Sad Borough Hit For Six

It was obvious from the off that the yellows were serious about going for the throat as they forced a couple of early corners and were denied a 10th minute opener by a goal line clearance, and less than a minute later Michael Downing had a shot that came back of the keepers left hand post to safety. Ogden in the Bacup goal then produced a fine one handed stop to his left hand side to keep out Gareth Grant’s 21st minute free-kick but five minutes later he and Borough were undone when Gareth Grant got free down the left and drilled the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner of the net. At the other end Arrowsmith fired an effort wide in a rare Bacup attack before Gareth Grant then added his second in the 34th minute with a free-kick that he curled around the wall. More chances for the yellows who were running riot through-out the half then finally Gareth Grant the former Runcorn Town man completed his much deserved hat-trick on 40 minutes as Bacup Borough lost their shape and disipline.
HALF-TIME: Bacup Borough 0 Ashton Athletic 3

At the interval Bacup brought on Cocks and Socha for Coleman and Arrowsmith but the change seemed to have little effect as Daniel Smith broke clear of the defence and slotted home just two minutes after the restart after being set free by the impressive Grant. Worse was to come for Bacup as after the ball was given away sloppily Michael Downing added a 55th minute fifth. Ashton where now in cruise control and understandably they took their foot off the gas allowing Bacup to enjoy a bit of the game. First Cocks found Artjoms Butorins who drove wide and then five minutes later the Russian striker went even closer, heading against the near post. He was replaced by Ben Shedwick and the substitute striker finally put Borough on the scoresheet with a firm downward header as he was left free in the centre of the six yard box in the 81st minute. Three minutes later a Dave Gray feed Boic Nhlizyo who calmly slot home. Any hopes of an unlikely comeback though were, however, short lived as The Yellows broke away again and a fine bit of skill by Michael Downing to flick the ball over the defenders head and swivel to shoot resulted in him being hacked down to win an 87th minute penalty which was converted by Downing to complete the rout.
FULL-TIME: Bacup Borough 2 Ashton Athletic 6