Flying Robins beat weather at Stormy Corner

Report by David Robinson

Ashton continued their recent run of fine form getting the better of their hosts by the odd goal in 3 on a wet West Lancashire afternoon. On a pitch passed playable but with plenty of rain still about the hosts were first on to the attack as an incisive run by Almond saw him play Tom Ince into the area with Joe Connor somewhat fortunately slicing his cross over the bar.

The Robins could have moved ahead themselves as a fine move saw Joel Melia release Dale Johnson whose cross was just cleared before Martin Pilkington could convert after which a cross bounced over Cavell Coo allowing Dominic Marie to have an effort blocked before the rebound was hammered past the far post by Shaun Holden.

A quick break then saw Marie advance into the Ashton area and his cross was deflected over Phillips by Connor who was able to rescue the situation by clearing off the goal line and with conditions worsening Coo won the ball back allowing Adam Morning to send an effort whistling over the top. The breakthrough arrived 2 minutes before the interval as a long ball was flicked on by Johnson to Morning who coolly rounded a defender and keeper Fearon before finishing well and the winger was back in the action immediately as he won a free kick and then planted it onto Joe Connor’s head to double the lead in added time.

A long ball from the home side immediately after the resumption caught Joe Connor out allowing Gyimah a clear run on Phillips but the centre forward took too long before side footing wide. Morning then made a quick break but got somewhat carried away with a 30 yard effort way off target and at the other end Gyimah was equally wasteful firing horribly wide after a good run by Almond had set him up.

Eddie Toner then replaced Johnson and was immediately in the action shooting too high after an exchange of passes with Lees and then testing Fearon with a 25 yard free kick after Morning had been fouled by Holden. With just under 15 minutes left Skelmersdale pulled one back as sub Kusaloka whipped a cross to the near post where the stooping figure of Robert McIntosh headed home and it was the replacement who earned a free kick which needed a great one handed save from Phillips to palm away Strickland’s effort and preserve Ashton’s lead.

Team: Phillips, Coo, Mason, Gorton, Connor, Lees, Melia, Gee, Pilkington (Haining), Johnson (Toner), Morning (King). SNU: Halford, Baguley.