Ashton registered their fifth draw in the opening 8 matches after an entertaining encounter at Hurst Cross. They made the worst possible start with just 5 minutes on the clock as a long free kick picked out visiting centre forward Oates who controlled superbly before firing a fine finish. An interchange between Roberts-Nurse and Matty Chadwick then led to the latter firing well over before he hammered a free kick wide of the near post.
Midway through the half Chris Baguley fired in a fierce free kick which was punched out by Read back to Baguley whose square pass found Brad Robinson levelling the scores with a tremendous finish into the top corner. Chadwick then picked up a long ball and cut inside before hitting a wayward effort and Lee Rick became the latest player to test the stop netting after a good interception from Garry Gee. As the interval approached Baguley’s fine pass put Chadwick clear but he was denied by a last ditch tackle from Chalmers.
Baguley then fired in a low shot which Read made a meal of before his interception led to Robinson being fouled just outside the area, Baguley’s free kick coming back off the wall before Marsh’s return ball was glanced wide by Bennett. Chadwick then cut inside and finally found his range forcing Read into a tip over for a corner which saw Higgins’ header knocked over the top on the turn by debutant Marsh.
On the break at the other end Payne was then put through on Phillips but chose to square the ball which was cleared before Chalmers’ long pass saw Payne chip his effort over Phillips before Gorton cleared his lines. Baguley hit a swinging effort just off target before a throw in dropped to centre back Bayunu who fired narrowly wide as both teams searched for the winner. And it was the visitors who could have snatched the spoils following interplay outside the Ashton penalty area which saw the ball break to Oates who should have won the game but was denied by the upright.
Team: Phillips, Coo, Roberts-Nurse, Gorton, Higgins, Rick (Bennett), Baguley, Rick, Marsh, Robinson (Young) & Chadwick (Henderson).
SNU: Halford & Hazel.
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# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | FC United of Manchester | 46 | 92 |
2. | Workington | 46 | 90 |
3. | Ashton United | 46 | 84 |
4. | Curzon Ashton | 46 | 83 |
5. | Ilkeston FC | 46 | 81 |
6. | Blyth Spartans | 46 | 79 |
7. | Skelmersdale United | 46 | 73 |