Mariners Hold Robins To Draw

NPL Premier Division: Ashton United 1-1 Marine

Promotion-chasing Ashton were pegged back by their visitors from Merseyside in a largely uninspiring encounter at Hurst Cross.

James Baillie was restored in the hosts’ defence on a breezy Autumn day, but it was the visitors threatening first as Hayden Campbell headed straight at Greg Hartley after Luke Clark’s throw in had been flicked on.

Five minutes later Callum Saunders won a header only for Joe Robbins to steer well off target and after James Barrigan was booked for dissent, he hit a good low drive which needed a low save from Hartley.

Matty Regan’s long ball then evaded Saunders with Ben Hardcastle hitting the side netting from an offside position and Kielen Adams turned well in midfield before firing astray and then saw his next effort blocked by a combination of Harry Coates and Regan.

The interval arrived with the visitors carrying the greater threat as Adams’ latest effort deflected out for a corner following a quick break.

The Robins opened the second period with Saunders’ shot blocked by Jonathan Spittle from Michael Brewster’s reverse pass and Saunders then helped Cole Lonsdale’s free kick over the top, once again being flagged offside.

Hartley was then required to make a fine double stop from Campbell and Adams after Callum Harris’ pass had set up the chance and he also had to tip away Campbell’s placed effort from range for a corner.

The breakthrough arrived following confusion in the home area with a quick break leading to Robbins’ cross headed back at the far post by Saunders and falling perfectly for substitute Mike Phenix to knock home his first goal for the club.

The lead only lasted three minutes, though, as Marine’s trade mark long throw-in saw Charley Doyle’s flick headed home close in by Campbell for a deserved leveller.

Campbell again saw a low effort saved as the ball dropped to him and Adams was eventually given offside as he fired over from Campbell’s chipped pass into the area close to the full-time whistle.

Pictures by John Porter