Thursday 20th July - Charnock Richard FC 2 Ashton Athletic FC 2 - Goldline Trophy - Group D - Round 1

This season Goldline competition has got underway with 16 teams from the Bolton, Wigan and Preston area competing in groups of four, and all vying for a top two finish in their respective groups that would enable progression to the knock out rounds in September.

For Ashton and Charnock it seems like deja vous having once again been drawn in the same group for the 4th time in five years.

The home side would be intent on repeating their excellent run in last seasons competition, which climaxed in a hard fought win against Prestwich Heys in front of more than 2000 spectators at the Reebok Stadium, to win the Trophy in extra time.

Ashton would also be hoping to get off to a good start after bowing out in the quarter finals last year, and would be quietly confident for their prospects in this match after earning a 3-3 draw at Charnock last year, and going on to top the Group in the qualifying rounds.

The game started with Charnock taking the initiative and pressurising the Ashton defence and midfield. This early pressure produced instant dividend when a free kick from just outside the box in the 5th minute found Andy Roberts, the Charnock captain unmarked at the back post for the easiest of headed finishes.

This rocked Ashton, and combined with continued pressure from Charnock the visitors were prevented from establishing any sort of passing rythmn, and with no obvious outlet upfront the play got bogged down in a crowded midfield.

Charnock then struck again in the twelfth minute as a free kick swung in to the back post once again found Dean Taylor who rose highest to head the ball into the top corner and giving Ashton's debutant keeper Aaron Cameron no chance.

Ashton fought back and finally got going through the midfield, exerting their own pressure on the Charnock 18 yard box with some fluent passing orchestrated by Danny McNamara. Indeed it was McNamara who came closest to reducing the defecit fro Ashton with a curling long range effort that struck the bar with the keeper beaten.

Unfortunately this was one of his last contributions in the game as a freak injury near the touchline ended up with him being carried off with a knee injury as his studs caught in the grass as he went into a challenge.

Ashton then had to reorganise and gave Paul Townshend his first game for the Club coming on up front to support lone striker Pete Tarpey, with Damon Martland dropping deeper into midfield.

The play from Ashton was still sporadic as half time approached, and possession was squandered needlessly with some sloppy passing, allowing Charnock to maintain the upper hand. Charnock also made an early substitution following the withdrawal of Damien Corcoran.

After the half time break Ashton came out of the blocks quickly and got Charnock on the back foot at last with more direct and higher tempo play. An error was forced from the Charnock keeper with excellent pressure from Danny Jarrett which allowed Pete Tarpey to nip in to score from close range just two minutes after the restart.

Ashton continued to drive forward with Townshend and Tarpey retaining possession to good effect in more advanced positions. A good passing move down the right found Townshend in the box, seemingly going nowhere before flicking the ball between defenders and volleying the ball into the roof of the net to put the teams on level terms.

Both teams probed for the winner making several substitutions but the defences held firm and with Ashton's No 5 Mike Watson and his opposite number for Charnock in outstanding form to cancel all efforts to give one of the teams full points and leaving the scores tied at 2-2, and all to play for in the other two group games.

Man of the Match for Ashton was skipper Mike Watson a stalwart in defence throughout however the tireless work rate of Danny Jarrett was also a highlight especially after losing his midfield partner so early in the game. Andy Roberts was the stand out player for Charnock on the night.

Elsewhere in Group D of the competition Prestwich Heys overcame Breightmet United by 3 goals to 1.

The next round of matches in the Group will take place on Tuesday 25th July, with Breightmet way to Charnock in a 6.30 kick off. Meanwhile Ashton entertain last years competition runners up, Prestwich Heys at Brocstedes Park, Ashton in Makerfield in a 7.45pm kick off.