Robins Begin To Take Shape

Report by David Robinson.

Ashton won their latest friendly fixture with a side much more like last season’s line up. Newcomer Martin Hill was the first to threaten as he exchanged passes with Pilkington before firing across goal with Chris Baguley putting a header onto the roof of the goal from the resulting corner. Hill then picked up Baguley’s crossfield pass before rounding Jones in the home goal – Brad Robinson putting the resulting cross over the top.

Robinson and Baguley then combined for the latter to aim his effort just too high before his cross lead to Pilkington’s header being tipped over the top. Halfway through the half Hill and Baguley combined again and Baguley's effort glanced away off the post before Pilkington hit the other post after rounding the keeper. The action had only just resumed after the break when a long pass sent Pilkington running free and his square ball was confidently knocked home by Baguley for the opening goal.

Substitute Coppin then made progress down the left wing and brought Richard Bennett into the game, who tee’d up Ashley Young whose effort was just pushed away for a corner from which Haslam curled an effort just past the far post. One of the home subs then tried a speculative effort from halfway after winning the ball in midfield and Tierney shot straight at Phillips after a good move down the right wing.

Bennett then played a great 1-2 with Chadwick but sidefooted wide when scoring looked easier, but with the last kick of the game Gary Gee capitalised on a short backpass and fired home to double Ashton’s advantage.

Team: Phillips, Coo, Pearson, Gorton, Higgins, Young, Hill, Robinson, Pilkington, Baguley, Pratt.
Subs: Bennett, Chadwick, Coppin, Haslam, Gee, Halford.