Sharpe double secures Wigan Cup semi final date for Ashton

Monday 7th April 2008 - Wigan Cup Quarter final

AAFC 3 Newburgh United 0

Two strikes either side of halftime from Richard Sharpe followed by a smart finish from Simon Gallanders put Ashton through to the semi final of the Wigan Cup and a date with near neighbours Garswood who saw off Digmoor FC in their quarter final.

A spirited and talented Newburgh team pushed the home side to the limit and the Ashton back line had to be on their toes to repel some smart attacking plays on the break particularly through the lively Gary Thomas.
Adam White volleys narrowly wide
Ashton dominated possession throughout the first half hour and a superb Adam White volley fizzed across the face of goal and narrowly wide from 25 yards out. The newburgh defence were working over time to repel the waves of ashton attacks and crosses into the box with centre half Andy Birks outstanding for the visitors, and experienced keeper Eric Tyler a steadying influence.

Newburgh were restricted to the odd break away which the Ashton defence coped with comfortably. The Ashton pressure finally brought its reward when a corner was half cleared to Mike Johnson whho returned the ball into the box and a flick from Paul Mcveigh found Sharpe 3 yards out who finished clinically.

Sharpe in the thick of it throughout

Newburgh doubled their efforts and some slack ashton passing out of defence presented the visiotrs with two great chances to draw level as first Barry Burchall was put through by skipper Ash Charnock but he could only steer hi shot wide. Then the speedy Gary Thomas for once out paced the Ashton defence and one on one with keeper Andy Hewitt his effort was well blocked. HT 1-0

Ashton stared the second half on the front foot forcing an early corner and an almost identical incident as the first goal produced Ashton's second. A Sherlock coner could only be half cleared to Mike Johnson who lobbed the ball back inot the danger area and again Paul McVeigh was on hand to help on the ball to the unmarked Richard Sharpe who turned the ball into the goal.

To their credit Newburgh kept at it but the Ashton defence was in mean mood and denied the underdogs any clear sight of goal.


Meanwhile going forward the introduction of substitutes, Mark Court, Joe Evans and Simon Gallanders pepped up the Ashton attack and a number of good chances to increasee the lead where squandered before Evans combined with Gallanders to set him free down the left and as the keeper advanced Gallanders slid the ball into the net to make the match safe for Ashton, and guarantee a semi final to be played in the next few weeks.



Gallanders skips past the last defender and grabs Ashton's 3rd

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