Robins Grind Out Boring Draw

A game best forgotten. Report by David Robinson.

Ashton ground out a dour goalless draw in Lincolnshire against Grantham Town on Non-League Day. With both sides having made a modest start to the season it was perhaps no surprise that there was a distinct lack of quality on show and as a result very few clear cut chances throughout the 90minutes.

The Gingerbreads were first to try their luck as a long ball forward saw Hempenstall switch play out to Fairclough who was crowded out by Greg Pearson and Richard Bennett then put in a fine turn but placed his pass too close to Haystead in the home goal. Bennett was again in the action as his deep cross was spilt by Haystead but Robinson’s volley hit full back Matthews before Simmons’ cross saw Hempenstall’s header held under the crossbar by Phillips.

Just past the midway point of the half Robinson’s incisive pass picked out Baguley who fired past the near post as Haystead narrowed the angle, and shortly afterwards Baguley lifted his effort too high after Henderson had played him through. A quickly taken free kick by Coo then resulted in Gorton’s header going wide of goal before Steve Halford decided on a tactical switch replacing Henderson with last season’s top scorer Martin Pilkington.

After the restart a foul on Pilkington just outside the area led to Baguley firing a free kick just too high before Pilkington himself sent a header glancing wide from Young’s cross. Bennett then put Pearson clear down the left wing and his cross shot was touched away by the keeper – Garry Gee being denied a tap in by Johnson. From the resulting corner Gorton’s header was saved on the goal line by the foot of Haystead. After this relative flurry of activity the game resumed its previous slow tempo and I began to feel quite sorry for the chap to my right attempting to provide a commentary on the second half to a local radio station.

The stalemate was confirmed after a long range free kick by Matty Chadwick was held at the second attempt and Hempenstall had beaten Coo and provided a crossfield pass to Simmons who got his bearings all wrong and fired well wide.

Team: Phillips, Coo, Pearson, Gorton, Higgins, Young, Baguley, Gee, Henderson (Pilkington), Robinson (Chadwick) & Bennett (Roberts-Nurse).
SNU: Rick & Coppin.