Ashton Athletic 2 Nelson 1

Saturday 9th August 2008

Vodkat League Premier Division

Ashton Athletic got their new season underway after a number of tough friendlies and Goldline Trophy games, playing their first ever game in the Vodkat Premier division, former Football League club Nelson were the visitors to Brocstedes Park.

Ste Bennett early strike gives Ashton Dream start

It took Ashton only 3 minutes to open the scoring when Steve Bennett broke through the Nelson defence and his accurate lob over the keeper dropped perfectly into the empty net off the underside of the cross bar.

Ashton completely dominated the 1st half but were stunned when Nelson launched a rare attack to score the equaliser after 27 minutes as a cross from the right was met at the near post by striker Heap, this after Ashton failed to clear their lines.

However, they picked themselves up and were rewarded for their efforts when they took the lead 2 minutes before the interval. After some good work by Simon Gallanders, with 3 defenders around him, he managed to squeeze the ball through to Jon Ford who raced towards goal and slammed a low, hard drive into the bottom corner.

Ford scores his first Vodkat League goal for Ashton

Nelson did come into the game more in the second half and the crowd was treated to a good, end to end game.Ashton's best chance fell to Ford whose shot from 12 yards ratled against the upright and away to safety. Ashton were also denied 2 good shouts for a penalty but despite this, there was no further scoring and Ashton took all 3 points to give managers Dave Powell and Steve Pilling a perfect start.

After a midweek trip to Formby on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm), this Saturday Ashton travel to Oldham Town for their first ever outing in the F.A.Cup kick off 3 p.m.