Saturday 19th April 2008 Ashton Athletic 2 Castleton Gabriels 0

Saturday 19^th April 2008

Ashton Athletic 2 Castleton Gabriels 0

Vodkat League Division 2

Ashton returned to league action on Saturday after the previous weekend’s wash out, when heavy overnight rain in the early hours of Saturday morning flooded the pitch and prevented a ball being kicked in the scheduled clash with Cheadle Town. The absence of league action has seen Ashton drop to fifth place but with 6 games remaining there is still all to play for.

Subsequent Midweek local cup successes against Newburgh United in the Wigan Cup quarter final, and a 4-2 win against Daisy Hill in the second round of the Atherton Cup set things up nicely for Saturday’s league encounter at home against Castleton Gabriels.

The positive mood paid early dividends as Ashton set off at lightening pace pinning back their opponents with some slick passing football. In the third minute a good move down the right set Steve Bennett free and his cross found Simon Gallanders who laid the ball for Mike Johnson to fire low and hard, only to be foiled by a great reaction save by Mark Canning in the Castleton goal.

Richard Sharpe

The early pressure soon paid off though as Richard Sharpe latched onto a great through ball and slid the ball past Canning and into the bottom corner to give Ashton the deserved lead in the 7^th minute. Within 2 minutes the home side doubled the lead as a great cross from skipper Steve Rothwell reached Chris Lawton who hooked the ball into the net from 6 yards out.

Castleton finally responded as Matt Russell picked up a cross field pass and drove the ball inches over the bar and then a similar result from Castleton’s only other worthwhile effort in the first half as Warren Russell fired over from long distance.

Chris Lawton scorer of Ashton's second

The second half saw Castleton muscle up in defence to prevent Ashton from playing freely but should have been reduced to 10 men when after 55 minutes Steve McCann cynically pulled down Steve Bennett from behind inches outside the box, as Bennett was clean though on goal. Referee Mike Bonage gave McCann the benefit of the doubt and brandished a yellow much to the puzzlement of most onlookers; and the resultant free kick came to nothing.

As the second half wore on Ashton thoroughly dominated possession and territory and only the occasional counter attack threatened the Ashton goal, dealt with easily by the Ashton back line. Meanwhile the Castleton defence was creaking as a Richard Sharpe header was blocked on the line, as was a Mike Johnson placed shot in the 82^nd minute. Castleton keeper Canning once again showed his value to his team by saving superbly from a Steve Bennett effort but then was beaten by a cross come shot from Steve Wallace however the effort struck the cross bar and ran away to safety. Several offside decisions all went against Ashton as forward runs were adjudged offside by the assistant referee despite claims to the contrary by the home side and from spectators alike.

A comfortable victory for Ashton and the three points allowed ground to be made up on their fellow promotion hopefuls Oldham Town and Chadderton who both lost.

Ashton’s reserves picked up an away draw at neighbours Ashton Town as a David Senigla strike earned his side a share of the spoils.

Midweek sees Ashton in action again as they face Garswood United in the semi final of the Wigan Cup at Ashton Town’s Edge Green Street ground on Monday 21^st April 6.15pm KO and then on Wednesday a trip to Daisy Hill FC for another crucial League match, 7.45pm KO.