Controlling The Game Doesn't Always Win Matches

Robins Given A Lesson On How To Defend Report Steve Lee

Ashton United's hopes of making inroads into North Ferriby's six point lead came up short as the visitors took the points courtesy of a goal in each half.
Ferriby's robust but resolute approach is never going to win over any football purists, but it gets results and they continue to be the Robins bogey team with a fourth success at Hurst Cross in a row.
The Humbersiders made the more lively start and home keeper Paul Phillips was called into action early on saving with his legs to deny Ryan Kendall after the striker had got goalside of his marker.
Phillips had a more routine save to thwart Anthony Wilson before the Robins first effort of the game came when Stephen Johnson ran half the length of the pitch down the left before finding the side netting.
Adam Nicklin was well shielded by his defence but had to be alert to a Matty Burke shot that he managed to palm away.
The opening goal was always going to be crucial and North Ferriby struck when a long ball from defence found its way to Kendall, Phillips just failed to get to the as the visitors top scorer dinked the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.
Aaron Burns tried to get Ashton back into the game with a long range shot that went wide before he was brought down heavily by Gregg Anderson for the first booking of the match.
Ashton ended the half on top and a clever ball from Tom Baker over Nathan Peat fell to the onrushing Scott Hogan, whose first time shot lacked power and Nicklin made the save.
Baker twice tried his luck from outside the area, a volley from 25-yards that went wide and a quick free kick from Burke that saw the Ashton midfielder fire across the face of goal.
Wilson almost doubled the visitors advantage on the stroke of half time with a quick break, only to shoot wide with Phillips to beat.
Anderson made a timely block from a Johnson cross early in the second half as chances were at a premium.
Thomas Moore had a great chance to equalise after getting on the end of a Burke corner, but guided his header wide.
An incisive Ferriby move saw Chris Bolder turn and shoot wide.
Ashton were denied a penalty as Steve Ridley handled Burns' cross, the referee deeming it accidental and further claims were waved away as Moore fell under a challenge in the area.
Moore had a header saved by Nicklin before substitute Astley Mulholland shot wide.
With a couple of minutes remaining, Ferriby made sure of the three points as Liam King curled a shot out of Phillips reach to give the scoreline a somewhat flattering look.
Ashton: Phillips, Harrop, Caldecott, Burke, Robinson, Lynch, Hogan (Barlow 80), Baker, Burns, Moore( Kosylo 80), Johnson (Mulholland 80), subs not used Beattie, Baguley