ASHTON UNITED 0, MATLOCK TOWN 1
Ashton United’s unbeaten home record was meekly surrendered as a single goal saw Matlock Town victorious at Hurst Cross.
It was a defeat which dropped the Robins from third to seventh place in Northern Premier League, premier division, though only three points still separate the top eight teams.
United showed wholesale changes from the weekend draw with Marine, including the absence of skipper Michael Brewster while the Gladiators featured ex-Robins’ Mark Lees and Kallum Mantack amongst others.
The opening exchanges were fairly even before Lees hit a rising drive over the bar after a corner had been cleared.
A crossfield pass then saw Jordan Barnett ride the challenge of Harry Coates before bringing a full length save out of Greg Hartley.
Midway through the half, United’s first clear-cut chance saw Matty Regan’s pass send Callum Saunders into the area where he hit a weak effort straight at goalkeeper Jim Pollard.
Reece Kendall sent a curling ball into Ashton’s area where Kallan Murphy headed a great chance wide.
Right winger Alex Byrne then hit a great cross to the near post which Hartley just scrambled away for a corner and with the interval imminent Barnett advanced and brought another low save out of the Ashton keeper.
The Robins made a couple of changes at half time and one of the substitutes Sam Sheridan was immediately booked for downing Murphy 25 yards out.
Saunders’ pullback then just failed to find the other substitute Mike Phenix, Sheridan firing the loose ball over from just outside the area.
Town then moved back on to the attack and after Byrne’s shot had deflected for a corner the winger put his delivery straight on to the head of Ryan Qualter who opened the scoring with a finish from inside the six-yard box.
Callum Chippendale then pulled a dangerous ball back from the by-line which was cleared for a corner by Hartley amidst claims for handball, Ioan Evans heading the near post corner wide.
Ben Hough then collected a return pass from Ben Hardcastle but fired it too high and Coates tested Pollard almost for the first time as he made a flying save from his header following Sheridan’s free kick.
With time running out, a ball through the middle saw Alex Wiles denied by Hartley before Hardcastle was dragged down on the edge of the area and Sheridan’s curling effort came back off the right-hand post to complete a couple of disappointing home outings for the Robins.
Ashton United: Hartley, Battersby, Regan, Simpson (Sheridan 46), Coates, Baird, Baillie (Phenix 46), Hough, Saunders (Harrop 68), Hardcastle, Warren. Subs (not used): Robbins, Lonsdale.
Report: David Robinson