Match Preview

Author: James Burch

Ashton United will be looking to end the regular season on a high on Saturday as they welcome high flying Rushall Olympic to Hurst Cross. A 2-1 victory over Witton Albion on Tuesday night secured consecutive play-off semi-finals for the Robins, they will now be hoping league champions FC United can beat Workington AFC, to secure Phillo and Ackers men a 2nd placed finish and a home semi.

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 eight of their last 9 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 26 points from a possible 36 since the turn of the year. Keeping two home clean sheets from their last three matches, the back four have shipped just 11 goals in their last 11 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, which was continued in midweek as Ben Deegan’s winner came in the 67th minute. The forward line of Pilkington and co have scored an incredible 28% of strikes between the 45th and 75th minute and incredibly the Robins last 12 goals (not counting the own goal against Matlock Town) have come in the second-half.

The key-man for tomorrow’s clash is the aforementioned Deegan, having signed from Tameside rivals Droylsden last month for his second spell at Hurst Cross, the powerful forward has become a key asset in the Robins weaponry. With a steely stare in his eye, the striker is a nuisance for defenders up and down the country, as he uses his experience and muscular physique to out muscle his opposition. You would be naïve too if you think the 26 year old is solely a battering ram, having scored two goals in six matches, expect the forward to contribute to more goals and utilise his amazing aerial ability.

Our opponents Rushall Olympic currently sit seven places (9th) and 15 points (69) behind the Robins going into Saturday’s final league game of the 2014/15 season. In recent weeks the West Midlands based side have been on top form, a run of five defeats in October 2014 prevented a real promotion push but Richard Sneekes men seem to be building and should be there or thereabouts at the top end of the table next season.

Currently the form side in the division, the side are enjoying an unbeaten April. This run has seen a draw and four victories meaning you have to look back to the 28th March to find the last time the Pics tasted defeat, as they did subsequently at home to Frickley Athletic.
The men from Dales Lane have scored an impressive 74 league goals this season, which 27 of these coming from the division’s top goal scorer Aaron Williams. The Pics have the best goal scoring record in the bottom half of the table and have even scored more than promotion hopefuls Workington AFC. The aforementioned Williams has a prized accolade on his mind and only four goals from Blyth Spartans Daniel Maguire or Buxton’s Liam Hardy would snatch the golden boot away from the former Worcester City frontman.

The side’s last four games have presented a staggering 13 goals for the Pics, with the peak coming on Easter Monday as they completed a six goal demolition of already relegated Trafford FC. At the back things are also looking incredibly solid. 63 goals shipped in 45 league games means the back line lets in on average a measly 1.4 goals per game. Sneekes men have conceded just three times in their last five matches, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Away from home, the Pics have lost just three of their 10 matches since the turn of the year, winning six and drawing once. Having obtained 33 points on the road from a possible 60, Williams and co have the sixth best away record in the division, with only the top divisions top three, Ilkeston FC and Buxton picking up more points away from their own loyal fan bases. Having kept just two away clean sheets in the first five months of the season, the side have now picked up five shut-outs since Boxing Day.

The Staffordshire senior cup winners haven’t had much luck against the play-off sides this season, however they did come away with three points at the Tameside Stadium as they beat Curzon Ashton in early September.

The last time the sides met on the 20th December 2014, a Dale Johnson brace gave the Robins all three points at Dale’s Lane despite conceding early on. The Robins also beat the Pics during their last visit to Hurst Cross, as goals from Aaron Chalmers and Martin Pilkington gave Phillo and Ackers men the three points.

A victory for Ashton United, would move them up to second in the table in the process confirming a home play-off semi-final. However this does depend on the Workington AFC vs FC United result at Borough Park. Three points for Rushall Olympic could see them move as high as 7th, the side are also guaranteed to finish at worst 10th due to their respective 11 point cushion over Halesowen Town in 11th.