Bennett blasts Cheadle.

Steve Bennett produced a superb first half display blitzing Cheadle with a hat trick, including 2 superb headed goals and was unfortunate not to have increased his tally even further.

As early as the third minute Bennet burst through and crashed a volley against the underside of the bar, but the ball was adjudged not to have crossed the line and was cleared to safety.
Steve Bennett on top form with a first half hat trick

A great through ball by Dave Sherlock found Bennett free again after 8 minutes and this time he made no mistake tucking the ball away after rounding the keeper.

Bennett then turned provider with a deep cross that found Danny Burrows, whose shot was blocked but the rebound reached Paul McVeigh who finished clinically into the top corner.

Cheadle tried to get a foot hold in the game with committed work rate but could not get a sight on goal and only a long range effort by Adam Robberts forced Ashton keeper Andy Hewitt into action.

As half time approached Bennett struck again with Dave Sherlock once again the provider with two great crosses onto the head of the advancing Bennett that both ended up in the back of the net and gave Ashton a comfortable lead at the break.

Ashton stayed on the front foot early in the half and Sherlock almost got on the goal sheet with a powerful shot from 25 yards that skimmed past the post with Cheadle keeper stranded.

Substitute Richard Sharpe then burst through and unleashed a venomous shot from 25 yards that flew into the top corner, again giving keeper O'Keefe no chance in the 72nd minute.

Full credit to Cheadle who kept at it and denied any further clear cut chances and sub Adi James should have opened his teams account but shot wide from just inside the box in the 85th minute.

A resounding win for Ashton that sets up Saturday's 3rd place decider against Oldham Town, 3pm KO