Minstermen too strong at Hurst Cross

Report by David Robinson. Pictures Jez Sayle

Ashton’s first ever encounter with York saw the visitors take the points with two second half goals after Scott Sephton had been dismissed. With Matty Chadwick absent Dom McHale was handed a first full start and the Robins opened with Liam Tomsett glancing Matt Regan’s cross past the far post.
Griffiths’ long ball then had just too much pace for Jake Wright and Casian Anghel’s ball into the area then found Tomsett turning before volleying too high. Griffiths’ next free kick saw Thomas Allan head into Ollerenshaw’s arms and Nic Evangelinos failed to get his shot away after picking up McHale’s pass. Approaching the half hour Sam Sheridan’s return ball into the area saw shouts for a penalty for a challenge on Aaron Chalmers go unanswered and approaching the break a foul by Regan saw Allan head the free kick at the far post needing Ollerenshaw to pull off a decent save.

The second period opened in brighter fashion as McHale provided a lightning break from York’s corner needing Bartlett to make a fingertip save from his effort and Regan then just missed Sheridan’s delivery. Good work down the right wing by McHale saw Sheridan fire his pullback too high and Sephton found his way into the book catching Wesley York who was making a decent run across midfield. Another quick break then saw Anghel only able to find the side netting from Tomsett’s pass but Sephton was then guilty of another foul on winger York leaving Ashton to face the last 16 minutes a man down.
Sure enough within two minutes a left wing corner was forced home from close range by Macauley Langstaff and with 6 minutes to go Griffiths floated a free kick to the back post where Joseph Tait converted with a strong downward header. Sub Craig Hobson came as close as anyone for the hosts, heading Sheridan’s free kick over and seeing a decent shot on the turn saved.

Ashton Utd: Ollerenshaw, Lees, Regan, Chalmers, Hill, Sheridan, Sephton, Anghel (Hobson 66), Evangelinos (McAtee 70), Tomsett, McHale . SNU: Roberts, Jacobs, Dixon.