ASHTON UNITED 3, DUNSTON UTS 1
Ashton United avenged their FA Trophy defeat of last season running out 3-1 winners after a hard fought Emirates FA Cup, first qualifying tie against Dunston UTS at Hurst Cross.
Nathan Lowe, fresh from a stint in Australia, took over as captain and there was a debut in midfield for Mitchell Rose with winger Alex Byrne suspended.
Just three minutes in, Louis Potts’ effort needed to be tipped over by Daniel Staples following
Lowe’s through ball and at the other end David Robinson dragged his well wide after a long free kick.
The home side opened the scoring after 15 minutes as Potts and Keilen Adams exchanged passes before Adam’s cross was converted at the near post by the centre forward.
Luke Carr sent a raking effort from 20 yards just past Luke Simpson’s left-hand post but just after the midway point of the half Sean Newton sliced Jonathan Chrisp’s cross for an unnecessary corner which saw Chrisp head Phillip Turnbull’s delivery to the back post where Robinson swept it home.
With half time approaching, visiting winger Jordan Lamb won the ball from George Milner and saw his cross cleared by Newton.
After Carr had been booked for a foul on Rose and Potts had been denied at the far post, Rose turned on a loose ball and fired it just past the right hand post.
A decent left wing move followed for the visitors which finished with Carr skying his effort over and it took until 17 minutes from time for the hosts to regain the lead as George Milner won the ball and Nathan Lowe’s pass was helped on by substitute Jason Gilchrist for the talismanic Adams to sweep it home.
Ten minutes from time Luke Burke’s forward pass saw Gilchrist round the onrushing Staples only to see his attempt from a tight angle cleared in front of goal by Jude Swailes. A throw in then saw Cole Lonsdale’s clearing header volleyed over by Robinson.
But with three minutes remaining Gilchrist himself robbed last man Turnbull and sprinted clear before firing the Robins into the next round.
Ashton United: Simpson, Cowan, Newton (Lonsdale 68), Milner, Burke, Rose, Lowe, Abbott, Potts
(Gilchrist 62), Adams (Thompson 79), Cusani. Subs (not used): Robbins, Seol, Bianga.
Attendance: 242.
Report: David Robinson.