ASHTON UNITED VS SOUTHPORT
DATE: SATURDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2018
KO: 15:00
VENUE: Hurst Cross Stadium, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 8DY.

Ashton United, there’s no two ways of looking at it, are on an abysmal run of form at the minute with 8 defeats in the last ten games in all competitions and only one win during that time. The Robin’s last outing was a humbling 6-0 defeat at home to Stockport County and the last win came back in early November with a 1-0 home win over Guiseley.
Whilst Southport are only one place above the drop zone, they are one of the divisions form sides at the minute having picked up 11 points out of a possible 15 in their last five league games. They will also be upbeat after having a good run in the F.A cup which, sadly for them, ended this Tuesday with a second round replay defeat at home to League Two Tranmere Rovers.

ONE TO WATCH:
We know we’ve already picked him in one of the other two fixtures against the Port this season but our one to watch is leading scorer, with six league goals, Dion Charles. Despite the early struggles the side have faced this season the 23 year old midfielder has been a shining light with 10 goals in all competitions so far this season. His most recent strikes come from the bench on Wednesday night when he scored two to help Southport through in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy.
Dion Charles started his career at Blackpool academy, however he was only ever named on the bench once for the senior team, in a 1-0 Championship win against Barnsley. Following the 2013/14 season he was released from Blackpool and joined AFC Fylde where he scored 18 goals in 52 games in the Conference North. This earned him a move to League 1 side Fleetwood Town, where again he failed to make an appearance, he spent a short time on loan at Halifax he went on to score 3 goals in 19 appearances. He then moved to Southport in 2018 where he finds himself today and appears to have refound the form he was in at AFC Fylde with ten goals in 23 games so far this season.

LAST TIME WE MET:
The last time these two sides met at Hurst Cross was over 13 years ago back in March 2005. And it was certainly one to forget for the Robins. Southport was awarded a penalty early on and Terry Fearns was the one to step up and take in, cooly slotting it past the Ashton keeper to give the away side a 17 minute lead. Ashton kept themselves in the game until the 55 minute minute when Fearns was on hand again to double Ports lead. Carl Baker then dealt a cruel blow in injury time to ensure the away side left Hurst Cross with a 3-0 win and all three points to boot.
In the last six meetings between the two sides, there have been two victories for each side and two draws. So, based on historical results Saturdays game could really go either way.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
Match updates will be available through the usual social media channels; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Alternatively you can make the visit to Hurst Cross with match prices as follows;
Adults - £12
Concessions - £8
Under 12’s £3