Sherlock screamer scuppers Silsden
Ashton Athletic 2 Silsden AFC 1
Vodkat Premier Division
Tuesday 7th April 2009
Ashton posted a 3rd league win in a row on Tuesday night with a terrific 2-1 win against Silsden AFC, the highlight being a 25 yard strike from Dave Sherlock.
In a high pace high quality first half Sherlock struck after 12 minutes when receiving the ball in the centre of the park he put his foot on the ball looked up and powered a shot over Silsden keeper Danny Thorpe into the top corner.
End to end flowing football from both sides had the defences working overtime and it was Ashton that created the clearer chances as Jon Bathurst first had an opportunity in the 15th minute, but he miscued his shot from 12 yards out, and then 5 minutes later put a header inches wide after a superb cross from Simon Gallanders.
On the counter attack Silsden’s Lee Reilly had a sight on goal latching on to a through ball but he dragged his shot wide before a long range effort by Luke Richardson forced Ashton keeper Alan Fitzpatrick into a save.
Sherlock was in the thick of the action looking to improve his tally of 4 goals in 4 games and tested keeper Thorpe in the 30th minute but this time he was up to the challenge and held on to the effort.
As half time approached a defence splitting ball from Neil Davies found Bathurst in behind the Silsden defence but a Thorpe came out his attempted toe poke was read by the keeper who gathered safely.
The second half continued at high tempo as Silsden fought to get back in the game and skipper Martin Packer broke through but his shot was placed wide. Then in the 50th minute Ashton crushed Silsden’s determination when Richard Sharpe pounced onto a mistake by Thorpe to head into an empty net from 6 yards.
With a cup semi final on the horizon for Silsden at the weekend the second goal diluted their enthusiasm for the fight and with the exception of a few long range efforts, dealt with in composed fashion by Ashton keeper Fitzpatrick, failed to seriously threaten the Ashton goal until the last minute of the game.
A head injury to Alan Fitzpatrick in the 89th minute clearly affected the judgement of the Ashton keeper moments later as he tried to come to collect a hopeful free kick into the box at the death. However with bodies in the way he missed his catch and the ball dropped to Lee Reilly who shot toward goal from 14 yards out. Cover defender Chris Lawton attempted to clear the ball off the line but only assisted the ball’s passage over the line for a consolation goal for the visitors.
The win consolidates Ashton’s position in 6th place and now look forward to a home match on Saturday against Atherton Collieries, followed by a game on Easter Monday at Silsden both are 3pm KO.
The previous night an Ashton second string crashed out of the Wigan Cup at the Quarter final stage, deservedly beaten 3-0 by a spirited and hard working Standish St Wilfrids side.
The Ashton reserves are on their travels in the next two matches and face Daisy Hill this Saturday, 3pm KO and then go to Atherton LR Reserves on Tuesday 14th April for a 7.45pm ko.
Vodkat Premier Division
Tuesday 7th April 2009
Ashton posted a 3rd league win in a row on Tuesday night with a terrific 2-1 win against Silsden AFC, the highlight being a 25 yard strike from Dave Sherlock.
In a high pace high quality first half Sherlock struck after 12 minutes when receiving the ball in the centre of the park he put his foot on the ball looked up and powered a shot over Silsden keeper Danny Thorpe into the top corner.
End to end flowing football from both sides had the defences working overtime and it was Ashton that created the clearer chances as Jon Bathurst first had an opportunity in the 15th minute, but he miscued his shot from 12 yards out, and then 5 minutes later put a header inches wide after a superb cross from Simon Gallanders.
On the counter attack Silsden’s Lee Reilly had a sight on goal latching on to a through ball but he dragged his shot wide before a long range effort by Luke Richardson forced Ashton keeper Alan Fitzpatrick into a save.
Sherlock was in the thick of the action looking to improve his tally of 4 goals in 4 games and tested keeper Thorpe in the 30th minute but this time he was up to the challenge and held on to the effort.
As half time approached a defence splitting ball from Neil Davies found Bathurst in behind the Silsden defence but a Thorpe came out his attempted toe poke was read by the keeper who gathered safely.
The second half continued at high tempo as Silsden fought to get back in the game and skipper Martin Packer broke through but his shot was placed wide. Then in the 50th minute Ashton crushed Silsden’s determination when Richard Sharpe pounced onto a mistake by Thorpe to head into an empty net from 6 yards.
With a cup semi final on the horizon for Silsden at the weekend the second goal diluted their enthusiasm for the fight and with the exception of a few long range efforts, dealt with in composed fashion by Ashton keeper Fitzpatrick, failed to seriously threaten the Ashton goal until the last minute of the game.
A head injury to Alan Fitzpatrick in the 89th minute clearly affected the judgement of the Ashton keeper moments later as he tried to come to collect a hopeful free kick into the box at the death. However with bodies in the way he missed his catch and the ball dropped to Lee Reilly who shot toward goal from 14 yards out. Cover defender Chris Lawton attempted to clear the ball off the line but only assisted the ball’s passage over the line for a consolation goal for the visitors.
The win consolidates Ashton’s position in 6th place and now look forward to a home match on Saturday against Atherton Collieries, followed by a game on Easter Monday at Silsden both are 3pm KO.
The previous night an Ashton second string crashed out of the Wigan Cup at the Quarter final stage, deservedly beaten 3-0 by a spirited and hard working Standish St Wilfrids side.
The Ashton reserves are on their travels in the next two matches and face Daisy Hill this Saturday, 3pm KO and then go to Atherton LR Reserves on Tuesday 14th April for a 7.45pm ko.
posted by
DP at 11:04 AM
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