Cup success for under 17's

WILF HICKSON CUP QUARTER FINAL

PENLAKE UNDER 18/S - 1
ASHTON ATHLETIC UNDER 17/S - 4

Ashton travelled to Penlake under 18/s in the quarter final of the Wilf Hickson cup. The pitch was in top condition and with a strong squad to choose Ashton approached the game in confident mood
Started very well Ashton passed the ball around on a large pitch and within 5 minutes Josh Taffe raced onto a through ball to narrowly shoot wide. Ashton created another couple of half chances before Penlake realised they were in a game, and with some crunching tackles combined with a bit of intimidation from home side Ashton knew this was going to be a tough game.
After 20 minutes Penlake were on top but the lack of quality in the final 3rd didn’t really threaten our goal. Ashton fought back and from a corner the ball was played out to Ross Sheppard who struck a great left shot onto the crossbar, and from the rebound Jake Leyland was quickest to respond heading the ball into an empty net 1-0.
After a few more tasty challenges from both sides Ashton hit them on the break again After dancing skilfully past 3 challenges, Daniel Ferguson fed Adam Brown with a perfect thru ball and with a good first touch he coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. 2-0
Penlake upped the tempo and nearly replied when their striker shot over the bar, and with more tasty challenges and a bit of pushing and shoving the game became a challenge for the referee to keep control. H/T 2-0

Penlake started fast and furious, knocking the ball around and pinning Ashton back in their own half. A couple of chances came to nothing for Penlake but the home side were in the ascendency.
A foul by an Ashton defender ended up with a free kick being given on the left hand side of the box. Penlake sent everyone forward, and the ball was delivered into a packed penalty area, deceived everybody and ended up in the net. 2-1
This was now a battle, all the Penlake players upped their game, a few more challenges by both teams ended up in a bit of a scuffle which the referee had to sort out. A breakaway down the left sent Adam Brown through on goal again, showing good strength he shrugged the defender off and once again rolled the ball coolly into the net. 3-1
Penlake then pushed 3 strikers up front which played into Ashton’s hands, as open spaces in the home side’s back line allowed Ashton to play effectively on the break.
On one such counter attack, and with 10 minutes to go Josh Taffe made it 4-1 with a cool finish, to kill the enthusiasm of the Penlake players, as their heads went down, Ashton could have increased the margin of victory with better finishing.

However the victory was secured against a tough and committed Penlake team and 1-14 everyone in an Ashton shirt played their part today in a very intimidating game, well done lads. Southport Vulcan in the Semi Final will be even tougher!!