Ashton registered their best win on the road this season in Derbyshire with a blistering start which left them 2 goals up inside the opening quarter hour. Despite missing both Jay Gorton and Gary Gee they were soon on the attack and could have taken the lead with just 3 minutes gone as Jeff King intercepted a cross field pass and played in Martin Pilkington who put a disappointing effort straight at Atkins.
The returning Joel Melia then battled his way to the by line and set up King to sweep home his first goal for the Robins and King then turned provider as his speculative long clearance saw Pilkington outpace the home defence before firing home the second goal. The game then calmed somewhat after the frenetic opening with the visitors controlling most of the play but Sports could have troubled Ashton as a long throw fell to Finlaw who put a left foot shot just over the bar. A quick break then saw Melia set up Pilkington for a weak effort but soon after a long ball again found the centre forward terrorising the home defence and beating 2 players before poking the ball home.
After the interval a throw in lead to Melia firing an effort well wide before an amazing run along the by line by King saw his cross deflected away. Just past the hour the hosts pulled a goal back as a good move saw Jake Bennett reach the by line and his cross forced Joe Connor to head into his own net whilst back at the other end Pilkington’s inside ball saw Adam Morning drag his shot narrowly wide. Palmer’s free kick from just outside the area was then easily held by Phillips as Mickleover threatened to further narrow the gap and Dawes then made a good run in from the right wing before testing Phillips low down.
Paul Marshall then placed a free kick just wide of goal for Ashton before a scramble near the by line saw McGrath dismissed for Sports for an apparent stamp and the game ended with Ashton looking the likelier to extend their advantage as subs Matty Chadwick shot straight at Atkins and Aaron Burns found space in the area but fired wide.
Team: Phillips, Coo, Mason, Lees, Connor, Haining, Marshall, King (Chadwick), Pilkington (Burns), Melia, Morning (Sutherland). SNU: Banim, Haggerty.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | Darlington 1883 | 46 | 104 |
2. | Blyth Spartans | 46 | 99 |
3. | Salford City | 46 | 90 |
4. | Ashton United | 46 | 87 |
5. | Workington | 46 | 86 |
6. | Stourbridge | 46 | 84 |
7. | Frickley Athletic | 46 | 77 |