Lancaster chopped down at Giant Axe

Report by David Robinson. Picture Jez Sayle

3 cracking goals were enough for Ashton to get back to winning ways as they warmed up a freezing evening at the Giant Axe. The Robins had Lewis Baines making his debut at left back and also gave a first appearance to Sam Sheridan in midfield following his signing from last week’s conquerors Altrincham.
Both sides had chances in the opening exchanges as Mamadou Djabi just failed to connect with Winder’s right wing cross before Daniel Mooney did similarly with Nic Evangelinos’ cross at the other end. Sheridan’s quickly taken free kick then saw Mooney in on Joshua Powell who made a low save and Mooney then tried his luck from 35 yards out after a nice turn.
With the interval in sight John Pritchard made a fine run to the by line with Dugdale just clearing his cross in time but immediately Pritchard won a free kick 25 yards out and carried on where he had left off last week curling home a fine effort. Four minutes later and Sheridan won the ball well in midfield and scooped forward a pass which found Tomsett volleying home a superb effort which wouldn’t have looked out of place on Match of the Day. Djabi’s shot from distance brought a low save and Anson then flicked Sam Bailey’s throw into Carnell’s arms as the hosts tried to strike back.

On the restart Winder sent in a dipping effort which Carnell needed to watch and Anson flicked Sam Bailey’s corner over the top for the hosts. Just past the midway point Dom Smalley’s inside pass found Mooney in space and he curled home another fine goal over Powell in the home goal. Substitute Kilifin then brought a decent save out of Carnell from Sam Bailey’s pass and a poor clearance by Josh Granite found Carney firing wide.
The Robins could have extended their lead as Matty Chadwick slid Tomsett into the area with Powell making a good save and Tomsett himself floated an effort wide from Chadwick’s chest down.

Team; Carnell, Smalley, Baines, Granite, Chalmers (Platt 72), Sheridan (Smith), Lees, Tomsett, Evangelinos (Chadwick), Mooney, Pritchard. SNU: Roberts, Ollerenshaw