Robins Off the Mark

Report by David Robinson

Ashton got their first victory by the odd goal in five following an entertaining encounter in Cheshire. Familiar faces Mark Lees, Liam Tomsett and Aaron Chalmers were joined by several hopefuls and it was Chalmers who got Ashton up and running from the penalty spot after 7 minutes as a trialist got goalside of Kieran Nolan who brought him down.
The lively Bohan Dixon then got hold of a shot from distance for the visitors which was well saved but midway through the half the hosts were level as a trialist followed up to score after Kyle Hamid’s shot had been blocked on the line by Matt Hill. The same player rescued Ashton again ten minutes before the break clearing successive shots from Paul Shanley and the centre forward off the line and keeper Harry Turner then made a flying save after a fine run by another

Right after the restart one of the play-off heroes Nic Evangelinos volleyed home after Dixon had knocked down a left wing cross and after he had lobbed another effort wide Tomsett joined him on the score sheet again assisted by Dixon. The Linnets remained dangerous at the other end and Hamid put an effort against the post from a right wing cross and they pulled a goal back as Freddie Potter side footed home another delivery from the right wing.
Ashton Utd: Turner, Lees, Regan, Chalmers, Hill, Sephton, Tomsett, Dale, McCarthy. Subs: Campbell, Dixon, Stachini, Bakare, Casien, Grimshaw, Evangelinos, Thornton, Jacobs, Ollerenshaw. (all other players trialists).