Robins beat League Leaders !

Report by David Robinson. Picture Jez Sayle

Ashton registered by far their best result of the campaign in beating the Magpies by a single goal at their Victory Park ground. The decisive moment came on the hour as Sam Sheridan’s corner hit the inside of the far post from where it was knocked over the line from close range by Matt Regan.
On a mild spring day the action opened with Aaron Chalmers conceding a corner from which Elliot Newby sent a rising drive just too high and fellow winger Alex Newby then hit the crossbar from 12 yards out after a long ball had seen Wilson get the better of Chalmers. Adam Blakeman’s dangerous driven cross then just evaded Carver’s head as the visitors’ goal came under early pressure.
McMahon was out quickly to deny Carver and a quick break by the Robins saw Kallum Mantack force Matt Urwin into a good low save and Newby;s cross was returned by Wilson for Josh O’Keefe to flick it wide with no offside flag forthcoming. Carver then fed Newby who shot straight at McMahon and the Ashton keeper then made a great double save parrying Newby’s shot and blocking Carver’s follow up with his feet. Carver’s lay off then needed another great stop to deny Newby from close range and a dropping ball was volleyed just wide from the edge of the area by O’Keefe. Just before the break Craig Hobson beat the offside trap but shot wastefully wide with Mantack in support.

After the Robins had broken the deadlock Blakeman’s shot was deflected for a corner which saw O’Keefe’s header hit the crossbar before the loose ball was helped over the top as Wilson and Crowley were both injured in the melee. A rebound then reached Carver who fired well wide of the far post and Jamie Reed’s effort on the counter was blocked by Teague at the expense of a corner. Blakeman’s long-range curling free kick was just kept out at the last by McMahon and a scramble saw Newby eventually shoot wide as the Robins held on for a famous victory.

Team: McMahon, Crowley, Regan, Chalmers, Ashworth, Kay, Sheridan (Dimaio 67), Goulding, Mantack (Swaby-Nevin 81), Hobson (Reed 67), Jennings. SNU: Roberts, Tomsett.