Six of the best at Hurst Cross

Report by David Robinson. Picture Jez Sayle

An all-action encounter saw the Robins of Ashton rescue a point from the league leaders after they had trailed 3-1 just past the hour mark. With Sam Sheridan unavailable after switching between the two clubs, John Roberts was restored to the midfield but it was the visitors who started the better with John Johnston’s decent run seeing Max Harrop’s shot blocked and Harrop then forcing David Carnell into a save with his left foot.
Just past the half hour Johnston’s run into the area saw his cross have insufficient power to reach Jordan Hulme but James Poole’s attempt to reach the loose ball saw a penalty awarded against Roberts which was coolly slid home by Johnston. Ashton immediately showed their metal as Liam Tomsett’s fine pass put John Pritchard in on Thompson and he tucked away the equaliser on his right foot. The half concluded with another unfortunate injury adding to Ashton’s long list as Aaron Chalmers fell awkwardly and had to be stretchered off with Pritchard moving to left back as Ashton reorganised and they survived as Jordan Hulme’s pass gave Johnston a sight of goal needing Carnell to make a low save.

Mark Lees got hold of a shot from 20 yards immediately on the restart and Josh Granite failed to get high enough as he headed Pritchard’s free kick wide at the far post. The ball was then spread wide to Chadwick who shot straight at Thompson but Alty regained the lead after 11 minutes as Johnston made a run right across the area and exchanged passes with Harrop before guiding his effort home and 6 minutes later Carnell failed to collect Poole’s corner allowing James Jones to knock the ball over the line.
With the hosts up against it Jake Moult was penalised for fouling Matty Chadwick just outside the area, a perfect position for Pritchard to curl home his second and with just 2 minutes left Josh Granite retrieved a loose ball and saw Tomsett head his cross against the bar with the rebound falling perfectly for Chadwick to nod home the equaliser and there was still time for Daniel Mooney to see his blockbuster fisted away by Thompson.

Team: Carnell, Dom Smalley, Baines, Granite, Chalmers (Deane Smalley 40), Roberts (Platt 74), Mooney, Lees, Chadwick, Tomsett, Pritchard. SNU: Smith, Hinchliffe, Ollerenshaw.