Ashton Fail To Break Down 10 Man Ilkeston

Report by David Robinson

Honours finished even in Derbyshire as Ashton’s disappointing start to the season continued. With Billy Priestly recalled from his loan spell by Bradford Park Avenue, Joe Connor partnered Jay Gorton in the centre of the defence but once again the visitors made a poor start as still inside the first minute Udoh was allowed to turn in midfield and spread the ball wide to Coulson whose cross was sliced over Phillips by Gorton for an own goal.

Worse could have followed on 5 minutes as a corner saw Marshall’s header almost turned home by Udoh before a forward pass by Luto picked out Udoh’s run and he volleyed over the top. With 18 minutes played a short back pass by Baker saw Dale Johnson intercept and the resulting scramble saw Aaron Burns’ effort saved right on the goal line by the recovering Rachoni. Ten minutes before the interval a long throw in reached Chris Sutherland at the back post but the home keeper was out to deny him with a point blank save. Just before the interval Ashton got the break they were looking for as Stephen Mason’s ball into the area saw Johnson’s flick on to Adam Morning result in the winger being floored by Doyle who received his marching orders on the advice of the linesman, Chris Baguley sticking another spot kick away.

The Ashton Robins now had a man advantage and Morning picked up a loose ball and saw his volley deflected for a corner which was headed over by Johnson and Morning then gave Burns a sight of goal but he stabbed his effort wide. No sooner had Martin Pilikington replaced Burns than Johnson set him up with a great chance but he delayed his shot and then saw the ball blocked for a corner which Gorton headed past the far post.

With the hosts seemingly happy to settle for a point the second period descended into a stalemate accompanied by a series of niggly fouls which culminated in a booking for Gary Gee but the visitors could still have grabbed all the points as a quick break saw Sutherland’s right wing cross flicked on by Pilkington to fellow sub Jordan Bove who sidefooted a glorious chance straight at Rachoni in the home goal and the final effort saw Joel Melia shoot into the side netting after cutting inside.

Team: Phillips, Mason, Coo, Gorton, Connor, Baguley, Sutherland, Gee, Burns (Pilkington), Johnson (Bove), Morning (Melia). SNU: Jacobs, Wilson.