Saturday 26th April 2008 - NORTON UNITED 0 ASHTON ATHLETIC 4

NORTON UNITED 0 ASHTON ATHLETIC 4

Vodkat Legaue Division Two

Saturday 26^th April 2008

Ashton travelled to the Potteries on Saturday buoyed by the 5-0 midweek win at Daisy Hill and ran out worthy winners again to strengthen the hold on 5^th place in the Vodkat North West Counties League with a dominant performance against Norton United currently occupying 8^th spot.

Before taking control there was an early wake up call for the Ashton defence as a speculative long ball reached Steven Allen but luckily skipper Mike Burke just got back in time to exert pressure on the striker who lost his balance and tumbled to the ground appealing for a penalty, which was rightly waived away by referee Gary Clewes.

Ashton almost took the lead in the 7^th minute as Richard Sharpe picked up a ball McVeigh flick header 10 yards out but his shot on the turn was gathered by Norton keeper Goodwin. Then 3 minutes later came the breakthrough for Ashton as a corner was only half cleared by Norton and as Danny Burrows shot for goal a Norton defender leaned into the ball with his arm and without any hesitation the referee pointed to the spot. The resultant penalty was duly converted by Paul McVeigh, for his 23^rd goal of the season in all competitions.

Burrows was once again pushing forward and forced Goodwin into a fine reflex save minutes after the goal and then another great passage of play down the Ashton left allowed Burrows to deliver a deep cross that reached Adam white unmarked and his powerful header was turned away by Goodwin at full stretch. White pounced onto the loose ball and crossed the ball only to have his delivery blocked blatantly by the outstretched hand of a Norton defender, however this time the referee failed to react and dismissed the appeals.

Norton were pegged back as Ashton piled on the pressure with McVeigh denied twice by Goodwin with fine saves, whilst a straight forward tap in was cut short as referee Clewes awarded a free kick to Norton after the home keeper had been fouled by his own defender.

Norton only threat to the Ashton goal came from sporadic breaks and set pieces which were all dealt with efficiently by the Ashton back line HT 1-0

Ashton took immediate control again in the second half and a slick move down the left ended with Simon Gallanders finding the feet of Richard Sharpe on the edge of the box and a perfectly set ball to Adam White gave time for him to set his sights and drove the ball into the bottom corner to increase Ashton’s lead in the 51^st minute.

A great through ball by Adam White 6 minutes later broke down the Norton offside trap and Richard Sharpe raced through, rounded the keeper and ran the ball into the empty net for his 6^th goal in his last 6 games, and put the result beyond doubt.

Paul McVeigh then spurned two great chances to increase the score before finally grabbing his second and his team’s fourth goal after 82 minutes, firing home from close range after another good passing moved opened up the Norton defence.

McVeigh, scorer of Ashton's 1st and fourth goals

Norton rarely got past the assured Ashton defence and goalkeeper and even a superb long range effort on the stroke of the final whistle failed to catch out Goalkeeper Hewitt who produced a flying save to ensure a clean sheet.

Ashton move on to 3 games in 5 games to conclude the League programme with home matches on Tuesday against Stone Dominoes, 7.45 KO; Thursday against Cheadle Town7.45 KO and finally sign off against Oldham Town on Saturday 3^rd May 3pm KO

Meanwhile the Ashton Reserve team maintained good form with a comfortable 3-1 win against Cheadle Town reserves, as goals from Pete Tarpey and two from Adam Morris secured the points that moved them up to 9^th spot.

Pictures with thanks and courtesy of celebritypixuk.co.uk and a full set can be viewed by going to www.celebritypixuk.co.uk