Match Report: Bacup Borough 5-0 Ashton Athletic
A challenging afternoon saw Ashton Athletic fall 5-0 to a formidable and well-organized Bacup Borough side. Despite the heavy defeat, there were positives for The Yellows to take from the match.

In the first half, Ashton Athletic showed promise and were unlucky to be trailing 1-0 at halftime. Bacup's opening goal came from a well-executed set piece, the only breach in what was otherwise a solid defensive display by Ashton. Jack Smith came agonizingly close to equalizing, striking the post, while other chances went begging. The defensive trio at the back, along with the wing-backs, kept Bacup at bay for long periods and looked threatening going forward.

Bacup's defence was particularly impressive, with No. 5, Malachi Clarke, standing out as the pick of the bunch.

The second half, however, was a different story. Ashton struggled to maintain their first-half momentum and found themselves pinned back, often resorting to long balls to relieve the pressure. Bacup took full control of the game, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. While the final scoreline of 5-0 may have been harsh on Ashton given their first-half performance, there is no denying Bacup's superiority on the day.

Ashton Athletic will look to bounce back quickly as they host Maghull at Brocstedes Park on Tuesday night. Kickoff is at 19:45, and the team will be eager to put this defeat behind them and secure a positive result in front of their home fans.

Starting XI
1 Joe Beswick
2 Conal Larkin
3 Ethan Pearce
4 Chris Cottington
5 Dean Curtis
6 Calum Wilson
7 Marcus Giglio - Man of the Match
8 Niall Partridge
9 Deklan Hill
10 Daniel Hutchins
11 Jack Smith

Substitutes: Joshua Nicholson, Joe White, Emmanuel Ujahchuku, Nathan Beca, Kingston David.

Attendance 165.
Photograph taken by Nicola Cain

Season Opener: Bacup Borough vs. Ashton Athletic Preview
As the curtain rises on the North West Counties Division One North, let's hope football fans are in for a thrilling season opener between Bacup Borough and Ashton Athletic. The stage is set at the Brian Boys West View Stadium, with kick off scheduled for 3 pm on Saturday, July 27th.

Bacup Borough enter this fixture with a point to prove, eager to capitalise on their home advantage. The previous encounter between these two sides ended in a stalemate, with a 1-1 draw on April 6th at Ashton's Brocstedes Park. In that clash, Ashton took the lead through Conal Larkin's brilliant solo effort in the 56th minute, only for Bacup to level the score in the 70th minute despite being reduced to 10 men. Bacup’s resilience was on full display, and they will be keen to start the season on the front foot.

On the other hand, Ashton Athletic has shown promising form in their pre-season campaign. Victories against an FC United eleven (2-1) and Burscough (3-1) have given the Yellows a confidence boost heading into this match. Their attacking prowess and solid defensive work will be crucial as they aim to kick off their campaign with a win.

Both teams have bolstered their squads with new signings over the summer, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle, with both sides eager to claim early bragging rights and set a positive tone for the season ahead.

As the excitement builds, both sets of fans will be watching closely to see which team can seize the initiative in what promises to be an entertaining and closely contested affair.

Kick Off is 3pm

Ground: Brian Boys West View Stadium
Address: Cowtoot Lane, Blackthorn, Bacup, Lancashire
Postcode: OL13 8EE
Telephone: 01706 878655