Robins finally relegated

Report by David Robinson

Ashton’s adventure in the National League North finally ended as they went down by the odd goal in three on a warm, sunny day in Lincolnshire. With Craig Hobson starting from the bench Jamie Reed was given the chance to lead the line but it was the Pilgrims making a flying start as with two minutes on the clock their first attack saw Max Wright progress into the area and after seeing his attempt from a narrow angle blocked by McMahon he pulled the loose ball back to Tom Clare who tapped into the open goal.
Liam Tomsett turned onto Connor Dimaio’s pass on the edge of the area but steered his effort well wide and Sam Sheridan’s well placed low effort was palmed away by Willis. A back pass then saw Clare charge down McMahon’s clearance and Liam Goulding volleyed over following a long throw-in as Ashton got back into the game. Just past the half hour the Robins were level as Goulding progressed to the by line and saw his pass helped on by Matt Regan for Reed to turn home the equaliser but 2 minutes later Scott Kay was booked for catching Rollins on the edge of the area and Smith’s delivery was turned back for Ryan Cresswell to head home.

McMahon got lucky again on the restart as Clare’s block of his clearance rebounded over the bar and Smith’s first time cross then beat everyone. Kay just got back in time to deny Wright from Rollins’ pass and from the resulting corner Kay kept Ashton in the contest heading Cresswell’s header off the line after Qualter had knocked the ball back.
With 20 minutes left Ashton could have levelled again as Swaby-Neavin’s overlapping cross saw Reed connect needing a good stop from George Willis and Dimaio volleyed wide from the edge of the area despite Tomsett’s attempt to flick the ball home. Sub Thanoj then almost wrapped matters up for the home side firing past the far post after a 1-2 with Clare.

Ashton Utd: McMahon, Swaby-Neavin, Regan, T Lees, Ashworth (Hobson 81), Kay (Swaby-Neavin 67), Goulding, Sheridan, Reed, Dimaio, Tomsett. SNU: Roberts, Chalmers, Ennis.