ASHTON UNITED 2, FC UNITED 0
Ashton United completed a double against their near neighbours FC United to retain fifth place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier on a New Year’s Day when the top seven teams were all victorious.
Goals from Darius Osei and Louis White in the opening half hours were enough to secure maximum points for the Robins.
With Alex Byrne making his first full start for the hosts since serious injury, the action got underway on a surface which had stood up well to the recent deluges and just two minutes in Osei moved past Declan Evans with Charlie Hayes-Green cutting out his cross while Byrne’s deep delivery being palmed away by ex-Robins’ keeper Conor O’Keefe.
The FC defence was under further pressure two minutes later as White’s header was blocked but just one minute further on Byrne and James Hardy combined for the former to provide an unmissable chance close in for leading scorer Osei.
With all the danger coming from the right wing the dynamic Luke Burke provided another great cross which was headed away before Byrne’s latest cross reached White at the far post who fired over leaning back.
A minute later White tried an audacious attempt to catch O’Keefe off his line with the keeper just able to tip the ball over before White doubled the lead when he curled home a 25-yard free kick after Charley Munro had been penalised for pulling down Byrne.
Five minutes into the second period a loose pass from Remi Efunnuga saw former Premier League striker Adam Le Fondre latch on with Sam Baird making a vital tackle in the area, fairly in the view of referee Abid Hussain.
Le Fondre then fired a poor clearance by Jordan Eastham past the near post and Burke’s cross was squeezed away from the near post before Hardy’s effort was blocked close in.
With 20 minutes left, substitute Declan McLoughlin was fouled on the edge of the area by Josh Doherty with Le Fondre’s free kick hitting the wall.
Byrne’s cross won a corner at the other end and Doherty’s blockbuster brought a full length save out of O’Keefe. Le Fondre then provided the cross which saw Jordan Buckley turn the ball goalwards with Eastham saving low down.
Hardy’s cross saw Osei just fail to convert at the far post, albeit from an offside position. Nathan Lowe sent a long-range effort past the left-hand post and Jordan Preston’s snapshot was straight at Eastham as the action ended with Ashton comfortable winners.
Ashton United: Eastham, Cowan, Doherty, Efunnuga, Burke, Baird, Byrne (Lowe 75), White, Hardy (Gilchrist 85), Osei, Rowe (Bryan 63). Subs (unused): Denton, Newton.
Attendance: 943
Report: David Robinson.