Ashton bow out of Vodkat cup

Saturday 8^th November 2008

Vodkat League Cup round 2

Ashton Athletic 2 Abbey Hey 3 AET

Ashton crashed out of the League Cup in extra time with a lacklustre performance, and despite a brace of goals from Kevin Kynaston. The visitors were gifted their first goal after 8 minutes as an attempted quick free kick back fired, intercepted by John Maylett who released Alex Monde-Leke through on goal and one on one he made no mistake poking the ball past Joe Brobbin in the Ashton goal.

Ashton fought back and despite a strangely laboured performance after two victories on the bounce, finally started asking questions of the Abbey Hey defence. Ashton lost Dave Sherlock with a knock to the ankle resulting in a re organisation of the team with Gallanders moving wider and Adam White coming into the midfield. Ashton started to get a foothold in the game and after a period of pressure Kev Kynaston latched onto a Chris Lawton flick header at the back post to equalise for the home side. HT 1-1

A knock sustained at the end of the first half by sub White meant further enforced Changes for Ashton with the lively Joe Evans entering the fray. His impact was almost instant rising superbly at the far post and heading a Chris Lawton free kick back across goal for Kev Kynaston whose effort was mistimed, allowing the defence to clear.

Midway through the second half Ashton were at last getting to grips with the game and got due reward as a great through ball by Chris Lawton put Kynaston clear on goal and a toe poke underneath the advancing keeper rolled into the empty net.

Kynaston bags a brace

Although not playing fluently Ashton seemed comfortable until a free kick in the 7^th minute taken from distance was driven into the box by Ashley Brown. A moment’s hesitation by Ashton keeper Brobbin allowed Heffernan to steal in ahead of his marker and the keeper to head home from 3 yards out. As extra time loomed Lawton almost won the game for Ashton but his scrambled effort was cleared off the line.

In extra time Abbey Hey struck the killer blow in the 6^th minute of extra time as another cross from the left reached Doherty on the penalty spot who evaded his would be marker to steer the ball past stranded keeper Brobbin. Ashton struggled for the rest of the game recover the position and Kev Kynaston almost saved the day but his effort from 8 yards out was kept out by a finger tip save by Abbey keeper who deflect it over the bar in the dying seconds. FT 2-3

Ashton must put the disappointing performance and result behind then as they are back in cup action this Tuesday with a Coop sponsored Lancashire Cup tie at home to AFC Blackpool 7.45pm KO. Then next Saturday another crucial home league match against Winsford United 3pm KO.

Meanwhile the Reserves were denied all 3 points by a controversial penalty decision which allowed Glossop North End to equalise late in the game. The 3-3 draw was still a good away point against one of the stronger teams in the league, with Ashton’s goals scored by Mike Rhead, Dale Sealey and Ben Cartwright.