Robins finish all square

Report by David Robinson. Picture Jez Sayle

Ashton’s final fixture in the National League North saw the two Robins teams play out a 1-1 draw at a cold Hurst Cross in a match which ultimately had nothing hanging on it. With the Ashton team already relegated only a win for the visitors would have been enough to overtake Spennymoor with their play-off place already assured.
It was the hosts off to a flyer as 2 minutes in Connor Dimaio’s run through midfield took him to the edge of the area from where he played in Liam Tomsett who swept the ball past Elliot Wynne. Just before the quarter hour Matt Regan’s long pass was missed by James Jones with Craig Hobson firing against Wynne, Regan was then booked for catching Matty Chadwick on the break and Max Harrop’s resulting free kick was headed home at the far post by Jake Moult.
James Poole then progressed through midfield only being stopped by Luke Ashworth at the cost of a booking and 2 minutes before the break Callum Dolan was also brought down by Ashworth who was dismissed.

The second period had an inevitable relaxed feel about it as Paul Ennis helped Sheridan’s free kick over the top and Harrop forced a low save from McMahon before Hancock steered his header over from Densmore’s cross. Poole could have put Alty ahead as he guided John Johnston’s cross past the far post and Tomsett could have won it for the home side as he followed Sam Sheridan’s pass into the area and hammered his effort against the right hand post. Poole missed another chance for the winner as he volleyed Hancock’s chest down narrowly wide of the Ashton goal.

Ashton Utd: McMahon, Mantack, Regan, Chalmers, Ashforth, Kay, Ennis (Anghel 62), Sheridan, Hobson (Roberts 54), Dimaio, Tomsett. SNU: Woodford.