5th August 2006 Ashton Athletic 1 Howe Bridge Mills 0 Hindsford Cup final
Ashton bagged the first silverware of the season by overcoming Howe Bridge in the final of the pre season Hindsford Cup, in front of a more than decent crowd.
Ashton started very strongly and controlled the early phase of the game with some excellent passing and movement through midfield, without really testing the Howe Bridge defence with a killer punch.
The patient play then gave way to too many failed attempts to find through balls which led to a sustained period of unnecessary surrendering of possession.
This allowed Howe Bridge to get a foothold in the game and started to exert pressure on the Ashton defence, which then led to a number of cheap freekicks being awarded to Howe Bridge. The resulting set pieces where however well dealt with by Ashton's defence, whilst keeper Brobbin was solid between the sticks.
As half time approached the midfield finally adjusted its tempo of play and one/two touch passing allowed Ashton to retain better possession and finish the half in the ascendancy.
This better quality play continued in the second half and as a result Ashton took the lead after 60 minutes through Paul Townshend for his 3rd goal in 4 starts, pouncing on the knock down after a Steve Rothwell long throw.
Paul McVeigh almost increased Ashton's lead as a superb break from Gaz Weigh down the left and the resulting one on one shot was parried by the keeper before a last ditch cover tackle denied McVeigh a tap in.
As the final minutes approached yet another soft free kick was conceeded and the long range effort sailed into the top corner only to be disallowed for offside, as two Howe Bridge players were deemed to have been influential in the Ashton keepers misjudging of the flight of the ball.
This incident unnerved the Ashton back line momentarily and a defensive mix up almost proved fatal before last ditch defensive cover blocked out the threat of an equaliser by Howe Bridge, and the final whistle enabled Ashton to claim the spoils.
Man of the match for Ashton was adjudged to be captain Steve Rothwell, once a gain a rock at the back whilst a faultless performance from right back Paul Bohannan, and the improving work rate of Paul Townshend up front is also worth recognition.
Bring on the Latics Old Boys on Tuesday night.
End
Ashton started very strongly and controlled the early phase of the game with some excellent passing and movement through midfield, without really testing the Howe Bridge defence with a killer punch.
The patient play then gave way to too many failed attempts to find through balls which led to a sustained period of unnecessary surrendering of possession.
This allowed Howe Bridge to get a foothold in the game and started to exert pressure on the Ashton defence, which then led to a number of cheap freekicks being awarded to Howe Bridge. The resulting set pieces where however well dealt with by Ashton's defence, whilst keeper Brobbin was solid between the sticks.
As half time approached the midfield finally adjusted its tempo of play and one/two touch passing allowed Ashton to retain better possession and finish the half in the ascendancy.
This better quality play continued in the second half and as a result Ashton took the lead after 60 minutes through Paul Townshend for his 3rd goal in 4 starts, pouncing on the knock down after a Steve Rothwell long throw.
Paul McVeigh almost increased Ashton's lead as a superb break from Gaz Weigh down the left and the resulting one on one shot was parried by the keeper before a last ditch cover tackle denied McVeigh a tap in.
As the final minutes approached yet another soft free kick was conceeded and the long range effort sailed into the top corner only to be disallowed for offside, as two Howe Bridge players were deemed to have been influential in the Ashton keepers misjudging of the flight of the ball.
This incident unnerved the Ashton back line momentarily and a defensive mix up almost proved fatal before last ditch defensive cover blocked out the threat of an equaliser by Howe Bridge, and the final whistle enabled Ashton to claim the spoils.
Man of the match for Ashton was adjudged to be captain Steve Rothwell, once a gain a rock at the back whilst a faultless performance from right back Paul Bohannan, and the improving work rate of Paul Townshend up front is also worth recognition.
Bring on the Latics Old Boys on Tuesday night.
End
posted by
DP at 11:08 PM
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