Derby defeat dents Athletic's promotion challenge

The Easter Monday derby defeat against Ashton Town severely damaged Athletic's prospects for promotion and despite a second half bombardment of the Town goal a failure to convert numerous chances cost the home side dearly.

A stop start first half caused by referee Pope's insistence to prevent any physical contact whatsoever by Athletic's players, and yet let go several identical challenges and off the ball incidents by Town players, had the home side perplexed.

The number of free kicks awarded to Town in the first half numbered 25 plus - one every 2 minutes - and this allowed the visitors to take maximum advantage of the strong following wind combined with driving snow and hail showers by launching balls continually at the Athletic defence.

Paul McVeigh up against the elements

This inconsistency was clearly evident when Athletic lost the services of striker Paul Townshend for a 5 minute spell as the medical staff endeavored to stem the blood from a burst lip caused by a stray elbow that never even attracted a free kick award. Whilst Townshend was off the field the visitors took maximum advantage of the extra man as a flick on from a long throw was met by Alex Dunne who forced the ball in from close range in the 26th minute.
Townshend before his enforced break beaten to the ball by Heseltine

On the limited occasions that Athletic got the ball down and were unimpeded they were able to get behind the visitors defence with some ease, however half chances for Townshend, Paul McVeigh, and James Lawless came to nothing.

With the assistance of the elements Town continued to pile on the pressure and after a series of set pieces theyincreased the lead as a corner by Matt Gregory was whipped into the far post and amongst a crowd of players Chris McNally got a touch on the ball to put the ball into the goal. The game could have got worse for Athletic as a superb strike from Danny Smith beat keeper Clayton and crashed against the bar just before the half time whistle.
HT 0-2

The second half was a case of attack v defence as Athletic bombarded the Town back line. James Lawless shot wide 3 minutes after the restart, played in by Paul Bohannon and then a quick free kick by Steve Rothwell set free Lawless who crossed early and after a scramble in the box Richard Sharpe pounced to reduce the deficit.
Athletic's goal scorer
Richard Sharpe back in first team action

Two efforts on goal by centre half Chris Lawton and a long range effort from Mike Burke skidded wide and then in the space of a minute two great crosses reached the normally deadly Paul McVeigh on the six yard line but his header and later shot were placed wide of the target.

Town keeper Heseltine in the thick of it
assisted by MOM Simon Howard

In the 70th minute Steve Bennett hit the upright with Town keeper Heseltine beaten and then Heseltine pulled off two excellent blocks from close range efforts as the Town defence failed to clear long throws into the box.
The cross bar then came to Town's rescue as a Richard Sharpe drive again failed to find the back of the net and the rebound was cleared after yet another goalmouth scramble.

With time running out Steve Bennett had his heel clipped as he lined up a shot from the edge of the box and the challenge from behind resulted in a skewed effort With everyone waiting for the refs whistle to award a foul Town broke away for one of their few forays out of their own half. An almost identical incident at the other end of the park had referee Pope blowing for a free kick despite the fact that Athletic's Adam White came away with the ball.
A sublime 90th minute free kick from Town's Danny Smith was curled into to the top corner to put the cap on a gutsy second half by Town and a frustrating one for the home side. FT 1-3

Town's MoM was Centre back Simon Howard whilst Mike Burke grabbed the home side's accolade in a close run thing with Richard Sharpe, back in the starting line up after a lengthy lay off.

All is not lost for Athletic's promotion challenge as all the top sides still need to play each other however the defeat in this game means there is little or no room for any more lapses or loss of points.

Furthermore the back log of games for promotion rivals Bootle Kirkham and Chadderton must start to bite soon as these teams will also need to drop points against the mid/low table teams to get Athletic back on par.

The next game will be at Brocstedes Park on Saturday when Stone Dominoes are the visitors in a 3pm KO.

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Saturday 22nd March 2008 Oldham Town 1 Ashton Athletic 1

After the energy sapping extra time defeat in last Tuesday’s semi final 2^nd leg at Kirkham Ashton travelled to Oldham hoping to put some momentum into the promotion challenge in this top of the table clash at Oldham Town’s Whitebank Stadium. A gale force wind and an extremely uneven playing surface made things difficult for both sides, with defences well on top throughout.

Long range efforts early in the first half by Oldham’s Leon Melia and Stuart McGill were off target before a shot from distance by Chris Lawton forced a save from Oldham’s keeper, Matty Blair.

Then in the 25^th minute Ashton finally got the ball down and a good passing move down the left flank found Paul McVeigh who threaded the ball through the Oldham defence into the path of Dave Sherlock who slotted the ball past the advancing keeper Blair to give the visitors the lead.

Sherlock gives Ashton the lead

Oldham responded and earned a free kick in a wide position just outside the box. The delivery was superb and although Ashton’s Lawton got his head to the ball first at full stretch his attempted clearance headed towards the top corner for what looked likely to be an own goal until the reflexes of keeper Clayton came to the rescue with an instinctive save touching the ball away to safety.

Ashton almost increased the lead as Tom Potter had a shot well saved by Blair after good build up play down the right, with Dave Sherlock starting to cause Oldham major problems.

With half time approaching and Ashton on top an uncharacteristic squandering of possession in the opponents half allowed Oldham to break forward and a long clearance caught Ashton on the back foot and poor communication resulted in an unnecessary corner.

The set piece was delivered to the back post and a Damien Schofield header hit the post and after a goal mouth scramble and two goal line stops from keeper Clayton Oldham’s Tim Buxton finally forced the ball over the line to even the score. Before Ashton could restart referee Mark Green blew up for half time.

The second half was much the same as the first with both teams struggling to find any rhythm, and defences well on top. A Tom Potter right foot effort had Blair scurrying to gather the shot whilst Ashton’s Clayton dealt with several crosses and long range efforts with ease.

At the other end Oldham’s Blair was also commanding his box as crosses from the left and right wings were gathered without incident as were a couple of shots from distance.

As the clock ran down neither side looked like snatching maximum points and even the introduction of attacking substitutes failed to unlock the determined defences. A point each a fair outcome for both sides, as both failed to live up to the expectations from this 2^nd v 3^rd clash.

It’s the Easter Monday derby next for Ashton as neighbours Ashton Town visit Brocstedes Park for a 3pm KO, and then next Saturday another home game as Stone Dominoes are the visitors.

Extra time agony for Ashton results in semi final exit

Vodkat League Trophy

Semi Final 2^nd Leg

Kirkham & Wesham 2 Ashton Athletic 1 AET

Ashton went into this semi final tie knowing that a score draw would be enough to have seen them through to the final of the League trophy after a 0-0 score line three weeks earlier in the first leg at Brocstedes Park. However a late strike from Kirkham Substitute Paul Paynter 6 minutes from the end of the extra time period denied the ‘latics and despite a monumental effort in the dying minutes the home side held out

Kirkham started in the ascendency clearly looking to put a disappointing performance on Saturday behind them, a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of league leaders New Mills, and an early strike from Micky Horsfall was placed wide. Ashton were struggling to find any momentum and several free kick awards to Kirkham around the box kept the visitors on the back foot. In the 15^th minute a superb delivery into the back post area by Ged Smith found its target as Mark Wane fired the ball into the back of the net unmarked to give the home side the lead.

Ashton finally got going and Mark Court shot wide from the edge of the box and then Steve Wallace got the loose ball after good closing down by Paul McVeigh, but his drive from just inside the box fizzed over the bar.

Pressure started to mount on the Kirkham defence who also started to concede soft free kicks, and on the stroke of half time a great Mike Burke dead ball delivery fell between the Kirkham centre half’s and as Steve Bennett and Simon Gallanders converged onto the ball it was Bennett who got their first and poked the ball up and over the giant Kirkham keeper Pete Summerfield and into the back of the net, giving Ashton the all important away goal. HT 1-1

As in the first half Ashton were slow out of the blocks and a James Sheppard header forced Ashton keeper Joe Clayton to make a good save. Then the lively Sean Patterson broke through but could only place his shot wide. A tactical switch by Ashton midway through the second half wrestled back the initiative for the visitors and Ashton hit a purple patch with 25 minutes of dominance. Tom Potter latched onto a Paul McVeigh flick header but his low drive was blocked away by the huge frame of keeper Summerfield, the first of a series of incredible saves that eventually earned him his team’s man of the match award.

In the 61^st minute Ashton’s own man of the match shot wide and minutes later McVeigh unleashed a thunderbolt that stretched Summerfield and then a shot on the turn that skimmed the top of the cross bar. A Chris Lawton free kick suffered the same fate and then with 2 minutes left on the clock substitute Dave Sherlock cracked a volley against the bar with Summerfield for once a mere spectator.

With extra time looking certain Ashton’s top scorer McVeigh was again denied by the imperious Summerfield who made up ground to smother McVeigh’s shot on the line.

Extra time became an end to end affair and Kirkham skipper Dougie Shaw had the ball in the back of the net in the 94^th minute but was offside from a straight free kick. Then Ashton’s James Lawless had a great chance to put the tie beyond Kirkham as he raced through of the Kirkham goal picking up a defence splitting pass by Gallanders, and as the ball sat up invitingly his lob beat the keeper but carried wide of the goal. A long range effort from Allan Jackson almost put Kirkham ahead but Clayton saved well.

Defences muscled up and with tired legs both teams struggled to find the right quality of pass to make a difference.

Kirkham threw caution to the wind as extra time started to run out, committing more and more men into advanced positions. With 6 minutes on the clock a Kirkham corner was only half cleared and a mistimed shot by Sheppard dropped kindly for Paul Paynter 12 yards out in a crowded penalty box who blasted the ball into the roof of the net to put the home side in front.

It was now Ashton’s turn to throw men forward and time after time goal mouth scrambles ensued, but the loose ball was always either smothered by keeper Summerfield or cleared by a frantic Kirkham rear guard action. With the seconds ticking away and Ashton committed to all out attack Kirkham could have increased the lead as a long clearance reached Patterson whose attempted lob struck keeper Clayton 5 yards outside his box, and as the home supporters screamed for handball referee Worthington waved play on and the attack came to nothing. Ashton continued to pile forward but the superb Kirkham defence stood firm and secured the cup final birth. FT 2-1

Ashton must now bounce back quickly as they take on promotion rivals Oldham Town at the Whitebank Stadium in Oldham on Saturday 3pm KO.

Super sub Lawless secures the points for Ashton.

Vodkat League DIVISION 2

Saturday 15^th March 2008

Padiham 1 Ashton Athletic 3

Ashton Athletic’s youth production line came good again as the introduction of 17 year old James Lawless midway through the second half proved the deciding factor in this hard fought encounter at Padiham FC’s Arbories ground.

A goal to the good at half time, Ashton allowed the home side to pull themselves back into the game with an equaliser 20 minutes from time. But two goals in the last seven minutes saw the visitors through to victory, with youngster Lawless at the heart of things.

In a one sided first half, Ashton put Padiham under the cosh from the start, and after just four minutes home keeper Gavin King had to make a smart save from a Simon Gallanders chip after evading three Padiham challenges. On 20 minutes, a superb free kick by Gallanders reached Ashton’s Paul McVeigh whose glancing header beat the keeper but rebounded off the crossbar.

However, Padiham’s respite was only temporary as the visitors took the lead a minute later. Adam White picked up the ball in midfield, and as the defence backed off, he unleashed a 25 yard shot that flew into the far corner of the net.

Ashton dominated the remainder of the first half and came close to increasing the lead on several occasions. Under severe pressure Steve Bennett fired just wide, a Mike Burke long range effort was well gathered by King and just before the half time interval a superb 25 yard curling drive from Steve Wallace skimmed the top of the bar with keeper King a mere spectator.

After the break Padiham stepped up the pace, as Ashton failed to find the fluidity of the first half . Wayne Morrison had a good header from Mark Derbyshire’s cross saved by Ashton keeper Paxton on the hour mark, before Padiham drew level in the 69^th minute. Ashton’s Tom Potter was harshly penalised for handball on the edge of the box, and Martin Fletcher curled the free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

A minute later, Paul Barrett almost added another when his shot on the turn was matched by a fine save from the Ashton keeper Paxton who was then almost caught out shortly after when an in swinging corner from Morrison caught the wind and hit the bar before rebounding to safety.

The introduction of Lawless and midfielder Paul Bohannan in the 72^nd minute followed by Danny Burrows after 78 minutes steadied the ship for Ashton. The fresh legs helped Ashton retain a greater share of possession and wrestle back the initiative from the Padiham midfield who had been given far too much space to play in the early stages of the second half.

Having regained composure Ashton started to push for the winner with the speed of Lawless starting to ask questions of the Padiham back line. With eight minutes left Padiham’s resistance crumbled when Lawless found space in the penalty area to head home a great cross from Paul McVeigh after some excellent build up play.

In stoppage time the roles were reversed when Lawless raced into the box, drew the keeper and squared to McVeigh, who had the simple task of tapping home Ashton’s third.

The win takes Ashton up to 2^nd place in the league and in good form to take on FA Vase semi finalists Kirkham & Wesham in Tuesday night’s League cup semi final 2^nd Leg at Kirkham Kellamergh Park ground in Warton, Preston. The tie is perfectly poised after the 0-0 draw in the first leg two weeks ago and will kick off at 7.45pm

Meanwhile Ashton’s reserves also secured 3 points against Atherton LR Reserves as goals from Joe Evans, James Deane and Kev Kynaston gave them a well earned 3-1 win.

DAISY HILL MATCH POSTPONED

Tonights league match at Daisy Hill has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. New date to be confirmed shortly

First team friendly announced for Saturday 8th March

With Saturday's Division 2 trophy semi final second leg match postponed, due to Kirkham's continued involvement in the FA Vase, a friendly has been arranged against Vodkat Division 1 team Abbey Hey FC.

The match will be played at the Abbey Stadium, Goredale Ave Gorton, Manchester with a 1pm kick off.

McVeigh Strikes again

Vodkat League 2

Saturday 1^st March 2008

Ashton Athletic 3 Eccleshall FC 0

Following on from the tremendous 1-0 midweek win against run away league leaders New Mills, Ashton’s good form continued with an efficient performance against lowly Eccleshall FC.

A third clean sheet in a row for Ashton provided the platform for the three points and with rivals Kirkham and Wesham on FA Vase quarter final duty it was a result that moved Ashton up to second place in the table.

Strong winds again influenced the play but Ashton took control early in the match and almost took the lead as Steve Bennett produced a shot on the turn from just inside the box which keeper Rob Hackney got down well to save in the 5^th minute. A scrappy period with both teams struggling to find momentum was not helped by a couple of harsh yellow cards for Ashton’s McVeigh and Lawton for innocuous challenges, and having set such a low tolerance threshold referee Steve Foster had no option to issue a straight red to Eccleshall striker Dwayne Spence for kicking out at Mike Burke in the 25^th minute.

Ashton took early advantage of the extra man as a superb Steve Bennett cross from the right wing found striker Paul McVeigh on the six yard line and his powerful header nestled into the top corner to give Ashton the lead after 30 minutes, and take his personal tally for the season up to 21 in all competitions.

McVeigh bags his 21st goal of the
season from Ste Bennett cross

Then with half time fast approaching the lively Dave Sherlock cut into the visitors box from the left wing and unleashed a wicked swerving shot that keeper Hackney could only parry, and the predatory Steve Bennett nipped in to volley the ball into the roof of the net. HT 2-0

As you would expect, Ashton dominated in the opening exchanges of the second half but with 9 men behind the ball Eccleshall muscled up and kept Ashton at bay. Surprisingly it was Eccleshall that had the first real effort on goal in the 58^th minute as a defensive lapse let in Russ De Matteo on the break forcing Joe Clayton into an instinctive block allowing Steve Rothwell to clear.

The result was however sealed moments later as a quick throw in by Dave Sherlock released Paul Townshend and one on one the Eccleshall’s keeper was given no chance as Townshend volleyed the ball into the goal from 12 yards out.

To Eccleshall’s credit they kept plugging away and good efforts Josh Nugent and Mark Mapperley forced Clayton to get down sharply to his right to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile gaps were starting to appear in the Eccleshall back line as tired legs and minds kicked in. Steve Bennett placed a shot inches wide after a good through ball by Townshend whilst a speculative 40 yard effort by Mike Burke had keeper Hackney scrambling across goal to touch the ball around the post. Ashton’s Man of the Match Mike Burke forced a flying save from Hackney again as he met a Gallanders corner with a powerful header, and then Gallanders himself almost increased the lead but he too was denied by a sharp save by Hackney. FT 3-0

MoM Mike Burke heads goalwards
only to be denied by a fine save

A workman like performance by Ashton which must be replicated in the next league match away at Daisy Hill on Wednesday 12^th March 7.45pm KO. The cup semi final 2^nd leg at Kirkham scheduled for this Saturday has been re arranged to make way for Kirkham’s FA Vase replay following their 3-3 draw at the weekend. The Semi final will now take place on Tuesday 18^th March 7.45pm ko.

Ashton’s reserve team also hit three in their match at Blackpool Mechanics as a goal from Joe Evans and two from Martin Ormesher sealed the points in a 3-1 away win.

END

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