Saturday 23rd December 2006 - Holker Old Boys 2 Ashton Athletic 2

Ashton made the long trip to Barrow to face Holker Old Boys and welcomed back striker Paul McVeigh for his first game in the first team since the shoulder injury sustained in the 2-1 win against Runcorn on 2^nd December.

The inclusion of McVeigh gave the team more presence up front, than was evident in last week’s game frustrating 0-1 defeat against Blackpool and allowed more varied attacking options throughout the game

Ashton showed their eagerness to take the points in this game with some competitive challenges in the early exchanges however Holker responded in kind albeit looking somewhat heavy legged, probably as a result of their Lancs Cup exploits on Thursday evening at Morecambe.

With both teams keen to impose pressure on the ball carrier, the result was a scrappy opening 15 minutes only punctuated by a good effort by Pete Tarpey cutting in from the left, well saved by Sam Stephens, and then for Holker Southward had two speculative efforts that flew over the bar.

The first clear cut chance fell to Ashton’s Matt Mahoney latching on to a superb defence splitting pass from Adam White, but his shot, although powerful was too close to Stephens who saved well. This gave Ashton some momentum and on 21 minutes another slide rule pass from the midfield found McVeigh breaking clear of the Holker defence with a well timed run, and a low driven finish gave his team the lead.

No sooner had Holker kicked off then they were caught square again with Steve Bennett breaking clear but his effort struck the post after a slight deflection off the recovering defender to deny Ashton a 2 goal lead.

This missed opportunity served to galvanise Ashton’s efforts forcing Holker to play a long ball game, which in general surrendered possession to Ashton and allowed a 15 minute onslaught on the home goal.

Another Steve Bennett effort after a goal mouth scramble produced another good save by Stephens but a slipped pass to Tarpey, free at the back post, might have been a better option. Then the influential Mahoney broke through from the midfield and placed another firm shot just wide of the target.

Bennett again drove forward giving his opposite number a torrid time and it was Bennett who combined well with Mahoney, with a great lay off that allowed Mahoney the time to strike on goal which was well blocked by the Holker defence at close range.

Holker only managed one passing move in this period, as a good break down the right by the overlapping Robinson found Southward in the box but good defending by Steve Rothwell prevented him from producing an equalizer. HT 1-0

Holker raised their game in the second half with the Holker centre half Mark Daly in particular deciding to try to play football rather than just launching the ball and finding target man Southward with increasing accuracy. It was Ashton however who had the first chance after 50 minutes as a cynical foul by Robinson, pulling Mahoney back just as he broke through on goal resulted in a free kick on the edge of the box. Fortunately for Robinson the referee adjudged that the covering defender had just got close enough to prevent a red card. From the free kick Mahoney’s superb effort struck the inside of the post, bounced across the face of the goal and away to safety, with Stephens a spectator.

Holker were now starting to play & Southward’s control and shot from 25 yards was well saved by Joe Brobbin and from a couple of corners he was also kept busy, punching clear with his defence on the back foot for the first time in the game.

Then in the 56^th minute Ashton broke out as a McVeigh header played in Bennett down the right and but his shot went wide.

In the next Holker attack an incident that changed the game as Holker youngster Low cut in from the left across the path of Mike Watson whose clumsy challenge seemed to clip Low marginally before toeing the ball away but the referee, who was closest to the incident felt otherwise and waved play on.

The Holker players were up in arms at the perceived injustice and this fired them up into greater endeavour. After 60 minutes the concerted effort finally paid off as a great ball in from the Holker right flank found the ever dangerous Southward on the edge of the box in too much space, and before he could be closed down he fired the ball past Brobbin to even up the scores.

Holker increased the pressure and the momentum and forced Ashton back, however Ashton’s counter attacking play is a major threat and in one move Mahoney was released down the right and was brought crashing to ground by Houston and the Referee correctly awarded a penalty. Up stepped right back Wallace, who despite some petty interference by the referee calmly slotted the spot kick into the bottom corner to reinstate Ashton’s goal advantage in the 68^th minute.

Undeterred and to their credit the enthusiastic Holker pressed forward and shortly afterwards a superb diagonal ball from centre half Daly got behind the Ashton defence and found Hudson breaking from midfield. As Hudson’s touch seemed to be too heavy and took him wide of the goal Wallace saw his chance to cover and force Hudson away from goal. As the players went shoulder to shoulder the Holker player fell to the ground and to Ashton’s amazement the referee pointed to the spot – clearly not wishing to hear a repeat of the level of abuse he had received following his earlier decision not to award a spot kick. Bamber successfully converted the chance with a powerful shot into the roof of the net.

In the final ten minutes both teams could have taken all the spoils as for Ashton another Steve Bennett effort was saved by Stephens and then a driving run from skipper Rothwell showed his superb fitness levels breaking clear of the Holker defence only to have his cross cut out superbly by the covering defence with Ashton players bursting forward in support.

For Holker a driving run by Bamber was covered by Rothwell and it was disappointing to see Bamber fall to the ground with the minimum amount of contact clearly seeking to gain from even more festive spirit from the Man in Black!

A full time score of 2-2 is not ideal for either Club in the scrap for points but with both teams fielding a plethora of youthful players the future looks bright for both Clubs if the lads stick at it at this level of football, and are given the opportunity to do so.

Ashton’s man of the match was given to Steve Bennett with young midfielders Matt Mahoney and Adam White along with Ashton’s defensive rock Steve Rothwell hot on his heels for the Award. Paul Southward’s influence especially in the second half earned him the Holker award.

On Boxing Day Ashton entertain near neighbours Ashton Town at Brocstedes Park – 3 pm kick Off and then on Saturday 30^th December travel to Norton United for a 3pm kick off, two crucial matches that will mould the rest of the season.

On Saturday 30^th December the Reserves are at Home to Daisy Hill - 3pm.