Saturday 2nd September 2006 Ashton Athletic 2 Runcorn Linnets 1

Linnets blown off course by Tarpey double strike

North West Counties Division Two table toppers, Runcorn Linnets were brought down to earth by a great hardworking performance by Ashton Athletic who rose to the challenge and put a stop to the visitors 100% record in front of a lively sizeable crowd.
It is often the case that, after a 'Mourinihoesque' boast, somebody usually ends up with egg on their face. Step forward Runcorn Linnets skipper, Ricky Newall, who in the local press last Thursday was quoted as declaring 'We are going out to win this league and be unbeaten right through the season'.
Runcorn's hopes of an unbeaten campaign floundered at Brocstedes Park as they were "Tarpeydoed" by two timely but varied finishes by Home team's number 10.

Both teams were forced to make changes from last outings with pacy left winger, Michael Young out of Runcorn's team, whilst Ashton had to reshuffle with centre midfielders Rhead and Jarrett both sidelined with illness, and adding to an already lengthy injury list.
Despite the changes both teams started brightly playing some fluent passing through the midfield. The first attempt at goal came from Runcorn when Colin Quirk and Andy McCoy linked up to force a good save from Ashton keeper Aaron Cameron.
From the counter attack it was Ashton however who took the lead when a through ball over a somewhat static Runcorn back line was pounced on by the lively Tarpey who lobbed the ball over the advancing Runcorn keeper George Caulfield to make it 1-0.
The remainder of the first half was end to end but the better chances fell to Runcorn, however some excellent last ditch defending and several fine saves by Cameron in the Ashton goal seemed to be keeping the league leaders at bay.
Ashton had decent possession but lacked the killer pass to open up the Runcorn defence with the best opportunity falling to Paul Mcveigh, playing through the pain barrier after a heavy fall on his shoulder.
Ashton's stubborn defending seemed to have done enough to go in at half time one up, until the 43rd minute when a deep corner was met beyond the back post and returned back across goal. Runcorn defender Paddy O'Driscoll found too much space and bundled the ball over the line with the Ashton defence failing to react quickly enough, and left claiming for hand ball as the referee blew for the goal that tied up the scores.
Runcorn pressed forward again and on the stroke of half time could have scored again as a snapshot from Thomas Lamb was palmed away via the post by keeper Cameron.
Half Time: Ashton Athletic 1 Runcorn Linnets 1

Three minutes after the restart Andy McCoy went close yet again as his shot forced another fine save from Cameron who turned the ball round the post.
Good football was again on show from both sides, and from a smooth passing move down the left Ashton were awarded a corner. The set piece was swung in deep by Potter to find Rigby who in turn headed goalwards, and the elusive Tarpey got to the knock down first to make it 2-1 on the hour.
Runcorn stepped up their search for a second, Lamb having a shot cleared off the line by Aspinall. With time running out Runcorn's frantic search for an equaliser left them stretched at the back and only smart work by Caulfield prevented Tarpey from getting his hat-trick, and also pulled off a double save firstly blocking a Potter shot and then claiming the rebound as substitute Daniel Hitchen bore down.
Runcorn pressed forward again and in the 82nd minute almost grabbed a goal as Quirk's cross was deflected inadvertently by defender Aspinall towards the top corner. However, Cameron in the Ashton goal capped of a tremendous game with a miraculous save clawing the ball away to safety, and in doing so secured the three points for the home side
The Runcorn Man of the Match was awarded to the inventive Quirk however he was in good company with Newell, Rollinson, O'Driscoll and McCoy all playing well.
For Ashton the whole squad was outstanding and any one player could have swung it. However with Tarpey upfront and Cameron in goal jointly doing the crucial things at the right time, the MoM award had to be shared between the two of them.

Meanwhile, the Latics Reserve team earned their third draw in four games, returning from Daisy Hill with a share of the spoils after a 3-3 draw, with goals from Rennox, Parkinson and Woodcock.

Next Saturday, 9th September Ashton are away at Chadderton whilst the reserves will play at home against Flixton, both are 3pm kick offs.

End