Robins Weather The Storm

Ashton victorious over last unbeaten team. Report by David Robinson

A goal in each half were enough for the Robins to take the league’s last unbeaten record at a storm Aileen driven, wet and windy Hurst Cross. The home defence was boosted by the return of goalkeeper Carnell and full back Lanre Olapede, and the action started with Liam Tomsett taking a pass well before firing over, with Winder’s corner at the other end headed off the line by Mark Lees with the whistle already blown.
Olapede then found a promising position in the area but his square pass fell behind Alex Johnson before a fine move saw Matty Chadwick spread the play to Jack Dyche, who dragged his effort disappointingly wide. A great interchange between Nicky Platt and Dyche then forced a fine save from Powell, and just past the half hour Platt’s cross was deflected into the air and Powell failed to gather the loose ball allowing Dyche to touch it over the line.

Ashton could have double their advantage shortly afterwards as Chadwick’s near post cross was touched home by Johnson with the offside flag raised. Kilifin then gathered a rebound for Lancaster and went down under challenge in the box from Olapede with the referee unmoved.

On the resumption the visitors immediately clipped the outside of the post through Carney’s effort from the edge of the area before Ashton’s injury jinx found its latest victim. John Pritchard had to be stretchered off following a challenge on the far touchline.

Just past the hour a last ditch tackle by Tom Eckersley prevented the Dolly Blues breaking through but 8 minutes later a deep cross by Sumner was headed home into the far corner by the unmarked Carney. Just 2 minutes later though the Robins regained the lead as Chadwick’s swinging effort from out wide deceived Powell and dropped into the net.

There were further scares in the home defence as Sumner’s fine pass sent Charlie Bailey into the area with Carnell sliding out to block, before Sumner himself fired a rocket just too high. Charlie Bailey’s snapshot from the edge of the area then rattled the left hand post before Chadwick almost made the game safe cutting inside a defender but only able to fire straight at Powell.

Team; Carnell, Olapede, Pritchard (Eckersley 51), Granite, Chalmers, Platt (Roberts 65), Lees, Tomsett, Chadwick, Dyche, Johnson (Pilkington 83). SNU: Durnin, Smith