Seven goal thriller at Broadhurst Park

Report by David Robinson. Pictures Jez Sayle.

Ashton got their first win in the National League North after dramatically overturning a half time two goal deficit on their first visit to Broadhurst Park. With Scott Sephton drafted in at right back John McAtee was handed a full debut in midfield with former Robins Chris Lynch and Harry Winter in opposition for the Rebels.
Matty Chadwick immediately saw his cross palmed away by Crellin and then fired wide of the near post from Sephton’s lay off but on 7 minutes Liam Tomsett’s corner saw Sephton fouled in the area and Chadwick was his usual reliable self from the spot. Kurt Willoughby then lobbed Sam Tattum’s pass narrowly past the far post on the volley with a very audacious attempt and then just failed to reach Banister’s cross as the high tempo opening to the game continued.
Bohan Dixon then just failed to collect Sam Sheridan’s perceptive through ball but somewhat against the run of play the hosts then drew level as a long ball saw Josh Ollerenshaw fail to collect at the second attempt leaving Willoughby to walk the ball into an empty net. The same player then fired over after turning into space and Sephton’s driving run won a free kick 25 yards out with Chadwick forcing a save low down. A deep corner then found Lynch at the back post and his header set up Winter who had time to pick his spot to put the Rebels ahead and just 2 minutes later Crawford found Willoughby beating the offside trap and Banister knocked home the third despite initially miscontrolling.

The visitors made two changes at the break and within 6 minutes had reduced the deficit as a break from a corner saw Chadwick feed Tomsett who cut inside for a precise right foot finish. Chadwick then attempted to place his effort past Crellin requiring a decent save and the keeper then had to tip over Sheridan’s free kick and from the resulting corner sub Evangelinos headed the Robins level.
The other Ashton sub Dom McHale then fired straight at the keeper before cutting inside and forcing a great tip over and Tomsett was crowded out from Sheridan’s pass. Anghel then raced to the by line for Ashton but saw his cross beat everyone and Evangelinos glanced wide from Chalmers’ knock on but with 5 minutes left a fine move sent Matt Regan down the left wing and his cross was volleyed home at the near post by McHale. The action still wasn’t over as Litchfield sent in a curling effort which clipped the top of Ashton’s crossbar and Sheridan strode through midfield and hit a missile onto the right hand post which would have been a fitting end to his man of the match performance.

Team: Ollerenshaw, Sephton, Regan, Lees, Chalmers, Hill, McAtee (Evangelinos 45), Sheridan, Chadwick (Anghel 70), Dixon (McHale 45), Tomsett. SNU: Roberts, Woodford.