Robins return to winning ways

BetVictor Premier Division: Ashton United 3-1 Witton Albion

Ashton came from behind to take the points at a blustery Hurst Cross. They were giving a debut to Billy Sass-Davies in defence but it took just 8 minutes for the visitors to move ahead as Will Jones lobbed a loose ball across the area which dropped for Tom Owens to neatly convert, Jones being injured in the build up and needing to be replaced.

Josh Wilson’s cross appeared to be squeezed away via the cross bar at the far post before the whistle brought a stop to the play and it took the Robins almost until the break to register a shot on target as John Lufudu cut inside and found Ben Hardcastle whose effort came back off the crossbar. Entering added time John Pritchard’s corner was returned by Michael Brewster for Steven Tames to convert from close in. Billy Smart’s shot from distance was deflected for a corner which saw Hartley hold on to the same player’s header from the resulting corner.

Lufudu was fouled just outside the area by Josh Wardle on the restart and Pritchard placed his free kick against the bar with Chris Renshaw beaten and McKenna’s corner at the other end saw a bout of pinball finish with the ball safely in Hartley’s grasp. On the hour the hosts moved ahead as another Pritchard free kick saw Luca Havern head back across goal for Brewster to knock over the line via Sass-Davies’ touch.

With Ashton now on top Havern’s long clearance was held up by Louis Almond whose shot on the turn forced a low save out of Renshaw and as Wilson tried to reach the loose ball he was impeded by Adam Anson with Wilson exacting revenge from the resulting penalty. Greg Hartley earned his corn by preserving Ashton’s two goal lead with a fine save from sub Kyle Sambor after he had run clear on to Owens’ pass. Sass-Davies was then on hand to deny Anson in the area as a loose ball fell to him and Anghel’s shot from distance was palmed away with Sheridan’s follow up off target.

By David Robinson

Picture by John Porter