and the home side were relieved to get in the changing rooms to re-group. HT 1-1
This they did, and Steve Bennett replaced Tom Potter who was unable to carry on following a bad tackle midway through the first half which also earned Congleton's Adam Vickers a yellow card.
The game looked more evenly balanced as Ashton looked after the ball better in the early exchanges of the second half. however somewhat ironically, having stemmed the tide a goalkeeping error allowed the influential "chopper" Harris to dispossess Hewitt, who had strayed out of this box attempting to intercept a speculative through ball, and slot home into an empty net on the hour mark. 1-2.
This again gave the visitors a lift and several half chances fell wide of the mark whilst Ashton's advances where snubbed out by a resolute Congleton back line, well Marshalled again by skipper Andy Alston.

McVeigh denied by a last ditch tackle by Alston

The introduction of Richard Sharpe in the 72nd minute, for the injured Dave Sherlock proved the turning point in the game as within 2 minutes he latched onto a right wing raid to fire home from within the 18 yard box to set up a grandstand finish. 2-2
As the game entered its final 10 minutes it was Ashton who looked the stronger and this late but short period of dominance brought its reward as right back Steve Wallace capped off a great all round display with a curling cross from the right flank that found McVeigh 10 yards out and his powerful header sailed into the net to put the home team ahead again.
McVeigh rises to head his side to victory in fine style
Congleton rallied in desperation to grab an equaliser but Ashton's outstanding defence held firm and secured a famous victory.

McVeigh celebrates after his second
and with it the game

The next round, the first round proper will see the visit of another Vodkat League Division One side Colne FC on Saturday 6th October 2007 3pm kick off.








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www.celebritypixuk.co.uk/slideshow20962.html

Ashton tame the Bears and force Vase replay

Saturday 22nd September 2007 - The Carlsberg F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Congleton Town 1 Ashton Athletic 1 (AET)

Ashton traveled for the Carlsberg FA Vase 2nd qualifying round to Congleton of the Vodkat NWCFL Division One in buoyant mood after a 9 game unbeaten run in league and cup games that has seen them settled in 3rd place in Division 2 of the Vodkat League.

In an effort to sure-up the Bears defensive frailties, Congleton manager Anthony Buckle signed Andy Bostock, a left-back from Newcastle Town and Carl Nesbitt, a strong tackling midfield player from Vauxhall Motors, and gave them both their debuts at Booth Street.

Meanwhile Ashton were fielding an unchanged outfield side for the third match in a row, with the only change to the staring line up being Andy Hewitt replacing Andy Paxton in goal. Ashton made an eager start with Dave Sherlock firing wide, after cutting in from the left in the first minute. After this initial flourish the game settled into a more cautious phase as both sides probed for defensive weaknesses.

There were a couple of half-chances at either end with Simon Gallanders curling one in at the near post but Wilkes was able to collect comfortably. Congleton started pressing hard and won a free-kick that Johnson delivered into the box. Through a crowd of players the referee somehow saw an infringement on the goalkeeper and awarded a free-kick to Ashton.

A good interchange of passes after 13 minutes released Williams down the left and his low driven cross into the box found Johnson in a central position, but the influential Congleton midfielder drove the ball over the bar from 18 yards.

Then in the 21st minute a Rothwell free kick found Mcveigh in the box whose header reached Steve Bennett who found space to float the ball over his shoulder which beat the Congleton keeper Wilkes but the effort flew just wide of the corner apex of the goal.

A minute later Congleton skipper Alston misjudged his clearance, which went high into the air, before falling to Gallanders who shot high and wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Ashton winger Dave Sherlock then robbed two Congleton players of the ball in two separate incidents, which first creating a chance for Bennett, a chip over Wilkes that drifted wide. in the second he dispossessed Jordan Johnson on the half way, executed a good on two with Paul McVeigh to get in behind the Congleton back line but was then confronted by a determined Wilkes who was up to the task as he came out bravely to block Sherlock's first effort, and having forced Sherlock wide of goal, the rebound was placed just wide and into the side netting.

In the closing minutes of the first half Congleton's Haddrell bought some space but put his chipped shot over the bar. The home side were then awarded a free-kick that was taken quickly and with the Ashton defence still trying to organise itself Hurst stole in to meet the cross but could only glance his attempt across the face of goal.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 0 Ashton Athletic 0

Both teams took to the field for the second half knowing that there had been chances for both sides in the first half and that a solitary goal might be the difference between the two sides.

Ashton once again started on the front foot as another great ball from Dave Sherlock found McVeigh but again the shot was blazed over the bar.

The more defensive Harris was introduced in place of Congleton's JP Jones at the start of the second half, which was perhaps an indication of the approach that the Congleton manager would be adopting, and Johnson moved out to the right to accommodate Harris in the centre.

An early free-kick was wasted by Ashton’s Lawton as he also put his effort over the bar from 25 yards. Then Ashton's Chris Almond, having been soldiering on since picking up a knee injury midway through the first half eventually had to succumb, and was replaced in the 59th minute by Paul Townshend.

Town were doing most of the pressing in the stage of the game, but without much penetration and always looked vulnerable to a quick counter-attack from Ashton. Conglton had two long range efforts by Hurst who also failed to hit the target before he was replaced by Twigg

For Ashton Daniel Hitchen replaced Bennett after 70 minutes and he was almost instantly up ended in a dangerous area just to the right of the penalty area. The curled in free kick created a scramble in the Bears’ defence before a relieved Wilkes finally gathered at the near post.

As the prospect of extra time loomed large both teams had a chance to grab a win as first Johnson squandered an opportunity to win the game for the Bears when he cut inside two defenders but dragged his shot wide of the near post.

And then a moment of controversy as McVeigh latched onto a through ball running between the Congleton centre half's, drew the keeper and blasted the ball into the net only to be denied by a late flag from Linesman that disallowed the goal, a decision that had the Ashton bench and supporters up in arms, and the Congleton faithful breathed a sigh of relief as McVeigh appeared to have been a yard on side when the ball was played

Full-Time: Congleton Town 0 Ashton Athletic 0

Ashton almost took the lead straight from the restart as Gallanders was allowed to carry the ball too far into the Bears’ defence and Wilkes had to get down smartly to smother his near post shot. A free-kick at the other end created problems for the Ashton defence and Twigg rose just too early to get a touch on Johnson’s in-swinging ball. Hitchen then narrowly missed out on a low cross as he moved unmarked into the penalty area.

The Bears finally got the breakthrough they were looking for when the nimble feet of Johnson were scythed from under him as he danced his way into the opponents’ penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the reliable Haddrell made no mistake from the spot sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Extra Time - 1st period: Congleton Town 1 Ashton Athletic 0

A slight knock meant that Captain Alston had to be taken off and Keeling was sent on with Haddrell dropping back into the centre of defence. This seemed to spur on the Ashton forwards who knew they had the beating of Haddrell for pace.

McVeigh late strike earns Ashton
a well deserved replay

Lawton then saw his free-kick from a central position take a nasty deflection off the wall and the wrong-footed Wilkes was happy to see the ball go wide of the far post. The writing was on the wall though and Ashton equalised from the very next free-kick that they were awarded. From out on the right the ball was put into the danger area and striker McVeigh was on hand to finish with a first time shot into the far corner of the goal.

There was almost an instant riposte as one of Town’s better passing moves allowed Johnson to get a low cross into the box from their right and Keeling, sliding in, was unable to get a touch on the ball as it flashed across the face of goal.

Hitchen almost put his side in front when left unmarked at the back-post from a deep cross. With time to set himself, the Ashton replacement could only guide his headed attempt over the crossbar from a narrow angle.

Aspinall picked up the only caution of the day in the final minutes as a wild tackle once more sent Johnson sprawling to the ground, although nothing would come of the resultant free-kick. Potter replaced Sherlock for the final two minutes for the visitors and as the game came to an end it was the Bears who were hanging on for the draw and the chance to progress via a replay which will take place at Ashton's Brocstedes Park on Tuesday 25th September 7.45pm Kick off.

FA double date for Ashton

Ashton Athletic have a double date in national FA competitions in the few days as the Club's first team travel to Vodkat North West Counties Division 1 side Congleton Town on Saturday 22nd September for a FA Vase match kicking off at 3pm. Meanwhile the Club's Youth team makes its debut in the e-on sponsored FA Youth Cup on Monday 24th September.

The FA Vase second qualification round match on Saturday follows hot on the heels of the 6-0 demolition of Doncaster based Rossington Main in the first round, and comes with the team experiencing a superb start to the season, settled in third place of the Vodkat North west Counties League Division 2

Two days later Brocstedes Park hosts its first ever FA Youth cup tie when Ashton's under 18 youth side take on Lancaster City Youth, 7.45pm kick off. This match is the first step on a road that could see Ashton pitting their wits against the professional Club Academy's, and will be a great challenge for the Club.

The Youth team also go into their game in confident mood having won their first three North west Youth Alliance league games, and capped off the build up to the Youth Cup with a tremendous 7-0 hammering of the Leigh RMI youth team last Sunday.

It is hoped that the high profile competitions will attract interest from Ashton and Wigan's sporting public to watch the Club's progress in these knock out competitions and then in the bread and butter league campaigns on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the season.

Saturday 15th September 2007 - Holker OB 0 AAFC 1

Ashton took the long trip up to Barrow and added to the 8 league and cup unbeaten run, and in the process moved into third in the league as other top half teams faltered.
Ashton's intentions were clear from the start of the game as first Dave Sherlock and then Simon Gallanders got strikes at goal way in the first couple of minutes.
Ashton dominated possession and territory as Holker struggled up the hill and against a strong wind and although Ashton struggled to find fluency they always looked comfortable with chances for Steve Bennett after good work from Paul McVeigh then a Gallanders shot that was deflected wide for a corner.
Then the breakthrough as good interplay between Steve Bennett and Dave Sherlock allowed Sherlock to find an inch perfect cross for Gallenders at the back post, who powered home his header and gave Holker keeper Stephens no chance. 1-0 to Ashton.
Gallenders (pictured below from previous match)
does the trick with the head this time, giving Ashton a deserved lead
The Holker attacks were limited by the rock solid Ashton defence restricting the home side to long range efforts from Southward and Moore, whilst Ashton had more clear cut efforts by Steve Wallace and Steve Bennett well saved by Stephens. HT 1-0
The second half again saw Ashton on top despite being against the elements and left Andy Paxton in the Ashton goal a virtual spectator. Ashton should have increased the lead as a rasping shot from Mike Burke was too hot to handle for keeper Stephens who spilled the shot into the path of on rushing striker Dave Sherlock who blasted home from close range. The Ashton celebrations were short lived as to everyone's amazement assistant referee Daly flagged for an offside.
5 other dubious decisions by the same official denied Ashton one on one charges on the Ashton goal at least 3 of which were not even close to being offside, with deep players making runs to break the offside trap but retreating forwards being the ones ruled offside. Holker's second half efforts were limited to set plays and long range efforts causing the back line little discomfort.
As the game went on Adam White, Dan Hitchen and Tom Potter all had good positions to increase the lead however at the final whistle Ashton had to settle for the 1-0 scoreline, but more importantly all three points that allows the squad to move forward with confidence to next Saturdays FA Vase second qualification round at Congleton Town.
MoM for Ashton was the industrious and constant threat Steve Bennett, whilst young defender Gareth Smith got his teams award coming to his teams rescue with well timed tackles throughout the game.

Ashton's reserve team fought back from a 1-3 deficit against a slick Nelson team to claim all three points with a 4-3 win. Ashton goals were scored by Tarpey, Gillespie and two from Martin Ormesher and they can look forward with confidence to the midweek Derby against Ashton Town Reserves..

Co-operative Lancs Challenge Cup draw 2007/2008

The draw for this season's competition was held on Friday evening Live on BBC Radio Lancashire and Ashton have been drawn away against Vodkat NWCFL Division 2 rivals Daisy Hill. The tie will take place on week commencing 8th October2007 and will be Ashton's first attempt in the competition, which pulls together all Lancs FA non league teams from the Blue Square Conference, Unibond Northern Premier League and the Vodkat North West Counties.

The full draw is as follows:-

Skelmersdale United v Squires Gate
Blackpool Mechanics v Bamber Bridge
Radcliffe Borough v Kirkham & Wesham
Holker OB v Rossendale United
Fleetwood Town v Atherton LR
Daisy Hill v AshtonAthletic
Colne v Kendal
Lancaster City v Chorley
Darwen v Ramsbottom United
Nelson v Bacup Borough
Padiham v Clitheroe
Atherton Collieries v Marine

BYES :-
Barrow
Burscough
Leigh RMI
Southport

McVeigh hat trick seals another win for Ashton

Tuesday 11th September 2007 AAFC 3 Daisy Hill 0

A first half hat trick from Paul McVeigh secured the points for Ashton against local rivals Daisy Hill and move the Latics up to fifth spot in the the Vodkat NWCFL Division 2.

McVeigh in the thick of it from the start
The first goal came when a superb through ball from Chris Lawton found Dave Sherlock down the Ashton right who whipped in a pin point cross into the path of McVeigh who finished without hesitation in the 13th minute 1-0

Daisy Hill worked hard to close down Ashton which made for a scrappy period in the game before Ashton increased the lead from a free kick awarded to Ashton on the edge of the box as Steve Bennett was brought down. A thunderbolt of a free kick from Chris Lawton was too hot to handle for the Daisy Hill keeper Scott Moore and the rebound fell to McVeigh who made no mistake from close range after 31minutes. 2-0

Steve Bennett brought down by Daisy's Craig
Whittaker leading to the thunderbolt fromLawton

Just as half time approached quick feet in the box by Dave Sherlock beat the Daisy defence and a clumsy challenge brought him down to give the referee the easiest of decisions to award a penalty kick to Ashton. Up stepped McVeigh to blast home the spot kick to claim his hat trick jsut before the break. 3-0

Daisy keeper Moore clears under pressure from McVeigh
The second half was largely competed in the midfield as two hard working sides slogged it out to gain the space to play more fluently.

Daisy had a spell of decent possession in this part of the game but could not get a clear sight at the Ashton goal through some resolute defending.
Ashton eventually came out on top in the midfield area and several high quality passing moves pierced the Daisy defence however the chances were not taken to increase the deficit. FT 3-0

Another clean sheet a huge plus for Ashton and although the team did not play the fluent football of previous games credit to Daisy Hill who never gave the home side a moments on the ball, and Ashton will be content with securing the three points.

Ashton now move on with an away fixture in Barrow against Holker OB kick off at 3pm. Enquiries are being made about hiring a coach for the journey so if any friends/relatives or supporters wish to travel with the team please contact David Powell on 07770 696747 to reserve a place.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF www.celebritypixuk.co.uk , WITH THANKS.
See www.celebritypixuk.co.uk/portfolio20384. to view a slide show of more photographs of the game and to purchase

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PLAYERS - FURTHER TRAINING VENUE UPDATE

UPDATED TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS

The senior squads have now moved from the grass pitches at St Edmund Arrowsmith High School, Ashton to the winter training venue at St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road Orrell, Wigan.

In summary:-

Tuesday 11th September 8pm start at St John Rigby College
Thursday 13th September 8pm start at St John Rigby College
and every Tuesday and Thursday therafter until further notice.

Meet in the changing rooms for a 8.15pm start at St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road Orrell.

DIRECTIONS: see map below
Take J26 of M6 motorway signed Wigan and at end of slip road turn LEFT at traffic lights, driving over over a motorway bridge. At the next traffic lights turn right into Gathurst road and follow for about 1 mile, go under motorway bridge an turn into College entrance on the right.
Keeping left through automatic barrier and drive around the back of the College to the sports Hall.
Download map

Players will require footwear for a warm up on grass, for the 3G Astroturf AND for possible work on the roads or indoors at EVERY training session throughout the autumn/winter. Showers will be available after training.

Any new players interested in joining the existing squads please contact David Powell on 07770 696747.

SUCCESS FOR LATICS IN FIRST EVER FA VASE MATCH

Ashton progressed to the next round of the FA Vase with a resounding win against North East Counties League One outfit, Rossington Main from Doncaster.
The result never looked in doubt as Ashton took an early strange hold on the match as early as the second minute as a Dave Sherlock through ball found Steve Bennett with a well timed run and superb left foot strike into the top corner.1-0
Other efforts on the Rossington goal were not so clinical allowing the visitors to fightback in the midfield. The Ashton defence was however on top of its game and comfortably dealt with the Rossington attacks in open play and cleared well from some treatening set pieces by the visiting team.
Ashton then increased the lead as Dave Sherlock latched on to a half clearance on the edge of the box and produced a sweet volley which swerved and dipped into the top corner in the 24 minute. 2-0
The confidence oozed through the team and successive waves of attacks produced efforts from Paul Mcveigh, whose curling shot from the edge of the box fizzed over the bar; and then Steve Bennett burst through again slid the ball across goal to beat the keeper but also the wrong side of the upright.
On 30 minutes Rossington were presented with an opportunity to get back into the game as the normally dependable Mike Burke misjudged a through ball and striker Chris Lees pounced on the mistake but his shot lacked power and was gathered easily by Ashton's keeper Andy Paxton.
This proved to be Rossington's best chance of the game, and their best period as Ashton took the foot off the pedal for ten minutes.
Then in the 39th minute an accurate long range pass found Dave Sherlock who drove into the box but lost his balance under a heavy challenge from full back Rob Herman who just did enough to make Sherlock stumble, and his effort beat the goalkeeper but drifted agonisigly wide.
This put Rossington on the back foot again and Ashton got their third through a build up of pressure and a ball helped back into the danger area by Steve Wallace dropped kindly to Paul Mcveigh. McVeigh's whose left foot shot was well blocked at point blank by keeper Tim Whitehouse and the rebound fell to Dave Sherlock who was on hand to grab his second and Ashton's third. 3-0
Just before the half time break Bennett also had a chance to grab his second as another break down the right, and early strike by Bennett was dragged wide. HT 3-0
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Simon Gallanders produced a quality finish only 3 minutes after the restart to make the game more than safe, and disable any thoughts of a second half rally by the Yorkshire outfit. 4-0
With Ashton continuing to dominate possession further chances to increase the lead came and went until substitute Daniel Hitchen was played in by Mike Johnson to finish from close range in the 77th minute 5-0.
Then Hitchen combined well with Chris Almond and then returned the compliment playing in Mike Johnson who smashed the ball into the bottom corner in the 88th minute for a goal that capped off a tremendous midfield performance that earn him the Man of the Match.
The result enables the Latics to claim a spot in the next round, and must now travel to Congleton Town on 22nd September.

Ashton are back in action this Tuesday night, 11th September when Daisy Hill are the visitors to Brocstedes Park for a Vodkat NWCFL Division 2 fixture that kicks off at 7.45pm.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PLAYERS - FURTHER TRAINING VENUE UPDATE

UPDATED TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS

The senior squads will have their LAST training session at St Edmund Arrowsmith High School THIS Thursday 6th September before moving to the winter Training venue at St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road Orrell, Wigan. In summary:-

Thursday 6th September 6.45pm start at St Edmund Arrowsmith
Tuesday 11th September 8pm start at St John Rigby College
Thursday 13th September 8pm start at St John Rigby College
and every Tuesday and Thursday therafter until further notice.

Meet in the changing rooms for a 8.15pm start at St John Rigby College, Gathurst Road Orrell.

DIRECTIONS: see map below
Take J26 of M6 motorway signed Wigan and at end of slip road turn LEFT at traffic lights, driving over over a motorway bridge. At the next traffic lights turn right into Gathurst road and follow for about 1 mile, go under motorway bridge an turn into College entrance on the right.
Keeping left through automatic barrier and drive around the back of the College to the sports Hall.
Download map

Players will require footwear for a warm up on grass, for the 3G Astroturf AND for possible work on the roads or indoors at EVERY training session throughout the autumn/winter. Showers will be available after training.

Any new players interested in joining the existing squads please contact David Powell on 07770 696747.

Vets match v Wigan Athletic Past Players Postponed

The game against the Wigan Athletic Past Players this Wednesday 5th September has been postponed.
It is hoped that a new date can be fixed in the not too distant future.

A hiding for Hindley in ten goal blitz

Monday 3rd September 2007
AAFC 10 Hindley Town 2
Ashton eased through to the latter stages of the Wigan Cup with a demolition job on Hindley Town despite 7 changes from the starting eleven that fought out the 1-1 draw with Blackpool Mechanics at the weekend, underlining the Club's strength in depth.
First half goals from Chris Almond in the 2nd and 7th minutes, Paul McVeigh after 9 and 37 minutes and a delightful chip in the 35th minute by Simon Gallanders effectively made the game safe by the break, although Hindley did plug away and caught the Ashton back line and keeper Andy Paxton napping with two goals of their own in the 18th and 44th minute to give the visitors a glimmer of hope at half time. HT 5-2
Any prospect of staging an unlikely comeback was soon quashed as further goals soon followed from McVeigh(55th minute), two from Substitute Paul Townshend (on 79 and 90 minutes), and further strikes by Danny Burrows (81) Dave Sherlock(82).
Some great individual goals but the quality of the build up play was the the best seen at Brocstedes for a long while and direct assists, in particular by Tom Potter returning from injury and Simon Gallanders enabled the goal rout.
Despite the scoreline the Hindley lads, to their credit never stopped working and played and lost as one, displaying good team spirit in the face of adversity.
MoM for Ashton was hat trick hero and stand in skipper for the night Paul McVeigh, whilst Hindley defender Boswell took his teams accolade.
Ashton now move on to the FA VAse on Saturday with a game 3pm Ko at Brocstedes against Rossington Main from Doncaster.

Saturday 1st September 2007 AAFC 1 Blackpool Mechanics 1

Stalemate at Brocstedes Park as the teams had to settle for a single point that maintained Blackpool's unbeaten start to the league campaign and made it five games unbeaten for the home side.
From the start the game appeared as it was going to be tight and posssession was evenly balanced throughout the first half. Blackpool's best efforts came from two long range efforts from Nick Greenall and Daniel Crulech but both were wide of the mark.
Ashton responded as Chris Almond was played in by Paul Townshend but the shot was not fully powered and keeper Jamie Cook gathered comfortably. Almond then returned the compliment after beating his man and flighting a cross onto Townshend's head but his well directed header into the bottom corner was superbly saved by Cook in the 17th minute.
Ashton had a loud shout for a penalty as Mark Court was man handled to the ground in the process of getting his head to a corner, but the referee ignored the plea, and Blackpool counter attacked immediately and only a last ditch block by Pat Aspinall denied Mechanic's Paul Ryan.
after a period of stalemate Ashton once again threatened to score as Townshend turned sharply in the box, produced an early shot that took Blackpool by surprise but with the ball heading for the corner of the goal it struck another Ashton player and deflected wide.
With the half time whistle fast approaching Blackpool were gifted the opening goal as Ashton Keeper Paxton uncharacteristically mistimed a clearance whilst recovering a ball out of his area and a very grateful Steve Gibson lobbed the ball into the empty net. HT 0-1
Burke gets his first goal for Ashton
Ashton started the second half clearly intent on making early amends and as soon as the 46th minute Mike Burke pounced onto a loose ball in the box to slam the ball home to even up the scores. 1-1.
Blackpool had sporadic forages into the Ashton half, comfortably dealt with by the Ashton back line, and although Ashton were dominating possession clear cut chances were hard to come by against the stubborn Mechanics defence.
The pressure did produce some half chances including efforts from Steve Bennett and Paul Mcveigh along with several goal mouth scrambles that Blackpool did well to clear.
In the end the backs to the wall defending by Blackpool kept the home team at bay and the spoils were shared. FT 2-2.

The MoM awards went to Ashton's Pat Aspinall and Blackpool's Paul Ryan.

The Ashton team now moves on to a Wigan Cup second Round match at home to Hindley Town - 7.45pm KO, before preparing for the Club's first ever venture into the FA Vase with a qualifying round tie against Doncaster based North East Counties side Rossington Main next Saturday 8th September - 3pm KO.






Aspinall bags the MoM award for Ashton