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Excellent win for Ashton Athletic girls

Excellent win for Ashton Athletic girls

The Yellows16 May 2016 - 11:15
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https://www.ashtonathletic.co.

Ashton Athletic U13 Girls 5 v Preston North End U13 Girls 0 Saturday 4th May 2016

It was a lovely sunny day to end the season at Brocstedes Park with both teams having their final game of the campaign. In the early stages of the game both sides tried to gain control and establish a foothold. The first chance fell to Preston which saw their number 7 turn and shoot well over the bar. Ashton soon replied though with a couple of good moves where Scarlet McHugh fired wide and Eleanor Westfield had a shot smothered by the Preston keeper. Good work down the left by Preston resulted in a corner but the Ashton defence held firm and cleared the danger. As the half progressed Ashton gained the upper hand and batted hard. Emily Bourne broke away and shot just wide. Jenny O’Neill, in an unfamiliar role upfront, then turned and shot wide.
Ashton would not let Preston have any time on the ball and it resulted in more pressure on the Preston goal. First Hannah Chlodek and then Eleanor Westfield had two good efforts going wide. On the rare occasion Preston did venture forward, which was only in the last ten minutes of the half, Charlotte Woodward the Ashton goalkeeper’s handling was perfect. In the closing minute of the half Ashton took a deserved lead. Emily Bourne whipped in a low swinging corner which the keeper and defender could not clear which resulted in the ball nestling in the back of the net.
H.T 1-0
The second half started with an early chance for Preston. The striker found herself clear with only the keeper to beat but slotted well wide. This early chance for Preston was not a sign of things to come though. Teagan Bibby won the ball well in the midfield and moved forward, she then fired a pass which Jenny O’Neill flicked on but could not keep down and it sailed over the bar. The Ashton defence pushed further up the field squeezing all the play into the Preston half. Olivia Riley at right back was solid in the tackle and dangerous with her long throw ins. Abbey Watkinson at left back was first to every tackle and any loose ball. Darcy Bowker once again put in an assured display at the back and controlled her defence well. Ashton further increased their lead from a special corner from Emily Bourne. This time she fizzed in a high curler which thumped into the net and gave the keeper no chance. Ashton really were on top of their game and five minutes later Scarlett McHugh had a great run, jinking her way through two defenders and finishing with aplomb in the bottom corner. The pressure was really beginning to tell on Preston with shots raining in on goal from all angles. Hannah Chlodek caused Preston havoc down the left wing and Tegan Bibby, having her best game of the season in the middle of the park, controlled and set up numerous attacks.
Scarlett McHugh scored her second and Ashton’s fourth when, with a drop of the shoulder, she turned her marker brilliantly and set off for goal. She left one defender for dead with her speed and shot, right footed, across the keeper and low into the bottom corner. Ashton were playing at the very top of their game with both Emily and Scarlett hunting for their hatricks. It looked as though Scarlett had managed hers but the Preston keeper pushed her effort on to the post and out for a corner. Scarlett was not to be denied though and produced her hatrick goal with five minutes left to play. Similar to the fourth goal, a great turn and run, and a deadly low finish into the bottom corner, made it five.
F.T 5-0
This has been the first season for this team of girls playing together and shows great promise for next season. They have suffered several unlucky defeats when they have been the better side and for the games they have won, it has been fully deserved. This fantastic result against a team several places higher than Ashton in the league, can be carried on to next season and will give the Ashton girls renewed confidence. These girls should be proud as they have shown the can mix it with the best.
Enjoy your summer break and look forward to seeing you back in winning ways for the 2016/17 season.
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