Back under the floodlights at Brocstedes Park, Ashton Athletic welcomed newcomers Uppermill for their first-ever visit in the North West Counties Division One North.

Following Saturday's impressive opening-day victory over AFC Blackpool, the Yellows faithful arrived hoping for another positive performance, and they certainly weren't left disappointed.
Uppermill had drawn their opening league fixture against fellow newcomers at the weekend, making them something of an unknown quantity. However, it quickly became clear after the 7.45pm kick-off that they would provide a stern test, competing fiercely for every ball from the opening whistle.

It didn't take Ashton long to make the breakthrough. Right-back Josh Brierley embarked on a superb run down the right flank, cutting inside and driving into the penalty area. Just as he looked set to shoot, he was halted by a challenge from an Uppermill defender. Fortunately for Ashton, the loose ball ran kindly into the path of striker Cal Mahoney, who calmly slotted home in the bottom corner to give the Yellows an early 1-0 lead on 18 minutes.

The remainder of the first half continued at a high tempo with both sides battling hard, but Ashton once again looked rock solid defensively. Goalkeeper Joe Beswick produced another commanding display behind a back four that rarely looked troubled. Full-backs Josh Brierley and Jake Greene were excellent throughout, while central defenders Calum Wilson and the outstanding David Oko dealt confidently with everything that came their way.

Half-time: Ashton Athletic 1-0 Uppermill.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Ashton enjoyed plenty of possession and threatened on numerous occasions but found it difficult to create that decisive final opening, with promising attacks often breaking down around the edge of the penalty area.
Uppermill remained dangerous, particularly from set pieces where their height caused problems, and it was becoming increasingly important for Ashton to find a second goal to put the contest beyond doubt.

Around the 70-minute mark, the management team once again showed the value of their substitutions. Fresh legs injected new energy into the side and Ashton began to take control, although they had to wait until the closing stages to finally make their pressure count.
In the 87th minute, Tom Beswick burst away down the left with real pace before delivering the perfect pass into the path of Ryan Knowles. Knowles took one composed touch before clinically finishing beyond the advancing goalkeeper to double Ashton's advantage.

With the points now all but secured, Ashton rounded off the evening in style with a goal worthy of winning any match. Picking the ball up just inside his own half, Tom Beswick surged forward on a brilliant solo run, leaving defenders trailing in his wake. Cutting inside onto his right foot, he wrong-footed the remaining defender before calmly placing his finish into the bottom corner, giving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance.

It was a thoroughly entertaining evening at Brocstedes Park and another excellent all-round performance from the Yellows. A second successive league victory, another clean sheet, and six points from the opening two matches provide the perfect start to the new campaign.
Attention now turns to Saturday as Ashton hit the road to face Flixton in a 3.00pm kick-off, looking to maintain their excellent early-season momentum.

Come On You Yellows!

Starting XI Starting XI
1 Joe Beswick
2 Joshua Brierley
3 Jake Greene
4 Calum Wilson
5 George Walker
6 David Oko
7 Zach Conway
8 Callum Mahoney
9 Marcus Cusani
10 Luke Crompton
11 Joshua Nicholson

Substitutes: Ryan Knowles, Jonathan Sodhi, Thomas Beswick, Christopher Webster, Jake Davison.

Player of the Match was Ashton Athletic defender David Oko
On the X/Twitter Poll voted Tom Beswick was the winner.

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Six Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
08/08/26 Flixton (A) 15:00
11/08/26 Woolton (A) 19:45
15/08/26 FC St Helens (H) 15:00
18/08/26 Maghull (A) 19:45
22/08/26 Thornton Cleveleys (H) 15:00
29/08/26 Cammell Laird 1907 (H) 15:00