Ashton Athletic produced an excellent all-round performance at Brocstedes Park, securing a convincing 3–0 victory over Holker Old Boys in the North West Counties Division One North.

With the visitors arriving in good form, having won four of their previous six outings, Ashton knew they would need to be at their best to secure all three points. However, the Yellows made the perfect start, taking the game to their opponents from the opening whistle and establishing a two-goal advantage inside the first 20 minutes.

The breakthrough came after just seven minutes. A long ball down the right-hand side was won by Ashton captain Josh Nicholson, who played the ball forward to winger Tom Beckett. Beckett showed good awareness to slip a pass inside to Luke Crompton, who calmly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give Ashton an early lead.

The home side didn't have to wait long to double their advantage. This time, Crompton turned provider, releasing Beckett down the opposite flank. The winger once again picked out a teammate with an intelligent pass inside, finding Marcus Cusani, who made no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom corner in the 18th minute.

At 2–0, Ashton were firmly in control and playing some excellent football. Holker, however, gradually found their feet after the early setbacks and began to threaten as the first half progressed. Their best opportunity to get back into the contest arrived just before the interval when they were awarded a penalty. Thankfully for the Yellows, goalkeeper Joe Beswick, in great form, came to the rescue with a superb save, diving low to his right to keep out the spot-kick before quickly gathering the rebound to deny the onrushing striker a second attempt.

It was a crucial moment in the match, ensuring Ashton went into the break with their two-goal cushion intact.

**Half-time: Ashton Athletic 2–0 Holker Old Boys**

The Yellows began the second half positively, continuing to move the ball around with confidence and looking to put the game beyond their visitors. With Holker still harbouring hopes of a comeback, the next goal was always likely to prove decisive.

Fortunately, it went Ashton's way.

Holker attempted to play their way out from the back, but Crompton pressed effectively to win possession on the right wing. He fed Nicholson, who moved the ball on to Beckett, and the winger returned the pass to Crompton, who finished confidently to claim his second goal of the afternoon and make it 3–0.

With that third goal, Ashton could begin to enjoy their afternoon, and they continued to create opportunities as the game progressed. Further excellent chances came the home side's way, and on another day the margin of victory could have been even more emphatic.

The final whistle confirmed a thoroughly deserved three points for the Yellows, built on an energetic start, some excellent attacking combinations and a vital penalty save from Beswick at a key moment. It was an impressive team performance against opponents who had arrived in good form, and another encouraging step forward for Ashton Athletic.

The victory takes Ashton to 19 points from 15 league games. Although they remain 15th in the table, the league standings are incredibly tight, with just three points separating nine teams in the battle for position. Results like this could prove significant as the season develops.

There is little time to rest, however, as attention now turns to cup action.

Ashton welcome Atherton Collieries to Brocstedes Park on Tuesday night for the first round of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, with kick-off at 7.45pm under the floodlights.

We would love to see as many supporters as possible there to get behind the Yellows. Come along, support your local side and help make it another memorable night at Brocstedes Park!

Starting XI
Joe Beswick
Jake Greene
Jonathan Sodhi
Joseph Barlow
Calum Wilson
Samuel Gill
Luke Crompton
Callum Mahoney
Joshua Nicholson
Marcus Cusani
Thomas Beckett

Substitutes: Zach Conway, Thomas Beswick, Joseph Pennington, Cole Exley
Aleksander Calaku
Attendance 40

Players of the Match - Luke Crompton fan vote
Marcus Cusani - opposition player of the match

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Six Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
20/10/26 Atherton Collieries (H) 19:45
24/10/26 AFC Blackpool (A) 15:00
31/10/26 Flixton (A) 15:00
07/11/26 Colne (A) 15:00
14/11/26 AFC Knowsley (H) 15:00
21/11/26 Bacup Borough (A) 15:00