ASHTON UNITED 0, BAMBER BRIDGE 0
Darius Osei was twice denied by the frame of the goal in a tight encounter between Ashton United and Bamber Bridge at Hurst Cross that saw the scoreline finish blank after both sides had dominated a half of the game.
The Robins extended their unbeaten start to their Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier campaign to four matches as they lie fifth in the table.
Ashton restored Sam Baird at centre back and recalled James Hardy to the starting line-up, and it was his pass to Jason Gilchrist in the opening minutes which was just cut out. Gilchrist was soon put through on goal by Osei’s flick from a long clearance but delayed his shot long enough for Will Squires to make the block.
Five minutes later the Robins’ leading scorer was forced off with an injury to be replaced by the lively Benny Couto whose free kick from the right was headed out by Chris Churchman with a goal kick surprisingly being awarded.
At the other end, Oliver Molloy won a free kick which led to Max Cane’s overhead attempt being held by keeper Corey O’Keefe and midway through the half Osei’s persistence took him into the area from where he rolled his effort against the left-hand post with Hardy helping the rebound on to the roof of the net.
Three minutes ahead of the interval, great work between Couto and Hardy saw the latter’s cross helped against the inside of the other post by Osei when scoring possibly looked easier. Couto fired a cross right across the area on the resumption and Michael Potts picked up a loose ball from Nathan Lowe before steering wide on his left foot.
Just past the hour, Couto’s pass put Hardy in with keeper Nick Michalski out quickly to block and Billy Hasler-Cregg’s overlapping cross was held by O’Keefe with Bridge in the ascendency.
Couto’s free kick was then headed wide from a good position by Dan Cowan and Hasler-Cregg won a corner which was only cleared following a scramble in the area.
With three minutes left, a poor clearance from Jack Massey gave Michael Potts the chance to test O’Keefe from distance and the action finished with Josh Doherty flicking Jak McCourt’s free kick wide.
Ashton United: O’Keefe, Cowan, Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Lowe, White (Denton 63), Gilchrist (Couto 15, Massey 78)), Osei, Hardy (McCourt 72). Sub (unused): Johnson
Attendance: 257.
Report: David Robinson.