Got There In The End

Robins Reach For The Stars. Report by David Robinson

Ramsbottom United 2 Ashton United 2 FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round Replay 3.11.2015
(Ashton win 10-9 on penalties)

Ashton finally made it through to the 2nd Qualifying Round following a penalty shootout after the teams had again shared 4 goals at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

There were just 8 minutes on the clock as the visitors moved ahead when Chris Baguley sprayed the ball out wide to Adam Morning who cut inside into the area, the ball dropping for Matty Chadwick to sweep home the opening goal. Martin Pilkington almost added a second immediately afterwards just being denied by Shenton’s feet as the Robins started confidently.

The Rams were slightly unlucky as Crothers’ through ball hit the advancing Oates on the back but were still able to draw level on 25 minutes as a right wing cross by Heywood found the unmarked Meaney miscuing his effort on to Kuba-Kuba whose slightly mishit effort just found the corner of the goal. Baguley could have restored Ashton’s lead with a clever effort from Will Haining’s pass but lobbed his shot just wide and with the interval imminent a fine run by Chadwick saw Morning’s header held at full stretch.

Ashton’s left winger Morning was straight back in the action after the resumption as a quickly taken free kick by Chadwick gave him the space to cut inside 2 defenders before providing a fine right foot finish but the hosts thought they had equalised instantly only for Edmundson to be flagged offside from Payne’s free kick. Midway through the half they did indeed restore parity as a volleyed clearance by Phillips from a back pass gave possession away to Kuba-Kuba who raced into the area and converted the opportunity.
Towards the end of normal time substitute Jeff King worked his way along the by line and tried to outwit Shenton at his near post only for the ball to travel all the way across the 6 yard box and right on time Morning’s 20 yard effort was held by Shenton. In extra time Ashton had the first chance as Baguley’s shot deflected to Morning who was denied from point blank range and Touey then set up Oates at the other end who put his effort wide with Phillips narrowing the angle. Dangerman Morning could have had the last word for Ashton as he cut inside before sending a right foot effort just too high.

The shootout saw 19 successful penalties converted before home keeper Grant Shenton became the unlucky man seeing his opposite number save his spot kick.

Team; Phillips, Lees, Coo, Gorton, Connor, Haining (King), Chadwick (Sutherland), Gee, Pilkington (Burns), Baguley Morning. SNU: Halford, Mason