Yellows make a point

A game played with contrasting styles, Norton United with a very direct and high tempo approach to the game and Ashton opting to try and play a passing game on a very bobbly and dry pitch.

The opening exchanges of the game set the tone for an afternoon of entertaining football in the sunshine here at Stoke. Indeed the host with their very direct style of play resemble there near premiership neighbours.

Matt Hadrell ex Vauxhall and more recently Leek Town was the focal point of the Norton attack with everything knocked up to him and players then feeding off him. Where as the Yellows with youngsters Martyn Jackson and Mason Ryan back in the side were trying to play there way forwards at every oppotunity.

Ashton had goalkeeper Steve Longrigg making his debut and to be honest he was hardly troubled during the game, the Norton goal on 25 minutes came from a long punt up field that sucked everybody over to the left hand side pof the box, the ball was crossed in the area and the Norton wide man Delroy Fox turned Jay Waldron and placed it low in the corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. at the other end Gareth Grant saw a superb effort hit the woodwork with the goalkeeper well beaten.

The second half started with the yellows well on yop but failing to make the most of some good oppotunity's and when the keeper made a great save from a Connor Gately thunderbolt it seemed Ashton would be frustrated. But Gareth Grant put youngster Mason Ryan through on goal and as cool as you like he lifted the ball over the out rushing keeper to level the scores in the 75 minute.

The game seemed to get a bit stretched in the latter stages with Norton seeming to leave a lot of players up front hoping to snatch a late winner but the referee's whistle came and a desreved point was earned by the lads.