A 2-0 win from their last home game against Clitheroe Wolves set up a tough clash against league leaders Academy Juniors. Academy from Bolton had not lost a game for two seasons and won the double last season. Ashton started the game well with Scarlett McHugh going close with a couple of efforts on goal. There seemed to be a real determination about Ashton as they passed the ball well and were solid in their tackling. Ashton took the lead from a perfect in swinging corner from Emily Bourne, Scarlet met the ball on the volley and sent it sharply into the roof of the net. 1-0 and a great start. Academy have not lost a game in two seasons for no reason and they started to up the ante, forcing a couple of corners with some good approach play. Ashton’s defence were coping tactically and they started reducing Academy to long range shots which did not cause any threat to the Ashton goal. It was end to end football being played and Academy got lucky with an equaliser from a low shot into the corner of the net. HT 1-1
The second half started well with Ashton on the front foot forcing an early corner. They were playing some neat football but had Charlotte to thank in goal for keeping the score at 1-1. She came out of her goal and saved with her out stretched leg, then a flying fingertip save moments later. Ashton took heart from this and went up the other end and scored with a great finish from Scarlett. Again it was Emily who fed a great ball through the middle for Scarlett to do the rest. At 2-1 Ashton were playing some great stuff and every girl doing their utmost for the cause. This was no backs to the wall effort, they were taking on Academy at their own game and coming out on top. Hannah on the left wing was producing her normal energetic game and a sublime piece of skill nearly increased the advantage. Hannah brought the ball down on her instep and set off down the left wing, she looked up saw the keeper off her line and lobbed beautifully only for the ball to bounce off the top of the bar and land safely for a goal kick. Jubilant Ashton supports were in dreamland when they made it 3-1. Hannah hit a tremendous shot which the Academy keeper could only parry, Teagan Biggy was on hand to smash home the loose ball with her left foot. With fifteen minutes left Academy made it 3-2 with a deflected shot which left charlotte stranded in the Ashton goal. Ashton had played so well they did not deserve anything less than the win and you would be forgiven in thinking that Academy would equalise, Ashton girls had other ideas. Instead of going into their shell and trying to protect what they had, they came out fighting and took the last 10 minutes to Academy. Scarlett scored her third with another great run, taking on the defenders and leaving them in her wake, she finished it confidently, keeping the ball low to the keeper’s right. FT 2-4
A superb team effort, committed in everything they did, tactically brilliant and a belief in themselves.
Well done girls