More Seaside Joy for Robins

Ashton consolidate second place in the table Report by Dave Robinson

Ashton came away from the Turnbull Ground with 3 points and a scoreline which somewhat flattered the visitors and was harsh on the home side who turned in a battling performance.

After an early corner for Town had eventually been cleared top scorer Aaron Burns was again in on the act as Hogan’s through ball saw him round the keeper and be brought down for an obvious penalty which was easily converted – keeper Liversedge receiving a yellow card which seems to be the fashion these days when a red card could have been easily justified.

Home centre forward Snaith then hit an effort on the turn straight at Phillips before a neat reverse pass by Barlow saw Mulholland’s effort blocked by the Whitby custodian. A fine cross field pass by Caldecott saw Hogan felled in the area but penalty appeals were waved away by Mr Liddle who went on to have a busy afternoon issuing no less than 12 bookings and a red card.

Baker’s ball out to Hogan on the right wing saw the winger’s shot saved and another long pass by Caldecott set Burns in the clear but he shot wide of the near post. On the half hour Caldecott’s free kick from the right was touched on by Barlow and Alex Frost helped the ball over the bar when scoring looked easier.

After the interval Baker’s ball out to Hogan saw the resulting low cross sliced into his own net by the unfortunate Purewal and almost immediately a long ball into the box by Frost saw Burns sweep home his second goal. Far from putting the game safe, this saw the home side launch their own attack as Armstrong was pulled back in the area by substitute Moore and Mulligan pulled a goal back from the spot and as Town upped the tempo the ball broke in the area to Armstrong who smacked his effort against the upright with Phillips beaten.

Whitby now had their tails up and with the Ashton defence at 6’s and 7’s it was only heroic performances by Robinson and particularly captain Lynch which maintained Ashton’s advantage. Baker attempted to relieve the pressure as he wriggled free down the right but his pull back was fired over the top by Burns and Armstrong then volleyed home for the hosts but was flagged offside. It was left to referee Liddle to have the final word dismissing home full back Corker for a second bookable offence.

Ashton kept up their impressive form on the road and maintain 2nd place in the division and now look forward to the visit of Ilkeston before Saturday’s mouth-watering home game against leaders North Ferriby.

Team; Phillips, Frost (Moore), Caldecott, Burke, Robinson, Lynch, Hogan, Baker, Burns, Barlow (Kosylo), Mulholland (Beattie). SNU Baguley, Johnson.