Dissappointing Lancs cup exit for Ashton
It was Ramsbottom United that progressed to the quarter-finals of the LFA Co-Operative Trophy with an extra time victory over Ashton Athletic 5-3 in difficult conditions at The Riverside Ground.
It required two afternoon pitch inspections before the game was given the go-ahead and the going was definately 'heavy'.
Ashton paid the price for a rediculously slow start and within four minutes Ramsbottom were two goals to the good, thanks to prolific striker Andy Sensale.
With the crowd, a meagre 51 - the lowest crowd seen at The Riverside for quite some time - still finding their seats as heavy drizzle hit the ground, Danny English's cross from the left was flicked into the net and the former Prestwich Heys striker doubled the advantage when a flighted ball into the box was nodded in.
He could have had a hat-trick had his powerful shot not been blocked in between his goals but they were caught out as the Ashton finally got a grip of the game.
English was the saviour on 16 minutes when he was on hand on the goal line to keep out a fierce effort from Dave Sherlock and then from a steve wallace free kick Lee eEdmunds put his shot from 10 yards out wide of the post.
sherlock then unleashed a powerful shot that flashed over the bar.
The increased tempo from Ashton finally took its toll when a clumsy challenge on Neil davies by John Blackley allowed Ashton to pull a goal back via the penalty spot - Steve Wallace making no mistake.
And parity was gained on 33 minutes when Ashton poured forward and Neil Davies slid in Paul Hynes f to shoot through the mud, the ball having just enough momentum to cross the line. The visitors did have the ball in the back of the net again as a free kick drifted over Rammy keeper Dryden but it was ruled out for a foul on Dryden much to Ashton's fury as the keeper had already missed the ball.
Just before the break, Andy Dawson saw his attempt tipped over the bar by Lee Novak at full stretch
The second half started as brightly as the first with Sensale going close in the opening minute but his header rocked the bar. It was Ashton, however, who gained the lead on 49 minutes when a great run from defender Gareth Peet set up Wallace, whose shot come cross found Hynes at the back post to grab his second.
unfortunately for Ashton concentration levels again dipped and within a minute Rammy skipper Craig Buckley pounced on the loose ball at the far post and powerfully struck the ball home to make it 3-3.
The rest of the half was played end to end but without much end result as neither side wanted to give anything away and the sides headed into extra time.
With the legs of all 22 players heavy, it was just who would break first and after some sustained pressure and a handful of corners, it was Ramsbottom who were given the break when to the puzzlement of all in attendance the referee spotted an infringement in a crowded Ashton penalty area and John Blackley calmly tucked the penalty away.
Man of the match Neil Davies could have pulled it back for Ashton with his effort at the start of the second extra time period however, with just six minutes remaining, Sensale claimed his second hat-trick of the season. His initial shot was well saved by Novak but Isaac Adams cleverly cleaned up the rebound and fed his strike partner to hit home and book a trip to Skelmersdale United on February 3.
For Ashton a disappointing end to this cup campaign, and having scored 3 times away from home a victory would have been expected. Instead we must rue those defensive lapses and lack of concentration in the opening exchanges and after taking the lead in the second half and work hard to ensure that the mistakes can be rectified.
It required two afternoon pitch inspections before the game was given the go-ahead and the going was definately 'heavy'.
Ashton paid the price for a rediculously slow start and within four minutes Ramsbottom were two goals to the good, thanks to prolific striker Andy Sensale.
With the crowd, a meagre 51 - the lowest crowd seen at The Riverside for quite some time - still finding their seats as heavy drizzle hit the ground, Danny English's cross from the left was flicked into the net and the former Prestwich Heys striker doubled the advantage when a flighted ball into the box was nodded in.
He could have had a hat-trick had his powerful shot not been blocked in between his goals but they were caught out as the Ashton finally got a grip of the game.
English was the saviour on 16 minutes when he was on hand on the goal line to keep out a fierce effort from Dave Sherlock and then from a steve wallace free kick Lee eEdmunds put his shot from 10 yards out wide of the post.
sherlock then unleashed a powerful shot that flashed over the bar.
The increased tempo from Ashton finally took its toll when a clumsy challenge on Neil davies by John Blackley allowed Ashton to pull a goal back via the penalty spot - Steve Wallace making no mistake.
And parity was gained on 33 minutes when Ashton poured forward and Neil Davies slid in Paul Hynes f to shoot through the mud, the ball having just enough momentum to cross the line. The visitors did have the ball in the back of the net again as a free kick drifted over Rammy keeper Dryden but it was ruled out for a foul on Dryden much to Ashton's fury as the keeper had already missed the ball.
Just before the break, Andy Dawson saw his attempt tipped over the bar by Lee Novak at full stretch
The second half started as brightly as the first with Sensale going close in the opening minute but his header rocked the bar. It was Ashton, however, who gained the lead on 49 minutes when a great run from defender Gareth Peet set up Wallace, whose shot come cross found Hynes at the back post to grab his second.
unfortunately for Ashton concentration levels again dipped and within a minute Rammy skipper Craig Buckley pounced on the loose ball at the far post and powerfully struck the ball home to make it 3-3.
The rest of the half was played end to end but without much end result as neither side wanted to give anything away and the sides headed into extra time.
With the legs of all 22 players heavy, it was just who would break first and after some sustained pressure and a handful of corners, it was Ramsbottom who were given the break when to the puzzlement of all in attendance the referee spotted an infringement in a crowded Ashton penalty area and John Blackley calmly tucked the penalty away.
Man of the match Neil Davies could have pulled it back for Ashton with his effort at the start of the second extra time period however, with just six minutes remaining, Sensale claimed his second hat-trick of the season. His initial shot was well saved by Novak but Isaac Adams cleverly cleaned up the rebound and fed his strike partner to hit home and book a trip to Skelmersdale United on February 3.
For Ashton a disappointing end to this cup campaign, and having scored 3 times away from home a victory would have been expected. Instead we must rue those defensive lapses and lack of concentration in the opening exchanges and after taking the lead in the second half and work hard to ensure that the mistakes can be rectified.
posted by
DP at 10:58 AM
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