AshtonAthletic 2 AFC Liverpool 1

The friendly arranged at short notice on Tuesday night produced a competitive match for the respective players from both teams, whether it be players gaining match fitness after returning from injury and others staking a claim for a first team place in the busy months ahead.

The first half got off to fast start with chances at both ends but both sides up for it, then after 28 minutes Paul Townshend turned sharply in the box to break through the back line only to be up ended by a defender. Referee Leach waved play on despite the protests.

This proved to be a short reprieve for the visitors as a superb free kick delivery by Tom Potter found Joe Evans beyond the far post. A clever header back across goal hit the opposite post and sat up kindly for Martin Rigby who headed the ball home from 3 yards. Ashton the lead maintained the lead until the half time break.

Ashton continued to press forward after the break and were unlucky not to have increased the lead as tom Potter followed in a long range effort which rebounded off the bar but the high bounce caused Tom Potter to volley over the bar.

After 53 minutes AFCL started to press and from a corner a half clearance came out to Matt Cushion just inside the box and although full power was not put into the shot the ball evaded a would be clearer and rolled into the bottom corner to level the scores.

Both sides introduced their substitutes throughout the half, and it was Ashton's Ben Cartwright that grabbed the winner latching on to a mix up in the AFCL defence to round the keeper and slot the ball home from close range in the 82nd minute.

An excellent work out for the teams, and a decent spectacle for the supporters of both teams.

Both teams go into Vodkat League cup action at the weekend with Ashton entertaining Abbey Hey and AFC Liverpool facing a tough trip to New Mills.