Slick Brackley go to Town

Report by David Robinson. Picture by Jez Sayle

Last season’s losing play off finalists inflicted Ashton’s second home defeat of the week with a convincing performance at Hurst Cross. The first period was a tight affair and after Shephard Murombedzi had cut inside and brought a low save out of David Carnell, the visitors were gifted the opening goal on 16 minutes as Aaron Chalmers miscued a clearance and then both he and Matty Hill tried to clear the resulting ball leaving James Armson time to slot the opener.
Matt Regan had already strode forward past 2 players before placing his shot just past the far post and Ashton’s best chance to level went begging just before the break as Nic Evangelinos’s touch was too heavy to control Regan’s driven cross.

After the interval a great run from Scott Sephton saw Matty Chadwick miscue his effort over the bar and Chadwick’s lofted pass was too high for Dom McHale’s run into the area. Armson almost got his second ten minutes into the half as he picked up Matt Lowe’s pass and hit the left hand post but the reprieve was short lived as Lee Ndluvo hit a shot across goal which Hill could only help into his own net.
Armson then made a quick break into the area – Carnell needing to save with his foot and Regan was released into space down the left with Lewis just touching his cross away. Gareth Dean then saw yellow for pulling back John McAtee with Sheridan’s free kick just past the left hand post. Craig Hobson just missed the near post from Bakare’s cross but with 16 minutes left Armson reached the by line and delayed his cross long enough for Glenn Walker to arrive and volley it home and 5 minutes later Town won a penalty as Mathias Bakare brought down Murombedzi with Ndluvo converting.
With time running down sub Gregg Smith headed home Shane Byrne’s free kick at the far post and the Robins got a consolation as Hobson did similarly with Sam Sheridan’s delivery.

Ashton Utd: Carnell, Lees, Regan, Chalmers, Hill, Sheridan, McHale (Bakare 61), Sephton, Evangelinos (Hobson 61), Tomsett (McAtee 38) , Chadwick . SNU: Anghel,