It was an all-action opening at the start of the game, with Steeton taking the lead after just two minutes. It was another difficult start for the Yellows, but they responded almost immediately.

Just two minutes later, Tom Beckett broke clear after latching onto a long clearance and showed excellent composure to slot a left-footed finish comfortably past the Steeton goalkeeper and bring Ashton level.

The hosts, however, regained the advantage in the eighth minute, leaving Ashton facing an uphill battle once again.

Things got even more difficult nine minutes later when a mix-up in the Yellows' defence resulted in an unfortunate own goal from Luke Crompton, leaving Ashton 3–1 down with only 17 minutes on the clock.

Despite the early setbacks, Ashton did not let their heads drop and the remainder of the first half was much more evenly contested. The Yellows worked hard to stay in the game but went into the half-time break trailing 3–1.

Ashton came out strongly after the interval and began to put Steeton under pressure. Their efforts were rewarded when centre-half Luke Crompton made amends for the earlier own goal in spectacular fashion, powering forward through the Steeton defence before calmly finishing with his right foot to reduce the deficit to 3–2.

The goal gave Ashton renewed momentum and they looked to have given themselves a real opportunity of getting back into the game. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalise on the pressure and another defensive mistake allowed Steeton to restore their two-goal advantage and make it 4–2.

Despite another determined effort from the Yellows, there was to be no way back this time, and Ashton were left to reflect on another difficult defeat.

With injuries continuing to affect the squad, the Yellows will need to regroup quickly as they turn their attention to cup action next Saturday, when they travel to Litherland REMYCA.

League action then returns to Brocstedes Park, where Ashton will welcome Maine Road for a Tuesday night 29th of September under the floodlights, with a 7:45pm kick-off in the North West Counties Division One North.

Starting XI
1 Joe Beswick
2 Joshua Brierley
3 Jonathan Sodhi
4 Joseph Barlow
5 Luke Crompton
6 Zach Conway
7 Ryan Knowles
8 Thomas Beswick
9 Joshua Nicholson
10 Samuel Gill
11 Thomas Beckett

Substitutes: Adam Gilchrist, Jake Davison, Joseph Pennington, Jake Greene, Joe White
Attendance 79

Ashton's Player of the Match was Tom Beswick

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Six Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
26/09/26 Litherland REMYCA (A) 15:00
29/09/26 Maine Road (H) 19:45
03/10/26 Squires Gate (A) 15:00
10/10/26 Daisy Hill (H) 15:00
13/10/26 Fulwood Amateurs (A) 19:45
17/10/26 Holker Old Boys (H) 15:00