Ashton Stonewalled
Ashton's rush towards the third league spot stalled on Tuesday night, up against an energetic young Stone Dominoes side that twice came back from behind to take a share of the spoils.
The early exchanges produced some quick quality football from both sides with Ashton's Simon Gallanders coming close, forcing keeper James Hall into a fine save after 5 minutes.
Gallanders then cut in from the left and found Steve Wallace in space on the opposite flank. Wallace reversed the play again with a jinking run beating two defenders and produced a stinging left foot shot that keeper Hall spilled and let through his hands for Ashton's opening goal in the 26th minute.
Stone responded well and soon pulled back on level terms as a superb cross from the right wing reached top scorer Dan Brown free from his marker 8 yards out and he nade no mistake with a bullet header that gave Ashton keeper Hewitt no chance.
As half time approached Richard Sharpe was dragged down as he bore down on goal although the offence went unspotted by referee Jones, his assistant Gardner was on hand to draw attention to the incident, and a penalty was awarded duly dispatched by Paul McVeigh despite the gallant effort of Hall.
Ashton shut up shop early in the second half and struggled to find any momentum to increase the lead whilst Stone probed for the equaliser. After 70 minutes a cross to the back post reached the lively James Curley who just held his run to avoid the offside trap and his finish was incisive hard and low beyond the reach of Hewitt.
Ashton then came out and played putting Stone's young team on the back foot, and should have been awarded two further penalties as first Stone keeper Hall shoved Ashton's Sherlock from the six yard line to the 18 yard line in a fit of anger, and rather strangley referee Jones awarded a free kick inches OUTSIDE the box. Shortly afterwards a blatant hand ball several metres inside the box and had Ashton calling for the decision. When the whistle blew to everyone's surprise the referee awarded another free kick inches out side the box again.
The decisions spurred on the home side into greater efforts but were denied 3 clear one on one's with the keeper by the assistant referees offside flag when it seemed that the runs from deep had been timed to perfection.
Then with seconds left Dave Sherlock cut in from the left and unleashed a great shot that Hall saved at full strecth to earn his side a point. FT 2-2
Ashton must push on to Thursday and secure ALL THREE points against Cheadle Town if the prospect of third spot is to be forced to a showdown with Oldham Town on Saturday.
The early exchanges produced some quick quality football from both sides with Ashton's Simon Gallanders coming close, forcing keeper James Hall into a fine save after 5 minutes.
Gallanders then cut in from the left and found Steve Wallace in space on the opposite flank. Wallace reversed the play again with a jinking run beating two defenders and produced a stinging left foot shot that keeper Hall spilled and let through his hands for Ashton's opening goal in the 26th minute.
Stone responded well and soon pulled back on level terms as a superb cross from the right wing reached top scorer Dan Brown free from his marker 8 yards out and he nade no mistake with a bullet header that gave Ashton keeper Hewitt no chance.
As half time approached Richard Sharpe was dragged down as he bore down on goal although the offence went unspotted by referee Jones, his assistant Gardner was on hand to draw attention to the incident, and a penalty was awarded duly dispatched by Paul McVeigh despite the gallant effort of Hall.
Ashton shut up shop early in the second half and struggled to find any momentum to increase the lead whilst Stone probed for the equaliser. After 70 minutes a cross to the back post reached the lively James Curley who just held his run to avoid the offside trap and his finish was incisive hard and low beyond the reach of Hewitt.
Ashton then came out and played putting Stone's young team on the back foot, and should have been awarded two further penalties as first Stone keeper Hall shoved Ashton's Sherlock from the six yard line to the 18 yard line in a fit of anger, and rather strangley referee Jones awarded a free kick inches OUTSIDE the box. Shortly afterwards a blatant hand ball several metres inside the box and had Ashton calling for the decision. When the whistle blew to everyone's surprise the referee awarded another free kick inches out side the box again.
The decisions spurred on the home side into greater efforts but were denied 3 clear one on one's with the keeper by the assistant referees offside flag when it seemed that the runs from deep had been timed to perfection.
Then with seconds left Dave Sherlock cut in from the left and unleashed a great shot that Hall saved at full strecth to earn his side a point. FT 2-2
Ashton must push on to Thursday and secure ALL THREE points against Cheadle Town if the prospect of third spot is to be forced to a showdown with Oldham Town on Saturday.
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DP at 1:52 PM
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