Match Report: Ashton Utd 2 Bradford Park Avenue 1 

Ashton moved up to 4th place in the NPL table with a hard fought victory over their visitors from West Yorkshire.

James Hardy, on loan from Macclesfield, was making his debut in midfield with ex-Ashton veteran Gianluca Havern in the opposing defence and Avenue had the first real chance as Chinedu Osadebe cut inside before bringing a diving save out of Luke Simpson after Will Lancaster had found space on the edge of the area.

On 9 minutes Luke Burke's overlapping run was picked out by Alex Byrne with his cross kicked away by keeper Sykes-Kenworthy before Joe Robbins volleyed wide. Left back Bernado Couto then hit a fine pass from his own half which sent Byrne racing into the area and when his cross was only palmed out Jason Gilchrist was on hand to put the hosts ahead. Gilchrist probably should have registered again as another Couto pass put Byrne thorugh on goal with his effort hitting the post and the centre forward putting the rebound wide.

Just past the half hour the Robins had a warning as Dan Cowan dwelt on the ball allowing right back Lucas O'Dunston to stride into the area before firing narrowly over but 2 minutes later O'Dunston raced across the edge of the area before firing the equaliser into the bottom corner. Five minutes from the break Nathan Lowe was fouled 30 yards out with Gilchrist forcing a sharp save at the near post but in added time Gilchrist hit a square pass after Byrne won the ball on the right wing which was converted close in by Hardy for a debut goal.

Shortly after the break Marcus Cusani replaced the injured Lowe and later on Brad Abbott would be stretchered off with a serious looking injury leaving the hosts down to 10 men for the final 6 minutes. Approaching the hour the visitors had a good spell of possession with Mason O'Malley's cross cleared from the near post by Sean Newton before Harry Colville's shot needed a tumbling save and Richmond's volley was held. With 3 minutes left a neat move finished with Harrison Hooper's curling shot missing the far post and his shot then deflected through to Richmond who could only hit the side netting.