AAFC 4 ASHTON TOWN 4 GOLDLINE TROPHY GROUP MATCH

Following the draw that grouped the local rivals together in Group D of this years Goldline Trophy, and with Town stinging from their loss to the Latics in the Atherton Cup final last season, tonights game was always going to be eventful.
Immediately from kick off Town striker Howard burst through and hit a ferocious shot that rattled the home team bar and fortunately for the latics the follow up player headed the rebound over the bar. The wake up call got everyone at it but it was the visiting Town team that looked the sharper as good work down the right produced a pin point cross to Town's Prescott who finished well with a close range header in the 8th minute. Latic's bounced back and Daniel Hitchen was played in by Pat Aspinall and produced a sublime finish curling a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw level.
Town had a shout for a penalty waved away by the referee after 20 minutes and then as the half wore on the Latics were showing superior fitness and could have taken the lead as Mike Johnson volley forced Town Keeper Heseldine into a finger tips save after 35 minutes. Then Heseldine produced a twin save before his defenders came to the rescue with a goal line clearance after a hectic goalmouth scramble.
Following a period of domination the home side took a deserved lead in the 42nd minute as Paul McVeigh latched onto a cross after a tremendous passing move down the Ashton right with Porter and Bennett opening up the Town defence and this gave Latics a half time lead.
HT 2-1
Town equalised from a corner as Craig Ward stole in at the near post to score after 49 minutes, but latics hit back straight away through Dave Sherlock who showed great composure to slot home to regain the lead 3 - 2.
A fine strike by Paul Crewe from the edge of the box found its way through advancing defenders equalising in the 60th minute and then a great chip by Si Gallanders found the net for Athletic after 66 minutes to make it 4-3.
Town threw men forward in the last ten minutes and this brought its reward as substitute Peter Philips scooped the ball out from under his feet on the edge of the box, lifting it into the top corner, giving Mike Woodruff in the Latics goal no chance and drawing Town level in the 84th minute.
Both teams continued to look for the winner but neither could find it and the game ended all square, with Boxing Day and Easter Monday tussles to look forward to in the season.
FT 4-4