Ashton Athletic put in a determined display on Wednesday night, playing out a hard-fought 0-0 draw against AFC Blackpool in a game that promised plenty but ultimately delivered frustration for both sides.

The Yellows started brightly, controlling possession and dictating the tempo in the opening half. Jack Smith looked sharp up front, constantly pressing the home defence, while Luke Crompton came closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot from the edge of the box that flew just over the bar. Despite some promising attacking play, clear-cut chances were hard to come by, and AFC Blackpool struggled to trouble the Ashton backline, with goalkeeper Joe Beswick enjoying a quiet first half.

After the break, both teams upped the intensity, sensing an opportunity to claim all three points. The game became more open, with efforts from both sides, yet quality in the final third was lacking. Remarkably, despite a combined 23 shots throughout the night—12 from AFC Blackpool and 11 from Ashton—only one effort hit the target, a statistic that summed up the evening’s frustrations.

Ashton will feel they had the better of the play across the 90 minutes, but credit must also go to the defensive discipline of both teams. One major positive for the Yellows was the continued emergence of young talent within the squad. Second-half substitutes Harrison Colton, Oscar Rothwell, and Danny Forrester all made a noticeable impact, with Colton in particular catching the eye with an assured display.

With a break in the fixture list this weekend, Ashton will have time to regroup before facing high-flying Droylsden on March 22nd. In the meantime, supporters can get their football fix as the U21s take centre stage at Brocstedes Park this Sunday, hosting Hyde at noon. Entry is free, and the clubhouse will be open, so get down and show your support for the next generation of Yellows talent.

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 Zach Conway
8 Niall Partridge
9 Jack Smith
10 Emmanuel Ujahchuku
11 Joshua Nicholson

Substitutes: Daniel Forrester, Oscar Rothwell, Harrison Colton, Jason Foulds

Attendance 46

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Five Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
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

*********************************************

Match Preview: North West Counties Division One North
[i]Wednesday, 12th March 2025 – Kick-off: 19:45

In picture is striker Dek Hill receiving his Player of the Month award for February.

Ashton Athletic hit the road once again this Wednesday night for a crucial North West Counties Division One North clash against AFC Blackpool under the floodlights.

Momentum vs. Recovery

The Yellows come into this fixture on the back of an impressive 2-1 victory over Bacup Borough at the weekend, a result that not only secured three valuable points but also showcased the growing confidence within the squad. Jay Foulds’ side has been steadily improving in both performances and results, and they’ll be eager to continue that upward trajectory.

In contrast, AFC Blackpool will be looking to regroup after suffering a 4-0 defeat away at Maghull. That result marked back-to-back losses for the hosts following a previous defeat to local rivals Ashton Town, halting the momentum of what had been a strong run of four consecutive wins.

Neck-and-Neck in the Table

Heading into this fixture, just goal difference separates the two teams. AFC Blackpool sit in 10th place with 41 points from 28 games, while Ashton Athletic are 11th with the same tally from 29 matches. A win for either side would not only provide a significant confidence boost but also help them push further up the league standings as the season reaches its final stretch.

A Tight Encounter in Store

On paper, this one looks set to be a tightly contested affair. Blackpool will be determined to bounce back on home soil, while Ashton will be hoping to build on their weekend success. In a league as competitive as this, form can change in an instant, and with both sides eager to claim all three points, we’re in for an entertaining showdown.

As always, we appreciate your incredible support—if you can make the journey to The Mechanics Ground, your backing could make all the difference!

Come On You Yellows!

Ground: Mechanics Ground
Address: Jepson Way, off Common Edge Road, Blackpool, Lancashire
Postcode: FY4 5FH
[/i]