Match Report: Ashton United 5-0 Matlock Town

Ashton United registered their 6th successive home league win as a 5-0 win over visitors Matlock maintained third place in the Northern Premier League.

Joe Robbins was draughted into midfield was their only chage from the defeat at Kidderminster but it was the Gladiators who made the brighter start as Robbins himself blocked Joseph West's ball into the area at the cost of an early corner. Another corner led to a second blocked effort this time from Duhameau and the centre forward then forced a low save from Luke Simpson after collecting a long ball.

As the visitors continued to press a long clearance needed Bernado Couto to deny the league's top scorer Jonathan Margetts and Marcus Cusani's pass then released James Hardy to round Deeney before he was crowded out from a tight angle. The hosts could have moved ahead on 25 minutes as a free kick was returned by Cusani and Jason Gilchrist's clever overhead saw Dan Cowan put his header over the top from a great position.

Just before the half hour Cowan's brave interception out of defence picked out the run of Cusani who cut inside before hitting an unstoppable effort into the top corner. 5 minutes after the restart and after Harry Wood's shot from a clearing header had been held under the bar, a quick break out of defence saw Gilchriust tee up Alex Byrne who cut inside before calmly sliding home against his former club.

The visitors could have pulled a goal back as Joshua Barnes shot was saved after Duhameau had knocked back Nathaniel Crofts' cross but it was the home side who moved further ahead as Byrne's long free kick was headed back across goal by Sean Newton leaving centre back partner Cowan an easy headed finish. With a minute left fans' favourite George Milner made a tremendous run from midfield and slid home his first goal for the club and in added time the persistence of Luke Burke saw him pull the ball back from the by line for Hardy to swivel and hit home giving Robins' fans much anticipation ahead of Saturday's visit of league leaders Radcliffe.