Saturday 30th December 2006 Norton United 1 Ashton Athletic 0

Ashton signed off 2006 with a disappointing result at Norton United going down to a 23^rd minute strike from Peter Murphy which was enough to take the points and lift the home side off the bottom of the league table, and put them within striking distance of Ashton should they picked up points from the games in hand.

Despite the loss Ashton once again battled gallantly in atrocious conditions with driving rain churning up an already sodden pitch, which forced both teams into long ball game. The inability to convert several chances once again cost Ashton dearly, and although Norton have been improving of late with a win over Chadderton last week, and on Boxing Day and had the points snatched away from them by league leaders Winsford United in the closing minutes by late strikes, this is a match that the Ashton players will feel was there for the taking.

The opening stanza was an even contest with both teams probing for openings, but it was Ashton’s Simon Gallanders who had the first effort on goal, cutting in from the left to force Norton’s keeper Dean Latham into action with a straight forward stop. More good work by Gallanders down the left enabled a quality cross that Latham palmed away at full stretch and off the forehead of Richard Sharpe who was lining up a goal bound header.

Norton responded as a lapse in the Ashton back four allowed Peter Murphy to break clear however his shot skimmed wide. The ground conditions were starting to take their toll and Ashton’s attempts to play through the midfield were being thwarted, whilst the more direct play of the home side was proving to be the better option and enabled them to build a period of pressure. From a corner in the 18^th minute Norton’s skipper Tony Kirk rose highest but put his header straight at Ashton keeper Hewitt.

Then after 23 minutes a re-taken free kick was swung in from the left by Caruthers skidding through the packed penalty area to Murphy at the back post, who beat two Ashton defenders to the ball and finished first time, leaving Hewitt stranded in the Ashton goal.

For the remainder of the half Ashton upped their game as Richard Sharpe shot over the top and then the Norton keeper, Dean Latham kept the lead intact with a great diving save to keep out a Hitchen volley that was bound for the bottom corner. From the subsequent corner Hitchen turned a half chance wide.

As half time approached another half chance for Ashton as a great diagonal ball from Steve Rothwell reached Sharpe who headed inches wide. HT 1-0

"SHARPE-BY-NATURE" WINS THE HEADER AND GETS A NICE ELBOW IN THE NECK FOR HIS PAINS.

Sharpe got behind the Norton back four in the 70^th minute and raced clear but his effort was fired wide before Gallanders repeated the feat before into the side netting. Ashton kept up the pressure and a close range header was scrambled away while Pete Tarpey cut inside from the left before driving wide.
When Norton did break out Tom Larusso made a good run but the keeper was quickly out to grab the ball off his toes. John Jackson tested the keeper from long range with a firm strike whilst Chris Pattison had a speculative volley saved.
Norton could have sealed the victory when substitute Dean Wylie fired narrowly wide following a good counter attacking move involving Caruthers and Jackson.
Dean Latham then became a Norton hero with four outstanding late stops in the last 10 minutes saving from a barrage of shots from Peter Tarpey in the 82^nd and 86^th minutes, Richard Sharpe in the 85^th minute and blocking at close quarters from a Tom Potter effort in the 88^th minute.

Ashton’s last chance came when the tireless Adam White finally had the inspirational Norton keeper beaten only to be denied by a last ditch clearance off the line by Liam Rigby to deny Ashton a share of the spoils which was the least they deserved after such a spirited second half performance. FT 1-0

Man of the match awards went inevitably for Norton to the keeper Latham, whilst Ashton’s Steve Rothwell picked up yet another award for his efforts and motivation of his team in frustrating circumstances, with the energy and commitment of midfielder White pushing him close.

Ashton’s Reserves fared better as they picked up a point from a 1-1 draw at home to Daisy Hill reserves as Louis Hughes continued with his good goal scoring run of 3 in 3 games, since joining the Club from Vauxhall Motors, and is shaping up for a first team call up in the near not too distant future.

Next Saturday Ashton have a tough home match against promotion chasing Padiham whilst the reserves have, at the moment a blank weekend. END