Before diving into Saturday’s thrilling victory, a huge congratulations is in order for Dek Hill, who has been named the North West Counties Division One North Player of the Month for February. His outstanding performances, including five goals last month, have been pivotal for The Yellows. And if that wasn’t enough of a milestone, February also saw Dek and his partner Nicola welcome the birth of their son—a truly unforgettable month for the Hill family!

A Battle of Determination and Grit

With memories of the season opener—a humbling 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bacup Borough—still fresh, Ashton Athletic knew they were in for a tough challenge. But this time, it was a very different story.

The Yellows made an electric start, taking the lead inside just four minutes through a fantastic goal from Emmanuel Ujahchuku. The forward was a constant menace for the Bacup defence, using his blistering pace and strength to unsettle the visitors, who simply couldn’t contain him.

As expected, the game was fiercely competitive, and despite Ashton looking the stronger of the two sides, Bacup found a way back into the contest. Toby Wright converted a 30th-minute penalty, leveling the scoreline somewhat against the run of play. The remainder of the first half was a battle of attrition, with both sides working hard to assert dominance, but neither managing to find a breakthrough before the interval.

Jack Smith Strikes as Ashton Dig Deep

The second half picked up where the first left off, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for control. However, it was Ashton who found the decisive moment. Jack Smith produced a brilliant strike in the 55th minute, rifling the ball past the Bacup goalkeeper to restore The Yellows’ lead.

A third goal would have provided breathing space, but instead, the match remained a tense and tightly contested affair. Bacup pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Ashton’s defensive unit held firm. Luke Crompton, Jack Smith, and captain Josh Nicholson were all exceptional, ensuring the visitors were kept at bay.

As the final whistle blew, Ashton Athletic celebrated a hard-fought victory, securing another valuable three points and continuing their push up the table.

Next Up: A Midweek Trip to AFC Blackpool

There’s little time for rest as The Yellows now turn their attention to a quick turnaround, with an away fixture at AFC Blackpool on Wednesday night.

Player of the Match: Emmanuel Ujahchuku – A superb performance full of power, pace, and relentless energy.

Come on you Yellows!

Starting XI
1 Joe Beswick
2 Conal Larkin
3 Ethan Pearce
4 Joe White
5 Calum Wilson
6 Luke Crompton
7 Jack Smith
8 Zach Conway
9 Deklan Hill
10 Emmanuel Ujahchuku
11 Joshua Nicholson

Substitutes: Nathan Beca, Niall Partridge, Oscar Rothwell, Zakaria Ouaal, Jason Foulds

Attendance 102

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Five Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
12/03/25 AFC Blackpool (A) 19:45
22/03/25 Droylsden (H) 15:00
02/04/25 Darwen FC (A) 19:45
05/04/25 Route One Rovers (H) 15:00
12/04/25 Euxton Villa (H) 15:00

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Match Preview: North West Counties Division One North
Saturday, 8th March 2025 – 3:00 PM Kick-off

Brocstedes Park is set to host another highly competitive North West Counties Division One North clash this weekend as Ashton Athletic welcomes Bacup Borough in what promises to be a closely fought encounter.

The visitors arrive in strong form, currently sitting 9th in the table with 41 points from 28 games. With three wins, a draw, and just two defeats in their last six outings—including an impressive 2-0 victory over promotion contenders Droylsden—Bacup will be full of confidence heading into Saturday’s fixture.

Ashton Athletic, meanwhile, are just three points behind in 11th place, with 38 points from the same number of games. Last weekend’s frustrating 2-1 defeat away at Maine Road was a tough one to take, especially after a dominant second-half display. However, The Yellows will take heart from their last home performance—a well-earned 1-0 victory over high-flying Holker Old Boys—and will be aiming to replicate that level of resilience and quality.

Manager Jay Foulds and his side will be determined to put things right and get back to winning ways in front of the home supporters. With just a handful of games left in the season, every point is crucial, and a strong performance here could be the spark needed to climb the table once more.

With two evenly matched sides going head-to-head, this has all the makings of an exciting contest. Your support, as always, will be invaluable in pushing The Yellows to victory.

Kick-off: 3:00 PM, Brocstedes Park
Stay updated: Check our social media for any matchday updates.

Come on you Yellows!

Ground: Brocstedes Park
Address: Downall Green, Ashton in Makerfield
Postcode: WN4 0NR

Admission prices are set at £6 for adults, £4 for concessions, and £1 for under-16s. Juniors accompanied by adults can enjoy the game for free, making it an affordable outing for families. Additionally, Wigan Athletic and other season ticket holders are eligible for the £4 concession price.

Please note, it's cash only at the turnstile, while the bar and kitchen accept card and contactless payments.