ASHTON UNITED 0, FC UNITED 3
A second-half hat-trick from FC United’s Regan Linney condemned Ashton United to a heavy home defeat in their last home league game of the season.
Linney, 22, the former Bamber Bridge striker, found the net three times in the last half hour as Ashton suffered a second Easter loss following the one at Whitby Town two days earlier.
And with their squad badly depleted through injury, the season’s end cannot come quickly enough for Ashton whose resources have been badly stretched in recent weeks.
However, there was a ray of sunshine with last Monday’s win against neighbours Hyde United in the final of the Manchester Premier Cup.
The hosts started with a 5-3-2 formation in front of 901 fans as the game got off to a cagey opening.
Just past the quarter hour, FC United went close when a quick break saw Linney’s pass release Harry McGee whose cross was met by Josh Galloway whose effort struck the underside of the crossbar with the ball bouncing to safety.
At the other end, Jack Redshaw fired too high on the turn as Ben Hardcastle’s cross dropped to him.
Galloway’s corner was then headed over at the near post by Harry McGee as the first half concluded with little meaningful goalmouth action to report.
FC United started the second period with three substitutions in rapid succession before Redshaw collected a loose ball for Ashton and forced Lavercombe into a tumbling save.
Just past the hour came the breakthrough for the visitors. Luke Griffiths was given too much space to put his cross for centre forward placed Linney to place his header perfectly to go into the net off the left-hand post.
A neat turn by Linney then saw Hartley needing to be alert to block an effort from substitute Josh Askew who then provided the cross for Linney to side foot straight at Hartley before Askew did the same thing from the left wing.
With 10 minutes left, ex-Ashton full back Askew ran from midfield to set up Linney who converted an unmissable chance in front of goal.
Askew was again in the thick of the action as he was brought down by goalkeeper Greg Hartley with Linney completing his hat trick from the spot.
In-between times Parabou Jenkins was dismissed for a strong challenge on Michael Donohue with the FC United full back only receiving a yellow card despite retaliating.
Ashton United: Hartley, Hardcastle, Lonsdale, Donlan, Coates, Baird (Ntula 68, Bentham 87), Sheridan, Tomsett, Yonsian, Redshaw, Jenkins. Subs (not used): Taylor, Hunt, Spratt.
Report: David Robinson.