Derby defeat and beat by the weather!

Ashton lost ground on the leading bunch in the Vodkat North West Counties League Division Two after a Boxing Day Derby defeat at Ashton Town, and then torrential rain on Saturday forced the abandonment of the Eccleshall match after 40 minutes. With the other top sides all recording positive results the Latic’s dropped three places to fifth spot.

The Ashton derby was a game of few chances on a heavy pitch and a Paul Prescott strike in the 23^rd minute was enough to give the home side maximum points. Ashton Athletic’s best chances fell to Mike Johnson in the first half, well saved by Town keeper James Heseltine. Whilst in the second period Athletic dominated possession, creating several good chances that fell to Tim Lees, Mark Ashurst and Mike Johnson but all failed to find the target and denied the Latic’s a share of the spoils.

Last Saturday Ashton Athletic entertained Eccleshall hoping to hold on to third spot but frustratingly the referee made the very unpopular decision of abandoning the game after 40 minutes claiming dangerous conditions, despite the fact that both teams were playing decent football, without a single bad tackle in the match.

All the more frustrating for Ashton as they had played into the teeth of a gale and driving rain in this first period, and had prevented Eccleshall any clear sight of goal whilst for Ashton James Lawless, Mike Burke and a couple of efforts from Chris Almond were all near misses.

As a result however Ashton have lost ground and must get something from next Saturday’s crucial away trip to 2^nd placed Kirkham & Wesham FC, 3pm.

Meanwhile Ashton’s Reserves fought out a 3-3 draw at Flixton FC with goals from Paul McVeigh, Pete Tarpey and Andy Morgan securing a well deserved point ahead of a home game next Saturday against Cheadle FC, 3pm KO