Leaders clip Robins wings

BetVictor Premier Division: Ashton United 0-2 South Shields

League leaders South Shields were unextended as they recorded an easy win at Hurst Cross where the scoreline failed to reflect their superiority. With just 3 minutes played a ball in from the left saw Nathan Lowe’s cushioned volley fall nicely for Jason Gilchrist to tuck it away and shortly afterwards a corner dropped to Aaron Thompson who hit his volley straight at Greg Hartley. Sam Sheridan’s low effort was then deflected just wide from Hardcatle’s lay off but on 19 minutes Sefton Gonzales turned inside and hit a shot off target which was awarded a dubious looking corner which saw the delivery turned back across goal for Gilchrist to notch his second. 

Gary Brown should have done better than help Robert Briggs’ delivery over the top after Nathan Lowe’s fizzing effort had been saved from 20 yards out. Sheridan’s lay back saw Mahon shoot over following a free kick but Sherdian’s failure to clear almost cost Ashton a third goal as Briggs volley hit the post. The Robins’ best chance of the first period saw Rowney firing over from a good position after Mahon’s chip into the area had been set up by Josh Wilson.

The second half had an inevitable feel about it but the Mariners could have registered again as Gilchrist’s flick put Gonzales clean through with Hartley blocking well and Ashton’s best player John Lufudu then beat two players but saw his cross cleared by Jordan Hunter. Briggs then had a low effort saved and saw his curling effort just touched away at the last for a corner by Hartley. Philip Turnbull’s quick thinking free kick saw Hartley hold on just below the bar and Sheridan saved the hosts after Gilchrist had again broken the defensive line.

Team: Hartley, Lufudu, Rigby (Pritchard 68), Hunt, Havern, Rowney, Hardcastle, Sheridan, Tames (Brewster 63), Wilson, Mahon (Anghel 68). SNU: Tserpes, Tomsett.

By David Robinson

Picture by John Porter