“Holt” from the Blue denies Ashton

Vodkat League Challenge Cup Round One

Ashton Athletic 2, Padiham 2 AET

Ashton narrowly missed out on posting a sixth win on the bounce as a David Holt goal at the death of extra-time earned 10-man Padiham a replay from a pulsating Vodkat League Challenge Cup tie at Brocstedes Park on Saturday.

In a bad tempered first 20 minutes tackles flew in from both sides, with both teams seeking to gain the upper hand. Ashton’s Gallanders and Potter were shown yellow cards whilst late tackles from Haworth and Woods went unpunished and without so much of a word to the offenders.

In the opening moments snap shots from Padiham’s Andy Howarth Ed O’Neill and new signing Neil Almond were well wide, whilst after the bookings the injustice towards the Ashton players served to fuel the home side into greater efforts and Padiham were put on the back foot.

Paul McVeigh gets Ashton's
opening goal

Good pressure by Tom Potter on full back Steve Pickup forced a mistake and Potter slid in Paul McVeigh who rounded the keeper and put his team in front in the 28^th minute.1-0.

Almond turned his man on the edge of the box on 34 minutes, but the effort was once again off target. For Ashton, Gallanders latched onto a fluffed clearance by keeper King and his first time effort from 40 yards cleared the cross bar by inches with King stranded.

As half time approached Almond finally got an effort on target but this was comfortably saved by Andy Hewitt.

Paul McVeigh was then yellow carded for kicking the ball away frustrated by a couple of earlier decisions by the man in black, but this time the ref got it right, a stupid way to get in the book.

Andy Haworth watched home keeper Andy Hewitt acrobatically tip over his volley on 40 minutes, whilst Mark Derbyshire played a great one-two with Neil Almond but then shot wide of the target from a narrowing angle.

Just before half time it was Ashton who almost increased their lead as a superb corner by Tom Potter reached Mike Burke whose downward header looked goal bound, only to be denied by an outstretched foot of keeper king on the line. The rebound then struck an Ashton hand and a free kick was awarded to avert any further danger. HT 1-0

In the early part of the second half Padiham through more men forward and on 48 minutes Holt's run at the home defence ended with a great pass to John Eastham, who scooped his shot over the bar. At this stage both defences seemed in control with chances at a premium.

Substitutions by both sides lifted the tempo again and then in the 75^th minute Padiham had a penalty appeal properly rejected by referee Neil Yates after minimal contact on Eastham saw him fling himself to the floor in Ashton's box, no doubt frustrated at not being able to get a clear sight of goal in general play.
This incident upped the game again, and as the tackles flew in, Matt Woods reacted to challenge that was at worst clumsy and rightly received a red card for retaliation after stamping on an Ashton player with 9 minutes left on the clock.
That left Padiham with 10 men, and it also saw Padiham manager Steve Wilkes sent off for comments made to the officials about the incident. As is very often the case the 10 men raised their game markedly trying to make up for their loss.

Ashton did control possession with the extra man but with the game seemingly over a lapse in concentration gave Padiham a sniff of an opening. With a minute to play Neil Almond was allowed to turn and get to the Ashton bye-line, his cross took a slight deflection, and fell kindly to Dave Holt who volleyed home from eight yards out to send the tie into extra-time. FT 1-1

Chris Almond returning from injury
gives Ashton the lead again

In extra time Ashton had an early chance as McVeigh forced King into a splendid reaction save before Ashton substitute Richard Sharpe, with his first touch, played in fellow substitute Chris Almond to score with a shot under King. 2-1
The Padiham keeper made yet another great save from Sharpe on 102 minutes when he somehow got back to leap in the air, and tip over a dipping shot.

In the second half of extra-time, Padiham threw caution to the wind and went for an equaliser.
First Derbyshire missed a great chance when positioned in the centre of goal in a crowded box, then Holt had a shot saved one-handed by Hewitt, before his dramatic and well-taken equaliser arrived.
With 120 minutes on the clock, Ed O'Neill slid an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Holt, who ran on and clinically shot past Hewitt to give Padiham a second chance of making the second round, which sees the replay played on Wednesday 24^th October 7.45 kick off at Padiham’s Arbories ground. FT 2-2

Awards for Man of the match went to Mike Burke for Ashton and Ed ONeill for the visitors

Although disappointed at not having closed the game off Ashton can look forward to the replay with the usual enthusiasm, it’s better than training after all!!

Despite not posting another win the result does however allow Ashton’s unbeaten run to be extended to 16 games in all competitions, with the only defeat of the season so far having come on the opening day of the season, a 2-1 loss the hands of Chadderton.

This exceptional start to the season for Ashton is likely to be tested to the limit on Saturday by high flying New Mills who are looking strong favourites for taking the Second Division title this season. New Mills are currently unbeaten in league matches and top the table, with Ashton 3 points behind in 5th place.