HYDE UNITED 0, ASHTON UNITED 1
Summer signing Jack Kenny’s first senior goal for Ashton United was decisive in a typically tight local derby at Hyde United in front of a bumper Bank Holiday crowd of 855.
It maintained the Robins’ fine start to the season as they climbed to second spot in Northern Premier League, premier division.
They are on the same number of points and have the same goal difference as leaders Stafford Rangers who are top by virtue of having scored one more goal.
The visitors showed numerous changes from the weekend win over Warrington Town, including starts for Lorenzo Spinelli and Jacques Etia who were supporting Kenny up front.
The Tigers opened with Tom Pratt curling wide from Jack Redshaw’s lay off while for the Robins Kenny’s header set up Max Harrop who volleyed spectacularly over.
Midway through the half ex-Robin Redshaw could have opened Hyde’s account but was denied by a goalline clearance from Niall Battersby following Alex Dawson’s pullback.
Just past the half hour, Matty Regan headed Liam Tongue’s header off the line following Dawson’s corner and in added time Tongue sent Tom Pratt racing into the area from where he fired over.
The second period started with Tongue seeing a goalbound effort blocked before he picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and left Ashton’s crossbar shuddering with a fierce effort.
The action was now switching quickly and Harrop found himself denied by a latch-ditch block from Bradley Roscoe after Regan had made a great run out of defence. Regan was then denied on the line by Harry Ditchfield after a corner fell to him.
With time running down Spinelli released substitute Ben Hardcastle down the right and Jordan Simpson sent an effort from his cross spinning wide.
The breakthrough came with 13 minutes left. Goalkeeper Greg Hartley’s long clearance was flicked on by Callum Saunders leaving Kenny, signed recently from Welsh club Flint Town, to neatly round Gio Bellagambi in the home goal before sliding home.
There was still almost time for a grandstand finish as in added time Sam Baird headed a cross clear in front of Hartley giving Harry Pratt a clear sight of goal, but he struck the bar with Redshaw doing likewise with the rebound.
Harry Pratt then finally saw a shot blocked from Curtis Morrison’s lay off allowing the Robins to hang on move up to second place in the table.
Ashton United: Hartley, Battersby, Warren, Simpson, Regan, Baird, Spinelli, Milner (Brewster 70), Kenny, Harrop (Saunders 63), Etia (Hardcastle 60). Subs (not used): Taylor, Lonsdale.
Report: David Robinson.