Match Preview

Halesowen Town vs Ashton United
Saturday 8th October 2016
Evo Stik League Northern Premier Division
Kick Off: 3pm
The Grove

By Joel Sanderson-Murray

Twelve games into the season and it is difficult to see just whereabouts Ashton United are in terms of the quality of their team and what the squad can look to achieve for the forthcoming season.

Pre-season brought with it expectations, more than hope, of a promotion push. However those aspirations may have been slightly ruffled due to the disjointed events that have taken place so far at Hurst Cross in the early months of the season.

The departures of joint-managers Steve Halford and Paul Phillips brought with it upheaval, with a number of players following the former managers to Stalybridge Celtic. New joint managers have been moved in, in the shape of Jody Banim and Will Haining, but it has not been a smooth introduction to football management with the new managers having to deal with a host of injuries to players inflicted on the United squad.

Last Saturday brought some respite for Ashton as they got back to winning the ways in the league through a 3-0 home win over Coalville Town. This unfortunately for United supporters could not be followed by a win in the Ashton derby in midweek, with The Robins going down 3-0 to Curzon Ashton in the cup.

Banim and Haining will be hoping that an obstacle has been overcome in the league going into Saturday afternoon’s clash with Halesowen Town, which could prove to be a tricky trip to the midlands for Ashton United.

Halesowen currently sit in the bottom half of the table, in 17th position on 12 points but are unbeaten in their last four league matches.

The Robins will be hoping to draw on some of their form from their last trip to The Grove after coming away with a 2-1 win last season.

Probable Line-up: T.Smith, Smalley, Lofthouse, Mason, Cowan, Lees, R.Smith, Dorney, Gaskell, Banim, Dyche