Ashton got the better of a high-scoring encounter to get their season off to a winning start. The visitors were the first to strike however as a ball played back into the area by Shaw was volleyed superbly over the advanced Smith by Mettam. The equaliser arrived on 20 mins as Mulholland pulled the ball back for returning striker Deegan to finish easily. The Robins moved ahead 5mins later as Frost pulled the ball back from the byline for former captain Robinson to convert.

Town were back on terms with 3 mins of the half remaining as a cross from the left by McDonald was headed back across goal by King for Mettam to apply the finish from close range and they moved back into the lead on the stroke of halftime as Holden flicked the ball through for Towers to provide an easy finish. The first half scoring was still not over as in injury time Peers made a break down the middle and played in Burns who was fouled by Ludlam and converted the spot kick himself.

The pace understandably slackened in the second half but after a quarter of an hour the hosts regained the lead as Mulholland pulled the ball back to Frost whose effort was just saved by Bastock but Deegan was on hand to finish from close range. Ashton made the game safe with 3 mins left as sub Barlow was played in by Peers and provided a fine finish to make the game safe.

Ashton: Smith, Frost, Caldecott, Beattie, Robinson, Lynch (captain), Mulholland (Kosylo), Burke, Burns (Barlow), Deegan, Peers