Ashton Athletic come out on top in the battle for survival

Ashton Athletic FC and Squires Gate FC both started the game in desperate need of the three points on offer for the winners of tonight’s NWCFL game, and it was the Yellows that finished the game with the points, four goals and a clean sheet as well.
Before the game The Yellows manager Jimmy McBride had injury doubts galore with a host of players carrying knocks, but with Keith Plumbton working is magic on the treatment table it allowed the Gaffer and his assistant Dave Ness to field a team capable of doing the job, and that they did in fine style.
The game started with Ashton quickly settling into their stride and Squires Gate looking very nervous especially at the back. Youngster Mike Downing was soon amongst the action winning a free kick on the edge of the box which Connor Gately floated across the face of goal with no home player able to get a touch on the ball. Another free kick conceded and this time Gareth Grant powered a shot that the keeper done really well to turn away via his chest. Then came a ten minute period that the Squires Gate centre half Jonathan Forbes will want to forget first he conceded a free-kick by hauling down Downing once again, he was also fortunate to not pick up a yellow card for the challenge. But from the free kick the ball got worked out wide and Connor Gately’s cross in to the penalty area was handled by Forbes, who conceded a penalty and also picked up a yellow card. Gareth Grant who was outstanding all game placed the ball wide of the keeper from the spot to give us the lead on ten minutes. Before the visitors could settle Ashton had scored again with the ball worked out wide on the left youngster Mike Downing powered a shot come cross goal bound and Forbes under pressure from Gareth Grant turned the ball into his own net making it two nil on twenty minutes. This seemed to signal a change of mind set for the young Ashton side and they started to sit back and try and play out the game although the tireless Mason Ryan and Connor Gately out wide were still proving useful outlets along with Downing and Grant up front. During this period Squires Gate had their best period of the game with Harvie having a one on one with keeper Dave Moran and he was also sending in some great corners that put the home defence under pressure along with the very impressive Ralph smashing a shot against the cross bar with Dave Moran beaten all hands up.
The second half was a different story and was totally dominated by the home side and within 5 minutes of the restart the game was over as a contest, Mason Ryan who had switched sides at half time with Connor Gately making way for Danny Smith, skipped past two defenders and delivered a cross to the back post that youngster Mike Downing headed home to make it three nil on fifty minutes. A host of near misses by the home side came and went but on the hour mark Elvis Banyhiwabe scored the goal of the game smashing the ball home from the edge of the box to make it 4-0 and finish a great night of for the Yellows.
The win does not guarantee premiership safety but it does give us a great chance of achieving that goal. On Saturday champions elect Padiham FC visit Brocstedes Park in what will be a tough encounter for the lads especially with the injury list not getting any shorter.