Stamford beat Ashton in the FA Cup

The Daniels beat Ashton United 4-2 to make swift amends for a league defeat at Ashton in September.

Goals from Jordan Smith, Jon Challinor, David Moyo cancelled out Kayde Coppin’s superb early strike and Richard Wesley added a fourth to secure the win late on after Carlos Logan had pulled Ashton back to 3-2 with a deflected shot.

David Staff’s side made a slow start at the Vic Couzens Stadium and were punished for failing to close down Coppin when Ashton’s number 11 unleashed a low 30-yarder that bent around Andrew Stevens in the sixth minute.

It was the first chance of the game but it reflected the visitors’ early pressure. Stamford had been slower to the ball and 18 minutes had passed before Shawn Richards had the home side’s first effort with a low drive that was deflected for a corner.

After that half chance, Stamford began to push forward more and enjoyed a good spell with Northampton loanee Moyo increasingly impressive in first full match for the Daniels. The pacey striker was instrumental in Stamford’s equaliser, creating enough space on the right to whip in a cross which was fumbled by Ashton keeper Paul Phillips directly into the path of Smith who had a simple tap-in in the 38th minute.

Stamford went in front two minutes into added time at the end of the first half. Wesley broke through the middle of the park only to see his shot diverted behind by Ben Richardson but although the corner appeared to have been wasted, Challinor retrieved the ball, beat the covering defender and slipped the ball past Phillips from around eight yards.

Soon after the interval Ashton substitute Matty Burke spurned a good chance to level matters, side-footing his shot the wrong side of Stevens’ upright and not long after Stamford had steamed up the other end to pull further ahead.

Smith and Moyo combined on a swift counter to make it three for the hosts. Smith worked brilliantly on the right to cross for Moyo who turned smartly inside the box to fire low into the bottom left corner six minutes after the break.

Smith, who had fought hard all afternoon, then had a good effort blocked on the break as Ashton enjoyed greater possession. But the visitors, who had beaten Stamfod 2-1 in the league, faced another resilient Stamford defensive display and failed to turn territory into chances until Logan’s deflected shot looped into Stevens’ net.

Ashton continued to push forward and a tense final ten minutes were on the cards until Wesley’s fine midfield performance was rewarded with a late strike. Richards and Moyo combined on the half-way line to tee up Wesley, who charged into space on the left and drove the ball low past the outrushing Phillips to secure Stamford’s passage into the next round.

TEAM

Stamford: Andrew Stevens, Luke Blakely, Nathan Haines, Jack Ashton (Alvin Jarvis), Richard Jones (c), Jon Challinor (Ash Robinson), Shawn Richards, Andrew Burgess, Jordan Smith, David Moyo, Richard Wesley. Subs: Ben Barton, David Staff.

Ashton: Paul Phillips, Ben Richardson, Greg Pearson, Nathanile Kerr, Chris Lynch (c), Ashley Young (Carlos Logan), Gary Gee, Lee Rick (Matty Burke), Martin Pilingkton, Joe O’Neil (Chris Denham), Kayde Coppin. Subs: Osebi Abadaki, Steve Halford.

Rutland Scaffolding Man of the Match: Richard Jones