Ashton advance in FA Trophy

FA Trophy First Round: Ashton United 2-1 South Shields

Ashton got the better of their North Eastern visitors as the third time of asking with a goal from each of their centre halves good enough to progress to the second round of the FA Trophy. 

Even in this most interrupted of seasons the teams had already met in the league and the FA Cup and after the start was delayed due to a traffic issue the visitors made the early running as Callum Ross hit a dangerous cross right across goal after getting the better of John Pritchard and Greg Hartley needed to make a sharp low save from Alex Kempster following good work from Nathan Lowe. 

Hartley again needed to be alert to keep out Adams’ header from Lowe’s latest cross and after Pritchard had been fouled 40 yards out Chris Rowney put a speculative volley well wide. Jordan Hunter then just cleared the crossbar for Shields and another dangerous delivery by him was just cleared. The second period had just started as Millenic Alli shot straight at Boney after being released by Jake Cottrell and Lowe then fired a loose pass from Raynes wide of the target. 

On 50 minutes John Lufudu was fouled out wide and Pritchard’s delivery found Sam Baird arriving to help the ball over the line from close in but 6 minutes past the hour the visitors drew level as Turnbull’s cross eventually dropped to Jamie Sterry who half-volleyed home. With penalties looming Raynes made his way forward to head home Pritchard’s left wing corner and Hartley then had to palm away Osei’s header to preserve the lead and fellow sub Hindle saw his shot hit the post with the rebound bouncing wide off Osei albeit with the linesman’s flag raised. 

Team: Hartley, Lufudu, Pritchard, Rowney, Raynes, Baird, Brewster, Cottrell, Bentham (Almond 75), Alli (Hardcastle 75), Macadam. SNU: Bembo-Leta, Sheridan, Lynch. 

Picture by John Porter