Amadi Scorcher Warms Up Robins

Report by Steve Lee

Chris Amadi was on scorching hot form on a freezing cold evening was his thunderous strike set Ashton United on their way to a 2-0 win over Blyth Spartans at a snowy Hurst Cross on Wednesday.
There was little to choose between the teams before Amadi made another telling contribution from the bench to set Ashton up for their second home win since the turn of the year.
Blyth almost snatched a fifth minute lead following a corner as Wayne Buchanan headed against the bar, the Robins being able to clear their lines.
Minutes later Spartans Neal Hooks sliced an effort wide after some neat build up play.
Ashton had their first effort on goal when Matty Burke fired a free kick over the bar.
Blyth continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and a quick break forced a corner after Craig Robinson was put under pressure, Ashton only half cleared their lines but Hooks shot over.
Aaron Burns lashed wildly wide from the angle and then it was Burke again with a well struck volley over the bar from a Matty Kosylo centre.
Early in the second half Danny Lambert extended Matt Cook for the first time as he palmed his effort away at the expense of a corner.
Paul Phillips was less busy than in recent games but had to be alert as he saved comfortably from Dan Maguire.
Ashton had a couple of penalty claims turned down, first as Matty Burke was hauled down in the area and then when Burns was clean through and brought down, the referee deeming the challenge to be just outside the area.
Thomas Moore curled the resulting free kick wide, this was just a sighter for his injury time effort.
Burns then had a run that ended with a shot wide of the target as the Robins attacked relentlessly as the snow that was swirling round.
Amadi’s introduction at the expense of Dennis Sherriff who got little chance out of an uncompromising Blyth defence proved to be a masterstroke. He took a few minutes to settle into the pace of the game, but he finally broke the deadlock after Lambert and Burns had combined, Amadi took aim and fired from Burns pinpoint pass to give the keeper no chance.
The expected Spartans repost wasn’t forthcoming, with the Robins looking the side most likely to score again.
Amadi almost added his second of the game with a run down the left flank ended with a shot that was deflected wide.
Deep into stoppage time Moore made sure of the points as he curled a free kick around the wall and into the bottom corner to send the frozen Robins fans home happy.
ASHTON Phillips, Lynch, Harrop, Moore, Robinson, Frost, Kosylo, Burke, Burns (Barlow 86), Sherriff (Amadi 62), Lambert. Subs not used Connors, Bangman, Murty