Super sub Lawless secures the points for Ashton.

Vodkat League DIVISION 2

Saturday 15^th March 2008

Padiham 1 Ashton Athletic 3

Ashton Athletic’s youth production line came good again as the introduction of 17 year old James Lawless midway through the second half proved the deciding factor in this hard fought encounter at Padiham FC’s Arbories ground.

A goal to the good at half time, Ashton allowed the home side to pull themselves back into the game with an equaliser 20 minutes from time. But two goals in the last seven minutes saw the visitors through to victory, with youngster Lawless at the heart of things.

In a one sided first half, Ashton put Padiham under the cosh from the start, and after just four minutes home keeper Gavin King had to make a smart save from a Simon Gallanders chip after evading three Padiham challenges. On 20 minutes, a superb free kick by Gallanders reached Ashton’s Paul McVeigh whose glancing header beat the keeper but rebounded off the crossbar.

However, Padiham’s respite was only temporary as the visitors took the lead a minute later. Adam White picked up the ball in midfield, and as the defence backed off, he unleashed a 25 yard shot that flew into the far corner of the net.

Ashton dominated the remainder of the first half and came close to increasing the lead on several occasions. Under severe pressure Steve Bennett fired just wide, a Mike Burke long range effort was well gathered by King and just before the half time interval a superb 25 yard curling drive from Steve Wallace skimmed the top of the bar with keeper King a mere spectator.

After the break Padiham stepped up the pace, as Ashton failed to find the fluidity of the first half . Wayne Morrison had a good header from Mark Derbyshire’s cross saved by Ashton keeper Paxton on the hour mark, before Padiham drew level in the 69^th minute. Ashton’s Tom Potter was harshly penalised for handball on the edge of the box, and Martin Fletcher curled the free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

A minute later, Paul Barrett almost added another when his shot on the turn was matched by a fine save from the Ashton keeper Paxton who was then almost caught out shortly after when an in swinging corner from Morrison caught the wind and hit the bar before rebounding to safety.

The introduction of Lawless and midfielder Paul Bohannan in the 72^nd minute followed by Danny Burrows after 78 minutes steadied the ship for Ashton. The fresh legs helped Ashton retain a greater share of possession and wrestle back the initiative from the Padiham midfield who had been given far too much space to play in the early stages of the second half.

Having regained composure Ashton started to push for the winner with the speed of Lawless starting to ask questions of the Padiham back line. With eight minutes left Padiham’s resistance crumbled when Lawless found space in the penalty area to head home a great cross from Paul McVeigh after some excellent build up play.

In stoppage time the roles were reversed when Lawless raced into the box, drew the keeper and squared to McVeigh, who had the simple task of tapping home Ashton’s third.

The win takes Ashton up to 2^nd place in the league and in good form to take on FA Vase semi finalists Kirkham & Wesham in Tuesday night’s League cup semi final 2^nd Leg at Kirkham Kellamergh Park ground in Warton, Preston. The tie is perfectly poised after the 0-0 draw in the first leg two weeks ago and will kick off at 7.45pm

Meanwhile Ashton’s reserves also secured 3 points against Atherton LR Reserves as goals from Joe Evans, James Deane and Kev Kynaston gave them a well earned 3-1 win.