Late Goal Enough for Avenue

Report by Steve Lee.

Ashton United suffered a second consecutive single goal defeat as Bradford Park Avenue returned to winning ways after their embarassing cup exit seven days previous thanks to a late goal.

The Robins looked well set to earn a share of the spoils with a dogged defensive display before Aiden Savory's late strike secured all three points for the visitors.

Avenue enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, an early chance came when Richard Marshall, sent off in the aforementioned cup game, got on the end of a cross from Martin Drury, but his effort went wide.

Matty James then produced a neat turn that ended with a shot that went wide as Avenue continued to pose problems for the Ashton defence.

A rare Robins attack saw Chris Amadi link up well with Ben Smith, the former sending a cross from the left that was met back by Alex Frost, but his shot was blocked by a defender.

Avenue ended the half with a shot from Nathan Hotte that went wide and a header over the bar from centre back Amjad Iqbal following a cross by Savory.

Ashton had the first chance of the second period with Smith doing well to turn past two challenges, only to fire weakly wide of the near post.The Robins enjoyed more possession in their opponents half of the field than in the first half and a barnstorming run down the left flank from Amadi daw him utitlise his speed to go past a couple of challanges, only to have his shot deflected into the hands of John Lamb.

Avenue tested Smith in the Ashton goal as Marshall rose to meet a free kick from Drury, but placed his header straight at the keeper.Smith was in the thick of the action soon after as a good move ended with Hotte being denied by Smith's legs.

Chances became rare in the latter stages with both defences on top, Smith was presented with a rare chance for Ashton with a free kick that went over the bar.

Just as the game looked to be heading for stalemate, Avenue struck the decisive blow with Savory firing in a shot from a narrow angle with a couple of minutes remaining.

Ashton battled hard to try and get back on terms but to no avail as they continue to struggle to find their form.

Ashton: T Smith, Frost, Roberts, Murphy, Melling, Robinson, Bennett (Kosylo 80), B Smith, Burns, Sanasay (Madeley 76), Amadi. (subs) J Rose, Lambert, Bathurst