ASHTON UNITED 4, ATHERTON COLLIERIES 3
A high scoring encounter at Hurst Cross saw Ashton United recover from falling behind before holding on in the final reckoning against 10-man Atherton Collieries.
It was an important won which keeps the Robins within striking distance – three points – of the play-off places in Northern Premier League, premier.
Captain Nathan Lowe was restored into the Robins’ midfield and Alex Byrne was back on the right wing and it was his early cross which was blocked out at the near post before his next delivery saw Warren Clarke denied at the far stick.
Lewis Mansell then cut inside and brought a decent save from Barnsley loan goalkeeper Paul Cooper iand a decent build up then led to Mitchell Rose clearing the crossbar with a range finder.
After 13 minutes, Byrne’s cross came off James Hardy for Jake Charles to volley over but the game sprung to life after half an hour as Ben Rydel delivered a corner for Colls which saw Sidi Fofana’s far post header helped home close in by Dylan Moonan.
Immediately, Enock Lusiama was fouled outside the area by Ashton’s advancing keeper who picked up a yellow card.
Four minutes later a good turn by Charles won a corner at the other end and when Byrne delivered it Sean Newton was on hand to sweep the ball home at the far post.
On the stroke of half time, Byrne’s chip to the by-line saw Luke Burke provide a fine left foot finish from a narrow angle a minute after Teddy Mfuni had seen red for the visitors picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Byrne.
Three minutes into the second period, a great combination between Byrne and Burke saw Nathan Lowe find space in the area for an emphatic finish.
And four minutes later the game seemed safe as Hardy picked up a loose ball and exchanged passes with Mitchell Rose before firing past Kai Calderbank-Park.
With the hosts rampant at this point, Jordan Scanlon was penalised for a foul on Benny Couto out wide with Lowe’s curling effort coming back off the crossbar.
Four minutes from tome, Oli Putnam played a one-two on the edge of the area with Dan Cowan’s miscue allowing the substitute to pull a goal back and entering added time a left-wing cross was turned back by Fofana for substitute Dylan Thompson to help the ball home.
Ashton United: Cooper, Cowan, Newton, Couto, Burke, Lowe (Cusani 64), Byrne (Abbott 72), Rose, Hardy, Charles (Gilchrist 70), Clarke. Subs (unused): Milner, Caton.
Attendance: 389.
Report: David Robinson.