Match Preview

Author: James Burch

Ashton United go into their re-arranged fixture against Witton Albion tonight knowing at least a point would secure a play-off place. After a 2-0 defeat away at Whitby Town on Saturday, the Robins failed to guarantee a spot in the top five and with two home games coming up in the next four days they will be looking for this to change. Paul Phillips and Steve Halford’s men have the perfect opportunity to end the campaign on a high, sending them into a respective semi-final next Tuesday.

Despite losing two of their last three away games, the Robins are in frightening form at the fortress, Hurst Cross. Ashton United captained by Jay Gorton have won seven of their last eight home games, with the only blip coming on the 10th March 2015, as a late collapse saw the side throw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 against Frickley Athletic.

In front of their own supporters, the Robins have picked up 23 points from a possible 33 since the turn of the year. Keeping two home clean sheets on the bounce, you have to go back to the aforementioned midweek fixture against Frickley Athletic to find the last time Paul Phillips and his back four conceded a goal, that’s an incredible 180 minutes of competitive play. The back four have shipped just 10 goals in their last 10 games, meaning they concede on average a measly 1.0 goal per game.

Fans should be expecting a big second-half this evening, as the Robins have scored 55% of their goals this season after the hour mark. Pilkington and co have scored an incredible 28% of strikes between the 45th and 75th minute and incredibly the Robins last ten goals (not counting the own goal against Matlock Town) have come in the second-half.

The key-man for the clash against Witton Albion is goalkeeper Paul Phillips, who has picked up four clean sheets in his last seven appearances. After frustrations in March, the experienced keeper has bounced back with style in April to the delight of the Hurst Cross faithful. Phillips has been in fine form and has commanded his area very well in recent weeks. Phillips also has demons to banish, after conceding five and getting sent-off in the reverse fixture back in November, however his team should have every confidence in him to do just that!

Our opponents Witton Albion currently sit 15 places (19th) and 32 points (49) behind the Robins going into Tuesday evening’s fixture. When the Robins travelled to Wincham Park back in November, the Albs sat at the foot of the table with barely a victory to their name. A hugely unexpected 5-2 victory that day, also ended the sides run of 12 straight defeats in the league. Five months on and things are looking slightly brighter for the Cheshire based club, as they currently sit two points above the drop zone with two games to go.

Manager Tony Sullivan had turned things around, with the team one of the form sides in the league between February and March, as they lost just one of nine matches. However, a run of three defeats from their last four has seen them dragged back into a relegation dog fight.
The Albs go into the game fresh from a thumping 5-1 defeat against play-off hopefuls Blyth Spartans on Saturday. Before this they had failed to score in 270 minutes of football against Whitby Town, Nantwich Town and FC United of Manchester.

Our opponents have picked up 31 of their 49 league points at home this season and are one of the best sides in the bottom ten in front of their own loyal fan base. Sullivan and his backroom staff have gone some way to repairing the troubles the side had on the road, however it is still safe to describe them as a ‘working progress.’ The Albs have lost heavily four times away from home in 2015 and have picked up just 7 points from a possible 21 in this time. Having conceded 17 times this year, the Albs rarely pick up away clean sheets. However, they have picked up three shut-outs on the road this season, with each of these ending in victories for the side.

Witton Albion’s key man for the game is forward Daniel Andrews who has fifteen goals to his name this season, with twelve in open play and three from the penalty spot. The pacey attacker has scored three of his sides last eight goals and will need to be watched closely if the Robins are to pick up that all-important clean sheet.

The last time the sides met at Hurst Cross on the 26th April 2014, it all went wrong for Ashton United. With a place in the play-offs confirmed, a weakened side was fielded as the Albs romped to a 4-1 victory, with Matt Chadwick scoring the only consolation on the day.

A win for Ashton United would see them move up above local rivals Curzon Ashton into 3rd position, whereas three points for Witton Albion could see them go on level points with Kings Lynn Town and Ramsbottom United.