Robins Step Up A Gear

Ashton return home with local silverware

Ashton regained the Willow Wood Cup with an ultimately comfortable success at Seel Park. After McGonigle had a free kick from 25 yards out held and Hopper had put a chip over the top from 30 yards out the visitors almost went ahead as Logan hammered a free kick against the left hand post with Saunders well beaten. There were penalty appeals as Logan reached the byline and saw his cross handled but they went unheeded.
A poor clearance by Ashton’s defence then gave Bennett a shooting chance from the edge of the area which was easily held and the same player was again the recipient of slack defending but once again couldn’t beat Phillips. The ball broke to Rick at the other end but his effort was straight at Saunders and the half ended with Pilkington having a header touched over from Denham’s cross.
The second period got off to a slow start before Logan’s corner was met by Kerr’s header which was well fisted away by Saunders and a long free kick fell to Hopper who blazed well wide. Multiple substitutions were then the order of the day and the deadlock was broken 15 mins from time as Logan’s free kick was deflected for a corner which was then dropped by the keeper allowing Mason to provide the finish from close range.
Matty O’Neill’s cross then just missed Mason on its way through to the keeper and a Mossley cross into the box fell to Mclean who fired over the top under challenge. The second goal arrived as sub Sousa made it to the by-line and pulled back a tap in for fellow sub Riley.

Ashton: Philips, Richardson, Pearson, Kerr, Gee, Denham (c), Rick, Pilkington, J O’Neill, Logan. Subs: Freakes,Mason, M O’Neill, Hoctor, Sousa, Cairns, Riley, Eric.
David Robinson