Ashton Athletic returned from Merseyside empty-handed after a tough afternoon at the Jericho Lane Soccer Hub, where a well-organised MSB Woolton side made home advantage count on a surface that favoured their game.

Played on a 3G pitch, the contest was typically competitive for this level, but with suspensions and injuries continuing to bite, The Yellows were stretched against a settled Woolton outfit. Ashton battled hard and showed plenty of endeavour, yet clear chances proved hard to come by as the hosts controlled key moments.

The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark when MSB Woolton capitalised on sustained pressure to open the scoring. It was a frustrating moment for Ashton, who had been competitive without quite finding their attacking rhythm. Worse followed just before the interval, as the home side struck again on the stroke of half time, giving Ashton a mountain to climb heading into the break.

Given last week’s stirring comeback against Darwen, the travelling support would have hoped for a similar response, but the second half never quite ignited for The Yellows. Effort was never in question, though momentum was further halted when new signing Liam Thirkell saw red, leaving Ashton with a numerical disadvantage and making an already difficult task even harder.

Despite the result, there were still positives to take. Sam Oko once again led by example with a commanding performance and was deservedly named Ashton’s Player of the Match, continuing his run of consistent displays in challenging circumstances.

Attention now quickly turns back to Brocstedes Park, where Ashton Athletic will look to regroup and refocus ahead of next Saturday’s home fixture against AFC Blackpool. With the squad gradually rebuilding and performances often better than results suggest, The Yellows will be determined to turn resilience into points in front of their own supporters.

Starting XI
1 Ewan Dodgson
2 Zach Conway
3 Jake Greene
4 Joseph Barlow
5 Calum Wilson
6 Samuel Oko
7 Jonathan Sodhi
J8 Luke Crompton
9 Joshua Nicholson
10 Ben Crane
11 Harry McGowan

Substitutes: Joel Street, Aleksander Calaku, Liam Thirkell, William Adams
Attendance 53

Player of the Match for Ashton was Sam Oko

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Six Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
20/12/25 AFC Blackpool (H) 15:00
27/12/25 Ashton Town (A) 15:00
03/01/26 Holker Old Boys (H) 15:00
06/01/26 Steeton (H) 19:45
10/01/26 Bacup Borough (A) 15:00
17/01/26 Steeton (A) 15:00