Robins return to Tameside empty handed

NPL Premier Division: Buxton 3-0 Ashton United

What appeared on paper to be a tough task turned out to be just that on plastic as the new league leaders ran out convincing winners in front of a crowd of 458 on an inhospitable day in Derbyshire.

The Bucks were buoyed by their recent journey into the 2nd round of the FA Cup and raced on to the attack with Greg Hartley needing to fist away a free kick after Stavros Tserpes had fouled Clarke on the left hand edge of the area.

A long ball then sent Jamie Ward racing into the area from where Michael Raynes crowded the winger out well and Ward then robbed Harry Coates bringing a good save out of Hartley with Dom Tear firing the rebound over.

Just past the quarter hour a long free kick from his own half by Hartley was headed across goal by Coates and Hardcastle brought a point blank save out of Richardson with Abadaki potentially impeded in the follow up.

The opening goal wasn’t far away and duly arrived as Elliott’s ball out wide found Ward in space and he cut inside 2 defenders before firing home a low effort.

Michael Brewster then saw a snapshot deflect off Hurst for a corner which was headed wide of the far post by Coates. Yonsian then failed to get sufficient contact on Hardcastle’s ball into the area but at the other end Ward’s long pass found Elliott in plenty of space for a right foot finish.

At the end of the half Ward was surprisingly flagged onside with Raynes needing to be alert and Hurst heading the eventual cross over the top.

Most of the second half became a forgone conclusion until halfway through Yonsian volleyed wide from Raynes header after a corner before another precise pass this time from Elliott picked out the run of Tear who rounded Hartley and slid into the empty net.

There was still time for substitute Jason Gilchrist to bring a decent low save out of Hartley before the points were confirmed for the hosts.

Ashton United: Hartley, Tserpes, Spratt, Sheridan (Loughlan), Coates, Raynes, Macadam, Brewster (Tomsett 77), Yonsian, Hardcastle, Abadaki. SNU: Harding, Hunt, Bentham.