In-form Spartans too strong

Report by David Robinson. Pics Jez Sayle

Ashton slipped to their third successive league defeat against their in-form hosts who duly won for the fifth successive match. With the Robins having picked up 3 injuries on Tuesday James Jones was making his full debut at centre back with Matt Regan switching to left back and it was Blyth making the early running as Robbie Dale’s incisive pass was just miscontrolled by strike partner Daniel Maguire before being cleared.
Maguire’s touch was then too strong after Jarrett Rivers had retrieved the ball from the by line and Dale’s next cross was just cleared by Liam Goulding after Tom Stead had been robbed and Sean Reid’s dangerous cross was also cleared as Spartans increased the pressure. At the other end Ashton won a corner which saw Bradley Jackson’s shot blocked and Sam Sheridan clear the crossbar and Reid then put a shot past the right hand post from 25 yards. Reid’s touch then saw Maguire practically miss an open goal with the aid of a deflection and Maguire then turned inside and saw his effort come back of the left hand post. The visitors reached half time still level thanks to Luke Pilling who pulled off a point blank save from Jordan Watson from Dale’s set up before Watson headed Oliver’s cross past the far post.

The play continued towards Ashton’s goal after the break as Dale’s cross incredibly beat Aaron Chalmers and somehow ran through Maguire’s legs at the far post but within 2 minutes Dale got the better of Goulding out wide and saw his cross converted from close in by Reid. Goulding then reached the by line at the other end and saw his cross helped over by Anghel before the same player made space but fired past the far post.
Maguire’s cross following a quick break was then amazingly helped over the top by Reid and a through ball saw Tomsett just crowded out and Maguire then beat Chalmers and put a tremendous left foot effort just over with Pilling beaten. Maguire then put a fierce shot into the side netting but with 3 minutes left a quick break saw Rivers and Maguire combine to put Dale in for a calm finish and after Maguire had hit the post again Sam Sheridan was dismissed somewhat mysteriously after receiving a second yellow card.

Team: Pilling, Stead (Chalmers 17), Regan, Jones, Goulding, Kay, Jackson, Sheridan, Chadwick (Howarth 73), Tomsett, Anghel (Crowther 66 ). SNU: Roberts, Hill..