Following Gate’s emphatic 5-0 win over Maine Road in the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, Luke Evans’ men travelled to Hurst Cross Stadium to face Ashton United in the next round, with a place in the First Qualifying Round up for grabs.

It was the hosts who started on the front foot, with Gate ‘keeper Jordan Gidley forced into an excellent save after just nine minutes, after a free kick deflected kindly into the path of an Ashton forward. Gidley was called into action again five minutes later, denying Ashton skipper Josh Wilson from close range.

Bentham then missed an even better chance for Ashton, firing wide from close range despite having acres of space in the Gate box.
Gate survived the pressure though, and went close to an opener themselves on a couple of occasions, James Boyd shooting wide from a tight angle after a superb pass from Cameron Gourley, and Elliot Pond hitting a powerful low drive just wide of the target from the edge of the box.

Gate then should’ve taken the lead through Josh Pollard on 26 minutes. Dean Ing drove powerfully through the Ashton defence and cut the ball back to the unmarked Pollard, but the midfielder hit his shot over the bar from close range. Luke Evans’ men were made to rue their missed opportunities when, on 28 minutes, Brad Lynch put the hosts into the lead. An excellent ball over the top from Sheridan found Lynch through on goal who lobbed the ball expertly over Jordan Gidley.

Looking for an instant response, Gate went close on another few occasions before the break – James Boyd forcing a superb acrobatic save from Hartley in the Ashton net, and Elliot Pond firing over from the edge of the box. A dangerous corner from Ryan Riley then nearly sneaked in at the near post but the hosts survived.

Half Time: Ashton United 1-0 Squires Gate

Ashton United started the second period strongly, forcing numerous corners and free kicks in dangerous positions, all of which Gate defended well. Jordan Gidley was then forced into action again, denying Brad Lynch a second goal with a brilliant stop.

In contrast to the first half, chances were few and far between in the opening stages of the second half, with both sides defending strongly. Gate striker Dean Ing did manage a half chance as he fired over from the edge of the box while Bentham headed wide for Ashton from close range. On 72 minutes, Ashton United were able to double their lead despite the best efforts of the Gate defence. A dangerous cross from the right hand side fell to Ashton skipper Josh Wilson who headed powerfully past Jordan Gidley to give the hosts clear daylight.

The hosts then should’ve gone even further ahead five minutes later, with Ashton’s number 7 somehow firing the ball over the bar and out of the ground from just 10 yards out. James Boyd had a chance to pull one back for Gate on 82 minutes but was dispossessed just as he was about to pull the trigger. Josh Pollard then hit a difficult chance wide from the edge of the box with five minutes to go.

These were to be Gate’s last chances of the match as the hosts closed out the game professionally. Ashton even nearly went further ahead, with their number 7 hitting the post from the edge of the area deep in added time.

Full Time: Ashton United 2-0 Squires Gate

An end to Gate’s FA Cup dream at the hands of a strong and well-organised Ashton United side.

Report by James Ashton