Under the floodlights on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening, Ashton Athletic welcomed visitors Thornton Cleveleys to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League Division One North clash, and the home side delivered a superb 3–1 victory to boost their survival hopes.

Thornton arrived in confident mood, enjoying a strong campaign and pushing for a playoff place with 35 points on the board, while Ashton were looking to build momentum following last week’s dramatic 3–2 win over Steeton. What unfolded was a highly competitive and entertaining contest that warmed everyone inside the ground despite the freezing temperatures.

The hosts made the perfect start in just the seventh minute with a goal of real quality. A long ball into the Thornton half saw a defensive header cleared, fortunately sending the ball straight to Marcus Cusani some 40 yards from goal. Spotting the visiting keeper off his line, Cusani instinctively struck a looping effort first time that sailed majestically back over the stranded keeper and into the net — a stunning strike worthy of any level of football and an early 1–0 lead for Ashton.

Both sides battled hard to gain control as the half progressed, but Ashton began to assert themselves with some excellent passing football. The midfield trio of Samuel Oko, Zach Conway and Luke Crompton dictated much of the play, helping the home side look solid across the pitch as they searched for a second goal. They went into the break deservedly one goal to the good.

Thornton emerged strongly after the interval and enjoyed a good spell of pressure, but Ashton struck again, somewhat against the run of play. A defensive mistake allowed the hosts to regain possession before a cross from the right found left-back Jonny Sodhi, who had the simplest of finishes to double the advantage.

To their credit, the visitors kept pushing and looked determined to find a way back into the contest. Ashton had to dig in defensively at times but showed resilience to keep Thornton at bay.

The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute as the lively Cusani surged down the wing, beating defenders before delivering a low cross into the six-yard area where Luke Crompton arrived to finish comfortably and make it 3–0.

Thornton grabbed a consolation goal five minutes from time, but the outcome was already beyond doubt as Ashton saw out the closing stages to secure an impressive and valuable victory.

It was an excellent team performance from the hosts, with standout displays from Joe White, Jonny Sodhi and Luke Crompton, while Marcus Cusani’s all-action display — capped by that spectacular opener — earned him a deserved Player of the Match award.

Thanks as always for your support as we now travel to Merseyside, to take on Maghull this Saturday, 21st of Feb - 3 pm kick off.

Starting XI
1 Ewan Dodgson
2 Joseph Barlow
3 Jonathan Sodhi
4 Joe White
5 Calum Wilson
6 Samuel Oko
7 Zach Conway
8 Luke Crompton
9 Marcus Cusani
10 Samuel Gill
11 Joshua Nicholson

Substitutes: William Adams, Ben Crane, Max Leeson, Aleksander Calaku, Jake Greene

Attendance 75

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

View the Match Programme HERE

Next Six Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
21/02/26 Maghull (A) 15:00
25/02/26 Garstang (A) 19:45
28/02/26 Maine Road (H) 15:00
03/03/26 Squires Gate (H) 19:45
07/03/26 Colne (A) 15:00
18/03/26 Bacup Borough (A) 20:00