Ashton Athletic go down at Kirkham but hold onto their fifth league position

Vodkat North West Counties League Division Two

Kirkham & Wesham FC 2, Ashton Athletic 0 (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: - Kirkham & Wesham: Sheppard (28), Wane (55)
Attendance: 105

ASHTON ATHLETIC travelled to the Kirkham 2 points in arrears to them at the top of the Vodkat NWCFL, however two uncharacteristic defensive mistakes in each half presented the home side with the 3 points that put clear daylight between the promotion contenders. Other results elsewhere however allowed the ‘Latics to maintain the 5^th league spot, as closest rivals Chadderton slipped up at basement Club Holker, whilst Oldham Town and Bootle fought out a 2-2 draw.

Sloppy marking by Ashton from a throw in and then a sliced clearance presented Kirkham midfielder James Sheppard with the ball in space on the edge of the box who curled in a 28th minute wonder goal that nestled into the top corner and gave Ashton ‘keeper Andy Paxton no chance.
Whilst the game was mainly fought out in the centre of the field Kirkham did carve out several other openings through the lively attacking combination of Sheppard, Mark Wane, Phil Blackwell and the league’s leading scorer Sean Paterson, but some solid defending kept Kirkham at bay.
Ashton’s usual cut and thrust was misfiring throughout the first half as several promising breaks petered out as a result of forced passes, and raids from Paul McVeigh and Chris Almond were easily dealt with by a resolute home defence. Ashton’s best opening came on the half an hour as winger Chris Almond lined up a shot from close range but home skipper Phil Thompson slid in to block the effort.
HT 1-0

The second half was much more of a contest with Ashton visibly upping the tempo and pushed the home side back. However it was Kirkham clearly adept at playing on the break who almost increased their league as Phil Blackwell rattled the Ashton woodwork in the 52^nd minute and then whilst in control of the game a misjudged pass across the Ashton back line was intercepted and Mark Wane pounced in the 55^th minutes finishing after a shot that Paterson had just been saved by Paxton.

Despite the body blow Ashton continued to push and efforts from Paul McVeigh Tom Potter and substitute Chris Weeder were well gathered by keeper Peter Summerfield before Ashton were screaming for a penalty in the 68^th minute after Kirkham’s Tony Keefe clipped the heels of the advancing Ashton forward inside the box.

Then the game was effectively over as in the space of two minutes Ashton’s busiest forward Almond received his marching orders following two quick yellow cards, both of which could and probably should have been dealt more leniently by the over officious Referee Mark Green.

Ashton must now regroup for the visit to Brocstedes Park of Holker next Saturday 12^th January 2008 3pm KO.