Redshaw strike gives Robins the victory

NPL Premier Division: Ashton United 1-0 Lancaster City

A first half goal from the returning Jack Redshaw was enough for the hosts to win a hard fought encounter against visitors Lancaster.

The Robins handed debuts to James Melhado and Matt Sargent but it was the visitors going close first as Rob Wilson volleyed comfortably wide after decent work by Christian Sloan.

Harry Spratt then needed to cut out Charlie Bailey’s final ball to full back Sam Bailey after Michael Raynes had been beaten to the ball in midfield.

Midway through the opening period the only goal arrived as Ben Hardcastle won a corner from Michael Brewster’s long ball and his short delivery saw Redshaw’s goalbound effort go into the goal with the aid of a slight deflection.

Redshaw went close again having won a free kick which he fired in low – Wyll Stanway’s palm out saw Harry Coates help the ball wide from a decent position.

On the stroke of half time Spratt was penalised for fouling Nathan Reid on the edge of the area and Bailey’s free kick had to be fisted out by Greg Hartley with Bailey eventually converting from an offside position.

After the restart Andrew Teague advanced well through midfield and saw his pass to Reid steered wide of the target and Lancaster went close just before the hour as Reid robbed Coates and saw his near post cross helped over by Bailey. 

Next Hardcastle’s pass saw Yonsian roll his effort past Stanway with Teague on hand to clear off the line and Bailey’s burst into the area brought a low save out of Hartley.

Great control by Yonsian then put sub Ntula in the clear with Bailey’s challenge just in time and in added time Wilson strode forward after the ball had hit the ref and brought a stinging save out of Hartley from 30 yards.