OPENING DAY DELIGHT!

Ashton Athletic's first league game under the new management trio saw them travel to Surrey Street, home of Glossop North End FC, who are much fancied to do well this season in the NWCFL. Undaunted, Athletic came away with the three points after a fantastic team performance.

On an excellent playing surface, both teams started well with Glossop playing some attractive football but failing to break down the resolute Athletic defence. The Yellows created the first chance of the game when the impressive James Lawrence-Forbes was played in down the right. The home 'Keeper advanced for the ball but quickly changed his mind leaving the goal unattended, unfortunately, the wingers effort was off target and went out for a goal kick. Athletic continued to catch Glossop on the break and created further chances through the fantastic forward play of Burbidge and Callaway who never game the home defence a minutes rest all afternoon.

The deadlock was broken on twenty-two minutes when Athletic were awarded a deserved penalty. Excellent work by Callaway saw him regain possession and advance into the box, pulling the ball back for midfielder Hull. After collecting the ball he was fouled just as he was about to get his shot away. Captain, Latham, placed the ball on the spot and blasted it past the home 'Keeper to silence the expectant two hundred strong crowd. It was nothing more than The Yellows deserved after limiting Glossop to very few clear cut chances.

Athletic continued to create chances on the break and after good work by the tireless Gilchrist the ball fell to Callaway who failed to convert after a 'wicked' spin on the ball caught him out and the ball ran to safety. Glossop searched for the equaliser but were limited to long range efforts that were comfortable for 'Keeper Foulds. The final act of the first half saw a well worked corner whipped in and Yellows full-back, Edwards, head over the bar from six-yards out.

The second half started much the same as the first with Glossop controlling possession but failing to create any clear cut chances. However, they were level on sixty-one minutes when excellent wing play floated the ball to the back post and was confidently finished by the Glossop striker into the bottom left corner of the goal. The home support cranked up the noise and lesser sides may have withered away to defeat, but not Athletic! They were back in front on sixty-eight minutes when the home 'Keeper gifted Lawrence-Forbes with a miss-hit back pass and he coolly slotted the ball into the empty net much to the delight of the away bench!

Following the goal Glossop searched for another equaliser and created a chance through a well worked free kick that was well saved by Foulds down to his right. The Yellows back four, with the impressive Holden and Wilkinson, were in no mood to surrender another lead and snuffed out any further attacks putting their bodies in the line of shots and producing some timely interceptions.

A fantastic team effort saw The Yellows leave with the win in a game that many presumed would be a 'walk-over' for the home side. The squad must continue to deliver the same work-rate on Tuesday night as AFC Liverpool arrive at Brocstedes for Athletic's first home game of the season.