In a thrilling night of football under the floodlights of Brocstedes Park, Ashton Athletic emerged victorious against Holker Old Boys in a closely contested battle, securing a 2-1 victory. Here's a rundown of the action-packed encounter:

Ashton Athletic, fueled by the momentum of two consecutive wins, were determined to clinch their third in a row. Spearheaded by the outstanding performances of Thomas Romano and Dek Hill, who relentlessly pressured the Holker defence throughout the match, Ashton showed their intent from the outset.

Despite dominating play, Ashton faced a setback as Holker unexpectedly took the lead in the 36th minute, and probably against the run of play. However, Ashton continued to press and rallied just before halftime, with Romano displaying his brilliance by orchestrating a powerful run through the opposition's defence to slot home an excellent equalizer. Half Time 1-1.

The second half saw a remarkable turn of events as Ashton's goalkeeper, Joe Beswick, was forced off due to injury. In a moment of sheer determination (some might call it madness), Yellows Manager Jay Foulds stepped up to replace him in goal, delivering a stellar performance reminiscent of his playing days. Foulds' exceptional command of the box and adept organization of the defence proved instrumental in thwarting Holker's relentless attacks in the 2nd half.

Ashton's persistence paid off in the 56th minute, when Zach Conway delivered a superb cross, met by the tireless Dek Hill, whose header rebounded off the keeper before he decisively struck home, securing what was to be the winning goal. Hill's clinical finish marked his second goal in as many games.

As the rain poured, Ashton's defence stood firm, repelling every Holker Old Boys' assault, with resolute determination. The entire squad showed great resilience, deserving every bit of their hard-fought victory. An outstanding performance.

With spirits high, Ashton Athletic now sets their sights on their upcoming clash against Garstang, carrying the momentum of this well-deserved win into their next challenge.

Manager Jay Foulds said after the game "When I left for footy with Ashton Athletic tonight I didn’t think I’d play 45 minutes, come off with a clean sheet and the boys beat playoff potentials 2-1! Best performance of the season, dug in and ground out a result. Back in retirement I go."

Cover photo by Paul Moran - Follow Paul on Twitter/X @PaulMoran62

Starting XI
Joe Beswick
Nathan Whalley
Reece Carrington
Calum Wilson
Chris Cottington
Conal Larkin
Zach Conway
Niall Partridge
Thomas Romano
Deklan Hill
Joshua Nicholson

Substitutes: Ross Ellison, Joe White, Kingston David, Jason Foulds

Attendance 70

Read the Match Programme HERE

Next Five Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
23/03/24 Garstang (H) 15:00
30/03/24 Ilkley Town (A) 15:00
01/04/24 Ashton Town (A) 15:00
06/04/24 Bacup Borough (H) 15:00
13/04/24 Atherton LR (H) 15:00

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Match Preview: Ashton Athletic vs Holker Old Boys - North West Counties Division One North. 8pm kick off.

Ashton Athletic gear up to host Holker Old Boys under the floodlights tonight at Brocstedes Park in what promises to be an exciting encounter. Here's what you need to know:

Recent Form: Ashton Athletic enter the match with confidence riding high, having secured back-to-back wins scoring 8 goals in the process. With momentum on their side, they aim to extend their winning streak to three games. Meanwhile, Holker Old Boys have been in decent form, clinching victory in four of their last six fixtures, positioning them in a respectable eighth place in the league.

League Standings: Ashton Athletic has climbed to 11th place in the league table, eager to continue their ascent by capitalizing on their recent goal-scoring prowess. Holker Old Boys, sitting in eighth place, have their sights set on the playoffs, with crucial games in hand to bolster their position.

Anticipated Showdown: With both teams hungry for victory, tonight's clash promises to deliver thrilling football as Ashton Athletic seek to maintain their winning streak while Holker Old Boys push for playoff contention. The stage is set for an exhilarating battle as these two sides collide at Brocstedes Park.

Get ready for an action-packed evening as Ashton Athletic and Holker Old Boys go head-to-head.

Admission prices are £6 for adults, £4 for concessions, and £1 for Under 16, Juniors are Free accompanied by adults, making it an affordable outing for families and fans of all ages. Also Wigan Athletic and other Season Ticket holders are welcome for the £3 concession price.

Please Note: It's Cash only on the Turnstile. The Bar and Kitchen are Card/Contactless Only.

Ground: Brocstedes Park
Address: Downall Green, Ashton in Makerfield
Postcode: WN4 0NR.