It was 105 days since the Yellows defeated Bacup Borough and condemned them to division 1. Fast forward to the first game of the new season and the visitors to Brocstedes were AFC Darwen who won promotion from division 1 via the play offs.
The management handed full debuts to goalkeeper Martin Pearson, striker Callum Mahoney with Aaron Morris, Jordan Unsworth and Adam Lawrence on the bench.

The Yellows looked nervous from the kick off with Darwen creating a half chance with a header from Leeming clearing the bar. It nearly got worse when Coote turned well and hit a shot that took a wicked deflection of skipper Rowlands but Pearson somehow managed to stick a hand out and stop the ball on the goal line. This seemed to inject some life into the players and Livingston making his return after a year out with a knee injury shot inches wide with the keeper well beaten. Mahoney looked sharp and got into a few good positions but the final ball deserted the youngster. Darwen were content to hit the long ball to Coote at every opportunity for the big man to flick on for runners but the Ashton backline dealt with the danger.

HT 0-0

Some stern words at ht seemed to liven up a so far lack lustre Ashton performance. The deadlock should have been broken when Kusaloka was played through on goal but the shot hit the side netting with some fans celebrating a goal. The Yellows started to carve the Darwen defence open but yet again the final pass; cross or shot lacked any conviction. Jordan Unsworth replaced Mahoney and the ex Wigan Athletic youth player should have opened his Ashton account. An inch perfect pass led to a clear sight on goal but the out rushing keeper did enough to block the ball with his chest. With 10 minutes to go Aaron Morris replaced Sam Bailey in midfield and instantly changed the game. A quick through in on the right hand side saw Morris jink passed numerous players before squaring to Livingston who had the simple task of tucking the ball into the net. A great introduction for the ex St Helens player who won numerous awards for his performances last season. There was still time for drama in the dying minutes when Livingston gave away possession and the Darwen winger drove a shot that rebounded off the cross bar. As the ball came back out Pearson pulled off a great block to deny the Darwen forward and claim his first clean sheet for the club but more importantly 3 points.

FT 1-0