Harriers and Robins level pegging

Report by David Robinson. Pictures Jez Sayle

Ashton’s exciting start to the new season continued as they shared six goals at the Aggborough Stadium only being denied the victory by an injury-time equaliser. Just as on Tues the Robins made a fast start and with just 3 minutes on the clock Liam Tomsett made a great run from midfield and slid in Matty Chadwick who finished under the advancing Brandon Hall. Just 3 minutes later left back Matt Regan found himself in possession just outside the host’s penalty area and having checked back on to his right foot curled an effort just inside the far post which wouldn’t have looked out of place in Russia this summer.
With the home side rocking and Ashton controlling the early exchanges Sam Austin’s cross was then just too high for Ironside and Ashley Chambers’ shot was blocked from Declan Weeks’ return ball. Tomsett then drove a great chance wide after Anghel’s interception had fallen to Nic Evangelinos and another deep cross from Austin just missed Chambers at the far post. Josh Ollerenshaw was then just beaten to a through ball by Chambers with the header from his cross being blocked before Chambers’ own effort was also blocked by Matty Hill.
Ten minutes before the break Chadwick narrowly cleared the bar from Sam Sheridan’s square pass and Sheridan’s poorly delivered free kick found Horsfall slicing dangerously close to his own net and the final action of the half saw Hill again clearing O’Connor’s header off the line.

Immediately on the resumption Vaughan reached the by line and saw his cross palmed to Dan Bradley who was only denied by a great save from Ollerenshaw but the ball was then spread wide to sub Joel Taylor who picked his spot in the far corner with a left foot finish.
Sheridan then forced a good save with Evangelinos putting the rebound wide and at the other end Weeks sent a curling free kick just too high after Mark Lees had fouled Bradley 35 yards out. Just past the hour Bradley was dismissed after appearing to be the aggressor after Tomsett was penalised for a foul, Chalmers joining Tomsett in the book in the resulting melee. John McAtee was then denied at the near post after a 1-2 with Evangelinos but with 18 minutes left Ashton restored their 2 goal lead as Evangelinos squeezed home his effort after a mix up between Hall and Taylor.
Four minutes later Harriers were back in it as their best player Vaughan provided the cross which Chambers volleyed home at the near post and after Ollerenshaw had made another good save from Weeks’ latest free kick Horsfall’s cross was deflected into the area and after being helped on by Ironside was headed home for the leveller by Kane Richards.

Team: Ollerenshaw, Lees, Regan, Chalmers (Jacobs 88), Hill, Sheridan, Sephton, Anghel (McAtee 53), Evangelinos (Dixon 78), Tomsett, Chadwick, SNU: Roberts, Hobson.