MONDAY 20th AUGUST 2007 AAFC 4 GOLBORNE SPORTS 1

Ashton progressed to the second round of the Wigan Cup competition with a 4 goal second half blitz orchestrated by substitute, and former Golborne player Paul Townshend.
In the first half Ashton struggled to find the rythmn that was much in evidence in the back to back wins at Castleton and Bootle, but always looked dangerous in possession, whilst Golborne counter attacked well on several occasions with Westworth and Walker putting the Ashton defence under pressure.

Ormesher shoots wide with a good early strike

Golborne drew first blood as poor marking in the Ashton defence gave striker Westworth too much room on the six yard line, latching onto a well taken corner from Walker to head home in the 27th minute.

This woke up Ashton but the forward line were over eager and got caught off side on too many occasions to allow any decent build up of pressure on the visitors defence. Moreover when the strikers did get behind the defence a combination of wayward finishing and Sports' goalkeeper Mc Millan came to the rescue to keep Ashton at bay. HT 0-1

The second half commenced with Ashton well in the ascendancy and the early pressure, and crucially the introduction of Paul Townshend in the 55th minute, brought instant reward as within a minute of after his arrival as substitute. Townshend stole into the box to head home a well delivered cross by Gallenders, 1-1
Five minutes later Ashton got in front as an accurate long range pass from skipper Rothwell arrowed into Martin Ormesher a good touch, turn and early shot nestled into the bottom corner, before keeper McMillan had chance to react, 2-1.

Ormesher turn and shot beats McMillan

Ashton were rampant and suddenly found the fluid movement and passing that had been evident previous games and Ormesher had a chance for his second as a goal mouth scramble fell to him in the six yard box but a last ditch block by a covering defender prevented the goal. Chances also fell to Townshend, Gallanders and White but these were denied by a combination of good defending and sound goalkeeping.

Ormesher gets there first to bag his second goal
In the 80th minute the game was eventually made safe for Ashton as Hitchen burst through down the right to deliver another accurate cross which Ormesher met with a sharp finish. 3-1.

Townshend caps it off

Paul Townshend then put the icing on a tremendous second half performance by him, and the team as a whole by slamming the ball home after another quality cross from an Ashton wide man. 4-1 final score.

In the next round Ashton will now face Hindley Town on Monday 3rd Septenber - venue and kick off time to be announced soon.

Acknowledgement and thanks once again for the excellent action photos from celebritypixuk. See www.celebritypixuk.co.uk. These and other high quality shots are available for purchase by just clicking on the web site