Wednesday 24th October Padiham 0 AAFC 3 VODKAT CUP Rnd 1 Replay

Ashton posted an 8th clean sheet of the season in this League cup replay, making up for allowing Padiham a second chance in the tie after two late equalisers in the 2-2 draw 10 days ago the first in the 89th minute and the second in the dying moments of extra time.

Padiham started the game with the greater possession but were restricted to a few long range speculative efforts, and found it hard to breakdown the resolute Ashton defence. The lively Neil Almond and Ed O'Neill out wide created the best moments for Padiham in this openinf phase.

Ashton eased into the game after about 20 minutes and having done so created the first clear chance as Steve Wallace floated in a great cross onto the head of Chris Almond who attempted to guide the ball inside the back post, but his sights were slightly off and the effort went wide.
Simon Gallanders gets
the breakthrough for Ashton
Then in the 30th minute a long range free kick found the head of Paul Townshend just inside the box and his downward header fell kindly to Simon Gallanders who smashed the ball into the top corner. 1-0

This was Ashton's purple patch as the speed of pass and movement clicked into gear and the lead was increased 10 minutes later as a great interplay on the left between Tom Potter and Si Gallanders set Potter free down the left flank. A driven cross looked to be heading for Chris Almond at the near post, but great awareness and a clever dummy from him allowed the ball to run through to Townshend who side footed past the stranded Gavin King in the Padiham goal. 2-0 HT.

Townshend bags Ashton's second

Padiham hit back early in the second half but Ashton held firm until Neil Almond, a thorn in Ashton's side for most of the game found space in the box and only a last ditch challenge from Mike Burke blocked the shot which had looked bound for the top corner.

Almond makes it three
This sparked Ashton's ambitions and Steve Wallace had a shot well saved by King, before another penetrating run from Potter pierced the Padiham defence and his shot crash against the bar. The rebound was met by Chris Almond who made no mistake to score in the 75th minute. 3-0.

An excellent performance from Ashton the level and intensity of which must be repeated if the good run of results is to continue.

The man of the match for Ashton was Simon Gallanders, with Neil Almond picking up Padiham's award.

The next round of the competition will see Ashton at home to Bootle on 10th November however next on the agenda will be a home match against Darwen FC this Saturday 27th October, 3pm Kick Off.