First Team - Match center

Ashton United
Nantwich Town
G Gee (35' Pen), M Pilkington (59'), D Johnson (43')
Full time
Sat 31 Jan 15:00 - The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier - Premier Division Attendance 204

Non-Stop Robins Fly Past Dabbers!

By

Report by David Robinson.

Ashton United were rewarded for their efforts in getting the game played as they repeated their 3-1 victory from October over former manager Danny Johnson. A monumental effort by a dedicated band of supporters and volunteers including Joint-Managers, Steve Halford and Paul Phillips enabled the game to be played when many other fixtures fell foul of the weather.

On a predictably sticky surface both sides struggled to make inroads and little was seen by way of chances in the opening quarter hour. The visitors were first to register an effort as Greg Pearson’s misplaced backpass conceded a corner and Iain Howard’s corner was headed over from near the penalty spot by Mark Winslade and within a minute they had taken the lead as Andy White suddenly burst into the area and saw his cross touched home from close range by Winslade.

Ashton were then forced into a substitution as Lee Rick picked up a facial injury and was replaced by Kevin Leadbetter who was then well picked out by Ashley Young but was just denied at the last by White. Young was then involved again as Ashton fashioned the equaliser when he found Dale Johnson and his pullback saw Leadbetter clearly fouled in the area – Gary Gee firing home the Robins’ first penalty of the season in their 29th league game. Just before the break a fine pass picked out Cliff Moyo’s run and his square pass saw Harry Clayton’s effort easily held by Paul Phillips. There was still time before the interval for the hosts to move ahead as a scramble in the area saw an attempted clearance by Matt Bailey rebound off Pearson leaving Dale Johnson to steer the ball home.

The second period had just got under way when a loose header in the Dabbers’ penalty area saw Martin Pilkington volley over the top and Leadbetter’s superb pass then picked out the same player who did all the hard work and rounded keeper Smith before finding the side netting. Strike partner Johnson then provided a sublime turn in the box from Sam Wilson’s pass but saw his effort deflected over the bar. With an hour elapsed the home side made the points safe as Gary Gee worked the ball across from the byline and Johnson teed up Pilkington to fire home.

A rare attack from the visitors then saw the ball break to sub Jordan Johnson who curled his effort well wide before Kayde Coppin cut inside and saw Martin Hill head his cross straight into the keeper’s arms.

Steve Halford (AU Joint-Manager): A deserved win – both teams battled well on a difficult surface and thought Ashton conceded a stupid goal. Thinks AU are as good as anyone going forward and they have 17 cup finals left this season.

Danny Johnson (NT Manager): Difficult to play football on this type of playing surface, confident that NT will avoid relegation and this game didn’t show them in their true light.

Ashton United: Phillips, Wilson, Pearson, Gorton, Higgins, Young, Rick, (Leadbetter 29), Gee, Johnson, Pilkington (Hill 78) & Coppin (Yarwood 89).

SNU: Haslam & Robinson.

Ash Young

Star Player

Ash Young

Key moments

35:00
Scored Penalty Gary Gee scores a penalty for Ashton United
43:00
Goal Dale Johnson scores for Ashton United
59:00
Goal Martin Pilkington scores for Ashton United

Videos and photos

Ashton Utd 3 - 1 Nantwich Town
13 photos
Replay game

As it happened

  • Ashton United
  • Nantwich Town
  • 0
  • Lee Rick Sub Off 33:00'
  • Kevin Leadbetter Sub On 33:00'
  • Gary Gee Scored Penalty 35:00'
  • Dale Johnson Goal 43:00'
  • Greg Pearson Assist 43:00'
  • Martin Pilkington Goal 59:00'
  • Dale Johnson Assist 59:00'
  • Martin Hill Sub On 79:00'
  • Martin Pilkington Sub Off 79:00'
  • Steven Yarwood Sub On 89:00'
  • Kayde Coppin Sub Off 89:00'

Video Advertising

Team selection

Only authorised club members can view team selection.

League round up

Other Premier Division results

1
0
Matlock Town

Comments

Loading comments

Standings

# 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

Team sponsors

Affiliations

Club sponsors