ASHTON UNITED 1, MARSKE UNITED 2
Ashton United’s first home fixture under new manager Steve Cunningham came to a disappointing end as the bottom-four side Marske United came from behind to repeat the scoreline of earlier in the season on the North East coast.
The Robins had two more new faces in their starting line up in the shape of Sean Newton at left back and Dale Whitham in midfield.
Newton, who has arrived as player/assistant manager, is reunited with Cunningham as they were together at Buxton last season. Whitham, once of neighbours Curzon, has been signed from Lancaster City.
Another new player was on the bench as Craig Hobson has been captured from Curzon making it seven signings for Cunningham’s whose first match was a terrific win at Warrington Rylands where there were four debutants.
The Robins started on the front foot as a bad back pass saw Jack McKay round Michael Roxborough in the visitors’ goal before seeing his pull back cleared.
Roxborough was again called into action after nine minutes as Newton forced him into a low save following great work down the right wing by Keilen Adams.
The Robins’ decision to play out from the back almost cost them after 20 minutes as Adam Boyes brought a good save out of Andre Da Silva Mendes before a determined run through midfield from Adams saw him denied by another full length save.
Just past the half hour Matty Regan’s long free kick was knocked down by Jason Gilchrist for Adams to take in his stride before finishing emphatically.
The lead only lasted two minutes as George Horbury’s shot was kicked away in front of goal by Sam Baird but the ball was recycled from the right wing for Donald Chimalilo to head it into the far corner.
Ashton appeared in their second kit after the interval, but it failed to have the desired effect as four minutes in a throw in from the right wing saw Horbury provide a superb left-foot finish from the edge of the area.
As the home side tried to fight back, Newton saw a low cross held following a neat one-two and Baird just missed Nathan Lowe’s far post corner.
Midway through the half, McKay sent an effort skimming over after Whitham had won the ball and Lowe’s near post free kick was cleared after McKay had won the award on the edge of the area.
With three minutes left, the Seasiders could have sealed the deal as Horbury got the better of Baird and set up substitute Joshua Scott who was only denied by Mendes and at the other end Hobson’s header landed easily in Roxborough’s arms.
Ashton United: Mendes, Baillie (Guilfoyle 90), Newton, Baird, Regan, Milner (Bunney 68), Gilchrist (Hobson 74), Whitham, Adams, Lowe, McKay. Subs (not used): Lonsdale, Hough.
- Jack Kenny, Michael Brewster and Ben Hardcastle have all left the club, Kenny and Hardcastle moving to Atherton Collieries and Brewster to Radcliffe FC.
Report: David Robinson.