Ashton Athletic bowed out of the Macron Cup on Saturday, despite producing a performance that for long spells deserved far more than the final scoreline suggested.

The Yellows made an excellent start at Litherland REMYCA, playing with purpose and immediately looking dangerous down the left. Ashton’s early pressure caused the home defence plenty of problems and, after just 10 minutes, it was rewarded with the opening goal.
Captain Josh Nicholson found himself in the right place at the right time to get on the end of a ball into the box and calmly finish beyond the REMYCA goalkeeper to put Ashton in front.

Ashton continued to look the more threatening side as the first half progressed, moving the ball well and creating a number of promising openings. Nicholson, Tom Beckett and Marcus Cusani were particularly lively in attack, continually asking questions of the REMYCA defence.

The hosts gradually began to find their feet as the half wore on, but Ashton defended resolutely and appeared to have their opponents under control.
Then, with just a minute remaining before the interval, came a cruel blow.

From a goal kick, REMYCA returned the ball quickly into the danger area, and their striker raced through before delicately chipping Joe Beswick to bring the home side level. It was a particularly disappointing goal to concede given Ashton’s otherwise impressive first-half display, and the Yellows went into the break knowing they had every reason to feel aggrieved at being level.

In the 2nd half The Yellows continued to play some excellent football and created further opportunities as they searched to regain the lead.
Unfortunately, it was REMYCA who struck next. A flick-on from a throw-in created a three-on-one situation inside the Ashton penalty area and the home side took full advantage, finishing from close range to turn the game around.

Despite falling behind, Ashton refused to buckle and continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. Substitutes Tom Beswick, Ryan Knowles and Zach Conway all went close as Ashton threw everything into their attempts to get back on level terms. Luke Crompton also produced another tireless display, repeatedly driving forward from midfield and trying to drag Ashton up the pitch.

There was further frustration when Ashton had a goal ruled out for offside, while REMYCA also saw an effort chalked off at the other end.

With time running out, Beckett and Cusani continued to cause problems for the REMYCA defence as Ashton pressed for the goal that would have taken the tie to the wire. The chances were there, but once again the crucial final touch eluded the Yellows.

Ashton committed numbers forward in the closing stages, with goalkeeper Joe Beswick joining his teammates for a final corner in search of an equaliser. But the ball was headed clear and REMYCA broke at pace, racing towards the unguarded Ashton goal before slotting into the empty net with virtually the final kick of the game.

The 3–1 score line ultimately did not reflect just how competitive Ashton had been for large periods of the afternoon.

The Yellows will understandably be disappointed. They created enough opportunities to change the outcome of the game, but avoidable goals and the failure to convert some big chances ultimately proved decisive.
It was another afternoon where the margins went against Ashton, and a reminder that good spells of football have to be accompanied by the finishing required to turn pressure and opportunities into results.

There were, however, plenty of positives to take from the performance.

Jonny Sodhi, Josh Nicholson and Marcus Cusani all produced impressive displays, while new signing Tom Beckett was rewarded for an excellent individual performance by being voted Ashton Athletic’s Player of the Match by the supporters.

Beckett was a constant threat throughout the afternoon, working tirelessly, competing for every ball and repeatedly looking to take the game to the REMYCA defence. His determination never wavered, even as Ashton chased the game in the closing stages.

Attention now turns to Tuesday night and a big home game against Maine Road.
The Yellows will be looking to put Saturday’s frustration behind them, take the positives from the performance and turn them into the result their efforts deserved.

Player of the Match Tom Beckett

Starting XI
1 Joe Beswick
2 Jake Greene
3 Joseph Pennington
4 Joseph Barlow
5 Luke Crompton
6 Jonathan Sodhi
7 Jake Davison
8 Samuel Gill
9 Joshua Nicholson
10 Marcus Cusani
11 Thomas Beckett

Substitutes: Zach Conway, Joshua Brierley, Adam Gilchrist, Ryan Knowles. Thomas Beswick

Attendance 81

All Photographs and Media and Match Report by Nic Cain

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