Robins complete hat trick of victories

Report by David Robinson. Picture Jez Sayle

Ashton followed up their 2 victories on Merseyside earlier in the season with a comfortable triumph on home soil. With almost the same starting eleven from the abandoned game at Buxton, Lance Olepade coming in for Simon Woodford, Nic Evangelinos continued in the centre forward role and it was he who gave the hosts the lead on 20 minutes as an interchange saw Dom Smalley’s cross lead to Liam Tomsett’s effort being blocked close in with Evangelinos firing home from close range. Richard Smith had already headed Makhosini’s cross too high and Tomsett’s fine pullback from the by line had seen Evangelinos’ snapshot on the turn clear the bar. The best move before the opening goal saw Tomsett’s pass put Evangelinos clear and his cross saw John Pritchard pick out the run of Dom Smalley who sliced well off target.

The Mariners could have been level almost immediately as Peter Wylie’s delivery was helped against the post by Danny Mitchley with David Carnell beaten but in their next attack the Robins doubled their lead as Ryan Makhosini played Tomsett to the by line and he presented Evangelinos with an unmissable chance for the second.

He could have completed his hat trick at the start of the second period but was denied by a good save from Martin Fearon after Pritchard had played him through. Just before the hour Liam Tongue’s floated free kick saw Marine centre half Phil Baker side foot wide from a great position and Florian da Silva then glanced Rory Middleton’s cross past the other side of the goal.

Tomsett then saw a low effort saved at the foot of the post and both Baker and sub Michael Grogan had shots blocked as the home defence protected Carnell well. With time running out Lanre Olapede rescued Ashton after Billy Smart had a clear run on goal after robbing Aaron Chalmers but with 2 minutes left the scoring was completed as Saul Henderson’s deflected cross dropped to Tomsett at the far post to confirm the win.

Team: Carnell, Smalley, Makhosini, Olapede, Chalmers, Roberts (Henderson 86), Smith (Kaba 88), Lees, Evangelinos, Tomsett, Pritchard (Platt 60). SNU: Woodford, Banim.