Saturday 21st October 2006 Winsford United 2 Ashton Athletic 1
Ashton traveled to second placed Winsford on Saturday and narrowly missed out taking a point after a spirited second half fight back at the Barton Stadium. Had it not been for a collective lapse in concentration straight after the re start the team would surely have got something from the game
The Ashton work rate was tremendous throughout the match and great determination was evident as the team endeavored to build on three solid draws in the previous games against Cheadle, Padiham and Holker.
Winsford however started very strongly and were clearly determined to make amends for the 1-3 home loss last week against promotion rivals Padiham. Both Danny Topping and Dave Hanlon were made good early progress down the flanks but the Ashton back line stood firm.
The Ashton distribution from the back was not finding targets consistently enough and the Winsford midfield pair of Mark Quinn and former Ashton man Danny Jarrett was able to break up the majority of advances by Ashton through the midfield.
Ashton's best moments came from the efforts of Tom Potter down the left with some good combination play with Pete Woodcock, whilst Gallanders and Ennion worked hard to take a foothold in the midfield.
Just as Ashton seemed to be getting some momentum into their play a prolonged stoppage for an unfortunate head injury to Winsford's Dave Hanlon, and a couple of other minor injuries allowed the home side to regroup.
After the restart and as the half wore on Winsford's dominance grew and a series of crosses from both flanks stretched the Ashton defence. Whilst the first ball was generally cleared the loose ball seemed to be running for the home side and a couple of second phase shots from the edge of the box went narrowly wide. Aaron Cameron was also tested with a shot by Chris Melia after a maizy run along the 18 yard box.
The build up of pressure finally paid off for Winsford as another shot from the edge of the box could only be parried by Cameron, and striker Scott Weir was the sharpest to the rebound to slot the ball into the net to give the home side the lead.
Ashton's best effort of the half came in the 44th minute as a good cross by Ennion from the right had Winsford's Neil Marsh at full stretch to deny Woodcock at the near post. The resultant corner also had Winsford scrambling but did so effectively to secure a half time lead.
The second half got under way in the most dramatic fashion as the Ashton team as a whole failed to react to a driving run from the tricky Dave Hanlon directly from the kick off. The set move had runners breaking clear and wide of the ball carrier, one of which, Scott Taylor was on hand to receive a ball lofted into the box and finish superbly across the advancing Cameron.
Despite this setback the Ashton team refused to concede and every player must be congratulated on the level of effort and commitment shown in chasing what must have seemed a lost cause.
Nevertheless chase it they did, and with greater possession achieved by better quality passing Ashton were able to build some pressure on the Winsford backline. Some excellent deliveries into the box from wide positions looked likely to bring dividends and a series of corners also had the Winsford back line scrambling again.
Some outstanding play from Potter down the left flank provided the break through. His run and pin point cross in the 70th minute was met by Woodcock on the 6 yard box, providing Ashton with just reward and pegging the score back to 2-1.
This forced Winsford to up their game with Dave Hanlon and Mark Quinn doubling their efforts, and Scott Taylor forcing another save from Cameron.
Then with the minutes ticking away an Ashton corner was swung in wind assisted and as keeper Danny Morton caught the ball the Ashton players called for a goal, claiming that he had collected it behind the line. The referee blew his whistle but to the amazement of most in the vicinity awarded a free kick to Winsford for a foul on the keeper.
This proved to be last incident of an enthralling match enjoyed by a healthy attendance at the Barton Stadium, and sets things up nicely for Winsford's top of the table clash with Runcorn on Tuesday night.
Man of the Match for Ashton was skipper Steve Rothwell, with some to draw defending throughout the match, whilst the bravery of Dave Hanlon after his head injury, allied to his effort and oustanding skills earned him Winsford's accolade.
Ashton's next game is against Eccleshall FC in the League Challenge Trophy on Tuesday 24th October 7.45pm kick off at Brocstedes Park, before returning to league action again on Saturday 28th October at home against Oldham Town, 3pm KO.
Meanwhile on Saturday the Reserves travel to Atherton LR for a 3pm KO
The Ashton work rate was tremendous throughout the match and great determination was evident as the team endeavored to build on three solid draws in the previous games against Cheadle, Padiham and Holker.
Winsford however started very strongly and were clearly determined to make amends for the 1-3 home loss last week against promotion rivals Padiham. Both Danny Topping and Dave Hanlon were made good early progress down the flanks but the Ashton back line stood firm.
The Ashton distribution from the back was not finding targets consistently enough and the Winsford midfield pair of Mark Quinn and former Ashton man Danny Jarrett was able to break up the majority of advances by Ashton through the midfield.
Ashton's best moments came from the efforts of Tom Potter down the left with some good combination play with Pete Woodcock, whilst Gallanders and Ennion worked hard to take a foothold in the midfield.
Just as Ashton seemed to be getting some momentum into their play a prolonged stoppage for an unfortunate head injury to Winsford's Dave Hanlon, and a couple of other minor injuries allowed the home side to regroup.
After the restart and as the half wore on Winsford's dominance grew and a series of crosses from both flanks stretched the Ashton defence. Whilst the first ball was generally cleared the loose ball seemed to be running for the home side and a couple of second phase shots from the edge of the box went narrowly wide. Aaron Cameron was also tested with a shot by Chris Melia after a maizy run along the 18 yard box.
The build up of pressure finally paid off for Winsford as another shot from the edge of the box could only be parried by Cameron, and striker Scott Weir was the sharpest to the rebound to slot the ball into the net to give the home side the lead.
Ashton's best effort of the half came in the 44th minute as a good cross by Ennion from the right had Winsford's Neil Marsh at full stretch to deny Woodcock at the near post. The resultant corner also had Winsford scrambling but did so effectively to secure a half time lead.
The second half got under way in the most dramatic fashion as the Ashton team as a whole failed to react to a driving run from the tricky Dave Hanlon directly from the kick off. The set move had runners breaking clear and wide of the ball carrier, one of which, Scott Taylor was on hand to receive a ball lofted into the box and finish superbly across the advancing Cameron.
Despite this setback the Ashton team refused to concede and every player must be congratulated on the level of effort and commitment shown in chasing what must have seemed a lost cause.
Nevertheless chase it they did, and with greater possession achieved by better quality passing Ashton were able to build some pressure on the Winsford backline. Some excellent deliveries into the box from wide positions looked likely to bring dividends and a series of corners also had the Winsford back line scrambling again.
Some outstanding play from Potter down the left flank provided the break through. His run and pin point cross in the 70th minute was met by Woodcock on the 6 yard box, providing Ashton with just reward and pegging the score back to 2-1.
This forced Winsford to up their game with Dave Hanlon and Mark Quinn doubling their efforts, and Scott Taylor forcing another save from Cameron.
Then with the minutes ticking away an Ashton corner was swung in wind assisted and as keeper Danny Morton caught the ball the Ashton players called for a goal, claiming that he had collected it behind the line. The referee blew his whistle but to the amazement of most in the vicinity awarded a free kick to Winsford for a foul on the keeper.
This proved to be last incident of an enthralling match enjoyed by a healthy attendance at the Barton Stadium, and sets things up nicely for Winsford's top of the table clash with Runcorn on Tuesday night.
Man of the Match for Ashton was skipper Steve Rothwell, with some to draw defending throughout the match, whilst the bravery of Dave Hanlon after his head injury, allied to his effort and oustanding skills earned him Winsford's accolade.
Ashton's next game is against Eccleshall FC in the League Challenge Trophy on Tuesday 24th October 7.45pm kick off at Brocstedes Park, before returning to league action again on Saturday 28th October at home against Oldham Town, 3pm KO.
Meanwhile on Saturday the Reserves travel to Atherton LR for a 3pm KO
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DP at 2:53 PM
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