Robins dig deep to claim FA Cup victory

FA Cup second qualifying round: Ashton United 1-0 Pontefract Collieries

A single penalty after just four minutes was enough for Ashton to progress to the 3rd Qualifying Round after a hot-tempered affair at Hurst Cross. Centre Forward Steven Tames won the award being brought down as he cut across Jameel Able and then converted confidently. The Robins gave a first appearance to Nelson Digbeu in centre defence and Curtis Obeng switched to left back and it was Liam Tosmett’s overlapping run which saw his cross just too far ahead of Nicky Clee. 

Greenhough’s long thrown in was then glanced wide by John Cyrus and a move started in their own half should have seen the hosts further ahead as Aaron Smith played Connor Hughes into the clear with Malkowski out to block and Hughes’ driven pass then found Liam Tomsett totally unmarked on the penalty spot with his first touch letting him down. With the interval imminent Sam Sheridan’s pass split the defence and saw Tames fire his effort past the far post. 

An early corner was then aimed by Nicky Clee to Aaron Smith who put his left foot shot wide but just before the hour Smith made things harder for Ashton seeing a red card after an off the ball clash with Jake Picton which saw the latter booked. Michael Dunn’s mazy run into the area was then only stopped at the last by Digbeu and Hughes appeared to be tripped just inside the area by Jack Greenhough with no spot kick forthcoming. 

Left back Smythe fired into the side netting from a tight angle and Bailey got insufficient contact on Smythe’s left wing cross and an attempted headed clearance just reached Carnell ahead of Bailey. The visitors’ best chance to equalise saw Joe Lumsden’s shot on the turn superbly saved by David Carnell with Fabian Bailey finishing the rebound from an offside position. Smythe’s shot from distance was well held by Carnell and as Tames was pulled back just outside the area Sheridan placed the resulting free kick just past the right hand upright.

By David Robinson

Picture by John Porter