HEBBURN UNITED 1, ASHTON UNITED 1
A game of two halves saw Hebburn United rescue a point from an evenly matched encounter against Ashton United on a sunny day at the Hebburn Sports Ground.
It was a result which sees Steve Cunningham’s side retain hold of fourth place in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier as their goal remains securing a play-off spot.
The Robins handed three players full debuts as Connor Eastham was in goal deputising for brother Jordan, Donald Chimalilo made a first start on the left wing and on the opposite side was Rakeala Jeffers who has been signed on loan from Stoke City.
The pitch has a significant slope towards the main stand and was a little bouncy as Sean Newton’s back heel cut out Amar Purewal’s pass intended for Olly Martin who then cut inside on to his left foot before hitting a wayward effort.
Just before the quarter hour, Chimalilo cut inside from the left wing and saw his shot rebound off Callum Dobson for Jason Gilchrist to knock the rebound wide close in.
Just before the half hour, Joe Posthill exchanged passes with Joao Carrington and fired over from a promising position before Dan Cowan made a vital challenge on Carrington on halfway.
Six minutes before the break, a long free kick from Josh Doherty saw Cowan’s header helped home close in by leading scorer Darius Osei to give the Robins the lead.
Three minutes after the resumption, Chimalilo forced Joe Walton into a booking as he tripped him with Newton’s free kick hitting the wall.
The intervention of two substitutes for the hosts turned the game around after Posthill’s deep cross had been retrieved by Callum West the ball fell for fellow replacement Liam Murray to volley home from the edge of the area with the aid of a deflection.
Within five minutes left, a long ball over the top saw Martin’s clever attempt needing to be tipped over by Eastham and Josh Docherty then made a vital clearance from Martin after Cowan had slipped whilst clearing.
At the other end, Gilchrist headed wide after Cowan had squeezed a cross over from Byrne’s pass.
West’s cushioned pass through to Carrington needed Newton to concede a corner.
In the closing moments, Tom Denton’s knockdown saw Posthill just deny Byrne as the contest finished all square.
Ashton United: C Eastham, Effunuga, Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Jeffers (Byrne 69), Cowan, Gilchrist (Waters 80), Osei, Chimalilo (Denton 74). Subs (unused): Rowe, Hardy.
Attendance: 742.
Report: David Robinson.