Ashton hold league leaders to earn valuable away point
Ashton traveled to table toppers New Mills knowing they were in for the toughest of tests against the only team in both divisions of the Vodkat league not to have lost a league match so far this year. Ashton too were in good form hoping to extend the 16 game unbeaten run in all competitions.
A more detailed look at the league table would also reveal the two tightest defences in Vodkat , with both sides averaging less than 1 goal conceded per game.
It was therefore not surprising that clear cut chances were hard to come by as both defences kept a stangle hold on the game.
The Millers best efforts came from their leading scorer Carlos Meakin but these were long range efforts efficiently dealt with by the Ashton backline. The best chance for the home side came in the 30th minute as a hat trick of strikes on goal were first saved by Ashton keeper Paxton, then the second blocked on the line before the last effort struck the angle of post and cross bar, and away to safety. A half hearted shout for a penalty was rightly dismissed by the man in the middle as Andy Paxton cleared the ball before making contact with the player
Andy Paxton gets the ball....and then the man!
For Ashton a sight at goal for Steve Bennett in the 3rd minute, played in by Adam White should have produced early dividend but his effort was off target.
A superb far post cross in the 17th minute from Steve Wallace found Paul Townshend whose downward header forced a brave scrambling save from Millers' keeper Stuart Williams.
Townshend came close again just before the interval dispossessing an out of sorts Mike Ryan before placing his shot just over the bar. Townshend got on the end of a corner volleying above the target again. HT 0-0
The second half saw New Mills taking advantage of the sloping pitch keeping Ashton penned back for much of the half, and although strikes on goal could be counted on one hand for both sides the intensity and hard work from both sides kept the sizeable crowd engrossed.
Miller's came close to breaking the deadlock through a Mike Ryan strike curled in from the left flank, whilst substitute Rhys Nevins and strike partner Garry Kharas both had efforts go wide.
Ashton's efforts were mostly on the counter attack and through set pieces but the Millers defence were also in determined mood, with Callum Dempsey outstanding.
Ashton's best chance in the second half fell to Adam White who timed his run to perfection, latching onto a Mike Burke flick header only to put his own header over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Despite the lack of goal action the match had enough incident to keep the interest of the 186 spectators, the best attendance of the day, in both divisions of the Vodkat League.
The man of the Match awards went to Ashton's skipper Steve Rothwell, whilst Danny Hooper shaved it for New Mills.
Ashton's reserves disappointingly went down 3-4 against Daisy Hill with two goals from Mark Ashurst and one from M Ormesher not enough to seal the points.
Action shots can be viewed on http://www.newmillsweb.com and a selection are shown above and below.
A Paxton clears his lines
Mark Court tracks Millers' Joe Shaw
Steve Wallace gets the better of Millers Mike Ryan
Mark Court blocks Mike Lomax
A more detailed look at the league table would also reveal the two tightest defences in Vodkat , with both sides averaging less than 1 goal conceded per game.
It was therefore not surprising that clear cut chances were hard to come by as both defences kept a stangle hold on the game.
The Millers best efforts came from their leading scorer Carlos Meakin but these were long range efforts efficiently dealt with by the Ashton backline. The best chance for the home side came in the 30th minute as a hat trick of strikes on goal were first saved by Ashton keeper Paxton, then the second blocked on the line before the last effort struck the angle of post and cross bar, and away to safety. A half hearted shout for a penalty was rightly dismissed by the man in the middle as Andy Paxton cleared the ball before making contact with the player
Andy Paxton gets the ball....and then the man!
For Ashton a sight at goal for Steve Bennett in the 3rd minute, played in by Adam White should have produced early dividend but his effort was off target.A superb far post cross in the 17th minute from Steve Wallace found Paul Townshend whose downward header forced a brave scrambling save from Millers' keeper Stuart Williams.
Townshend came close again just before the interval dispossessing an out of sorts Mike Ryan before placing his shot just over the bar. Townshend got on the end of a corner volleying above the target again. HT 0-0
The second half saw New Mills taking advantage of the sloping pitch keeping Ashton penned back for much of the half, and although strikes on goal could be counted on one hand for both sides the intensity and hard work from both sides kept the sizeable crowd engrossed.
Miller's came close to breaking the deadlock through a Mike Ryan strike curled in from the left flank, whilst substitute Rhys Nevins and strike partner Garry Kharas both had efforts go wide.
Ashton's efforts were mostly on the counter attack and through set pieces but the Millers defence were also in determined mood, with Callum Dempsey outstanding.
Ashton's best chance in the second half fell to Adam White who timed his run to perfection, latching onto a Mike Burke flick header only to put his own header over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Despite the lack of goal action the match had enough incident to keep the interest of the 186 spectators, the best attendance of the day, in both divisions of the Vodkat League.
The man of the Match awards went to Ashton's skipper Steve Rothwell, whilst Danny Hooper shaved it for New Mills.
Ashton's reserves disappointingly went down 3-4 against Daisy Hill with two goals from Mark Ashurst and one from M Ormesher not enough to seal the points.
Action shots can be viewed on http://www.newmillsweb.com and a selection are shown above and below.
A Paxton clears his lines
Mark Court tracks Millers' Joe Shaw
Steve Wallace gets the better of Millers Mike Ryan
Mark Court blocks Mike Lomax
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DP at 12:11 AM
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