Saturday 28th April 2007 Leek CSOB 3 AAFC 3

Ashton took to the road to Leek for the last game of the NWCFL season already knowing that improved results in the middle and latter half of the season had ensured that a relegation place had been avoided, and the first season back in the league after 20 years had been completed with a good foothold established to build from in future seasons.
There was a clear determination evident to complete the league programme with maximum points and in prolonged spells Ashton produced some of their best flowing football of the season against a Leek CSOB team comfortably place in mid table, however a 5 minute lapse of concentration by the Ashton defence, just after half time prevented a win to finish off the season.

Leek also look determined to play out the season with a win, to give their retiring secretary a good send off after 50 years service to the Club. Leek had the first chance with Mark Fox breaking forward and his shot was half blocked by Steve Rothwell and fortunately Joe Brobbin read the deflection to save well.
In the 6th minute a great header from Martin Rigby crashed against the bar and although Paul McVeigh was first to react to the re bound his effort was straight at keeper Gavin Deauville.
Matt Mahoney was then neatly set up by Matt Mahoney whose effort was pulled wide.
Then in the 12th minute good movement by Fox from a Steve Millington flicked header created space on the edge of the box and with Ashton slow to close down he was allowed to cut back onto his favoured right foot to smash the ball into the bottom corner giving Ashton keeper Brobbin no chance. 0-1
Ashton maintain composure and worked back into the game and for the rest of the first half played some expansive football that brought due reward.
Tom Potter having another impressive game at left back got forward and produced a rasping shot that Deauville tipped around the post at full stretch. Paul McVeigh then popped up at he back post reading a Ste Wallace freekick but having seen the ball late through a crowded box his header was placed wide.
As the pressure on Leek was building they were restricted to counter attacking and from one such foray they forced a free kick from which the ever dangerous Anthony Tarr peeled off his marker but headed over the top.
Ashton's dominance finally brought the equaliser as Martin Rigby stole in around the back latching onto a perfect cross from Ste Wallace to score with his head in the 34th minute 1-1.

34th minute Rigby equaliser

Then 5 minutes later after more good build up play down the right Steve Wallace produced another superb cross that this time was met by striker Paul McVeigh and headed into the roof of the net to give Ashton the lead 2-1.
Leek were starting to flag, on a hot afternoon and Ashton took advantage as a cross from Tom Potter this time found Steve Bennett beyond the back post who unselfishly played the ball back across the goal for McVeigh to bag his second, and Ashton's third in the 41st minute. 3-1


McVeigh at the Double

As half time approached Leek fought back and from a corner Brobbin was forced into action managing to half clear the delivery but before a Leek player could get to the ball Simon Gallanders was on hand to clear to safety. HT 3-1

With their managers voice no doubt ringing in their ears the Leek team came out fighting and started to build some pressure of their own.
Forced onto the back foot a soft free kick was conceded and delivered into the Ashton box, and slack marking enabled Steve Millington enough time at the back post to reduced the deficit for his team in the 44th minute. 2-3
Deja vous as another cross from the left side again found Leek's Tarr free in the box and the unopposed header forced a save from Brobbin however the rebound fell to a grateful Mark fox who made no mistake to claim his second of the game to even up the scores in the 49th minute. 3-3
Leek gained confidence and continued to push for another with a Matt Bradbury header put over the bar as a result of good defending by Paul McVeigh whilst Steve Millington also header over getting on the end of a good cross from the left wing in the 58th minute.
Ashton made a series of substitutions and the fresh legs once again turned the tide and allowed Ashton to dominate the final 25 minutes with several good opportunities worked, one of which fell to Pete Tarpey in the 80th minute, whose flick header from a Richard Sharpe cross went close.
Then a controversial moment as an Ashton set piece was perfectly executed by Tom Potter driving in a curling free kick across the face of the goal, and with the distraction of runners moving along the defensive line the keeper froze and the free kick sailed into the corner of the goal. As Ashton celebrated what they though was the winner the assistant referee raised a late flag and the goal was disallowed.
Unperturbed the Ashton team drove forward and first another Martin Rigby header was just off target before Ashton were denied by a post and a goal line clearance in the dying seconds of the game.
The point would have been considered a good result away from home but not on this occasion as a strange result with Daisy Hill winning away from home at 3rd place Padiham, and a great fightback by Holker against Norton allowed both rivals to leapfrog over Ashton in the final league standings.
An eventful season for Ashton and with 9 under 21 players turning out regularly for the first team during the season, several others in the reserves and an excellent under 17 team in the background the year's experience can only be of benefit as the team grows into competing at this level of football.

Roll on 11th August for the start of the new NWCFL season!..... but before that the semi final of the Atherton Cup awaits Ashton, against Breighmet United from the Manchester League on Tuesday 8th May 2007, 7.45pm KO at Atherton Collieries.