Darwen at the double

Ashton secured their first league double of the season taking maximum points from visitors Darwen FC in a 2-0 convincing win, hot on the heels of taking three points from Darwen's Anchor ground in a narrow 1-0 win less than a month ago.
The result consolidates the Latics' 3rd place position in Vodkat Division Two just three points adrift of leaders Kirkham & Wesham and equal on points with 2nd place New Mills.
A defensive lapse in the first minute nearly presented Darwen with a dream start however as direct play and a flick header dropped at the feet of striker Stephenson who finished tidily before having his effort scratched off for offside by the assistant referee.
This stung Ashton into immediate action and 25 minutes of high tempo football from the home side penned back Darwen, and produced a flurry of goalscoring opportunities that had all and sundry scratching their heads as to how the score remained goalless.
On 5 minutes a superb volley from Adam White skimmed the top of the bar after a corner, and a minute later Mark Court threaded a ball into Paul McVeigh who kept going despite having his legs taken from under him, regained his balance but shot over the top as keeper Upenieks closed him down. McVeigh thought he might have had a call for the play to be brought back and a penalty awarded, however referee Thomson indicated that McVeigh had sufficient advantage to score.
In the 8th minute McVeigh controlled a Chris Almond pass superbly and shot inches wide. Darwen fought to get a foothold in the game but got frustrated as Ashton won most first balls and invariably got to any second balls on offer.
Gallanders then played in Tom Potter down the left and his early cross found McVeigh who guided the ball towards the goal but just wide again. McVeigh then found space in the box with the keeper stranded but his header went over.
An Adam White effort finally found the target for Ashton but having beat the keeper he was denied by a goal line clearance by Danny Finch.
A turning point in the game came in the 30th minute as Darwen striker, frustrated at the lack of service picked up a second yellow card and with it a red. Strangely this triggered Darwen's best period of the game as the ten men suddenly upped their game and came at Ashton, forcing a sequence of free kicks around the Ashton box. Darwen's efforts were however also off the mark and as half time approached normal service resumed as another McVeigh effort flew wide. Then Tom Potter finally got the breakthrough benefiting from good work by Chris Almond and Si Gallanders receiving the ball before to cut in from the left and unleashed a swerving shot that flew into the top corner. 1-0. HT

Ashton started the second half with real determination not to let 10 man Darwen back into the game as an early Gallanders effort dipped too late and cleared the cross bar. The result of the game was then sealed as Chris Almond broke through after 55 minutes to score his 3rd goal in 4 games since his return from injury. 2-0
On 65 minutes a driving run from Adam White pierced the Darwen defence before laying the ball off to Si Gallanders whose delicate chip beat the keeper but could only rest on the roof of the net.
A Paul McVeigh flick header then fell to substitute Paul Townshend whose powerful volley was well saved by the Darwen keeper in the 70th minute, and then a top quality cross from Potter once again reached the head of McVeigh whose header once again went the wrong side of the post.
Ashton then had a blatant penalty shout refused by referee Thomson before Steve Bennett had a terrific 40 yard volley fly agonisingly wide. Then with seconds on the clock a maisy run inside the Darwen box by Gallanders saw him beat several defenders and the keeper before taking too long to blast the ball home, thereby allowing a recovering defender to get a last ditch foot in to block the shot.
A superb performance by Ashton and this quality of play will need to continue (with goal sights adjusted slightly) in readiness for the visit of 5th place Bootle FC to Brocstedes Park on Tuesday night.

Ashton's MoM was Tom Potter with some excellent wing play whilst the hard work of midfielder Martin Parkes received his teams plaudits.

Wednesday 24th October Padiham 0 AAFC 3 VODKAT CUP Rnd 1 Replay

Ashton posted an 8th clean sheet of the season in this League cup replay, making up for allowing Padiham a second chance in the tie after two late equalisers in the 2-2 draw 10 days ago the first in the 89th minute and the second in the dying moments of extra time.

Padiham started the game with the greater possession but were restricted to a few long range speculative efforts, and found it hard to breakdown the resolute Ashton defence. The lively Neil Almond and Ed O'Neill out wide created the best moments for Padiham in this openinf phase.

Ashton eased into the game after about 20 minutes and having done so created the first clear chance as Steve Wallace floated in a great cross onto the head of Chris Almond who attempted to guide the ball inside the back post, but his sights were slightly off and the effort went wide.
Simon Gallanders gets
the breakthrough for Ashton
Then in the 30th minute a long range free kick found the head of Paul Townshend just inside the box and his downward header fell kindly to Simon Gallanders who smashed the ball into the top corner. 1-0

This was Ashton's purple patch as the speed of pass and movement clicked into gear and the lead was increased 10 minutes later as a great interplay on the left between Tom Potter and Si Gallanders set Potter free down the left flank. A driven cross looked to be heading for Chris Almond at the near post, but great awareness and a clever dummy from him allowed the ball to run through to Townshend who side footed past the stranded Gavin King in the Padiham goal. 2-0 HT.

Townshend bags Ashton's second

Padiham hit back early in the second half but Ashton held firm until Neil Almond, a thorn in Ashton's side for most of the game found space in the box and only a last ditch challenge from Mike Burke blocked the shot which had looked bound for the top corner.

Almond makes it three
This sparked Ashton's ambitions and Steve Wallace had a shot well saved by King, before another penetrating run from Potter pierced the Padiham defence and his shot crash against the bar. The rebound was met by Chris Almond who made no mistake to score in the 75th minute. 3-0.

An excellent performance from Ashton the level and intensity of which must be repeated if the good run of results is to continue.

The man of the match for Ashton was Simon Gallanders, with Neil Almond picking up Padiham's award.

The next round of the competition will see Ashton at home to Bootle on 10th November however next on the agenda will be a home match against Darwen FC this Saturday 27th October, 3pm Kick Off.

Ashton hold league leaders to earn valuable away point

Ashton traveled to table toppers New Mills knowing they were in for the toughest of tests against the only team in both divisions of the Vodkat league not to have lost a league match so far this year. Ashton too were in good form hoping to extend the 16 game unbeaten run in all competitions.
A more detailed look at the league table would also reveal the two tightest defences in Vodkat , with both sides averaging less than 1 goal conceded per game.
It was therefore not surprising that clear cut chances were hard to come by as both defences kept a stangle hold on the game.
The Millers best efforts came from their leading scorer Carlos Meakin but these were long range efforts efficiently dealt with by the Ashton backline. The best chance for the home side came in the 30th minute as a hat trick of strikes on goal were first saved by Ashton keeper Paxton, then the second blocked on the line before the last effort struck the angle of post and cross bar, and away to safety. A half hearted shout for a penalty was rightly dismissed by the man in the middle as Andy Paxton cleared the ball before making contact with the player
Andy Paxton gets the ball....and then the man!
For Ashton a sight at goal for Steve Bennett in the 3rd minute, played in by Adam White should have produced early dividend but his effort was off target.
A superb far post cross in the 17th minute from Steve Wallace found Paul Townshend whose downward header forced a brave scrambling save from Millers' keeper Stuart Williams.
Townshend came close again just before the interval dispossessing an out of sorts Mike Ryan before placing his shot just over the bar. Townshend got on the end of a corner volleying above the target again. HT 0-0


The second half saw New Mills taking advantage of the sloping pitch keeping Ashton penned back for much of the half, and although strikes on goal could be counted on one hand for both sides the intensity and hard work from both sides kept the sizeable crowd engrossed.
Miller's came close to breaking the deadlock through a Mike Ryan strike curled in from the left flank, whilst substitute Rhys Nevins and strike partner Garry Kharas both had efforts go wide.
Ashton's efforts were mostly on the counter attack and through set pieces but the Millers defence were also in determined mood, with Callum Dempsey outstanding.
Ashton's best chance in the second half fell to Adam White who timed his run to perfection, latching onto a Mike Burke flick header only to put his own header over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Despite the lack of goal action the match had enough incident to keep the interest of the 186 spectators, the best attendance of the day, in both divisions of the Vodkat League.
The man of the Match awards went to Ashton's skipper Steve Rothwell, whilst Danny Hooper shaved it for New Mills.
Ashton's reserves disappointingly went down 3-4 against Daisy Hill with two goals from Mark Ashurst and one from M Ormesher not enough to seal the points.

Action shots can be viewed on http://www.newmillsweb.com and a selection are shown above and below.

A Paxton clears his lines

Mark Court tracks Millers' Joe Shaw

Steve Wallace gets the better of Millers Mike Ryan

Mark Court blocks Mike Lomax

Co-operative Challenge Trophy

1st Round Results & 2nd Round Draw

1st Round ties took place week commencing Monday 5th October 2007 and results were as follows:

Skelmersdale United FC 4-1 Squires Gate FC
Blackpool Mechanics FC 3-4 Bamber Bridge FC
Radcliffe Borough FC 3-0 Kirkham & Wesham FC
Holker Old Boys FC 1-3 Rossendale United FC
Fleetwood Town FC 5-0 Atherton LR FC
Daisy Hill FC 0-1 Ashton Athletic FC (After Extra Time)
Colne FC 0-5 Kendal Town FC
Lancaster City FC 0-2 Chorley FC
Darwen FC 0-5 Ramsbottom United FC
Nelson FC 1-4 Bacup Borough FC
Padiham FC 0-3 Clitheroe FC
Atherton Colleries FC 4-1 Marine FC

The draw for the Second Round of the Competition took place live on BBC Radio Lancashire last Friday evening, and produced the following ties, to be played week commencing 5th November 2007:

Atherton Colleries FC v Southport FC
Burscough FC v Bamber Bridge FC
Bacup Borough FC v Barrow AFC
Rossendale United FC v Skelmersdale United FC
Leigh RMI FC v Clitheroe FC
Fleetwood Town FC v Radcliffe Borough FC
Ramsbottom United FC v Ashton Athletic FC
Kendal Town FC v Chorley FC

So its a trip to Ramsbottom United from NWCFL Division One for Ashton on Tuesday 6th November for a 7.45pm KO.

“Holt” from the Blue denies Ashton

Vodkat League Challenge Cup Round One

Ashton Athletic 2, Padiham 2 AET

Ashton narrowly missed out on posting a sixth win on the bounce as a David Holt goal at the death of extra-time earned 10-man Padiham a replay from a pulsating Vodkat League Challenge Cup tie at Brocstedes Park on Saturday.

In a bad tempered first 20 minutes tackles flew in from both sides, with both teams seeking to gain the upper hand. Ashton’s Gallanders and Potter were shown yellow cards whilst late tackles from Haworth and Woods went unpunished and without so much of a word to the offenders.

In the opening moments snap shots from Padiham’s Andy Howarth Ed O’Neill and new signing Neil Almond were well wide, whilst after the bookings the injustice towards the Ashton players served to fuel the home side into greater efforts and Padiham were put on the back foot.

Paul McVeigh gets Ashton's
opening goal

Good pressure by Tom Potter on full back Steve Pickup forced a mistake and Potter slid in Paul McVeigh who rounded the keeper and put his team in front in the 28^th minute.1-0.

Almond turned his man on the edge of the box on 34 minutes, but the effort was once again off target. For Ashton, Gallanders latched onto a fluffed clearance by keeper King and his first time effort from 40 yards cleared the cross bar by inches with King stranded.

As half time approached Almond finally got an effort on target but this was comfortably saved by Andy Hewitt.

Paul McVeigh was then yellow carded for kicking the ball away frustrated by a couple of earlier decisions by the man in black, but this time the ref got it right, a stupid way to get in the book.

Andy Haworth watched home keeper Andy Hewitt acrobatically tip over his volley on 40 minutes, whilst Mark Derbyshire played a great one-two with Neil Almond but then shot wide of the target from a narrowing angle.

Just before half time it was Ashton who almost increased their lead as a superb corner by Tom Potter reached Mike Burke whose downward header looked goal bound, only to be denied by an outstretched foot of keeper king on the line. The rebound then struck an Ashton hand and a free kick was awarded to avert any further danger. HT 1-0

In the early part of the second half Padiham through more men forward and on 48 minutes Holt's run at the home defence ended with a great pass to John Eastham, who scooped his shot over the bar. At this stage both defences seemed in control with chances at a premium.

Substitutions by both sides lifted the tempo again and then in the 75^th minute Padiham had a penalty appeal properly rejected by referee Neil Yates after minimal contact on Eastham saw him fling himself to the floor in Ashton's box, no doubt frustrated at not being able to get a clear sight of goal in general play.
This incident upped the game again, and as the tackles flew in, Matt Woods reacted to challenge that was at worst clumsy and rightly received a red card for retaliation after stamping on an Ashton player with 9 minutes left on the clock.
That left Padiham with 10 men, and it also saw Padiham manager Steve Wilkes sent off for comments made to the officials about the incident. As is very often the case the 10 men raised their game markedly trying to make up for their loss.

Ashton did control possession with the extra man but with the game seemingly over a lapse in concentration gave Padiham a sniff of an opening. With a minute to play Neil Almond was allowed to turn and get to the Ashton bye-line, his cross took a slight deflection, and fell kindly to Dave Holt who volleyed home from eight yards out to send the tie into extra-time. FT 1-1

Chris Almond returning from injury
gives Ashton the lead again

In extra time Ashton had an early chance as McVeigh forced King into a splendid reaction save before Ashton substitute Richard Sharpe, with his first touch, played in fellow substitute Chris Almond to score with a shot under King. 2-1
The Padiham keeper made yet another great save from Sharpe on 102 minutes when he somehow got back to leap in the air, and tip over a dipping shot.

In the second half of extra-time, Padiham threw caution to the wind and went for an equaliser.
First Derbyshire missed a great chance when positioned in the centre of goal in a crowded box, then Holt had a shot saved one-handed by Hewitt, before his dramatic and well-taken equaliser arrived.
With 120 minutes on the clock, Ed O'Neill slid an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Holt, who ran on and clinically shot past Hewitt to give Padiham a second chance of making the second round, which sees the replay played on Wednesday 24^th October 7.45 kick off at Padiham’s Arbories ground. FT 2-2

Awards for Man of the match went to Mike Burke for Ashton and Ed ONeill for the visitors

Although disappointed at not having closed the game off Ashton can look forward to the replay with the usual enthusiasm, it’s better than training after all!!

Despite not posting another win the result does however allow Ashton’s unbeaten run to be extended to 16 games in all competitions, with the only defeat of the season so far having come on the opening day of the season, a 2-1 loss the hands of Chadderton.

This exceptional start to the season for Ashton is likely to be tested to the limit on Saturday by high flying New Mills who are looking strong favourites for taking the Second Division title this season. New Mills are currently unbeaten in league matches and top the table, with Ashton 3 points behind in 5th place.

THE ANNUAL PETER CATTERALL MEMORIAL TROPHY CHALLENGE MATCH.

Club officials at Ashton Athletic FC and the Wigan Athletic FC Past Players Association are more than delighted to announce a new annual fixture.

Following the sad passing of the Wigan Athletic Past Players chairman and the Supporters Club treasurer, Peter Catterall earlier this year, it was decided to honour his memory with the advent of the 'Peter Catterall Memorial Trophy'.

On Wednesday night the veterans from both Clubs took to the field at Ashton’s Brocstedes Park Ground and it was the Wigan Athletic's past players that won the inaugural event, running out 2-1 winners.

PAST PLAYERS WIN THE PETER CATTERALL MEMORIAL TROPHY

Past Players Graham Barrow, Dave Glenn and Barry Knowles accept the trophy with Ashton’s Jimmy Whyte looking on.

Last year Peter 'the cat' Catterall had helped to organise a 'one off' game to celebrate Ashton Athletic's return to the North West Counties League after a twenty year absence. It was Peter's pleasure at that time to organise a motley crew of Latics old boys who let him down badly by getting hammered 6-2!

Peter sadly passed away in the summer but his friends in Ashton and Wigan decided that a trophy should be competed for annually in his honour. This was a fitting tribute to a larger than life character who will be remembered for a long time to come, and has been sadly missed at the JJB Stadium this season.

It was sweet revenge for the WAPPA lads as Tony Kelly and Stuart Barlow sealed the win, either side of a superb equalising strike by Jimmy Whyte, rolling back the years for Ashton.

Other faces on show for Wigan were Peter Atherton, David Lowe, Graham Barrow, Phil Critchley, Dave Glenn, Barry Knowles, David Lowe, Kevin Langley, Tommy Gore, Gary Bennett, Noel Ward, David Hamilton and several more of the glorious players from the past who are all now a lot older and wider!

The event was also an opportunity for Ashton to raise money on behalf of former player at the Club, Danny Pond who at 19 years old has regrettably been diagnosed with Cancer. Donations on the night and the proceeds from a collection in the crowd will allow a cheque approaching £500 to be presented to Danny.

Thanks to our friends at YOTAC upon whose match report this article is based, and who provided the photograph.

Extra time strike from Burke puts Ashton into second round of Coop Challenge Cup

Ashton made it into the second round draw of the prestigious Co-operative sponsored Lancashire Challenge Cup but made hard work of it on Daisy Hill's heavy rain soaked pitch.
Hitchen and Sharpe search for an opening
through the pouring rain
Ashton started very brightly, despite changes in personnel from Saturday's FA Vase victory, dominating the early exchanges. However with Daisy Hill's policy of 10 men behind the ball it was difficult to penetrate the defensive line to get a clear sight of goal from close range.
A great strike from distance by Chris Lawton was well saved by Moore in the Daisy goal, and further efforts from Potter, Hitchen and Townshend were more comfortably dealt with. Several other strikes on goal were blocked by enthusiastic defenders.

Hitchen effort blocked by Naylor

Daisy Hill were restricted to attacking on the break, but the Ashton back four coped easily with the home team attacks.
The second half took a similar path to the first with Ashton taking the lions share of possession, and Daisy Hill playing on the break.
Hitchen denied again by last ditch tackle
However Ashton's normal incisive passing was strangely absent with good field position squandered by indecision by the ball carrier and a lack of movement off the ball.
Despite the disjointed play Ashton did create two excellent openings to seal the win in normal time as first Paul Townshend and then Paul McVeigh struck the upright with the keeper beaten and then Moore was forced into 3 excellent saves at full stretch.
In the last 10 minutes, and during extra time Daisy Hill started to release more men on attacks, which gave Ashton keeper Paxton more to do, but this also gave Ashton more space to play in.
Ashton finally got the breakthrough as Daniel Hitchen was pulled down and Tom Potter floated the free kick into the Daisy box and onto Mike Burke's head whose deft flick cleared the keeper and dropped into the bottom corner in the 111th minute. 1-0

Burke gets their first to seal Ashton's
5th win on the run

Daisy through caution to the wind to try to recover the match but Ashton's defence held firm to claim a sixth clean sheet of the season whilst Ashton should really have increased their advantage as 4 break ways were once again squandered by erroneous decision making.
Ashton MoM was Steve Bennett with an excellent performance out of position, whilst Daisy Hill's star man was skipper Craig Naylor with some terrific defending to keep Ashton at bay.

A disjointed performance by Ashton, but a win is a win and it puts the team into the hat and hoping to draw one of the big guns of Leigh RMI, Barrow, Burscough or Southport in the next round to once again test the team's progress.
Photos once again courtesy of our friends at :-

http://www.celebritypixuk.co.uk/slideshow21656.html Cut and paste the link into the search bar & why not purchase a couple of shots?

Ashton draw last year's semi finalists in FA Carlsberg Vase

Ashton have been drawn away at Billingham Synthonia FC in the second round proper of the Carlsberg FA Vase on Saturday 17th November 2007. 3pm KO.
Billingham play in Division One of the Arngrove Northern League and have a good pedigree in the competition having been beaten by AFC Totton in last year's semi final. As a result of last year's efforts Billingham were given byes for the first three stages of this year's competition, and have been busy in league action that currently sees them in sixth place,
More details about the "synners" as they are known can be found on the web site www.synners.co.uk and Ashton can look forward to the trip to what appears to be a splendid ground in the North East of England.
The Ashton team and officials will be traveling by Coach and there may be a few spaces available for supporters on a first come first serve basis by emailing or telephoning Club Chairman Steve Halliwell. stvhalli@blueyonder.co.uk - 01942 517728/07944 296340.
Billingham%20ground.doc

More Cup joy for Ashton

Ashton progressed to the second round proper of the Carlsberg FA Vase with a hard earned win against Vodkat Division One side Colne FC, building on the wins in the preceding rounds against Congleton Town and Rossington Main.
A solid first half was followed by a backs to the wall performance second half, that could have been much more comfortable for Ashton had two perfectly good goals not been chalked off for offside.
Ste Wallace creates Ashton's 1st
on way to MoM performance
Ashton started in positive mood taking confidence by the Goldline quarter final over Atherton LR in midweek and took the lead in the 14th minute as Steve Wallace pierced the Colne defence before cutting back a cross with pace that struck defender Richardson and ricocheted between keeper Pinder's legs and into the net 1-0.

Tom Potter scorer of Ashton's
crucial second goal

Ashton continued to threaten and Paul McVeigh played in Tom Potter who cut infield and blasted the ball into the gaol to give Ashton a two goal lead. 2-0.
Colne fought back as Jamie Longley headed over from a Liam Garbutt cross and then a moment of controversy as Steve Bennett broke through shaped to shoot but instead laid a perfect square ball into the path of the advancing McVeigh who finished with ease. As Ashton celebrated a late flag was spotted by the referee and the goal was disallowed for off side. HT 2-0
Colne came out in the second half much in more determined mood and got on top of the home side with some good passing football however two outstanding reflex saves by Ashton keeper Hewitt kept Colne at bay.
Then on 66 minutes Colne got a break through as good work down the left wing produced a cross that was met superbly by Longley to reduce the deficit. 2-1
Sharpe replaced Potter in the 70th minute and was in the action straight away as a powerful run from Pat Aspinall got him to the by line and a hard low cross was spilled by the keeper. Sharpe stepped forward to put the ball into the back of the net but once again a late flag was raised despite the fact that Sharpe had been behind the ball when the cross came in.
This could have settled the game but with a single goal difference Colne could press on, and did so with some effect as Michael Cruz and Liam Garbut came close but in the end the Ashton defence held firm to secure the place in the draw for the 2nd round proper. Ashton's MoM was right back Steve Wallace whilst Colne skipper Kieron Roberts was outstanding for Colne.
Ashton's reserves got three valuable away points with a 1-0 win at Atherton LR with a goal from Mike Hamilton proving to be the winner.

Midweek sees Ashton in cup action again, this time in the Coop Lancashire Cup first round, with an away tie at Daisy Hill 7.45pm KO.

McVeigh is pure Gold for Ashton

Ashton powered through to the Bolton Wanderers sponsored Goldline Trophy semi finals on Tuesday night, claiming their second higher league scalp in a week with a resounding 4-0 victory over Atherton LR from Division One of the Vodkat NWCFL.
It was not all plain sailing however as LR had the balance of possession in a competitive first half but found it difficult to break through a resolute Ashton defence which kept out any clear cut efforts on goal.
Ashton had started brightly as Tom Potter found space down Ashton's left flank on more than one occasion and from one such foray in the 5th minute pulled out a terrific cross field pass that was perfectly weighted to clear the last defender onto the foot of the advancing Paul McVeigh, whose spectacular volley fizzed inches wide.
Potter was then in the action again, this time finding space inside the box after a long throw was only half cleared, but his header looped over the bar in the 12th minute.

McVeigh gets a shot away under
pressure from David Derefeka

LR had their best period of the game midway through the half as McAllister turned sharply on the edge of the box forcing Ashton keeper Hewitt into a good save, and then skipper Rob Hope burst into the box to meet a cross but fortunately for Ashton, Si Gallanders tracked the run and a moments hesitation by Hope allowed Gallenders to nip in to clear the danger.
LR were now dominating the game forcing a series of set pieces and throwing crosses into the box at every opportunity However a combination of assured handling by keeper Hewitt, and excellent defending held the visitors at bay.
In the 27th minute a surging run from deep carried Ashton's Adam White beyond the LR defence however the recovering defenders just did enough to prevent White from getting his shot away.
For LR, Chris Bermingham had a shot that was deflected over the top before Ashton finally started to force their way back into the game as half time approached.
Then the breakthrough, as a Chris Lawton throw 10 yards from the corner flag reached Mike Burke on the edge of the 6 yard box and his deft flick header found captain Paul McVeigh moving in for the kill. McVeigh pounced and a first time strike found the net to give Ashton the lead in the 41st minute, it has to be said against the run of play in the half. 1-0
LR responded quickly and a good move down left saw Ian Berry break clear and pick out a far post cross that seemed destined for two unmarked players before Pat Aspinall appeared from nowhere to clear the ball and send Ashton in 1-0 up at half time.

The second half was a stark contrast to the first as possession swung towards the home side, and half time substitute Richard Sharpe made his presence felt on several occasions before turning his man just outside the box in the 66th minute. He dummied to shoot but instead laid off the ball to strike partner McVeigh who made no mistake and grabbed his second goal of the game after 66 minutes. 2-0
Ashton introduce Daniel Hitchen and further chances were created to increase the lead and had it not been for a string of top notch saves at full stretch by LR keeper Craig Clare, Gallanders, Mcveigh, Hitchen and Sharpe would have all been added to the score sheet.

Richard Sharpe starts
another shton attack

LR keeper Clare saves from a Gallenders effort

LR were finding it difficult to get any momentum going to threaten the Ashton goal whilst the LR defence were finding it increasingly defficult to prevent Ashton sight on goal.
The pressure finally told as late substitute Paul Townshend played a well weighted pass for Steve Bennett to get past his full back and cross hard and low into the box, to be met by Simon Gallanders with a sweet first time shot that found the bottom corner and gave keeper Clare no chance. 3-0
Steve Bennett skips past his man
to put in the cross for Ashton's 3rd

The final icing on the cake for Ashton came in the 88th minute as a fine cross field pass by Steve Wallace reached Dan Hitchen who controlled well, dummied to shoot before beating his man and smashing the ball low and hard into the bottom corner. FT4-0

There were many fine performances throughout the match for Ashton, especially going forward in the second half but for yet another faultless display throughout the whole match, that gave Ashton the platform to win the game the MoM was awarded to Mike Burke.
For LR, skipper Rob Hope worked tirelessly throughout the game however the second half heroics of keeper Craig Clare earned him the accolade.

Ashton now move on in the competition and will play either Ashton Town, Charnock Richard or the winner of the outstanding quarter final, Atherton Collieries or Euxton. The semi final draw will take place at the next Bolton Wanderers match and will be played on a neutral grounds, before the winners from those games lock horns in the final at the Reebok Stadium in the New Year.

Of more urgent concern for Ashton is a date with Colne FC, another Division One side from the Vodkat NWCFL, this Saturday 6th October 2007 3pm KO in the Carlsberg FA Vase 1st Round proper.
With Man United and Wigan Athletic kicking off early on SKY SPORTS it is hoped that a bumper crowd will turn up to support Ashton's effort to progress in this national competition.

Photos courtesy of celebritypixuk and these and other shots can be viewed and purchased from:-
www.celebritypixuk.co.uk/slideshow20962.html

Ashton Vets to take on Wigan Athletic FC Past Players

The Wigan Athletic Past Players Association squad will be returning to Brocstedes Park on Wednesday 10th October for a 8pm kick off against Ashton's own Veterans side.

Action from last year's match

Last year the Wigan squad came off second best in a 6-2 defeat against the Ashton first team, which was played in front of a healthy and enthusiastic crowd as the curtain raiser for Ashton's return to the North West Counties League last season.
Some Latics legends from near and distant past will be on show for what should be an enjoyable eveneing, ALL WELCOME!

Saturday 29th September 2007 Darwen 0 Ashton Athletic 1

Ashton notched up their 12th match unbeaten with a gritty display at Darwen's Anchor ground as a late goal from Adam White in the closing minutes snatched the 3 points despite having been reduced to 10 men for the closing 12 minutes of the game.

Darwen started brightly as the midfield pair of Jones and Parkes dominated and several half chances were created but not taken advantage of. It took 12 minutes for Ashton to threaten the home goal as Simon Gallanders' Cruyff turn beat his man before delivering and back post cross which Steve Wallace could not convert.
Darwen remained in the ascendancy and Ashton were forced to play on the break, which in the 15th minute they did to great affect. Keeper Andy Hewitt claimed a Darwen corner and quickly distributed to Steve Bennett whose driving run down the right flank, beat his man and delivered a great near post cross that was well met by Richard Sharpe but the effort cleared the bar.
Ashton raised their game as half time approached but it was Darwen that created the chances with Telfer and lively strike partners Stanford and Morris having efforts well saved by Ashton keeper Hewitt. Darwen's best opportunity to take the lead fell to defender Daniel Finch who blazed a shot over the bar from close range after a Darwen set piece, and Ashton were relieved to go in all square at half time. HT 0-0
The second half was a much more even affair with Ashton upping their game significantly, as midfielders White and Gallanders worked hard to wrestle the initiative, whilst the Ashton defence muscled up to repel the less frequent raids from Stanford and Morris.
Darwen almost took the lead as a Dennis Hill free kick was saved spectacularly by keeper Hewitt, tipping the ball over the bar as the shot sailed towards the top corner.
Both sides made changes in attack to attempt to take all three points and the fresh legs gave the game a new impetus as both defences were stretched on numerous occasions, however the final ball or shot always seemed to be lacking.
A full bloodied challenge in the midfield in the 78th minute resulted in Ashton's Dave Sherlock being helped from the field with what appeared to be a bad knee injury, and having made the regulation 3 subs already Ashton faced the prospect of finishing the game with ten men.
After a few minutes settling in period when Darwen pushed hard the loss of Sherlock seemed to spur on the remaining 10 men whilst as is often the case the team with the numerical advantage eased off slightly.
The combination of these two very different states of mind gave Ashton the opportunity as on 86 minutes Tom Potter cut in from the right and whipped in a shot come cross towards the back post. The cross found midfielder White making a late run into the back post and at full stretch he managed to poke the ball into the bottom corner despite the efforts of Darwen keeper Nathan Worrall. Darwen claimed off side but the pace of White had beaten the defensive line and the goal stood.

Late strike from Ashton's Adam White seals the three point

Darwen threw men forward in the final minutes but yet again the superb Ashton defence firmed up to deny the home side any points from their afternoon's work.

A great battling performance by Ashton and the impressive work rate and quality of Simon Gallenders earned him a MoM award whilst Darwen's midfield General, Jason Jones was the home team MoM.

The reserve team suffered a setback going down to a Flixton Reserves 2-4, with goals from Paul Townshend and Pete Tarpey insufficient to earn any points.

Ashton now move on to a series of knockout matches with next Saturday’s FA Vase home tie with Colne the pick of the bunch but before that, on Tuesday 6th October they entertain Atherton LR in the Goldline Trophy Quarter Final 7.45pm kick off.

The following Tuesday the team travel to Daisy Hill for a Co-operative Cup 1st round tie and then on Saturday 13th October are at home again when Padiham are the visitors for a 3pm kick off in the Vodkat League Cup.