Ashton advance in FA Cup

FA Cup Preliminary Round: Ashton United 2-0 Squires Gate

The hosts progressed to the first round qualifying of this season’s FA Cup with a goal in each half sufficient to see off their visitors from Blackpool. An open start to proceedings saw chances at both ends with the best needing a sharp save from Jordan Gidley to foil home centre forward Tom Bentham inside the area after Sam Sheridan’s pass has found its way through.

Four minutes later Bentham was denied again by the keeper this time from a Josh Wilson pass at the expense of a croner and after Brad Lynch had easily beaten his full back a return ball into the area saw Bentham drag his effort wide of the far post. A long ball from Gourley then found James Boyd who could only hit the side netting and a subsequent corner only stayed out of Ashton’s next due to a double block before Boyd stabbed the loose ball wide.

The hosts moved ahead just before the half hour as another Sheridan ball from inside his own half found Brad Lynch arriving ahead of Gidley in time to flick the ball home for the opening goal. James Boyd immediately found space for the visitors and his 25 yard effort needing palming away by Greg Hartley. With the interval approaching a great run by Riley set up Elliot Pong whose effort just cleared the bar.

Lynch quickly brought a flying save out of Gidley after exchanging passes with Wilson and Lynch then saw his cross from the by line headed wide of a gaping goal by Bentham. With Ashton living dangerously they were relieved to extend their lead as Millenic Alli provided a cross from the right wing which saw Josh Wilson’s perfectly placed header land out of Gidley’s reach and Pond was then crowded out at the other end by Lufudu with no penalty award forthcoming. Brewster’s quickly taken free kick then saw Alli fire over when well placed and he came even closer in added time as a tremendous left foot effort was only denied by the post.