26th August 2006 Ashton Athletic 0 Blackpool Mechanics 2 NWCFL Div 2

Ashton unable to breakdown the Mechanics

Resolute defending from the visitors prevented Ashton from scoring whilst two sharp finishes at the other end secured 3 more points for the Blackpool team, maintaining their 100% return from the first three league matches, without conceding a goal.

Ashton had the lion's share of possession throughout the match, and played some good passing moves through the midfield and in the defensive third. However this could not be converted into clear scoring opportunities as the visitors backed off to their own 18 yard box, and packed this defensive third with 9 and sometimes 10 men behind the ball.

Blackpool also showed great pace on the counter attack causing the Ashton defence a few problems, whilst also working hard to restrict the speed of Ashton's build up play.

Chances for both teams were at a premium especially in the first half, with Aaron Cameron saving well for Ashton from a deflected free kick whilst at the other end Paul Mc Veigh went close with a header for Ashton which just cleared the bar from a corner.

The one clear chance of the half fell to Blackpool's hard working striker , Steven Hibbert in the 25th minute when Ashton lost possession in the midfield and an early through ball caught out the Ashton back line. A moments hesitancy allowed Hibbert the chance to break clear one on one with the Ashton keeper and with the Ashton defence slow to pressurise the ball carrier he was given too much time to produce a straight forward finish and put the visitors one up.

The second half was much the same as the first with Ashton frustrated by the Blackpool defensive pattern, whilst at the other end another lapse in concentration cost the home side dear. A somewhat inoquous delivery into the box was not dealt with properly, allowing Wilding to pounce in the 57th minute and head home Blackpool's second goal. Blackpool's only other noteworthy effort in the seconhalf came when a David Booth long range shot was comfortably save by Cameron.

Credit to the Ashton team however as they did not let heads go down and with fresh legs introduced they continued to probe for an opening. Good efforts from Danny Jarrett and Paul McVeigh were just off target whilst another towering header from McVeigh also finished on the wrong side of the crossbar.

Tried as they did the Ashton lads could not break through the Mechanics defence and even longer range efforts late in the game from Simon Gallanders and Mike Rhead, whose shots forced good saves from Blackpool's young keeper Josh Woods, could not give Ashton any sort of platform to stage a comeback.

A lesson in good defending was very much in evidence on the day with Blackpool skipper Josh Simmons organising his troops well, however for the key first strike and with some great effort in defending from the front the Blackpool Man of the Match was awarded to Steven Hibbert.

For Ashton Mike Rhead was outstanding, putting in a great Captain's performance keeping the side going when frustration was the order of the day for his team.

End