MATLOCK TOWN 5, ASHTON UNITED 1
Ashton United’s play off prospects in Northern Premier League, premier took a severe dent as they were thrashed by a Matlock team belying their lowly position.
It leaves the fate of the Robins, still only outside the top five on goal difference, no longer in their own hands.
Ashton will have to beat Marine in their final league game on Saturday and trust other results fall their way.
With Jason Gilchrist still suspended and the unfortunate Alex Byrne now out for the season, Brad Abbott and Mitchell Rose both started in the Robins’ midfield, but it took just six minutes for them to concede as Harry Wood declined a shot in favour of a pass to John Johnston whose cross was miscued into his own net by Sean Newton.
Johnston then shot past the near post following a quick break and his cross from a quickly taken free kick needed Dan Cowan to clear.
Just before the half hour, Nat Crofts’ shot was deflected over off Sam Baird and when the return ball from the resulting corner reached him Crofts rifled the loose ball into the far corner.
As the half drew to a close, Cowan’s header from Nathan Lowe’s corner gave Saul Deeney an easy save and Lowe’s ball into the area was just too far ahead of Kielen Adams.
The visitors introduced James Hardy and Benny Couto at half time and were soon forced to replace Cowan but the pressure from the Gladiators continued as Crofts stepped inside Luke Burke and saw a swerving effort just miss the far post.
But 12 minutes into the half, right back George Wilkinson robbed Warren Clarke and strode forward before finding the bottom corner with a left foot strike.
Four minutes later and the fourth goal arrived as Crofts’ square ball saw Wood in plenty of space to convert from the edge of the area and livewire substitute Tavonga Kuleya then skipped past Burke and Baird before his cross was scrambled clear.
The damage could have got worse as Curtis Durose overhit a pass to Liam Hardy when in a 2 v 1 situation, but the Robins found a consolation as Couto continued his fine recent scoring record with a superb left foot effort from 22 yards leaving Deeney no chance.
There was still time for a fifth goal in added time as a loose pass saw Kuleya advance before firing home on his left foot.
Ashton United: Cooper, Cowan (Cusani 49), Newton (Couto 46), Lowe, Burke, Baird, Abbott, Rose (Hardy 46), Charles, Adams, Clarke. Subs (unused): Caton, Culkin.
Attendance: 471.
Report: David Robinson.