After a grueling 120 minutes at Congleton only 3 days before, the yellows started this game on the back foot as an energetic and one dimentional Alsager started the better.
With full credit to the ground staff as the pitch was in expetional condition, Alsager started the game kicking down the hill with a light breeze at their backs, the first 20 minutes was all the visitors as they pinned Athletic in their own half with their long ball strategy, a goal line clearence from Bailey and a shot from Smith were the best chances the away team could manage before the yellows regrouped to take a strangle hold on the game.
Ben Kay was wasteful on two occasions as he fluffed his shots when he should of done better, with 5 minutes to go in the first half the referee waved away shouts of a penalty from the home team as Richie Livingston was seemed to be bundled to the ground but the ref was not for changing his mind
HT 0-0
With a dissapointing first half behind them, Ashton came out like a house on fire and took the lead in the 47th minute. Good build up play between Gilchrist and Small led to the Alsager number 6 hacking down Small as he was about to get his shot away, a free kick 20 yards out was the outcome, Jamie Harrison took charge and curled his free kick past the helpless Dryden in the opposition goal.
The lead was doubled in the 52nd minute when a mazy run from Gilchrist led him to the goal line where his pinpoint cross was met by the head of Small to give Ashton momentum and a 2 goal lead. More chances went begging as Kay,Bailey, Livingston and Small all failed to hit the back of the net, with a now disheartened Alsager ready for the final whistle, there was still time for Gilchrist to add a 3rd, good play down the left from Bailey as he picked out his man who caught a sweet left foot volley to leave Dryden collecting the ball out the net for a 3rd time.
FT 3-0
ATT 42
A slow start but for 70% of the game the yellows were the better side, now all focus is on Saturday when we host AFC Blackpool.

MOM went to Ian Rowlands