Saturday 7th October 2006 Ashton Athletic 0 Holker OB 0
Ashton missed the chance to climb up the table with a second draw on the bounce against Barrow based Holker. With both teams keen to build on 1-1 draws last week against Padiham and Runcorn respectively it was obvious from the start that both sides meant business.
For Ashton great heart can be taken from a first clean sheet of the season, the trademark of previous seasons, whilst some fluent football in periods throughout the game crafted a series of chances which on any other day might have delivered maximum points.
Ashton did not however have it their own way with Holker also carving out chances of their own, which combined with some last ditch defending could also have secured all three points for the Cumbrians
This was Holker's first ever visit to Brocstedes Park and within the first ten minutes a strong competitive edge was shown by both sides. Straight from the kick off Holker’s central defender, Coulter scythed down Ashton's Gallanders from behind, which if later in the game would surely have warranted at least a yellow card. However Referee Mark Bibby seemed to have his lenient head on for the moment and never even spoke to the offender.
Not to be outdone the Ashton defence responded in kind with several "over-entusiatic" challenges resulting in free kicks inside the defensive half which handed the early initiative to Holker.
In between the stoppages in play Ashton's Steve Bennett was making in roads into the Holker defence, latching on to a great through ball after 5 minutes, but his normal quality of first touch eluded him and the defender was able to recover and get his foot in.
Tom Potter was also having success down the left wing, with several surging runs and quality crosses that were unfortunately not matched by the finishing, as the rampant Bennett latched on twice at the back post, but the angles were too narrow and the shots found the wrong side of the side netting.
Simon Gallanders found space on the edge of the box but first Stephens in the Holker goal and then a defensive block prevented Ashton from taking the lead.
Holker had a couple of long range efforts easily gathered by Cameron in the Ashton goals and on a counter attack another mistimed tackle from Gareth Weigh on Holker's lively Rob Bruce finally got the referee reaching for a yellow card.
Holkers first clear cut chance fell to Southward after 23 minutes as he bounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box, a good first touch and early shot tested Cameron who produced a good stop and the follow up shot from Danny Keenan was saved again and parried out for a corner.
Ashton responded well but good passing through the midfield was spoiled in the final third as both Ashton wide men were caught offside on several occasions to kill any momentum the home side were building up.
As half time approached Ashton finished the stronger with good efforts from Pete Woodcock, a handful for the Holker defence throughout the game, and then shots from skipper Steve Rothwell and Steve Wallace failed to bring reward.
The start of the second half was delayed as assistant referee Jones pulled a calf muscle and was replaced by the referees FA assessor.
The second half was equally competitive as tackles flew in all over the pitch, and during this early period of the second half Holker had the best of the game with midfield pair, Todd Bamber & Callum Livingstone creating openings that forced Cameron into 2 more excellent saves to deny the visitors.
A triple substitution and a change of shape to the Ashton team turned the tide as the fresh legs wrestled the initiative and it was now Ashton pushing forward for the first goal. Playing a more direct game into the strength of target man Woodcock, and with lively substitute Sharpe quicker to support the Ashton attack the chance to seal the win looked on the cards.
On 75 minutes it nearly paid off for them, when a through ball put Woodcock clear & his thunderous shot rattled the bar and hit with such powers as to rebound to safety over the heads of the Ashton advancing players. Richard Sharpe effort was then cleared off the line before a Woodcock downward header was well saved by Stephens.
Holker were not finished and started to hit Ashton on the counter attack with shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Bibby as a last ditch tackle by Rothwell took the ball as Bruce fell to the ground somewhat theatrically.
A surging run through midfield by Livingstone was spoiled by another dive as the player lost control of the ball with the Ashton defence only guilty of standing its ground. This time a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box, and then it was hand bags at 5 paces as Livingstone was confronted by several players about his actions and as a result of which Cameron was cautioned. From the free kick Bamber shot high & wide, justice was the cry from the home support.
Ashton then turned the screw, and young Holker keeper Stephens and his defence needed to be at their best, as first Daly to cleared off the line before a superb tackle by Low prevented Bennett getting in on goal. Then in the dying minutes Richard Sharpe forced an excellent save from Stephens with a snap shot for just inside the box.
As the teams trooped off both might have thought they could have taken all three points. Meanwhile the spectators reflected on the game and despite the blank score line it was widely agreed that it had been an excellent afternoon's entertainment nonetheless - shame the same could not be said for the "other" game that day with England once again failing to rise to the challenge.
Holker skipper showed great endeavour throughout the game and got the MoM award, whilst midfield play maker Simon Gallanders posted another great performance to claim the home sides accolade.
Ashton's Reserves were also rueing some missed opportunities as they returned from Colne with a more than credible 0-0 draw.
Next match for the first team will be Wednesday 18th October away to Cheadle Town 7.45pm KO whilst the Reserves play Cheadles Reserves at home on Saturday 15th October 3pm KO.
For Ashton great heart can be taken from a first clean sheet of the season, the trademark of previous seasons, whilst some fluent football in periods throughout the game crafted a series of chances which on any other day might have delivered maximum points.
Ashton did not however have it their own way with Holker also carving out chances of their own, which combined with some last ditch defending could also have secured all three points for the Cumbrians
This was Holker's first ever visit to Brocstedes Park and within the first ten minutes a strong competitive edge was shown by both sides. Straight from the kick off Holker’s central defender, Coulter scythed down Ashton's Gallanders from behind, which if later in the game would surely have warranted at least a yellow card. However Referee Mark Bibby seemed to have his lenient head on for the moment and never even spoke to the offender.
Not to be outdone the Ashton defence responded in kind with several "over-entusiatic" challenges resulting in free kicks inside the defensive half which handed the early initiative to Holker.
In between the stoppages in play Ashton's Steve Bennett was making in roads into the Holker defence, latching on to a great through ball after 5 minutes, but his normal quality of first touch eluded him and the defender was able to recover and get his foot in.
Tom Potter was also having success down the left wing, with several surging runs and quality crosses that were unfortunately not matched by the finishing, as the rampant Bennett latched on twice at the back post, but the angles were too narrow and the shots found the wrong side of the side netting.
Simon Gallanders found space on the edge of the box but first Stephens in the Holker goal and then a defensive block prevented Ashton from taking the lead.
Holker had a couple of long range efforts easily gathered by Cameron in the Ashton goals and on a counter attack another mistimed tackle from Gareth Weigh on Holker's lively Rob Bruce finally got the referee reaching for a yellow card.
Holkers first clear cut chance fell to Southward after 23 minutes as he bounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box, a good first touch and early shot tested Cameron who produced a good stop and the follow up shot from Danny Keenan was saved again and parried out for a corner.
Ashton responded well but good passing through the midfield was spoiled in the final third as both Ashton wide men were caught offside on several occasions to kill any momentum the home side were building up.
As half time approached Ashton finished the stronger with good efforts from Pete Woodcock, a handful for the Holker defence throughout the game, and then shots from skipper Steve Rothwell and Steve Wallace failed to bring reward.
The start of the second half was delayed as assistant referee Jones pulled a calf muscle and was replaced by the referees FA assessor.
The second half was equally competitive as tackles flew in all over the pitch, and during this early period of the second half Holker had the best of the game with midfield pair, Todd Bamber & Callum Livingstone creating openings that forced Cameron into 2 more excellent saves to deny the visitors.
A triple substitution and a change of shape to the Ashton team turned the tide as the fresh legs wrestled the initiative and it was now Ashton pushing forward for the first goal. Playing a more direct game into the strength of target man Woodcock, and with lively substitute Sharpe quicker to support the Ashton attack the chance to seal the win looked on the cards.
On 75 minutes it nearly paid off for them, when a through ball put Woodcock clear & his thunderous shot rattled the bar and hit with such powers as to rebound to safety over the heads of the Ashton advancing players. Richard Sharpe effort was then cleared off the line before a Woodcock downward header was well saved by Stephens.
Holker were not finished and started to hit Ashton on the counter attack with shouts for a penalty waved away by referee Bibby as a last ditch tackle by Rothwell took the ball as Bruce fell to the ground somewhat theatrically.
A surging run through midfield by Livingstone was spoiled by another dive as the player lost control of the ball with the Ashton defence only guilty of standing its ground. This time a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box, and then it was hand bags at 5 paces as Livingstone was confronted by several players about his actions and as a result of which Cameron was cautioned. From the free kick Bamber shot high & wide, justice was the cry from the home support.
Ashton then turned the screw, and young Holker keeper Stephens and his defence needed to be at their best, as first Daly to cleared off the line before a superb tackle by Low prevented Bennett getting in on goal. Then in the dying minutes Richard Sharpe forced an excellent save from Stephens with a snap shot for just inside the box.
As the teams trooped off both might have thought they could have taken all three points. Meanwhile the spectators reflected on the game and despite the blank score line it was widely agreed that it had been an excellent afternoon's entertainment nonetheless - shame the same could not be said for the "other" game that day with England once again failing to rise to the challenge.
Holker skipper showed great endeavour throughout the game and got the MoM award, whilst midfield play maker Simon Gallanders posted another great performance to claim the home sides accolade.
Ashton's Reserves were also rueing some missed opportunities as they returned from Colne with a more than credible 0-0 draw.
Next match for the first team will be Wednesday 18th October away to Cheadle Town 7.45pm KO whilst the Reserves play Cheadles Reserves at home on Saturday 15th October 3pm KO.
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DP at 10:12 AM
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