ASHTON UNITED 5, HEBBURN TOWN 1
Ashton United finally returned to winning ways and it was achieved in style as they put five goals past Hebburn Town at Hurst Cross, having fallen behind early in the match to their North East visitors.
After six games without a win, it was a huge victory for the Robins which maintains their hold on the final play-off spot in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier – they are five points clear of Ilkeston Town who are sixth.
Southport loanee Marcus Carver was making his first home start and was to feature in the action later on, but it was the visitors first on to the attack as a ball through the middle from Liam Noble found Amar Purewal firing wide from a good position.
The scoring began in the ninth minute as Michael Turner’s pass from his own half found leading scorer Purewal finishing confidently under keeper Connor Eastham.
After Alex Byrne had dwelt too long with a clear sight of goal, Louis White won a corner which saw Sean Newton’s back post header helped over his own line by Matthew Elsdon.
Hebburn went close again as Robbie Spence’s header saw Purewal denied close in following Joe Posthill’s initial cross.
A near post corner was just kept out of Ashton’s net before the Robins moved ahead as Byrne’s right-wing cross was swept home on the half volley by White.
And four minutes before the interval Darius Osei had a goal ruled out for apparent handball as he collected Carver’s pass in the area amidst steady rain.
Two minutes after the break, White battled his way past Elsdon in the area and fired into the far corner for his second goal.
Carver then guided Byrne’s free kick over the top after Osei was brought down just outside the area. Carver’s shot was blocked after keeper Daniel Cameron had fumbled Byrne’s cross and the number nine then sent Burke’s cross wide of goal with a glancing header before Elsdon blocked his shot from Burke’s next run.
With 15 minutes left, Carver finally got his goal as Byrne set him up after Louis White had intercepted a square pass and the scoring was completed after 90 minutes as Carver touched home at the second attempt as Byrne’s cross reached him following a good pass from substitute Donald Chimalilo.
In added time Byrne could have got himself on to the scoresheet as he cut inside before steering wide on his right foot as the hosts registered their first win in seven outings.
Ashton United: C Eastham, Rose, Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Byrne, White (Chimalilo 78), Carver, Osei, Effunuga (Jeffers 92). Subs (unused): Denton, Hardy, Gilchrist.
Attendance: 324.
Report: David Robinson.