Saturday 2nd December 2006 - Ashton Athletic 1 Oldham Tn 4

North West Counties Football League Division 2 Trophy

Oldham completed a hat trick of wins for the season over Ashton and in doing so progressed to the next round of the Divisional Trophy, although but for several hotly disputed refereeing decisions the end result might been different.

Both teams started brightly, putting together some good passing moves, but it was Oldham who were just edging things in the possession stakes and this allowed them to exert some pressure on the Ashton back line.

Ashton conceded several unnecessary free kicks and corners, one of which was played into the box in the 14^th minute but also not well dealt with by the Ashton defence and the loose ball was driven across the 6 yard box and striker Darren Scanlon was first to the cross to give the visitors the lead.

Ashton fought back and won a number of free kicks themselves with Simon Gallanders coming close with couple of well struck efforts. After 25 minutes Pete Woodcock was played in down the Ashton right by Steve Bennett and the cross found Tom Potter who slipped at the final moment and the opportunity was lost.

Oldham’s David Bowker had a shot well saved by debutant keeper Joe Bobbin in the Ashton goal, and then Darren Scanlon struck again as a cross field ball was badly judged by the Ashton defence and after some good footwork Scanlon cut inside the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Brobbin.

Oldham were bouyed by the 2 goal lead and went to kill off the game as Jon Phillips and then Bowker and lee Scanlon fired in long range shots but the first was easily saved by Brobbin and the others were off target.

Ashton responded in kind as good wing play by Tom Potter was followed by a great cross form the dead ball line pin pointed onto the head of Pete Woodcock whose powerful header went agonisingly wide after 43 minutes.

HT 0-2

The ideal start to the second half for Ashton as a powerful run by Pete Woodcock put Oldham on the back foot, and it was Woodcock whose aerial presence created an opening for Wallace as his well timed run onto a flick header from Woodcock put him in the clear, and allowed him to slot the ball into the bottom corner and reduce the deficitin the 55^th minute.

Then came the first of a series of refereeing decisions which changed the complexion of the game and had the home side’s team, managers and supporters perplexed. A seemingly harmless ball into the box was well claimed by Ashton keeper Brobbin under challenge from striker Darren Scanlon who theatrically fell to the ground holding his head. The referee seemed to be playing on but then noticed his assistant flagging. After consultation and to everyone’s amazement the referee awarded a penalty, however it was the Ashton players who were subsequently celebrating as Elstrom Die failed to find the target with the resulting spot kick.

Ashton’s efforts were rejuvenated and almost drew level as another Pete Woodcock header played in Steve Bennett and whose thunderous volley rattled the cross bar with the Oldham keeper Blair stranded. Unfortunately the rebound fell to safety for Oldham.

Ashton were building up a head of steam but this was instantly let off as the referee failed to penalise a clear tackle from behind on Woodcock, and as the players waited for the whistle substitute Wayne Ware was played through and he lobbed the advancing Brobbin to increase Oldham’s lead in the 68^th minute.

Ashton were again up in arms after 72 minutes as Tom Potter was scythed down in the box and the referee waived play on. Shortly afterwards, another Simon Gallanders powerful free kick from the edge of the box once again just cleared the bar with the goalkeeper in no man’s land.

Then from a break away down the Oldham left the game was killed as Elstrom Die was given too much room to cut inside and curl the ball into the top corner to give the visitors the comfort of a three goal lead.

Ashton battled on gamely and had another blatant penalty turned down as Richard Sharpe was hauled to the ground on the penalty spot as a free kick was played into him by Steve Wallace.

On the balance of play Oldham probably deserved their win but if the 3 crucial refereeing decisions had gone in Ashton’s favour instead of to Oldham then who knows how the game might have developed.

Tim Buxton was awarded Oldham’s MoM by the Ashton management with a great defensive performance award whilst Oldham’s managers gave Ashton’s award to Simon Gallanders.

Meanwhile the Reserves returned from Cheadle with a very creditable draw all the more rewarding as they had 4 under 18's making their debuts for the team. Two goals from Daniel Hitchen secured the point, and it was also good to see him back in action for the Club. Pleasing also that Gary Woods got back into action after his injury lay off

Next Saturday 9^th December 2006 the team are at home to Cheadle whilst the Reserves travel to Chadderton, both are 3pm kick offs.