Saturday 9th December 2006 Ashton Athletic 1 Cheadle Town 1

Cheadle came to Ashton clearly determined to take the three points and a bright start enabled them to dominate possession in the opening exchanges. Fortunately for Ashton the defence was in similar mood and prevented the visitors a sight on goal.

Gradually Ashton gained a foothold in the game and once in the ascendency dominated both territorially and in possession. This enabled a series of openings to be created the first falling to Steve Bennett in the 6^th Minute, well found by a defence splitting pass by Mike Winer however from a tight angle he pushed the shot wide.

Pete Tarpey was causing the Cheadle right back some major problems and in the 8^th Minute he cut in field and placed a shot inches wide. Peter Woodcock then latched onto a Tarpey corner but the return shot-come cross flashed across the face of goal without troubling the Cheadle keeper.

Tarpey then tricked his marker and cut the ball back to the supporting Aspinall but his weak shot was easily cleared by the defence.

Pete Woodcock was in the action again on the end of some good passing football but his shot on the turn went over the bar.

Cheadle were being forced to play on the counter attack with Arron Riley looking particularly threatening down the right flank. Dean Martin was also a handful for the Ashton defence and he forced a good save from keeper Joe Brobbin on the turn. Then from only the third meaningful attack in the 34^th minute full back James McDonough gave Tarpey a taste of his own medicine beating the Ashton winger to a defensive clearance. A couple of touches enabled him to surge into the Ashton penalty area and release a mis-hit shot that went through a group of players and under the body of keeper Brobbin to give Cheadle an undeserved lead.

Ashton rallied well and more good work by Tarpey in the 38^th minute as he produced a cross that zipped across the face of the goal but just out of the reach of the advancing Ashton players. HT 0-1

The second half was largely one-way traffic as Ashton pinned down Cheadle in their own half with occasional counter attacks down the right wing through Riley the only real threat form the away team. A powerful run by Ashton’s Mike Winer after 49 minutes looked promising as he burst forward but instead of working the keeper he unselfishly tried to play in the supporting Pat Aspinall but defensive cover snubbed out the attack.

Ashton piled on the pressure and this eventually produced reward as Steve Bennett cut in from the right and produced a left foot drive that found the bottom corner levelling the scores in the 55^th minute.

Two good efforts from the edge of the box by Adam White after good interplay with Mike Winer went close but then the game became very disjointed as several injuries on both sides prevented any kind of momentum from being built up.

As the weather worsened and the wind and rain intensified passing football became increasingly difficult and as the game seemed to be stuttering to a draw a bit of Simon Gallanders magic in the midfield produced a one on one chance for Richard Sharpe but the keeper stood tall and Sharpe’s effort was blocked.

Ashton continued to press forward in the final minutes but Cheadle’s defence stood firm and both teams had to settle for a point. FT 1-1

Match Photos, courtesy of, and can be viewed on:-

www.bubbleshare.com/album/97282/overview

also see

www.cheadletownfc.blogspot.com/2006/12/on-second-day-of-christmas

Meanwhile the Reserves match at Chadderton ended in yet another draw as Paul McVeigh’s double strike secured an away point and lift them out of the bottom two.

Next week the first team travel to Blackpool Mechanics whilst the Reserves entertain Nelson FC, both are 3pm kick offs.