Saturday 4th November 2006 Castleton Gabriels 1 Ashton Athletic 4

Ashton finally found their scoring boots as any nervousness shown in previous games in front of goal was blown away by some powerful build up play and clinical finishing by four different players. Castleton, comfortably placed in 8th position in the league had no answer to the speed and determination of the Ashton team throughout the match and but for some sound goalkeeping could have gone down to an even heavier defeat.
Ashton took the initiative from the outset as Pat Aspinall and Tom Potter ran riot down the left wing producing two terrific moves and strikes on goal that went narrowly wide. Ashton then got the breakthrough as a short corner allowed Potter the room he needed to shoot hard and low into the bottom corner after 15 minutes. Young debutant Adam White, a thorn in the Castleton side throughout the match also got in on the act shortly afterwards, forcing the Castleton keeper Mark Canning to save a long range effort.
Castleton then came into the game with captain Micky Bartholomew a constant danger in attack with his clever play, and following good hold up play from him midfielder Andy Pheby forced a good stop from Andy Hewitt in the Ashton goal.
Steve Wallace and Simon Gallanders then came into the game down Ashton's right as Gallanders made Canning save again, before setting up Potter who fired just over the top in the 23rd minute.
Ashton were looking comfortable at the back however a momentary lapse in concentration was again ruthlessly punished by their opponents, when Pheby was allowed to turn and shoot hard and low from inside the 18 yard box to put the home team level after 25 minutes.
This spurred on Ashton to greater effort as youngsters Mike Winer and White out fought the Castleton midfield, and two surging runs by Winer deserved better but first a right footed strike and then a shot with his left foot were well saved by Canning to prevent Ashton from taking the lead.
Castleton then broke down the middle and a Brad Barrington strike made Hewitt save by the post.
As half time beckoned more good build up play and through ball by Ashton resulted in a one on one for Simon Gallanders, however Canning was again on hand to deny the Ashton winger.
Half time 1-1
The second half got underway with Castleton seemingly responding to a stern half time team talk as they pushed forward in greater numbers. A corner was allowed to float across the Ashton 6 yard box and then Bartholomew found space on the edge of the box but his volley went over the bar.
The midfield pair of Winer and White then got going again to swing the game back to Ashton with good passing and ball retention through the midfield.
After 60minutes Ashton then took the lead as a good through ball from Mike Watson found Simon Gallanders in space behind the Castleton back four and a hard and low shot was drilled across the advancing Canning and into the bottom corner.
Gallanders then turned provider as another pin point through ball fell into the path of Steve Wallace who blasted the ball into the back of the net in the 68th minute and give Ashton a two goal cushion.
Castleton fought back as Matty Russell and then Bartholomew squandered opportunities to test Hewitt, with shots failing to find the target.
Ashton were then denied a clear penalty as Gallanders was up ended by left back Lee Chadwick, but unsighted the otherwise excellent referee, Hussain could not give the penalty, whilst his assistant who was 15 yards and in full view of the incident seemed to be day dreaming as he just looked at the referee rather than flagging for the foul.
Castleton then had two further speculative efforts by Bartholomew and Chadwick before Ashton striker, Woodcock kept up his current run of three goals in his last three games by driving the ball home from the edge of the box following a poor clearance by Castleton keeper Canning in the 88th minute.
A great midfield performance by 19 year old debutant Adam White earned him the man of the match award, however there were several other top performers who pushed him close, not least his midfield partner Mike Winer and Potter and Aspinall down the left.
A well deserved win and a valuable three points for Ashton and a great confidence booster before next weeks match away to high flying Runcorn Linnets. The game on Saturday 11th November 2006 is a 3pm kick off and will be played at Runcorn's temporary home at Witton Albion's ground, Wincham Park.
Ashton's reserves went down 0-3 last week to a strong New Mills side, but will be hoping to bounce back in the first round of the reserve division cup away to Padiham, 3pm KO. End