Double good enough for Town

Report by David Robinson. Pics Jez Sayle

Two second half goals saw the visitors take the points at Hurst Cross after Ashton had made most of the running in the first period. The hosts gave a full debut at right back to Tom Stead and welcomed back centre half Liam Goulding on loan from Altrincham and it was a good run out of defence by Goulding which saw Josh Askew put his cross too far ahead of everyone. Styche then sent a cross straight into Pilling’s arms for Alfreton and Bradley Jackson poked his effort wide following a free kick.
Jackson then saw a shot go whistling wide with the aid of a deflection and Askew made a great run across the area but was crowded out. Just past the half hour Jackson’s cross was cleared before it could reach Matt Regan and Jackson then stretched to meet Liam Martin’s cross and saw it go agonisingly past the far post as Ashton looked to be assuming control. Styche floated an attempt past the far post and Jackson’s shot was palmed away to Martin who missed the narrowing gap at the near post.

After the restart Anghel forced a good low save out of Ramsbottom and Platt shot comfortably wide from Chettle’s lay off. On the hour mark Pilling pulled off a point blank save from Peniket following a corner but the reprieve was only momentary as Allan’s return ball found Peniket heading home from close in. Peniket then failed to connect with Clarkstone’s cross after a quick break and Regan headed Anghel’s cross straight into the keeper’s arms.
With time running out a loose header by Matty Hill saw Styche covert from the edge of the area at the second attempt and Regan helped Jackson’s free kick past the far post to end a disappointing evening for the Robins.

Ashton Utd: Pilling, Stead (Chalmers 64), Askew (Hill 64), Ashworth, Goulding, Kay, Jackson, Regan, Martin (Howarth 60), Tomsett, Anghel. SNU: Roberts, Crowther.