First team falter in the League as Reserves make it to Reserve Division Cup Final as
Vodkat Premier Division
Saturday 18th April 2009
Colne FC 3 Ashton Athletic FC 1
Ashton's inconsistent end to the season continued with an away defeat at Colne, a defeat made all the worse by the dismissal of defender Chris Lawton 5 minutes from time for a reckless tackle.
Ashton started slowly and fell behind in the 11th minute as Kieron Roberts beat several Ashton players to the ball in the midfield before releasing Andy Tinker down the left flank. Ashton keeper Clayton was quick to narrow the angle but the superb driven shot arrowed into the bottom corner, beyond Clayton’s reach.
Ashton came to life after the goal and restored parity 3 minutes later. A long ball from Clayton reached striker Jon Bathurst who was first to the bouncing ball heading over the advancing Colne keeper before sliding the ball into the unguarded net.
Unfortunately for Ashton the recovery was short lived as the defence went to sleep on a Colne corner allowing Tinker to grab his second with a close range finish in the 16th minute.
Ashton ploughed forward for the remainder of the half but half chances were not converted and the usually effective attacking set pieces were being repelled with ease by a determined home defence.
The second half saw Ashton very much in the ascendency as the search for a second equaliser of the match intensified, with Colne forced to defend deep and play on the counter attack. However this territorial advantage could not be converted into goals as several efforts from Jon Bathurst, Adam White Dave Sherlock and Neil Davies all failed to find the net, with Colne keeper James Kenyon a composed figure for the home side.
In the final 10 minutes Ashton threw caution to the wind in search of a goal with centre half Chris Lawton pushed forward to add further numbers to the attack. Despite increasing pressure it was however the home team that found the net with a clinical break that allowed substitute Liam Blades to take advantage of Ashton’s depleted defence to score from close range in the 83rd minute.
Ashton’s frustrations peaked as Chris Lawton was shown a red card for a high tackle moments after the Colne 3rd goal leaving Ashton to battle on for the rest of the game with ten men.
Despite the setback Ashton maintain their position in 6th place in the league with two games remaining and are in cup action on Tuesday night as Bolton Lads Club are the visitors to Brocstedes Park for an Atherton Charity Cup quarter final tie, 7.30pm KO. Then it is back to league action as Alsager Town are visitors to Brocstedes Park on Saturday 25th April 3pm KO.
Ashton’s reserve team were celebrating however as they won through to the Reserve Division Cup final with a fine semi final extra time win over New Mills Reserves. A Phil Williams 95th minute strike proved the difference between the sides but the team must wait a while to find out their opponents, as weather affected earlier rounds have yet to be concluded. On Monday evening the Ashton Reserves make the short trip to Atherton Collieries for a league match, 7.45pm KO
Saturday 18th April 2009
Colne FC 3 Ashton Athletic FC 1
Ashton's inconsistent end to the season continued with an away defeat at Colne, a defeat made all the worse by the dismissal of defender Chris Lawton 5 minutes from time for a reckless tackle.
Ashton started slowly and fell behind in the 11th minute as Kieron Roberts beat several Ashton players to the ball in the midfield before releasing Andy Tinker down the left flank. Ashton keeper Clayton was quick to narrow the angle but the superb driven shot arrowed into the bottom corner, beyond Clayton’s reach.
Ashton came to life after the goal and restored parity 3 minutes later. A long ball from Clayton reached striker Jon Bathurst who was first to the bouncing ball heading over the advancing Colne keeper before sliding the ball into the unguarded net.
Unfortunately for Ashton the recovery was short lived as the defence went to sleep on a Colne corner allowing Tinker to grab his second with a close range finish in the 16th minute.
Ashton ploughed forward for the remainder of the half but half chances were not converted and the usually effective attacking set pieces were being repelled with ease by a determined home defence.
The second half saw Ashton very much in the ascendency as the search for a second equaliser of the match intensified, with Colne forced to defend deep and play on the counter attack. However this territorial advantage could not be converted into goals as several efforts from Jon Bathurst, Adam White Dave Sherlock and Neil Davies all failed to find the net, with Colne keeper James Kenyon a composed figure for the home side.
In the final 10 minutes Ashton threw caution to the wind in search of a goal with centre half Chris Lawton pushed forward to add further numbers to the attack. Despite increasing pressure it was however the home team that found the net with a clinical break that allowed substitute Liam Blades to take advantage of Ashton’s depleted defence to score from close range in the 83rd minute.
Ashton’s frustrations peaked as Chris Lawton was shown a red card for a high tackle moments after the Colne 3rd goal leaving Ashton to battle on for the rest of the game with ten men.
Despite the setback Ashton maintain their position in 6th place in the league with two games remaining and are in cup action on Tuesday night as Bolton Lads Club are the visitors to Brocstedes Park for an Atherton Charity Cup quarter final tie, 7.30pm KO. Then it is back to league action as Alsager Town are visitors to Brocstedes Park on Saturday 25th April 3pm KO.
Ashton’s reserve team were celebrating however as they won through to the Reserve Division Cup final with a fine semi final extra time win over New Mills Reserves. A Phil Williams 95th minute strike proved the difference between the sides but the team must wait a while to find out their opponents, as weather affected earlier rounds have yet to be concluded. On Monday evening the Ashton Reserves make the short trip to Atherton Collieries for a league match, 7.45pm KO
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DP at 12:19 PM
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