Under 17's rue missed chances in Lancs cup exit then bounce back in the league

Sunday 11^th October 2008

Lancashire Cup 2^nd Round

Blackburn Lammac U/17 1 Ashton Athletic U/17 0

In a very tight and entertaining game Ashton were unfortunate not to progress to the next round of the competition, with both teams battling hard to win control of the game but it was Lammack who won the match with a well taken fee kick.

After an early goal by Tom Starr was harshly ruled out for off side, the home team started to take control of the midfield area producing some nice football and creating a couple of half chances. The Ashton defence was being organised superbly by the returning Ross Shepard and Lammack were finding it tough to break through. The last 15 minutes of the half belonged to Ashton and with a bit more luck in front of goal could have taken the lead. H/T 0-0

Five minutes into the 2^nd half Martin (Pazza) Latham had to come off with blisters!! And to make things worse, Daniel Ferguson who had been struggling with a leg injury for most of the game couldn’t continue, so after losing a couple of defenders we had to re shuffle with Adam Brown moving back into defence and Josh Pennington coming on into midfield.

Lammack continued to press and were unfortunate not to score when goalkeeper Anthony Burns made a good double save, Back down the other end Ashton could have taken the lead when Tom Haywood from 5 yards out put his shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The Ashton midfield started to gain control andcreated yet another chance when Josh Taffe drifted in from the right wing and somehow blazed the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score. With chances coming and going at both ends extra time was looming.

Both teams continued to press forward and Lammack were rewarded when they won a free kick 20 yards from goal. A well placed strike flew into the top corner of the goal.to give the Blacburn team the lead 1-0

With the clock ticking away, Ashton still created another couple of chances to draw level or even sneak a win, but it was not going to be and full credit to both teams who produced a very entertaining game, and good luck to Lammack in the next round.

Sunday 18^th October 2008

South Lancs League

Horwich U/17s - 1 Ashton Athletic U/17s - 4

Back to winning ways this week with a battling performance against a good Horwich side.

Ashton started the game well with some neat touches between the midfield and attack and created a couple of half chances, but the Horwich defence stood firm.

Horwich looked dangerous on the counter attack with both wingers causing problems for our full backs. From another attack Horwich should have taken the lead when a great cross was delivered into the box but the striker put it wide.

Ashton, with Jake Leyland and Daniel Barton starting to control the midfield forced Horwich onto the back foot with a couple of corners and long shots. Then, from a long throw by Daniel (Rory) Ferguson, Jake Leyland flicked it into the top corner with a good header 0-1.

Ashton continued to press and 10 minutes before half time Connor Callian was brought down in the penalty box by the Horwich goalkeeper. Up stepped Daniel Barton to coolly send the goalie the wrong way 0-2.

Horwich up their game and had another chance to score, but goalkeeper Anthony Burns made a good save. After a couple of unsavoury tackles from both sides the referee had to have strong words with a number of players and both teams were lucky not to have a player sent off. H/T 0-2

Horwich started the 2^nd half on top and were rewarded when they won a free kick just inside the Ashton half. The free kick was floated in, Ashton’s defence went to sleep, and the Horwich player headed into the top corner 1-2.

The goal made Horwich believe they could get something from the game and they had a few chances to equalise, but credit to the defensive duo Ross Shepard and Martin (Pazza) Latham we looked strong.

Back on the attack we had a couple more chances to score with Tom Starr, who was having a quiet game hit the post. With the introduction of the substitutes we started to control the game, and with 15 minutes to go Adam Brown got on the end of a good move to score with low drive from 15 yards out 1-3.

This was now game over for Horwich who let their heads drop, with 5 minutes left Tom Starr jinked his way past a couple of defenders and slotted into the bottom corner of the net 1-4.

This was a good game from start to finish with Horwich playing their part, but Ashton started and ended the game better and deserved all 3 points which moves the team up to fourth spot.