Saturday 16th December 2006 Blackpool Mechanics 1 Ashton Athletic 0

If this match was a Boxing contest it would have been over at half time with the home side flat out on the canvas. However unbelievably, and despite Ashton’s dominance throughout the vast majority of the match, it was the Mechanics that snatched all three points converting the only clear cut chance they created in the full 90 minutes.

Blackpool have been suffering with injuries in recent weeks but credit to their players as they dug deep throughout the game with Ian Flannery, Jon Moffat and the outstanding young keeper Josh Wood coming to the rescue on several occasions.

Blackpool’s limited threat came from set plays with the aerial threat of Ian Flannery keeping Ashton’s defence on its toes, along with an occasional counter attack, however the strength of defending meant Ashton’s keeper had a very quiet afternoon.

In the first half Blackpool’s only efforts of note were speculative crosses into the box that were easily dealt with by a determined Ashton back line, whilst the over worked Mechanics defence was at full stretch.

Ashton’s first effort came from a 5^th minute corner with Martin Rigby heading over the top from close range Then a great passing move, switching play through the midfield allowed Pete Tarpey to find Steve Bennett who, breaking through on goal was dragged down inches outside the box. From the resulting free kick Tom Potter worked the keeper but could not beat him.

Potter was making great progress down the left wing finding 2 or 3 superb crosses, one of which fizzed across the face of the goal, beat the keeper and went inches beyond two advancing Ashton players with the goal gaping.

The midfield duo of Mike Winer and debutant Matt Mahoney were winning everything in midfield and Mahoney came close with a great 25 yard shot that flew just wide, after disposing his opponent in the final third.

Steve Rothwell’s long throws were also piling on the pressure for the Blackpool defence, with several goal mouth scrambles ensuing, but unfortunately for Ashton the loose balls would not fall kindly and keeper Wood was on hand to snuff out the danger or the Mechanics managed to clear their lines.

A short corner then created another opening at the back post for Rigby who latched on to a Steve Rothwell flick but put his header over the top at full stretch.

Potter again made in-roads down the left producing another quality cross that forced Flannery to use all of his stature to nick the ball away from Tarpey at the near post.

As half time approached, Mahoney poked the ball over the bar from close range, latching on to Tarpey’s corner driven in to the near post. Then just before the break Ashton were awarded a free kick just outside the box and a well hit shot beat the keeper at last, only to be denied by the upright, with the rebound running away to safety.

As the teams walked off the home support breathed a sigh of relief and were heard muttering that they had been battered and needed to lift their game. HT 0-0

The home team did fight back early in the second half but Ashton continued to dominate possession. As another switch in play seemed to be building pressure nicely on Blackpool a misdirected pass from Mike Winer was intercepted by the energetic debutant Phil Iannou who in turn broke through on the Ashton defence. A well timed run and pass reached striker Mick Howarth who cut inside, wrong footing the recovering Ashton defence before driving the ball across the face of goal and into the bottom corner away from the despairing dive of the otherwise inactive Ashton keeper Brobbin after 54 minutes.

Un deterred Ashton continued to press forward and more good passing between Potter and Tarpey produced a cross into the near post that found Steve Bennett whose toe poke was well saved Wood. Then a Steve Bennett cross was superbly cut out as the Ashton attack move in. Wood then made two great brave saves coming out at the feet of Ashton’s strikers to prevent a strike on goal.

The introduction of fresh legs gave Ashton another boost as first Adam White and then Dan Hitchen unleashing shots that forced keeper Wood into action again.

Then came a moment of controversy as referee Mark Green disallowed what appeared to be a perfectly good equaliser for a foul on the keeper. Pete Tarpey delivered a corner directly onto an Ashton head and only after the ball had hit the net was contact made with the keeper who after struggling to get to the flight of the ball fell to ground theatrically.

Despite this additional set back and with time running out Ashton poured forward and seconds before the final whistle Mahoney pounced onto a loose ball on the edge of the box but unfortunately the strike was off target and Blackpool held out for all three points, after a great rear guard action. FT 1-0

Phil Iannou, creating the Blackpool goal as well as making many crucial defensive challenges received the MoM award for the home side whilst Steve Rothwell’s commending performance won him yet another reward for his efforts for Ashton.

Meanwhile the Reserves won convincingly against Nelson Reserves by 5-2 thanks to a hat trick from Paul McVeigh and one each for Richard Sharpe and debutant Louis Hughes.

On Saturday 23^rd December the first team make the long trip to Barrow to take on Holker Old Boys whilst the Reserves entertain Oldham Town Reserves, both will be 3pm kick offs.

Then on Tuesday 23^rd December, what is sure to be a Boxing Day cracker as local rivals Ashton Town will make the short trip to Brocstedes Park for the first senior game between the two local clubs for more than 20 years. The kick off will also be 3pm and a bumper crowd is anticipated, particularly with tickets for the Man United v Wigan Athletic game on the same day being in such short supply.

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