Cup Prospects Gone For Another Season

Rusty Robins Bow Out of Doodson Sport Cup. Report by Steve Lee

Ashton United’s last chance of silverware this season ended with another home defeat, this time in the Doodson Cup at the hands of FC United of Manchester.

The big positive on a bitterly cold night was the performance of striker Dennis Sherriff, who marked a fine debut with a well struck goal that augers well for the future.

The visitors began strongly and Paul Phillips was soon called into action to save a long range effort by Kyle Jacobs, whilst skipper Chris Lynch made a marauding run forward only to shoot over from Ashton’s first attack.

Matty Kosylo was an early target for some rather over zealous challenges, the Rebels lucky to remain with a full complement of players with just a yellow card for Michael Norton to show.

FC United offered more as an attacking force as first Jerome Wright shot over from a free kick and then Phillips tipped an effort from Cedric Krou.

Sherriff then showed a willingness to fight for a loose ball before sending his effort wide of goal as he was closed down quickly by the FC United defence.

Ashton felt aggrieved soon after as a foul on Tom Baker went unpunished, the visitors raced to the other end and Norton gave Phillips no chance with a fierce drive from close range.

Baker’s next involvement also didn’t receive the necessary punishment either, as he was clearly upended in area as he was about to unleash a shot, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.

Stephen Johnson sent over a cross that Kosylo curled wide and then a mazy run by the tricky winger ended with a shot that was comfortably saved by Jon Worsnop.

Former Robin Astley Mulholland had a long range effort easily stopped by Phillips and then a quick break saw Jake Cottrell fire into the side netting,

The last action of the half saw Worsnop fumble a free kick by Thomas Moore, but the Robins were unable to take advantage.

Ashton were caught sleeping early in the second half as a free kick floated in from the left fell to the unmarked Adam Jones, whose powerful header doubled the Rebels lead.

The home side quickly halved the deficit as Sherriff cashed in on some defensive hesitancy to pounce on a loose ball before providing a sublime finish past Worsnop.

Sherriff was presented with a decent chance to add a second as Worsnop’s punch following a corner fell to Kosylo who quickly set up the former Stalybridge man, but he shot over.

Ashton came agonisingly close to an equaliser when Lynch got on the end of a free kick by Baker, only for the impressive Lee Neville to head the ball off the line.

The Robins last chance came deep into stoppage time as Sherriff rose to meet another free kick by Baker, but his header went over the bar.

Phillips, Lynch (Baguley 89), Frost, Robinson, Caldecott, Kosylo, Baker, Moore, Johnson (Hogan 66), Barlow (Burns 66), Sherriff

Subs not used; Burke, Peers