Robins Success On Broadway

Report by Jez Sayle

Ashton travelled to Chadderton for a pre-season warm-up game and, despite the difference in league standings between Ashton and their North West Counties League hosts, The Robins rarely have things all their own way at Broadway - which made the first half showing all the more pleasing for joint managers Paul Phillips and Steve Halford.

An Ashton team consisting mainly of trialists and development squad players were given a flying start when Godwin Abadaki scored within the first ten minutes; the recently signed striker will have gained a lot of confidence from his own performance and duly netted the second to double Ashton's lead on the half hour. Jake Fenton (pictured) is a name to watch out for in the Development Squad and it was he who added the third goal ten minutes later, with a trialist heading home in the final minute of the half to give Ashton a four goal cushion.

Given the game was virtually won by the break, it was little surprise that Ashton eased off in the second period - and a battling Chadderton side never gave up, scoring with 15 minutes left to restore some home pride. Ashton's young keeper Lewis Hindley was worth a mention for an unusual feat - he kept a clean sheet over 90 minutes... playing the first half for Ashton and guesting for Chadderton in the second period.