Derby day delight for the yellows.

In a re-run of the Boxing day fixture that got called off at half time with Ashton leading one nil and very much on top this game started and ended in much the same way.

The opening half hour was all a bit of a stand off with both teams feeling each other out looking very much like neither side was prepared to try anything in case they made a mistake. resulting in passes going a stray from both sides, but it was the yellows who held the upper hand as the last 15 minutes of the half arrived.

A couple of half chances came and went as the WRP goalkeeper Jay Fouldes proved why he is such a vital part of the Robins set up the save on the half hour mark from the very impressive Connor Gately when the youngster was put through on goal was outstanding to say the least. but with Lee Hodgkinson and man of the match Martyn Jackson getting to grips in midfield, The yellows slowly started to get on top of the game and it came as no suprise when the hardworking Danny Smith, who had been ill since the Barlick game, broke from in his own half and glided past three defenders to slide the ball across the face of the goal to give Connor Gately the easiest of tap ins for the opener on the 40 minute mark. With the Ashton back line now looking settled they seen the half out restricting the ever dangerous Phil Howard to a couple of long range shots, one coming from a well worked WRP corner that flashed wide of Dave Moran's right hand post.

HT 1-0

The second half saw Danny Smith replaced by Paul Hynes who proceeded to have a big impact on the game. Within 4 minutes of the re-start he intercepted a pass on the dug out side of the pitch and set Connor Gately on his way to adding his second goal of the game as he rounded the helpless WRP goalkeeper to make the score two nil with 49 minutes on the clock. The next ten minutes belonged to the Robins who put the yellows back-line under severe pressure, especially with excellent set piece deliveries from the impressive ex Ashton player Colin Quirk, the Robins got a foot hold in the game when Phil Howard converted a rocket like free-kick giving goalkeeper Dave Moran no chance at all in the yellows goal, this also started a run of bizarre refereeing decisions that left both teams bemused, The award off the free kick was harsh but to book Jay Waldron for hand ball when he was a yard from the attacker when he struck it was even harsher.

Ashton seemed to settle again after Howards goal and when Paul Hynes broke the off side trap to race through on goal he was dragged back by the WRP centre half Ben Kay for a penalty, the WRP defender seemed to accept the Red card that was almost certain to follow, but to everyones suprise it never came. Paul Hynes got up from the floor to dispatch the penalty in the bottom right hand corner to give the score-line a more realistic look with 69 minutes on the clock.

More chances came for the yellows as WRP searched for a way back into the game, one chance that did arrive was again from the boots of Phil Howard who forced Dave Moran into a great save from another free kick but the game if not already over should have been when Justin Yun on as a substitute broke down the right and rolled the ball across goal for the returning Mark Bailey to have the easiest of tap ins, but just as he was about to score Phil Johnson dragged him back for another penalty and more suprisingly no red card. Connor Gately stepped up this time to take the spot kick but the excellent Jay Foulds produced a fine save down low to his left hand side to thwart the youngster a deserved hat trick.The game ended shortly after with the yellows claiming another three points in there efforts to climb the table.

FT 3-1