McVeigh Strikes again

Vodkat League 2

Saturday 1^st March 2008

Ashton Athletic 3 Eccleshall FC 0

Following on from the tremendous 1-0 midweek win against run away league leaders New Mills, Ashton’s good form continued with an efficient performance against lowly Eccleshall FC.

A third clean sheet in a row for Ashton provided the platform for the three points and with rivals Kirkham and Wesham on FA Vase quarter final duty it was a result that moved Ashton up to second place in the table.

Strong winds again influenced the play but Ashton took control early in the match and almost took the lead as Steve Bennett produced a shot on the turn from just inside the box which keeper Rob Hackney got down well to save in the 5^th minute. A scrappy period with both teams struggling to find momentum was not helped by a couple of harsh yellow cards for Ashton’s McVeigh and Lawton for innocuous challenges, and having set such a low tolerance threshold referee Steve Foster had no option to issue a straight red to Eccleshall striker Dwayne Spence for kicking out at Mike Burke in the 25^th minute.

Ashton took early advantage of the extra man as a superb Steve Bennett cross from the right wing found striker Paul McVeigh on the six yard line and his powerful header nestled into the top corner to give Ashton the lead after 30 minutes, and take his personal tally for the season up to 21 in all competitions.

McVeigh bags his 21st goal of the
season from Ste Bennett cross

Then with half time fast approaching the lively Dave Sherlock cut into the visitors box from the left wing and unleashed a wicked swerving shot that keeper Hackney could only parry, and the predatory Steve Bennett nipped in to volley the ball into the roof of the net. HT 2-0

As you would expect, Ashton dominated in the opening exchanges of the second half but with 9 men behind the ball Eccleshall muscled up and kept Ashton at bay. Surprisingly it was Eccleshall that had the first real effort on goal in the 58^th minute as a defensive lapse let in Russ De Matteo on the break forcing Joe Clayton into an instinctive block allowing Steve Rothwell to clear.

The result was however sealed moments later as a quick throw in by Dave Sherlock released Paul Townshend and one on one the Eccleshall’s keeper was given no chance as Townshend volleyed the ball into the goal from 12 yards out.

To Eccleshall’s credit they kept plugging away and good efforts Josh Nugent and Mark Mapperley forced Clayton to get down sharply to his right to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile gaps were starting to appear in the Eccleshall back line as tired legs and minds kicked in. Steve Bennett placed a shot inches wide after a good through ball by Townshend whilst a speculative 40 yard effort by Mike Burke had keeper Hackney scrambling across goal to touch the ball around the post. Ashton’s Man of the Match Mike Burke forced a flying save from Hackney again as he met a Gallanders corner with a powerful header, and then Gallanders himself almost increased the lead but he too was denied by a sharp save by Hackney. FT 3-0

MoM Mike Burke heads goalwards
only to be denied by a fine save

A workman like performance by Ashton which must be replicated in the next league match away at Daisy Hill on Wednesday 12^th March 7.45pm KO. The cup semi final 2^nd leg at Kirkham scheduled for this Saturday has been re arranged to make way for Kirkham’s FA Vase replay following their 3-3 draw at the weekend. The Semi final will now take place on Tuesday 18^th March 7.45pm ko.

Ashton’s reserve team also hit three in their match at Blackpool Mechanics as a goal from Joe Evans and two from Martin Ormesher sealed the points in a 3-1 away win.

END

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