Aaron Cringle started at left back replacing Michael Mylona, Ross Shepherd made a welcome return to the starting lineup with Ben Kay dropping to the bench. Chris Webster and Matty Farnworth came into midfield in place of Sam Bailey and Joel Brownhill, Danny Smith replaced Isaac Kusaloka and there was a debut for Marcus Cusani who replaced Adam Gilchrist.

The Yellows started off strongly and should have been ahead in the first 20 minutes. Danny Smith could have put Ashton ahead in the first 2 minutes but his shot was easily saved by Adam Coward in the Carlisle goal. Marcus Cusani and Matt Farnworth had good chances but couldn’t find the back of the net, Farnworth cut his way through the Carlisle defence, but his show was tipped round the near post.
Carlisle City’s first chance came after 20 minutes, but Martin Pearson collected the free kick that was floated into the box.

The Yellows should have put the game to bed but their inability to convert their chances allowed Carlisle to get some confidence and their long throws started to cause some concern in the Ashton defence. Danny Balmer found Kyle Armstrong, who’s header was tipped over the bar by Martin Pearson. Carlisle tried to use the long throw to good effect again but the chances were cleared by Luke Holden and Matty Farnworth.

Ashton Athletic then had more chances to take the lead. A Paul Watson shot cracking Danny Smith in the head, allowing the Carlisle defence to clear their lines. Marcus Cusani, Matty Farnworth and Danny Regan had good chances, but couldn’t find a way past Adam Coward in the Carlisle goal. Danny Smith was released on the edge of the box and was 1 on 1 with the keeper, but with him still suffering the effects from Paul Watson’s shot he fired the ball straight at Adam Coward.

The final action of the half saw Adam Cringle slipping as he was about to head a cross clear, but the ball went out for a corner.

HT Carlisle City 0 Ashton Athletic 0

Carlisle started the second half on the front foot and had some good chances to take a surprise lead. Crosses into to the Ashton box were dealt with comfortably, though confusion between Martin Pearson and Ross Shepherd saw Shepherd clearing the ball out for a corner.

The Yellows then continued to pressure the Carlisle defence. Luke Holden hitting the bar with a powerful header from a free kick and then he was brought down by the Carlisle keeper with the ref awarding Ashton a stonewall penalty. Danny Smith stepped up but Adam Coward dived to his right and made a good save to deny Smith and the ball was cleared for a throw in. From the resulting throw in, Danny Smith picked the ball up from the edge of the box, beat a defender and fired the ball into the area for Danny Regan to bundle the ball into the goal.
Paul Watson had a chance to double the lead. Matt Farnworth crossed the ball into the area but Watson’s shot was fired straight at the keeper.

The Yellows then made it 2-0. Good pressure from Matty Farnworth saw his steal the ball from Craig Cherry and he crossed the ball to Danny Smith who slotted the ball past the keeper making up for the penalty miss.

Both teams started to tire on the heavy pitch and Ashton continued to have good chances to add to the score with Paul Watson and Aaron Simpson failing to test the keeper.

Carlisle had the final chances of the game but they couldn’t test Martin Pearson in the Ashton goal.

FT Carlsile City 0 Ashton Athletic 2