Last Minute Heartache

Ashton Athletic under new management with Jimmy McBride taking over at the helm in mid week made a number of changes looking to end their recent run of 8 straight defeats.

Ashton certainly had the look of a side under new management and ex Maine Road player Mark Rogers scored a wonder goal on 7 minutes to rock the visitors as Keeper Greg Hall under severe pressure from new recruit Godfrey Emu made a right hash of clearing the ball from wide on the right, Rogers met the clearance on the volley and with a 50 yard strike lobbed Hall as he struggled to get back.this was no more than the yellows deserved and gave the players the belief that's been lacking over the last few weeks.

But on the 2o minute mark Maine Roads Tom Bentham almost levelled when It looked easier to score than miss as he met a Martin Hill cross from 2 yards out but he couldn't finish the chance. Ashton pushed on looking for a second and crosses from the impressive Martyn Jackson and partner in crime Jay Waldren flashed across the Maine Road goal but twice Mark Bailey was inches away from adding a second.Chances came thick and fast in the ensuing minutes as Kevin McGrath met a Tom Bailey corner with an acrobatic scissor kick and Tom Bentham again went close with a header both of which were superbly blocked by the Ashton defence with new signing Micheal Burns organising is troops like a seasoned profesional.

The ever dangerous Tom Bentham was rewarded for his determination in the 29th minute as this time a Martin Hill cross found Bentham who had gained a yard on the Jay Waldron and met the cross to scramble the ball home.

1-1 at Half Time.

It was to be another mistake from Hall in the Maine Road goal that brought about the next Ashton Athletic goal as he again failed to deal with a long ball down the left and another dubious clearance saw Mark Bailey score on 52 minutes.The lead was to last only 10 minutes as Tom Bailey finished calmly 8 yards out after picking on a through ball from strike partner Tom Bentham

It was starting to look like Maine Road the league leaders would have to settle for a point as the home side worked tirelessly to secure a point that they well deserved to get especially when Tom Bailey was booked for diving in an attempt to win a penalty.

It was to be an 89th minute winner for Maine Road as a corner was met again by another centre half scissor kick this time from John Mason, Ashton keeper Hayden Buckley-Smith pulled off the save of the game clawing the ball out of the top corner, unfortunately for the the debut keeper he could only hook the ball back across goal to Matt Warburton who managed to get a toe on the ball. With a lunging block by the defender Maine Road players ran off in celebration and as the referee looked across to the linesman who awarded the goal to the delight of the away team who celebrated like they had won the world cup, champions league and premiership all in that split second.

Jimmy McBride can be well pleased with the performance against a strong Maine Road side who play some great football, but again we see another game with no points, but on the plus side there is positive and encouraging signs to build on for next week.

2 - 3 Full Time