Ashton Athletic travel to the WEC Group Anchor Ground on 30/4/16 hoping for a victory after a disappointing second half performance against Padiham on 26/4/16.

The Yellows started brightly against The Storks and had the better of the first half. Chances came and went and they went into half time with only a Danny Smith goal on 26 minutes to show for their dominance. As clichès go this was a game of 2 halves, as Padiham came out in the second half looking the better team and they drew level with a goal on 49 minutes from Kieron Pickup. Ashton took the lead again with an Isaac Kusaloka goal 8 minutes later but that lead lasted 11 minutes when Alex Murphy pulled the Storks level with a quality finish. Ashton had a few chances to take the lead but it was Padiham who were able to take their chances and the 3 points with 2 goals in 3 minutes. Alex Murphy scoring his second on 87 minutes and Kieron Pickup grabbing his second and Padiham's forth just before the full time whistle.

AFC Darwen will be looking to build on their magnificent 5-2 defeat of Runcorn Town. 2 quick goals from Mark McKay (7 & 11) and one from Bobby Langford but Darwen 3-0 up at half time. Rob Ablewhite pulled one back for Town but a Luke McKenna penalty on 65 minutes and a goal from Declan Cunliffe in the 75th minute made the points safe. Danny Toone scoring a second for Runcorn Town in the 87th minute to finish the scoring.

It is the second time The Yellows have made the trip to the WEC Group Anchor Ground. The first trip was on 24/2/16 when the game was abandoned with the score 0-0 after about 18 minutes due to floodlight failure.

In the reverse fixture, AFC Darwen travelled to Brocstedes Park for the first game of the season on 8/8/15. Richie Livingston scoring the winner in the 80th minute in a tight game.

Both teams will be looking for the 3 points for different reasons. The Yellows are continuing their push to catch Bootle in 6th place and AFC Darwen are fighting for points to avoid relegation to Division 1. Darwen are looking nervously over their shoulder as they are 3 points ahead of 20th placed Silsden with a game in hand but only 4 points ahead of 21st placed AFC Blackpool having played 2 games more than The Tangerines.

Ashton Athletic co-manager, Jay Foulds:

"Saturday sees us enter the final week of the season with 4 games in 8 days. This will be second time lucky hopefully at Darwen as the first time floodlight failure caused the game to be abandoned. The squad has been pushed to its limit lately with an injury list we've never experienced before. Credit to the development squad players who have stepped up and not looked out of place and thanks must go to manager Peo for this. We will be looking to put Tuesday's disappointment behind us as in the first half we were unplayable but in the second half we never got started. Darwen are a good side and add in the fact they are close to the bottom 3 they will be more than up for it. We have told the lads they are fighting for a place in the squad for next season so I can assure we will be looking to bring our away campaign to a close on a high and with 3 points."

AFC Darwen Last 6 Games
25/4/16 - Runcorn Town (H) W 5-2
20/4/16 - Bootle (H) L 1-0
16/4/16 - Alsager (H) W 3-0
14/4/16 - Runcorn Linnets (H) L 2-0
12/4/16 - 1874 Northwich (A) W 3-2
02/4/16 - Congleton Town (A) L 2-0

Ashton Athletic Last 6 Games
26/4/16 - Padiham L 4-2
23/4/16 - AFC Liverpool (A) W 4-1
19/4/16 - Barnoldswick Town (A) D 2-2
16/4/16 - Colne (A) L 6-2
14/4/16 - Cammell Laird 1907 (H) W 2-1
11/4/16 - Runcorn Town (A) W 4-1

Previous Meetings as AFC Darwen
24/02/16 - NWCFL Premier Division - AFC Darwen 0 Ashton Athletic 0 (Abandoned)
08/08/15 - NWCFL Premier Division - Ashton Athletic 1 AFC Darwen 0

Previous Meetings as Darwen
27/10/07 - NWCFL Second Division - Ashton Atheltic 2 Darwen 0
29/09/07 - NWCFL Second Division - Darwen 0 Ashton Athletic 1
10/02/07 - NWCFL Second Division - Darwen 2 Ashton Athletic 2
18/11/06 - NWCFL Second Division - Ashton Athletic 2 Darwen 2