Ashton topple league leaders

Ashton knocked Glossop North end off the top of the Vodkat Premier League table with a splendid performance filled with quality, effort, and defensive ruthlessness that deservedly took all three points.

The early exchanges saw both teams striving for the upper hand and both defences worked hard to hold at bay. The first clear chance fell to Glossop after 12 minutes when a cross from the right was met by Darren Hamilton but his effort struck the post and rebounded to safety. Two minutes later honours were even in the hard luck stakes as Ashton’s Paul Townshend let fly from the edge of the box but his shot also struck the post and was cleared by a recovering defender.

Ashton had won the battle for dominance and started to exert pressure on the Glossop defence with a series of set plays. A Rothwell long throw reached Mark Court on the edge of the six yard box and his flicked header found Paul Hynes at the back post as his goal bound header was deflected into the empty net giving Ashton a deserved lead in the 22^nd minute.

Hynes nets his first goal for Ashton

Ashton could have increased the lead in the 39^th minute when a superb defence splitting ball by Chris Lawton picked out Hynes whose attempted lob was superbly saved at full stretch by Steffan Fielding in the Glossop goal.

Ashton finished the half on top but could not increase the lead.

The second half saw the introduction by Ashton of Steve Bennett for Paul Townshend and recent signing Will Ryder replacing Mark Court. The changes brought instant reward for Ashton as Will Ryder burst out of the midfield down the left flank, and clear on goal he unleashed a powerful drive that beat keeper Fielding and nestled into the top corner to put the home side 2 up after 48 minutes.

Ryder opens his account for Ashton

Unsurprisingly Glossop upped their game showing greater urgency but could not break down the resolute Ashton defence. Glossop did get the ball in the net towards the end of the game but were correctly denied by the assistant referee’s flag.

As Glossop pressed Ashton looked dangerous on the break with Bennett, Hynes and Evans, all going close to further increasing the lead.

An excellent team display by Ashton which sets things up nicely for next Saturday’s FA Vase tie against Nostell MW FC from Wakefield.