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Robins Return To Cup Action

Robins Return To Cup Action

Steve Hobson31 Oct 2014 - 20:07
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James Burch looks at the weekend's FA Trophy clash with Buxton.

Ashton United take a break from Evo-Stik League Northern Premier action as they travel to The Silverlands stadium to face high flying Buxton in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round. United who have won four of their last five in the league will be looking to overcome the Bucks and make an advance on the pathway to Wembley.

United have begun to keep things tight at the back and are scoring goals more frequently with last season’s top goalscorer Martin Pilkington netting his first goal since August in Tuesday night’s win against top of the table Skelmersdale United. In the bigger picture the Robins have only lost two of their last twelve in the league, but in the cup it has been a different story. Already out of the FA Cup, Paul Phillip’s and Steve Halford will be looking to progress against a strong side in the FA Trophy to keep the side running on more than one front going into the Christmas period.

Buxton on the other hand are managed by Scotsman Martin McIntosh. In the same league as Ashton they currently sit 2nd in the table on thirty four points. The Derbyshire based side have been free scoring this year with Liam Hardy and Shaun Tuton getting twenty one of their sides thirty three goals this campaign. However of late they have faltered recently winning only two of their last five games averaging only a goal a match in the process. The sides have already met this season at Hurst Cross when a late Buxton equaliser made sure the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Co-manager Paul Phillips knows that Saturdays game will be difficult, especially after two home games on the bounce and told the website; “To be honest the cup game comes at a bad time for us. We want to win the game and carry on the good momentum but the bread and butter is the league and after winning four of our last five Steve and I are pushing for promotion to the Conference North.”

Phillip’s is a big admirer of the way that Buxton have played this season and spoke kindly of this weekend’s opponents; “They have been top and second all season long and have created a really strong team. They have good experience in the team and a few top goal scorers which is what you need at this level of the game. I was at Buxton when I was 18 and the support is top notch and I expect there to be a good crowd on Saturday.”

Manager of the Bucks, McIntosh has seen and done a lot during his time in the game and Phillip’s is looking forward to coming head to head with the former Stockport County and Rotherham United man; “Martin is a really nice bloke. He has had experience playing and managing at the highest level and I will be looking forward to chatting to him again on Saturday to tap into his knowledge. Martin and his assistant Tim Ryan have both done it all during their playing days and it is no coincidence that they have brought Buxton so high up in the league.”

On the back of Tuesday night’s win over Skelmersdale United, United are now pulling themselves closer and closer to the play-off places as they find themselves six points off with a game in hand over most of their rivals. Phillip’s went on to say; “When you look at the stats we didn’t have a save to make all night. We should have scored more but no disrespect to Skem we won without being too pushed. The back five was solid and Haslam and Robbie Williams came into the side and really impressed me.”

New loanee signing Robbie Williams from Barrow came in for some extra praise from Phillip’s after he helped his new side secure their first clean sheet in over a month against Skelmersdale in the 1-0 victory; “Having that many caps under your belt in the conference makes him a real coup for us. We have some young lads in defence and having someone with the calibre that Robbie brings is invaluable for us.”

Going into the weekends FA Trophy game Ashton United have a few players coming back into contention. Midfielders Lee Rick and Matthew Chadwick are set to return to training in the next few days and Martin Hill is not far away from being back to full-fitness. The only definite absentee is Greg Pearson and the Robins will be looking to go through to the second qualifying round of the trophy that is currently held by now league side Cambridge United.

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