WHITBY TOWN 1, ASHTON UNITED 2
A virtuoso performance from Darius Osei saw Ashton United climb to fourth place in Pitchng In Northern Premier League, Premier table after a goal in each half was enough for victory on the North Yorks coast at Whitby Town.
After back-to-back league losses, it was an excellent win on the road for the Robins thanks to Osei’s double which took his season’s total to five..
In the first minute, winger Trevon Bryan, making his full debut on loan from Bolton Wanderers, cut inside and aimed a cross-field pass to Osei which was missed by the home defence allowing the number 10 to curl home confidently.
Three minutes later, the scores were level as Luke Burke was penalised for bringing down Joseph Gibson in the area after Benny Couto had lost possession allowing leading scorer Stephen Walker to slide home the equaliser from the spot.
Bryan then cut inside two defenders but shot straight at keeper Stephen Bland and Osei volleyed Bryan’s deep cross back across the goalmouth and midway through the half a spell of attacking pressure from the Robins culminated in Bryan heading Couto’s delivery over the top from a great position.
Five minutes before the break, the restored Jak McCourt saw his 25-yarder tipped over and the resulting corner saw Jason Gilchrist potentially fouled as he tried to sweep the ball home.
Two minutes into the second half, McCourt’s near post corner was just scraped off the line by Bland with his return ball appearing to be tipped over with no corner awarded.
Three minutes later, McCourt was in the action again as his cross saw Osei’s header touched brilliantly against the bar by Bland with Gilchrist rifling home the rebound from an offside position.
Just ahead of the hour, Ashton regained the lead as Dan Cowan and James Hardy combined to cross into the six-yard box where Osei made no mistake burying his header.
Twenty minutes from time, Frankie Whelan’s shot from distance just evaded the outstretched leg of ex-Ashton striker Jake Charles and Hardy then fired narrowly wide after Jack Massey had collected Couto’s cross.
With Ashton looking comfortable, Lewis Hawkins’ effort was just too high from Sean Newton’s clearing header and Massey’s cross was just cut out before Hardy could reach it.
Ashton United: Eastham, Cowan, McCourt, Newton, Burke, Baird, Couto, Hardy, Gilchrist (Denton 61), Osei, Bryan (Massey 61, Bjork 78). Sub (unused): O’Keefe.
Attendance: 482.
Report: David Robinson.