Vodkat Premier Division
Saturday 2nd May 09
New Mills 1 Ashton Athletic 0
On Saturday Ashton travelled to Derbyshire to face title chasing New Mills in their last league match of the season, looking for 3 points that would secure a 6th place finish.
It was however the home side that maintained their push for the top spot adding to an impressive 20 wins in consecutive matches before today’s match. A Matty Smith strike early in the second half settled this game and forced a title decider next weekend when the Millers will travel to second placed AFC Fylde three points to the better but with an inferior goal difference so a win from the home side would snatch the title away from New Mills.
An excellent match was however soured by a serious facial injury to Ashton Club Captain Steve Rothwell, midway through the second half as an aerial clash with Millers centre forward Matty Smith led to Rothwell having to leave the field with a fractured Cheekbone. A disappointing end to a terrific season for Rothwell, and even more as the game also marked the last in a distinguished playing career for the Ashton veteran defender.
Ashton started the brighter of the two teams as the Millers made a nervy start in front of a bumper Bank Holiday weekend crowd and showed commitment and determination throughout the match, typified by Rothwell who recovered from earlier knocks in the first half from the giant Millers striker Smith.
Dave Sherlock, Jon Bathurst Simon Gallanders and Kev Kynaston all looked lively against the hesitant home defence, as Ashton midfield duo Adam White and Neil Davies took the game by the scruff of the neck in the early stages. Gradually however New Mills worked their way into the game with the ever threatening Carlos Meakin driving his side forward. The Ashton defence was forced into overtime on several occasions, with the back four and keeper Alan Fitzpatrick in top form to repel the attacks.
New Mills did have the ball in the back of the net just before half time as Matt Smith pulled the ball back from the dead ball line for Gary Kharas to finish but the linesman rightly adjudged that the ball had crossed the line for a goal kick, taking the teams in at the break all square.
The second half got underway with both teams seeking the breakthrough but it was the home side that struck when in the 56th minute Garry Kharas collected a Carlos Meakin through ball and although looking marginally offside no flag came. A superb finger tip save at the feet of Kharas by keeper Alan Fitzpatrick denied the Millers top scorer, but his partner Matty Smith followed up to tuck the ball into the net despite the best efforts of Ashton skipper Mike Burke.
Moments later Rothwell was felled by a stray elbow from Smith which disrupted Ashton for a while but as soon as replacement Mike Winer got to the pace of the game Ashton settled back into their stride and started to exert pressure on the Millers back line. The introduction of powerful striker Carl Grimshaw for the last 15 minutes almost brought dividends for Ashton and as the game went on the nerves started to affect the home side again. In the last throws of the game Ashton almost caused an upset as David Sherlock was twice denied by the upright after finding time and space in the penalty area, with keeper Liam Higginbottom well beaten.
So New Mills move on to a cup final date against Runcorn on Tuesday night before their title decider next weekend at AFC Fylde. Meanwhile Ashton, at the end of a terrific first season at this level of non league football must settle for the 7th League spot unless, playing catch up, Bacup Borough drop 4 points in their last 3 games and if they do Ashton will retain 6th spot.
PHOTOS APLENTY AVAILABLE FOLLOWING THE FOLLOWING LINK - www.newmillsafc.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album44
The season, unfortunately over for Steve Rothwell is not for his team who will now prepare for a Cup final date on Sunday 10th May 2009 in the Atherton Charity Cup. The opposition will be Westhoughton Rangers at Atherton Collieries’ Alder Street Ground, 2pm Kick off and Ashton will be hoping to retain the trophy for the third year in succession.
Ashton’s reserves signed off their league season in a 2-2 home draw against Chadderton, with goals from Paul Hynes and Ben Cartwright. The result guarantees the team a 6th place finish, and possibly even 5th spot if Padiham lose their last 2 games against title chasing Bootle and New Mills.
The reserves also have a Cup final date to look forward to on Tuesday 12th May when they will face the winners of the outstanding semi final between Atherton LR and Glossop in a 7.45pm kick off at Brocstedes Park, Ashton.
Saturday 2nd May 09
New Mills 1 Ashton Athletic 0
On Saturday Ashton travelled to Derbyshire to face title chasing New Mills in their last league match of the season, looking for 3 points that would secure a 6th place finish.
It was however the home side that maintained their push for the top spot adding to an impressive 20 wins in consecutive matches before today’s match. A Matty Smith strike early in the second half settled this game and forced a title decider next weekend when the Millers will travel to second placed AFC Fylde three points to the better but with an inferior goal difference so a win from the home side would snatch the title away from New Mills.
An excellent match was however soured by a serious facial injury to Ashton Club Captain Steve Rothwell, midway through the second half as an aerial clash with Millers centre forward Matty Smith led to Rothwell having to leave the field with a fractured Cheekbone. A disappointing end to a terrific season for Rothwell, and even more as the game also marked the last in a distinguished playing career for the Ashton veteran defender.
Ashton started the brighter of the two teams as the Millers made a nervy start in front of a bumper Bank Holiday weekend crowd and showed commitment and determination throughout the match, typified by Rothwell who recovered from earlier knocks in the first half from the giant Millers striker Smith.
Dave Sherlock, Jon Bathurst Simon Gallanders and Kev Kynaston all looked lively against the hesitant home defence, as Ashton midfield duo Adam White and Neil Davies took the game by the scruff of the neck in the early stages. Gradually however New Mills worked their way into the game with the ever threatening Carlos Meakin driving his side forward. The Ashton defence was forced into overtime on several occasions, with the back four and keeper Alan Fitzpatrick in top form to repel the attacks.
New Mills did have the ball in the back of the net just before half time as Matt Smith pulled the ball back from the dead ball line for Gary Kharas to finish but the linesman rightly adjudged that the ball had crossed the line for a goal kick, taking the teams in at the break all square.
The second half got underway with both teams seeking the breakthrough but it was the home side that struck when in the 56th minute Garry Kharas collected a Carlos Meakin through ball and although looking marginally offside no flag came. A superb finger tip save at the feet of Kharas by keeper Alan Fitzpatrick denied the Millers top scorer, but his partner Matty Smith followed up to tuck the ball into the net despite the best efforts of Ashton skipper Mike Burke.
Moments later Rothwell was felled by a stray elbow from Smith which disrupted Ashton for a while but as soon as replacement Mike Winer got to the pace of the game Ashton settled back into their stride and started to exert pressure on the Millers back line. The introduction of powerful striker Carl Grimshaw for the last 15 minutes almost brought dividends for Ashton and as the game went on the nerves started to affect the home side again. In the last throws of the game Ashton almost caused an upset as David Sherlock was twice denied by the upright after finding time and space in the penalty area, with keeper Liam Higginbottom well beaten.
So New Mills move on to a cup final date against Runcorn on Tuesday night before their title decider next weekend at AFC Fylde. Meanwhile Ashton, at the end of a terrific first season at this level of non league football must settle for the 7th League spot unless, playing catch up, Bacup Borough drop 4 points in their last 3 games and if they do Ashton will retain 6th spot.
PHOTOS APLENTY AVAILABLE FOLLOWING THE FOLLOWING LINK - www.newmillsafc.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album44
The season, unfortunately over for Steve Rothwell is not for his team who will now prepare for a Cup final date on Sunday 10th May 2009 in the Atherton Charity Cup. The opposition will be Westhoughton Rangers at Atherton Collieries’ Alder Street Ground, 2pm Kick off and Ashton will be hoping to retain the trophy for the third year in succession.
Ashton’s reserves signed off their league season in a 2-2 home draw against Chadderton, with goals from Paul Hynes and Ben Cartwright. The result guarantees the team a 6th place finish, and possibly even 5th spot if Padiham lose their last 2 games against title chasing Bootle and New Mills.
The reserves also have a Cup final date to look forward to on Tuesday 12th May when they will face the winners of the outstanding semi final between Atherton LR and Glossop in a 7.45pm kick off at Brocstedes Park, Ashton.
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