Away Day misery for Ashton.

Saturday 24th January 2009
Vodkat League Premier Division
Congleton Town 5 Ashton Athletic 0


Ashton’s four match winning streak was abruptly ended at Congleton Town on Saturday as they were overpowered by an enthusiastic home side buoyed by the recent return to the Club of their two top scorers from last season, Matt Haddrell and Andy Hurst.

A subdued Ashton rarely made inroads into the Congleton defence with man of the match Wayne Brotherton solid in the heart of the back line repelling all comers, whilst Striker Haddrell out muscled the Ashton back line creating space for his speedy sidekick Hurst.

Haddrell’s presence brought reward in the 23rd minute as he won a deep free kick at the far post, heading across the face of goal to an unmarked Adam Vickers to tap in.

Ashton rallied briefly and Chris Lawton volleyed wide on 30 minutes with Ashton suddenly showing some interest in the match. A driving run by Gaz Peet was stopped by a clip of his heels just inside the box but referee Byrne failed to spot the contact and waved played much to the disbelief of the Ashton contingent.

This proved to be pivotal moment in the match as within 2 minutes Congleton broke down the middle forcing a goalmouth scramble on the edge of the box. With Ashton claiming an infringement by a Haddrell, pulling back a would be defender, the officials again failed to respond and the loose ball fell kindly to Stuart Tulloch who made no mistake with a first time shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The second half got off to the worst possible start for Ashton, as shirt pulling in the box this time off a corner once again went unnoticed by the officials and allowed Brotherton to gain a yard on his marker to win the header from the corner and find Hurst to tap in at the back post.

Ashton continued to work to try to get into the game but it seemed to be one of those days when all endeavours came to nothing against a team on top of their game, as efforts from Paul Prescott, Neil Davies and substitute Kev Kynaston failed to produce any rewards.

This was also highlighted by the Congleton fourth goal in the 72nd minute as a good break down the right produced a good cross that was half cleared by the Ashton defence only to fall all too kindly to substitute Ryan Stewart whose speculative 25 yard first time effort came off as the swerving shot arrowed into the top corner giving Ashton keeper Joe Brobbin no chance.

Ashton battled on gamely but it was Congleton’s day that was capped off in the dyeing minutes as another goal mouth scramble dropped to Steve Millington on the edge of the box who shot through a crowd of players and eluded Joe Brobbin to underline Ashton’s misery.

Despite the loss Ashton hold on to their 7th league position whilst 5th place Congleton, with games in hand, are now well in the hunt for the league runners up spot, behind run away leaders AFC Fylde. Ashton must now re-group for another away trip this time to Flixton FC next Saturday.