Robins Thrashed by Rebels

Makeshift Squad Not Up To It - Report by Dave Robinson

Ashton were thrashed by play off hopefuls FC United after fielding something of a scratch team. Coach Billy McCartney was pressed into service at centre half for the second time this season but there was no doubt that the hosts were deserved winners.
After a long ball from the back had been missed by everyone including Phillips the chance was scrambled away and then a long cross from the left wing was headed over by Norton, Amadi cut inside and fired off target before Daniels cross for FC saw Mulholland’s header bring a fine save out of Phillips before the offside flag was raised.
It appeared only a matter of time before the rebels made the breakthrough and so it proved as Birch’s through ball was taken in his stride by Daniels who chipped the keeper to open the scoring. There were still only 15 minutes on the clock as a ball into the area bounced through to the goalscorer Daniels who pushed his effort narrowly wide. Former robin Astley Mulholand then reached the byline and his pull back was hammered against the post by Banks as Ashton were completely under the cosh.
A quick break at the other end saw Amadi poke a left foot effort wide and then Tom Moore lost the ball to Banks who curled an effort off target. Ashton then dallied in their own penalty area with the ball reaching Mulholland who went down for a likely looking penalty but the ref had other ideas and produced a yellow card. It wasn’t long before FC doubled their tally however as Daniels’ cross from the right was cleared from under Norton’s nose by Alex Frost at the cost of a corner which was headed home unchallenged by centre back Stott.
There was still time in the first period for Jacobs to reach the byline and Woolfenden to easily convert his cross to leave Ashton fearing just how bad the final scoreline might turn out to be. The second period didn’t live up to the same level of action as both sides knew the result had already been decided, sub Roca reached the byline for the home side before his cross was headed over by Daniels and then Roca was denied by Phillips after Norton had won the ball on the edge of the area.
Ashton registered their first attempt on target as Kosylo cut inside and fired a left foot shot straight at Worsnop and Chris Amadi then latched onto a short back pass but saw his effort deflected wide. Roca made a quick break before being foiled by Phillips for another corner from which Neville’s effort went through the keeper’s hands and hit the post and Norton’s effort drifted just too high as Ashton held on to ‘draw’ the second half and salvage a little bit of pride.
Team; Phillips - Frost, Moore, McCartney, Lambert - Kosylo, Burke, Baguley, Amadi - Barlow, Riley (B. Smith)
SNU; Caldecott, T. Smith, Burns, Sherriff