Hattrick of Wins for Chester

Report by David Robinson.

Ashton returned to the scene of their FA Trophy exit and Chester completed a hat trick of victories this season to move to the top of the Evostik Premier League but not before a better second half showing from the visitors.

Club captain Danny Caldecott made a surprise return on the left side of midfield and with Aaron Burns injured in the warm up Sam Madeley got his chance up front.

As in the previous 2 encounters Chester were quickly on the attack and were dominating the midfield possession to an alarming extent. From a long throw McNeill had a shot blocked and Brown and Ellison suffered the same fate when they tried their luck. On the quarter hour a long cross into the box was knocked down by McNeill and Ellison turned the ball against the outside of the post. McGinn’s long throw was then touched on by Horan and glanced wide by Ellison when it looked easier to score.

A great run down the right by Sarcevic saw McNeill’s near post effort deflected just wide for the home team. It took Ashton almost half an hour to register an effort on goal as Madeley’s shot from 20 yards went well over. Just as the visitors seemed to be settling into the game the opening goal arrived as full back Brownhill advanced and hit an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net from 25 yards – clearly gaining in confidence after his first goal for the club he went close again shortly afterwards. As half time approached McGinn’s cross was glanced towards the far post by Ellison but Terry Smith had time to grab the ball.

Half time saw Amadi replace the returning Caldecott and the home side brought on the FA Trophy scorers Howard and Wilde. McNeill laid the ball back for Brown to shoot narrowly wide and then Madeley starting coming into the game with Ashton’s first effort on target from Sanasy’s knockdown. Immediately afterwards a great cross by Frost gave Madeley a free header which really should have been converted but the forward’s downward header gave Danby the chance to make the save.

The home side seem curiously content to sit on their lead and were nearly made to pay as Sanasy’s flick from Bennett’s corner was deflected over the top. As the visitors continued to press they were almost caught out by ex-player Howard who ran half the field before being denied by Smith.

Ashton’s current league position is a cause for concern, however more efforts like their second half display are a cause for some optimism.

Team; T. Smith, Frost, Roberts, Murphy, Melling, Robinson, Peers, B. Smith (Bennett), Madeley (Kosylo), Sanasay, Caldecott (Amadi). SNU Rose, Lambert