Ryder Hat trick sinks Nelson

Saturday 11^th October 2008

Vodkat Cup Round One

Nelson FC 2 Ashton Athletic 3 AET

Two late spot kicks in extra time by Will Ryder secured Ashton Athletic a second round place in the Vodkat League Cup with a 3-2 win at Nelson FC on Saturday.

It was however Nelson that got off to a flying start when Chris Clarkson headed them in front from Chris Ogunyode's superb cross after only two minutes.
Nine minutes later, however, Ashton equalised when Will Ryder struck a free kick just inside the post while Nelson were still organising their defensive wall.
Chances came at both ends and Steve Bennett's header struck the top of the Nelson crossbar following a corner after 18 minutes before Chris Ogunyode's free kick was fisted off the goal-line at the other end by Ashton keeper Joe Brobbin.

Following a somewhat cautious first half, the action stepped up a gear after the interval with some excellent flowing football on display from both teams. Daniel Parker saw a good effort turned over the bar after he slipped past the Ashton defence on 50 minutes.
But, two minutes later, only an instinctive one handed save by Billy Carrington kept a glancing header from Dave Sherlock out of the Nelson net. Carrington came to the rescue of his team again team with a finger tip save from a Will Ryder chip after a terrific defence splitting pass by Simon Gallanders.

Chris Ogunyode saw his curling free kick knocked away from the bottom corner by Joe Brobbin before Martin Payne got in on the act cutting in from the right but shooting off target. Ashton’s Adam White drove a shot across the Nelson goal, hitting the far post and rebounding to striker Dave Sherlock, but he could only steer his instinctive volley wide of the post.
It was end to end stuff as both sides introduced fresh legs and Nelson’s Martin Payne's low-cross shot almost found Ogunyode at the far post after 78 minutes but Ashton skipper Steve Rothwell knocked it behind at the expense of a corner and then keeper Joe Brobbin managed to block Ogunyode's shot from a tight angle shortly afterwards.
Paul Crorken shot wide after a good build up by Lee Kershaw and Alex Mugan before Ashton substitute Paul Hynes broke clear at the other end but pulled his shot across the Nelson goalmouth from a great scoring chance.

When the game went into 30 minutes extra time Nelson again got off to a flyer. Martin Payne cut in again from the right wing and unleashed found the top corner with a spectacular left foot shot to restore the Blues' the lead on 91 minutes.
Nelson’s best opportunity to put the match beyond Ashton’s reach fell to Lee Kershaw when he burst through into the penalty area but drove a low shot beyond the far post.
In the second period of extra time, Nelson were again undone by a quick free kick as Will Ryder was played in and as he burst into the penalty area a tired challenge by Martin Payne up ended Ryder and resulted in a penalty for Ashton. Ryder scored from the spot to level the scores once again on 109 minutes.

Three minutes later, with the visitors pushing forward for the winner, Craig Redhead's late tackle brought down Paul Hynes and Ashton were awarded their second penalty. Once again Will Ryder drove in the spot kick to put the visitors in front for the first time in the game. Ashton held on comfortably with some controlled football to go through to the next round of the cup, and a home tie with Abbey Hey FC

Ashton get back to League action on Tuesday night with a home match against Formby FC, 7.45 kick off at Brocstedes Park.

Ashton’s reserves improving form continued on Saturday and after last week’s 3-2 away win at Cheadle Town, backed it up with a solid performance against league leaders Padiham FC. Two early strikes from Kev Kynaston gave Ashton the lead before Padiham fought back to earn a 2-2 draw.