BELPER TOWN 0, ASHTON UNITED 4
Ashton United’s great start to their Northern Premier League campaign continued with an emphatic win at next-to-bottom Belper Town.
Two goals in each half secured a comfortable victory as the Robins found themselves flying high in second spot.
On a sunny autumnal day, the action commenced on a near perfect playing surface with Max Harrop accelerating into the Belper area having exchanged passes with Cole Lonsdale before going down under challenge with a penalty appeal waved away.
The Robins were clearly holding sway at this point and just past the 20-minute mark made the breakthrough.
A free kick out wide was swung into the area by Lonsdale and goalkeeper Max Culverwell did well to keep out Matty Regan’s header but was unable to stop Michael Brewster forcing home the rebound from close range.
Captain Brewster almost added a second shortly afterwards as a misplaced pass in midfield saw his inventive chip drift just wide of the unguarded goal.
Belper’s Brodie Litchfield then took a long ball down well before firing wide of the near post, but just before the half hour the Robins went 2-0 ahead as an intricate build up saw Regan convert from close in after Lonsdale’s cross was teed up by Harrop.
Eight minutes after the restart Sam Sheridan dragged an effort wide from Brewster’s lay off and home full back Ben Middleton’s attempt hit the side netting after a short pass from substitute Tom Warren.
On the hour the visitors extended their lead as Sheridan set Ben Hardcastle free down the right and his cross was laid off by Joe Robbins for Callum Saunders to convert emphatically on the volley.
A long throw in then saw Litchfield’s goal bound volley hit the back of Regan.
Midway through the half, Hardcastle’s clearance from his own half sent Saunders free to advance into the area and finish confidently past Culverwell.
Saunders could have completed his hat-trick as Hardcastle’s deep cross was palmed out for Warren to lay it back only for Culverwell to recover sufficiently to deflect Saunders’ shot on to the bar.
Ashton United: Hartley, Battersby, Lonsdale, Sheridan (Simpson 61), Regan, Coates, Hardcastle, Brewster, Saunders, Harrop (Warren 46), Robbins (Phoenix 69). Subs (not used): Baird, Hough.
Report: David Robinson