All the 8s, A couple of ressie wins and an FA Vase replay

It's been a hectic couple of weeks at Edge Green Street. Firstly Ade McElhinney has been appointed boss of the reserves with myself helping Ade out. Ade joins Ashton Town after a spell as boss at Skelmersdale side Toby Celtic. Ade's first game in charge seen the reserves travel to AFC Darwen to take on a side who returned to the league after a one year absence. It proved to be a succesful afternoon in Darwen for Towns' reserves. Ashton started the game confidently but switched off after 20 minutes and AFC Darwen went 2 goals up, both from well worked set pieces. Neil Unsworth capped off a fine debut for the club with 2 goals to make it 2 a piece. The 1st came in the 1st half with the second coming within a minute of the restart. Including Unsworths second goal Ashton scored 3 goals in 4 minutes to blow AFC Darwen away and made it 4-2. The other two goals scored by under 18s striker Jamie Hutchinson. Ashton's football got better and better and the pass and move that was on display was an absolute pleasure to watch. Hutchinson completed his hat-trick making it 5-2 before Mark Dears made it 6-2 and Mike Goodwin Made it 7-2. Hutchinson scored his 4th and Ashtons' 8th in style after one of the best through balls from Keiron Hoult you will see. The move was finished in style by Hutchinson to cap off a fine afternoon for the reserves. Unfortunately whilst the reserves were scoring 8 the first team were conceding 8. Goals from McShane, Molyneux, Byrne, Adegbenro and doubles from Bellew and Carey completed the 8-0 rout for Runcorn Town at Edge Green Street.
The second of Ade's games in charge seen Ashton Town reserves take on Daisy Hill at EGS. Daisy Hill took the lead but an instant reply from Kev Hill made it 1-1. Hill then scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 at the break. Hill then made it 3-1 shortly after the break before Daisy Hill pulled one back making it a nervous finish. The game stayed 3-2 and made it 2 wins out of 2 for Ade McElhinney as reserve team boss. Whilst this game was taking place the first team were involved in the FA Vase away to Maltby Main of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. Hunter gave the home side the lead on 13 minutes before Edmonds equalised for Town 7 minutes after the break. After an atttack down the left Mason made it 2-1 to Maltby Main on 57 minutes but a fine free kick from Greg Harrison on 78 minutes ensured Ashton had a share of the spoils. One question I would like to ask is why the game never went to extra-time? Anyway the replay is due for Tuesday at EGS. It was a great result to get a score draw at Malby Main and an equally good performance is needed for us to complete the job back at EGS.

Due to the FA Vase replay there has been a few changes to our fixtures. The Wigan Cup second round match away against Highfield which was scheduled for Monday 6th September and the League game away to AFC Blackpool which was due to take place on Tuesday 7th September now have to be rescheduled. The Wigan Cup tie will now take place at Edge Green Street on Monday 13th September but the AFC Blackpool game is yet to be rescheduled.

Onwards and Upwards

At the end of a storm...

Well as the famous song says At the end of a storm, There's a golden sky. This week at Ashton Town there couldn't be a song lyric which sums up the goings on any better.

The day before Ashton Town were due to play Rochdale Town at home (Friday 20the Aug) Reserve Team Manager Ian Granite and his Assistant, John Wilkie, resigned from their positions at the club. With that, some players also asked to be released from the club. Ashton Town Reserves were due to play Glossop North End Reserves in a League match the day after but were struggling for a team. After a lot of ringing round by Reserve Team Coach Danny Gilbody we thought we had a team to take to Glossop. First Team Assistant Manager Stefan Ochwat then asked me would a go with Dan and give him a hand. So on the morning of the game we went to EGS to pick up the team sheets and 3 signing on forms for 3 youth lads who were helping us out. We then went to the Polo where the rest of the players were meeting. When we arrived at the Polo a few of the players decided they didn't want to play and so with only 9 men we couldn't field a team at Glossop.

I then returned to EGS to rejoin the First Team. With all the things that went on in the morning it would of been forgiven that some people's heads may not of been completely focussed. However, they were. Rochdale Town were a totally different side to the team that played at EGS at the back end of last season and Ashton had to work hard to get the 3 points.

The break through came 7 minutes after the break when Kev Hill looped a header over Rochdale keeper Mark Canning. After many chances the game was finally wrapped up 2 minutes from time when Stephen Edwards scored a close range header to put the game beyond doubt.

Two days later Ashton took part in the Wigan & District Cup when they faced Fir Tree Rangers who play in the Premier Division of the Wigan and District League. The match was won emphatically as Ashton easily dispatched of the Westleigh outfit by 8 goals to 2. So it's true, At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky.



This week at EGS the visitors will be Runcorn Town. As far as my knowledge goes this may be the first time the two sides have met. Runcorn Town are somewhat of an unknown quantity in the Vodkat League, however I do know a tiny little bit about them. I know they have a very good reputation in the local area and I also know that they had a very good reputation in the West Cheshire League which they were competing in up until this season when they joined the Vodkat League. Runcorn Town were promoted to the Premier Division of the West Cheshire League as Champions of the First Division in 2007. The following season Runcorn Town finished 3rd in the Premier Division on 66 points, 7 points behind Champions West Kirby. The 2008/09 season seen Runcorn Town drop a place to 4th this time finishing 10 points behind Champions West Kirby. Last Season Runcorn Town had arguably their best season in recent history. Runcorn Town ended up finishing 3rd 4 points behind Champions Cammel Laird Reserves and were duly promoted to the Vodkat League.

This Season Runcorn have played 3 games, winning all of them. They have dispatched of Abbey Hey by 5 goals to 1, AFC Darwen by 4 goals to 0 and Oldham Boro by 3 goals to 1. They have had 3 points deducted, however, for fielding an unregistered player against Abbey Hey on the opening day of the season. Runcorn will be very tough opposition based on their excellent record over the last 5 years and we know that every one is going to have to be at their best if the sky above EGS is going to remain Golden.

Onwards and Upwards

Out but not down the review of the fa cup and a preview to Cheadle Town

The saying goes "down but not out" but in Ashton's case it's the opposite way round. It's a case of out of the FA Cup at the 1st hurdle. That hurdle though couldn't knock us down but could only give us a little set back. Looking from the outside and looking at the result on the vodkatleague website on Saturday night you would think a nice routine win for Colne but the truth is that it was far from it.
The first half seen Ashton shoot down the hill. Ashton defended resolutely and lads put their bodies on the line for the club. Ashton did put the ball in the back of the net in the first 45 minutes from the left foot of Kev Hill however the linesman had raised his flag for offside. The only other chance in the first half worth noting for Ashton came when Stephen Edwards broke free of the last man only to mis-cue and lift his effort tamely wide.
The second half seen Ashton shoot up the hill and 5 minutes in Colne took a quick throw in on the half way line. The Colne number 11 turned and ran at the Ashton defense. He began to stumble about 10 yards from the box but managed to stay on his feet until he reached the penalty area. When he enterred the penalty area he lost his footing and the referee pointed to the spot. The rusulting kick was tucked away by Garvin after he hit it low to Hewitt's right. Hewitt did get his hand to it but couldn't get enough on it to keep it out. 2 minutes later the same player again fell in the box only this time he was told to get to his feet.
Colne were then reduced to 10 men as Ashton broke away and Edwards was through on goal when he was brought down by Colne's number 6. On 69 minutes the ten men got their second goal of the game when Andy Hewitt claimed a ball out the air. He was brought down to the ground by a Colne player and dropped the ball. The referee didn't consider it to be a foul and play continued. The ball was turned in by Riley. Ashton failed to capitalise on the one man advantage and couldn't find the breakthrough that was needed.
Good Luck to Colne in the competition but for Ashton we now turn our attentions back to the bread and butter of the league.

Next up for Ashton in the league is a home tie against Cheadle Town on Tuesday 17th August. Last seasons corresponding fixture seen both sides reduced to 10 men, both sides had a goal disallowed, both sides had chances cleared off the line and both sides managed to score a goal each. The match finsihed 1-1 and was packed with incedents even including a pitch invasion by a dog! In the reverse fixture Cheadle came out on top winning the match by 3 goals to 2 although the match will be remembered for Craig Fitzjohn's screamer form 30 yards.
This season Cheadle have started well beating Daisy Hill on the opening day of the season by 3 goals to 0 following that up with a creditable 1-1 draw against Chadderton at Andrew Street. Cheadle have also progressed in the FA Cup after seeing off Vodkat Premier Division side Squires Gate winning 3-0.

If Ashton can defend like they did for the majority of the FA cup tie at Colne on Saturday that will be a great basis to build on. Let's hope we can make it two home wins out of two. Cheadle will certainly come to EGS in a confident mood and who can blame them? But it's Ashton's home turf and we need to keep EGS the difficult place to come that we made it last year.

Onwards and Upwards

759 clubs creating a million dreams and memories

For many people the FA Cup brings back dreams and memories. Dreams of making it to Wembley. For me the FA cup brings back memories such as Ian Rush scoring a brace in the all Merseyside Cup Final, John Aldridge missing a penalty against underdogs Wimbledon, Eric Cantona breaking my heart in my first and only visit to Wembley in 96, Michael Owen stealing the Cup from Arsenal at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium and of course in the same stadium Steven Gerrard's last minute equaliser against West Ham. they are all memories of Finals of course, but that is where our memories and dreams are linked. Because with every memory we have, we have a dream that can equal it. Maybe for us at Ashton Town our dream isn't to get to Wembley, maybe it is. But I think many people's dreams at Ashton would be to maybe one-day reach the 1st Round proper. For the 402 teams who will compete in the Extra-Preliminary round of the FA cup this year many of them will just dream of getting through one round. The £750 prize for winning in the Extra-Preliminary Round can keep teams at our level running for 6 months. I think for clubs like us at Ashton winning one round is more of a dream than ever getting to any final and you never know it may just create more memories than any final. That is why this competition is so special to many people, me included. That is why 759 teams have entered this competition and that is why the FA Cup is the biggest and most participated in sporting competition in the world.

For Ashton Town in this years FA Cup we have been handed a very tough draw. Ashton have been drawn away to Colne FC of the Vodkat League Premier Division. Many people will remember Colne Dynamoes who hailed from the same ground and were full time attracting players such as Alan Kennedy. Unfortunately Colne Dynamoes went out of business in 1990. In 1996 the current Colne FC were formed and elected to the North West Counties Football League.

Colne began this season with a 2-2 draw away at Runcorn Linnets before following that up with a 4-0 thumping of Rossendale at home. Just by them 2 results that tells you that Colne are a good side. It also tells you that to go to the Holt House Stadium and come away with our name in the hat for the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup is going to be difficult. But this is the FA Cup. This is the competition that is famous for giant killings, this is the competition that, as I mentioned earlier, generates so many dreams and so many memories. At the moment the thought of going into the hat, or should I say velvet bag, is merely one of the many FA Cup Dreams, I just hope by 5pm on Saturday that dream has changed into one of those famous FA Cup memories.

Onwards and Upwards

Ashton Town were undressed, infact they were stripped naked

Ashton Town got their season off to a winning start with a hard thought 1-0 victory over Oldham Boro. A penalty 6 minutes from time scored by Stephen Edwards was the only thing that seperated the two teams on the opening day of the season.

Town were less than impressive but battled through the first half and managed to get to half time at 0-0. In the second half Ashton were better. The break through came when Edwards went clear and broke into the penalty area. As he went to pull the trigger he was brought down and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Edwards stepped up himself to convert the penalty. He put it to the keepers right. The keeper guessed the right way got his hand to it but couldn't keep it out. In the following 6 minutes Oldham went through one on one with the Goalkeeper twice but missed the golden oppurtunities to draw level. It was just a releif to get off with a win.

Ashton travelled to Alder Street to play Atherton Collieries two days after the 1-0 victory over Oldham Boro at EGS. Ashton were looking to make it two wins out of two whereas Cols were looking for their first win of the season after earning a point in a 0-0 draw away to Leek CSOB. Ashton were slow to start, Cols were electric and found themselves 1-0 up within 4 minutes. 3 shots were saved by Hewitt in the Ashton goal but the defenders could not clear their lines on each occaision and as the third shot was palmed away by Hewitt Atherton's Bridge fired a shot home. Cols passing was slick and their movement was excellent. the two forwards never stopped moving and were swapping and changing sides all the time. Ashton could not cope with the build up play of Cols and the midfielders played some effective through balls for the 2 forwards to chase. Two goals in 5 minutes effectively ended the tie. First Williams made it 2-0 on 24 minutes before Hynes made it 3 from a deflected shot.

Two minutes later Edwards scored Ashton's only goal of the night. A corner fromt he left hand side was swung in. Atherton failed to clear and it fell to Edwards who bundled it over the line. It remained 3-1 at half time but it could have been many more. Atherton could of scored 6. Ashton should of had at least 3. Dodd, Edwards and Dee all missing clear chances.

Ashton came out better in the second half and for 10 minutes had the better of the play only to concede a killer blow of a goal. Doyle and Fitzjohn both tackled Paul Atherton but couldn't get the ball away from him and as Hewitt came rushing off his line Atherton poked it home for Cols to make it 4-1. 12 minutes later Atherton made it 5-1 to Cols and completed the scoring.

It was a combination of Atherton Cols performing well and Ashton Town performing poor.

The travelling Ashton support were devastated as Ashton were picked apart. It was demoralising, disapointing and at times embarrasing. It was also a feeling that I never want to feel again. Hopefully the lads won't want to feel it again either and will learn from it. As Coleman would have said we were undressed, infact we were stripped naked.

Ashton now have to put this one to bed and work hard to turn it around when we travel to Colne for the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Challenge Cup.

Onwards and Upwards

It's back!!!

It's come around again. It's that time of year where all the excitment and the optimism works on overdrive. When all the preparation and the hard work finally sees its reason. First up for Ashton Town this season is a team we faced at the back end of last season.
Oldham Boro, for all their recent troubles, are pleased to still have a football club. Not only have they had a lot of trouble recently but a lot has changed at the Whitebank Stadium with Oldham Roughyeds ending their 12 year nomadic existance by making the Whitebank their home too. From what I have seen it's been tarted up a bit and extra seats have been added. I just hope Oldham Boro get to see the benefit of it. Knowing Roughyeds Chairman Chris Hamilton like I do I very much doubt they will.

In the 30th of 32 fixtures last season we played host to Oldham Boro at EGS. It was 0-0 at half time before a second half blitz seen Ashton ram home 4 goals to win the match by 4 goals to 1. After the disapointment of the Goldline Trophy in pre season a similar result and off to a good start this coming Saturday would be more than welcome. It's worth pointing out that Oldham are no pushovers and it will be a tough game but to quote Oldham Manager Tony Mills "I've put out a strong team and we've been leathered, and a weak team and we've been leathered". Let's just hope Tony is right again this time around.

Oldham will want to get off to a good start as much as we do ourselves so it is up to us to be on or game and get off to a winning start.

Ashton Town V Oldham Boro at Edge Green Street Saturday 7th August 3pm

Onwards and Upwards

A big game this early?

Well, It's quite simple. If Ashton Town want to keep the dream of appearing in a final at the Reebok Stadium alive they have to win on Thursday. Not only do they have to win but they have to hope that they gain a superior goal difference to Eagley who are away to Euxton Villa. The funny thing about Thursday is that the only team that hold their own destiny is group leaders Euxton Villa. Euxton Villa are currently on 6 points and the simple maths is that if they win they their match on Thursday they win the group. Ashton and Eagley need to hope they better each others result but if both Ashton and Eagley lose on Thursday and Elton Vale win they themselves still have an outside chance of going through. That's the maths bit out the way.

Ashton are in this predicament because of a home defeat to Euxton Villa on Saturday. A match which seen Ashton reduced to 9 men and 3-0 down at half time. After half time Ashton were much better and managed to get a goal back through Gary Doyle's low drive. 30 seconds later it should of been 3-2 when a perfectly executed corner ended in a bullet header from Doyle which flew past the 6 foot 8 goal keeper and into the back of the net. The referee seen a phantom push though from 5 foot 5 Chris Lomax on the Goalkeeper and blew for a free kick.To be fair to the keeper he had kept Ashton at bay single handidly with fantastic saves from efforts by Ste Dee, Mulrooney, Edwards and a save with the face after the ball hit him without him knowing anything about it.

So as I say, If we better Eagley's result we are through.

I'd also like to point out the rest of the fixtures for the forthcoming season are out. The highlights are as follows:

Saturday 11th September sees us host many people's favourites AFC Liverpool at EGS with new club Runcorn Town the visitors 10 days later.

The First of the two meetings between ourselves and near neighbours Wigan Robin Park takes place at the Robin Park Arena on Saturday 30th October with the return at Edge Green Street scheduled for Tuesday 8th March.

There are no Boxing Day fixtures this year as we face Daisy Hill at home on Monday 27th December before making the long trip to Holker Old Boys the following Monday (3rd January).

The run in sees us host Rochdale Town on Saturday 23rd April before making the short trip to Daisy Hill on Wednesday 27th and returning to EGS on Sat 30th April to finish the season against AFC Blackpool.

All the fixtures will be on the Vodkat League website soon.

Onwards and Upwards

A good start in the Goldline Trophy

Ashton Town began this seasons Goldline Trophy with a win in their first match in Group 2. After travelling to the black hole of Bolton and then just a bit further up and on the right down a bumpy path we found a nice little pitch at Eagley Cricket Club. Little being the key word. With players still arriving right up until kick off (or 5 minutes in to the match in Mawds' case) ideal preparation wasn't exactly the words I would use. With everything adding up including rush hour traffic, a tricky place to find and late arrivals I suppose a slow start on the pitch was to be expected.

Eagley started bright and chased and harrassed for the first half. They found themselves a goal up through a well worked goal as the ball was set from the left for the Eagley man to side foot low to Andy Hewitt's left and into the bottom corner. Ashton never had anything to shout about in the first half, even though Edwards had a goal disallowed for offside, and went in at the break on the wrong end of the 1-0 scoreline.

In the second half Ashton came out with the words of JC fresh in thier minds and within 9 minutes had turned the scoreline on its head. Goals from Mulrooney and Edwards, who both lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, put Ashton in the driving seat. With about 15 minutes to go Eagley got an equaliser. A free kick on the edge of the box was bent low around the wall and across Andy Hewitt who got his hands to it but couldn't push it anywere but the back of the net.

With 7 minutes to go captain Lee Crompton scored what turned out to be the winning goal follwing a corner. The ball was swung in from the left and as Eagley failed to clear the ball, Lomax turned it back into the penalty area. Crompton controlled the ball in one touch and poked it low and home with his second.

After a poor first half everyone connected to Ashton was proud of how the team come from behind to win the game.

In the other game in the group G. Johnstone scored a brace as Euxton Villa beat Elton Vale by 3 goals to 1.

Next up for Ashton Town is a friendly at EGS against EvoStik Premier League side Burscough before a home tie in the Goldline Trophy on Saturday against Euxton Villa.

Onwards and Upwards

Welcome to the 2010/11 season at EGS

We're back!!! And what a summer it's been. Since my last blog before the away trip to Cheadle at the back end of April a lot has happened in the world of football. Incedentally we lost that game at Cheadle by 3 goals to 2. Following that loss we then beat Oldham Boro 4-1 at home and on the last day of the season lost by 4 goals to 3 away at promotion winning Barnoldswick Town. That meant Ashton Town finished on 40 points in 13th position of the Vodkat League 1st Division.

It must also be mentioned that Ian Granite's reserves finished in 4th position in the reserve division on 50 points from 26 games. Well done lads.

Since then we've had the World Cup that never got going (for England anyway), which was of course won by Spain. We've had trial days held at Ashton Town's Edge Green Street ground, well the school field outside, and with all Ashton's players back from World Cup duty in South Africa we've started pre season. In addition to all this we've had the excitement of the possibility of the brand new club Chester FC, who rose from the ashes of Chester City, joining our league only for that to be take away from us the day before the league's AGM by the FA who said they should be placed in the EvoStik League (formally the Unibond League). Not only did we have Chester FC taken from us but also the chance of a 20 team division as unfortunately Nelson FC from the Premier Division resigned from the league meaning our near neighbours Ashton Athletic, who were relegated to our division at the end of the season, have now been reprieved and will therefore play in the Premier division once again next season. Not only that, but we also seem to have lost West Didsbury & Chorlton FC who applied to join the league and were duly accepted by member clubs. The FA however recommended that West Didsbury & Chorlton FC should remain in the Manchester League. That means we could be left with 18 teams next season after the league welcomed AFC Darwen, reformed when Darwen FC went out the league a year ago, and Runcorn Town from the West Cheshire League.

We have been training now for a few weeks and we have also had a couple of matches. The first match was a full scale practice match held at St John Rigby College near Orrell. For what its worth the game finished 4-2 to the Oranges, although both teams were swapped on numerous occaisions and quite a few players played on both teams at some point throughout the afternoon. The second pair of matches were played on Saturday 17th June at Edge Green Street with the reserves and trialists team kicking off at 12:30 against Widnes Town. The match finished 2-1 to Ashton Town. I must say the winning goal scored by Lee Harrison was a quality piece of skill. As he received the ball on the edge of the box he turned the defender and chipped the keeper leaving him in no mans land as the ball nestled high into the net. The second match of the day kicked off at 3pm and seen Ashton Towns first team squad face local side Ashtonians FC. With Ashton Town 3-0 up and cruising with half an hour to go it all went pear shaped. The key word in the last sentence was cruising and as Ashtonians pulled one back Town got into a rut they just couldn't get out of and 3-1 soon became 3-2 and then 3-3. Town then had a goal disallowed for off side with 4 minutes to go and in the very last seconds of the match Edwards pulled the ball back for Mulrooney to strike home. The Ashtonians defender had other ideas though and dived to his right making a fine one-handed save. The referee duly awarded the penalty which Mulrooney wanted to take. He put the ball on the spot and took his run up only to drag the ball wide of the left post meaning the game finished 3 a piece.

Next up for Ashton is a trip to Eagley in our first match of the Goldline Trophy Group stage. The match kicks off at 6:30pm. After the Eagley game its back home to Edge Green Street for a Friendly against EvoStik League side Burscough. Our attentions then turn back to the Goldline Trophy for a home tie against Euxton Villa and an away trip to Elton Vale completes the group stage.

The rest of our Pre season is as follows:

Mon 19th July Eagley (A) Goldline Trophy
Thu 22nd July Burscough (H) Friendly
Sat 24th July Euxton Villa (H) Goldline Trophy
Thu 29th July Elton Vale (A) Goldline Trophy
Sat 31st July Maghull (A) Friendly

The following week (Aug 7th) sees us starting the season at home to Oldham Boro. Two days later we travel the short distance to Atherton Collieries followed by a trip to Colne in the FA cup Extra Preliminary round on the 14th August.

The first month of fixtures are as follows:

Sat Aug 7th Oldham Boro (H) League
Mon Aug 9th Atherton Cols (A) League
Sat 14th Aug Colne (A) FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Tue 17th Aug Cheadle Town (H) League (unless the FA cup goes to a replay)
Sat 21st Aug West Didsbury & Chorlton (H) League (if accepted to league)
Sat 28th Aug FA Cup Prelimary round (depending on result V Colne)
Sat 4th Sept Maltby Main (A) FA Vase 1st Qualifying round

Things are coming thick and fast down at Edge Green Street and there is plenty to look forward to. This season could be a big one....

Onwards and Upwards

A preview to Cheadle Town

Ashton Town visit Park Road this Saturday 17th April to face First Division Trophy Finalists Cheadle Town. Cheadle have been somewhat ressurgent of late recording 4 wins in a row before losing 3-2 away at New Sirs to Daisy Hill last Saturday. Cheadle came to EGS on 27th February for the first of our two league meetings. that match finished 1 a piece and was eventful to say the least. Both teams had a man sent off, both teams had a oa disallowed in the last 2 minutes and even a dog ran on the field of play!

Cheadle's record in thier last fve mathces is identical to our own both teams have won 4 and lost 1.

Cheadle's last five matches are as follows

Daisy Hill 3-2 Cheadle Town

Irlam 2-3 Cheadle Town

Wigan RP 0-4 Cheadle

Cheadle 2-1 Leek CSOB

Cheadle 2-1 Stone Dominoes

Ashton's last 5 results are as follows

Ashton Town 3-2 Leek CSOB

Holker Old Boys 3-0 Ashton Town

Chadderton 0-2 Ashton Town

Ashton Town 2-1 Chadderton

Daisy Hill 1-3 Ashton Town

I'd also like to wish the reserves the best of luck in their Reserve Cup Semi Final against Padiham.

Onwards and Upwards

Welcome Back!!

Well, it's been a long time. But now I'm back! The laptop decided that, at one of busiest times of the season, it wanted to break. Anyway it's all fixed and time for an update. Last time I posted on here it was to preview the visit of Chadderton. Since then we have had the double delight of a 2-1 home win and a 2-0 away win followed by a mixed Easter weekend.

Saturday seen us travel to Barrow to face Holker Old Boys, who are flying high this season. The day started bad... and stayed that way. Manager John Carroll had to drive to Blackburn to pick up a minibus at 9am so that he could get back to pick the players up at 11. With everyone on the minibus we set off towards Barrow. The minibus was limited to 62 mph so we knew it was going to be a slow journey. Rolo put his CD on with, well, what can only be described as noise and the minibus with 6 gears ticked along at 62 upto about 3 miles south of Lancaster. From there to the other side of Lancaster it was bumper to bumper traffic as an earlier accident had closed the motorway and we were stuck in the repercussions. It took us about 45 minutes to get through it and all of a sudden the road emptied. We arrived at the ground at about 1:45 so it was literally get straight off the bus and start to get changed. For the match itself, the performance was poor. Maybe a disrupted journey didn't help, maybe we didn't fancy it. Whatever it was it wasn't good. I'm not here to criticise and I think everyone will agree that we know are much better than our performace shown. A goal from Holker's Pearson on 31 minutes gave them the lead at half time. The second half didn't improve and goals from Coombe on 74 minutes and Kewley on 90 minutes killed us off. After the final whistle everyone in the dressing room new in their own minds that what they had just produced was below the required level.

Sometimes the best way to answer a bad performance is to play as soon as you can after it, so that whilst it's fresh in the mind you can right any wrongs.

Hold that thought. Leek CSOB came to EGS looking to keep pressure on Barnoldswick and Stone at the top of the table only to be stunned by a one legged goal machine in the shape of the predator himself Ste Eddy. The first half was largely uneventful and the only piece of action that springs to mind is a fantastic save by Andy Hewitt. The Leek forward turned on the edge of the box and tried to curl a shot into the top corner only to be foiled by save pulled out of the top draw by Hewitt who dived full stretch to his left to tip the ball round the post. The second half didn't take long to come to life.
3 minutes in Predator Edwards opened the scoring with a low shot past the Leek goalkeeper. That seemed to wake Leek up and just as Leek wiped their eyes and had a stretch Ashton went for a 20 minute power nap. Whilst Ashton were having this power nap Leek could have well and truely been out of sight. First they equalised through makin on 51 minutes. 5 minutes later they found themselves in front as Muller lost the ball in our own half and it was played through to Greene who found himself clear of the last man to place a shot across Hewitt and into the back of the net. If it wasn't for Hewitt though Leek could of been celebrating with half an hour to go. Their tall centre forward, wearing the number 9 shirt, chested the ball 6 yards out and turned the ball onto his right foot. He blasted a shot from point blank range only to see it palmed wide by Hewitt. The second great save from Hewitt. Ashton then woke fromt he power nap and looke recharged. On 69 minutes a Free kick from the half way lane was put into the box by Gary Doyle. A crowd of players rose to ehad the ball and it somehow managed to scrape of the predators head and into the back of the net to make it 2-2. With about 15 minutes to go Keeper Andy Hewitt got injured but after 2-3 minutes of treatment he played on. no more than 30 seconds after Hewitt was back on his feet he pulled of the 3rd, and in my opinion most important and best, save of the match. Leek's number 9 drilled a shot and Hewittt saved, only for the ball to drop on the 6 yard line. Without a moments hesitation he flung himself at the ball as the Leek forward blasted a shot. The power of Hewitts hand deiverted the ball away from goal and it was swept away. To be fair, it hurt Andy Hewitt but he got on with his job and was absolutely brilliant.
Ashtons reward for the grit and determination of the second half was yet to come. For some reason on th eleague website it says this hapened at 88 minutes but it was at least 93 minutes on my watch!! The predator received the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal and he had 3 Leek defenders blocking his way to goal. Edwards then decided to put the ball to his left before turning taking one more touch to take it out of the reach of the Leek defenders and creating space to unleash a savage right foot shot which flew inside the post to make it 3-2 to Ashton. with a total of 10 minutes (YES 10) added time played Ashton kept their heads and dealt with the Leek attacks. One attack did result in a free kick 5 yards outside the box but the wall did its job and it was cleared. It was a perfect reaction to what happened on Saturday and I don't think you could ask for much more.

Results from the last few weeks

Ashton Town 2-1 Chadderton
Chadderton 0-2 Ashton Town
Holker OB 3-0 Ashton Town
Ashton Town 3-2 Leek CSOB

Onwards and Upwards

A preview to the visit of Chadderton

Saturday will see the first part of a double-header at EGS as we play host to my former club Chadderton. For me it will feel a little bit strange as this is the first time I will be on the opposition side since I left in December. I spent about 16 months at Chadderton and I do hold fond memories of my time there and if it wasn't for Ashton offering me the oppurtunity to be part of something special then I would still be there today. Chadderton are a great club and I do truely give them my best wishes, after next saturday of course.

Both Sides had 3-1 away wins in the week. Chaddertons coming on Monday at Atherton Collieries and ours coming 24 hours later at Daisy Hill. Chadderton have had a stop start season and after winning 1-0 at Barnoldswick on the opening day of the season they were brought back down to earth 2 days later with a 1-0 home defeat by Leek CSOB. At the moment Chadderton are 15th on 24 points but have only played 19 games. Compare that to our 28 points from 25 games and that show how important both matches will be for both sides. Both matches really are 6 pointers. Last season Chadderton done the double over us, again in a short period of time. A 2-1 win at EGS was followed up by a 6-0 result at Broadway after the match was 0-0 at half time. Ashton really do need to improve on them results this year to ensure the highest placed finish in a number of years.

Chaddertons last 5 results are:

15/3/10 Atherton Cols 1-3 Chadderton
13/3/10 Chadderton 1-1 AFC Liverpool
06/3/10 AFC Blackpool 1-0 Chadderton (Trophy)
01/3/10 Chadderton 1-2 Barnoldswick Town
23/2/10 Oldham Boro 2-2 Chadderton

Ashtons last 5 results are:

16/3/10 Daisy Hill 1-3 Ashton Town
13/3/10 Irlam 1-1 Ashton Town
09/3/10 Ashton Town 2-3 Wigan Robin Park
06/3/10 Ashton Town 2-2 Barnoldswick Town
27/2/10 Ashton Town 1-1 Cheadle Town

Good Luck to Ashton for both matches of the double header

Onwards and Upwards

Traffic Jams and a night to remember

Before I talk about Tuesday's trip to Daisy Hill I'd just like to make an apology. I have had problems with my internet and therfore I've been unable to get online to do any blogs for the last week. Coupled with a last minute defeat to local rivals Wigan Robin Park and quite possibly some of the strangest yellow and red cards V Irlam on Saturday it was quite convenient that I couldn't get on. It turns out my better half and switched the wireless button on the computer to the off position and only realised after she had been sat on the phone running tests of our connection for two hours!!

Well, Tuesdays trip to Daisy Hill was eventful to say the least. I turned up at EGS at 6:15 as instructed to find that I was one of only 8 people. Assistant Manager Stefan Ochwat and our number one supporter John were there as well as Bill, Kev Hill, Mike Garside and a potential new signing and his dad. Stefan gave Manager John Carroll a ring and John informed us that he and a few other plaers were stuck on the M58 so we decided at 6:30 that we should make the trip over to New Sirs. We arrived at New Sirs at about 6:45 giving us an hour to get changed, waremd up and ready for the match, or so I thought. I walked into the ground to see that the same referee who gave some 'suspect' cards on Saturday would be officiating the game against Daisy Hill. OH NO!!! Also there was a few of the League Management Committee in the shape of Alan Farnworth, Dave Tomlinson, John Deal and Geoff Wilkinson as well as Lancashire FA's referee Development officer. We went into the dressing room to find goalkeeper Andy Hewitt and Scott McNair were there so that took the total number of players to 4. Stefan gave John another call who was still stuck on the M58. A few more players turned up in the mean time and we were all set for a late night, except the referee. John and the kit turned up 15 minutes before the match was due to kick off. The rest of the players turned up 10 minutes later. I managed to get 9 players out to start a warm up but no sooner had we broke into a little more than a jog the referee was blowing the whistle for the captains to toss for kick off. Just to note we lost the toss and Daisy Hill had kick off.

The pitch was hurrendous. It was hard and all the divots were frozen so everytime you ran your feet were all over the place. One of the players who was out on the pitch for the warm up was on the bench so the referee kicked off when Ashton only had 8 men on the pitch.

As Daisy kicked off Greg Harrison came running onto the pitch to make it 9 players followed 5 seconds later by Muller who made it 10 players. 20 seconds into the match Adam Howard came running out of the changing rooms, which were behind the goal Ashton were attacking. The referee made him run round to the half way line and by the time Adam got there we found ourselves a goal down. Daisy Hill's Gregory played it to his right to Hastings who hit a shot from about 25 yards out. Andy Hewitt got his hand to it but the power beat him and it went in off the underside of crossbar. After 30 seconds Daisy Hill were 1-0 up. I sat down and thought to myself "a traffic jam, no warm up and a goal down things can't get any worse". For once I was right.

It was time for the real Ashton Town to stand up. And they did. After using the 1st 10 minutes to loosen off Ashton started to get into the game. On 15 minutes Ashton earned a corner through hard work down the left from Adam Howard and Kev Hill. The latter stepped up to take the corner and although it wasn't the best corner I have seen Kev take the ball somehow managed to scramble through the crowd at waist height before a Daisy Hill defender panicked and swung a foot in an attempt to clear the ball, only for it to spin off his foot and into the back of the net to make it 1-1. The rest of the first half seen Ashton as the better side and we never looked in any danger but we couldn't turn that advantage into a lead. Daisy Hill were leaving a lot of space behind their back four but we wern't playing the right ball to cause any problems for them and in truth, after the goal both sides could only create half chances and apart from one save from either keeper both were rarely troubled. There was however time for Ashton to receive a couple of bookings for, well, nothing.

For the first 10 minutes of the second half Daisy Hill started the better and should of gone two one up when they broke away and had a two on one. All the lad in possession had to do was square it to his right and his team mate would of had an open goal to finish in to. He decided that he wanted the glory and as Andy Hewitt closed him down someone came from nowhere and managed to clear the ball away. It all happened so quick that I couldn't see who it was that cleared it but nevertheless it was a great piece of defending.

After that moment the game swung back in our favour and on 70 minutes the deadlock was broken. Greg Harrison played a pinpoint low pass from left midfield into the box and as Muller was about to pull the trigger he was pulled down by a Daisy Hill defender from behind. The pair of them fell into the Goal keeper who had began his dive as he thought, like the rest of us, that Muller was going to place the shot low into the back of the net. The ball bounced of the tumbling duo and fell behind them. The predator that is Stephen Edwards hit the bouncing ball into the ground to ensure that it bounced over the outstretched hand of Daisy Keeper and into the back of the net. 2 minutes later the game was wrapped up. Muller hit a shot from 25 yards out and the goalkeeper jumped to catch it on the edge of his 6 yard box. He fumbled it and dropped it into the path of Predator Edwards who managed to beat the keeper to ball and poke it home to make ot 3-1. For the final 18 minutes it was more a case of kill the game and do nothing silly. This was carried out with success apart from one chance for Daisy which ended up on the roof of the clubhouse. The ref, I must add, still found excuses to book a total of five Ashton players, what for I don't know but after a 3-1 win away on a terrible pitch and after starting with 8 men on the pitch and a goal down after 30 seconds, I didn't bother to ask.

Final Score at New Sirs Daisy Hill 1-3 Ashton Town

Onwards and Upwards

A preview to the Pie Derby take 2.

A few short weeks ago, February 6th to be exact, was the last time our paths crossed with our friends from up the A49. We made the short journey to the Robin Park Arena and managed to come away with all three points courtesy of a 4-2 win. A few things have changed since then and Wigan Robin Park will certainly want to come to EGS and avenge that defeat.
Wigan travel the 4 miles to EGS off the back of a great 1-0 victory over AFC Liverpool on Saturday. That goal came as early as the 2nd minute from Swift. Wigan then managed to shut AFC Liverpool out for the remainder of the game and took the points. That victory will undoubtedly give Wigan the confidence to come to EGS and look for the victory. It is up to us to stop that.
Looking at Wigan Robin Park’s last 5 results would indicate that they are better away from home than they are at the Arena with their last two victories both being away from home and both at places which I would consider as difficult places to get a result. Here are Wigan Robin Park’s last 5 results:
06/3/10 AFC Liverpool 0-1 Wigan Robin Park
20/2/10 Leek CSOB 0-2 Wigan Robin Park (Cup Tie)
13/2/10 Wigan Robin Park 0-3 Barnoldswick Town
06/2/10 Wigan Robin Park 2-4 Ashton Town
30/1/10 Irlam 2-0 Wigan Robin Park
Our last 5 results are:
06/3/10 Ashton Town 2-2 Barnoldswick Town
27/2/10 Ashton Town 1-1 Cheadle Town
20/2/10 Norton United 1-0 Ashton Town
16/2/10 Ashton Town 1-0 Eccleshall
13/2/10 Oldham Boro 1-1 Ashton Town
This one is going to be a typical derby and you know what they say about derbies… Form goes right out the window.
Onwards and Upwards.

Another point on the board.

One thing I have noticed about this league in my two years involved in it is that any team can get a result off any other team within the division. You only have to look at the last few weeks’ results and the league tables to see that. Take Rochdale Town for example, they have been bottom of the league since October and yet last week they drew 2-2 with table toppers Stone Dominoes. Just a couple of games before that they went to Valerie Park and beat many peoples pre season favourites AFC Liverpool by a goal to nil. It is a tight league and two wins could see you right up there fighting for a top 5 finish whereas two defeats and you could equally be right down there fighting against the bottom sides.
With that in mind Barnoldswick Town came to EGS looking to return to the top of the table after being replaced by Stone Dominoes on Tuesday. Barnoldswick won 2-1 at Chadderton on Monday night to go to the top of the pile before Stone pegged them back 24 hours later defeating Eccleshall by the same score.
Barnoldswick must of thought that the football gods were shining down on them in the early parts of the match. After 6 minutes, and without either goalkeeper being involved, Barnoldswick played a long ball through for one of their forwards to chase. Gary Doyle got his body between the ball and the attacker and attempted to usher the ball back to the safety of the Lee Novak’s arms only to have a rush of blood and in a moment of indecision and madness between Doyle and Novak the former played a back pass to the latter who then picked up the ball. The indecision continued and the referee looked at his linesman who signalled for the indirect free kick 14 yards from goal. Ashton got their wall set up but as the free kick taker rolled the ball across to his right the wall broke and Chapman made light work of side footing it into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
A few minutes later Doyle was brought off and replaced by Sykes. I don’t think it was the substitute that kicked Ashton on, but from here Ashton controlled the game until half time. The equaliser came when Lee Green broke down the left hand side and blasted a shot (which looked like a cross but I’ll give Lee the benefit of doubt on this one) across goal and the wind caught hold of the ball and it swerved past the goalkeeper and clipped the underside of the crossbar on it’s way in.
Unfortunately Christian Baxby’s afternoon was cut short when he tried to hold up a ball with his back to goal only for the Barnoldswick Centre half to try and go through the back of him. I don’t think there was any malice in the challenge and credit to the lad he did ask how Baxi was after the game. News on the injury is that it didn’t look good and Chrisitan was taken to Southport hospital for an x-ray. If, as first thought, it is ligament damage then that may be the last action he sees this season. Hopefully he gets well soon.
Half time arrived and at 1-1 the game was still in the balance. Barnoldswick received a, well let’s just say their manager wasn’t very happy. After hearing the hair-dryer I thought Barnoldswick would come straight at us from the off, but they didn’t and it was Ashton who took the lead 5 minutes after the break when Mike Atherton slide in to sweep a shot past the Barnoldswick Keeper. Cue the onslaught. Almost immediately Barnoldswick went 3 upfront as they new a defeat at EGS would seriously harm their title hopes. Their pressure almost paid off when a cross from the left hit Sykes on the arm and although his arms were down by his side and the ball was blasted at him from 5 yards the referee pointed to the spot. However, in my opinion, justice prevailed when the resulting penalty hit the top of the crossbar and bounced over.
The equaliser did come though on 80 minutes when Chapman was played through to be one on one with Lee Novak. Novak advanced off his line but Chapman slotted the ball past him to make it 2-2. Barnoldswick were not content with a point though and pushed another man forward to make it a 4-2-4 formation. That soon became a 3-4-2 formation when the Barnoldswick left back didn’t agree with a decision and then told the linesman his true feelings for him. The referee then showed him the red card and off he went. Being reduced to 10 men didn’t deter them though and they had a number of clear chances to take the game including one being cleared of the line by Lee Green and also another resulting in a great save by the feet of Lee Novak. At the opposite end Ashton could of stolen it too. Ash Dineley had a first time shot palmed away by the goalkeeper and in the last minute the Barnoldswick keeper made the save of the day low to his right when a shot was blasted hard and low only for him to get down and tip it wide.
At the final whistle it finished 2-2 which took Barnoldwick joint top as Atherton scored a 90th minute winner for Atherton Cols at home to Stone. For Ashton it left us with another point to add to our tally and still the FA cup places are in our sights.
Onwards and Upwards

A Preview of Barnoldswick Town

This Saturday Ashton welcome Barnoldswick Town to EGS for the first ever league meeting between the two sides. The two sides have met once already this season in the first round of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup First Round. That day Ashton came out on top with a solitary strike from Christian Baxby in the 78th minute the difference.
I made the long trip to Barnoldswick on the opening day of the season in the heat of August. It looked like a little sleepy town in the Lancashire hills on the border of Yorkshire. The ground is called the Silentnight stadium and it is a nice little ground in a picturesque setting. The pitch is immaculate, or at least it was in August! That day Barnoldswick Town were superb. The match was three days after they had played Accrington Stanley in a friendly to unviel their new floodlights. They ended up losing 1-0 and it was definatley one of those "it's a funny old game" days. I think a lot of their lads have been signed from local sides around the Burnley area and they are one of the best footballing sides i have seen this season. I came away from the Silentnight stadium saying "they will win the league" that day and well ok at the moment it hasn't come true but they are giving it a good go. They moved to the top of the league, albeit for a short period, when they beat Chadderton 2-1 on Monday night but Stone moved back to the top by a point courtesy of a 2-1 win away to Eccleshall just 24 hours later. Hopefully Town can just put a little spanner in the works. If you offered me a similar result to the League Challenge cup tie i'd snap your hands off for it.

Barnoldswick Towns last 5 results are:

01/03/10 Chadderton 1-2 Barnoldswick Town
27/02/10 Eccleshall 0-1 Barnoldswick Town
20/02/10 Stone Dominoes 2-0 Barnoldswick Town (Trophy Quater Final)
13/02/10 Wigan Robin Park 0-3 Barnoldswick Town
10/02/10 Barnoldswick Town 3-0 Yorkshire Amateur (County Cup Quater Final)

Just by looking at Barnoldswicks last 5 results you can see how tough it is going to be but as i have always said on our day Ashton can beat anyone.

Onwards and Upwards

Ashton Town 1-1 Cheadle Town

There was no feeling other than disappointment as Ashton failed to take all three points against Cheadle on Saturday. This game though did have everything other than an eventual winner.
The first half was all Ashton and just how we wern't out of site after 45 minutes was anybodies guess. Firstly an unmarked header from 8 yards out was off the mark and a shot was blasted over the bar from 10 yards out as Baxby raced through. Another free header, this time from Lee Crompton, was headed straight into the keepers arms. On 33 minutes all that pressure paid off when the ball broke lose 8 yards from goal Kev Hill beat the advanceing keeper to poke it underneath him to make it 1-0 to Ashton. Again a few chances came and went before Cheadle's first chance of the match which came just before half time as a header flew over the bar.
At Half time Cheadle got the hairdryer treatment and it showed in the second half as they came out with a point to prove. A copule of long range efforts were dealt with by Andy Hewitt in the Ashton goal with relative ease. Then the turning point of the game. Ashton had an effort cleared off the line and as the rebound was smashed in somehow the Cheadle keeper blocked.
Then came the save of the match from Andy Hewitt as Cheadle's Alan went through on goal only to be denied by Hewitt somehow managing to get his hand to the ball as Alan tried to lift it over him as he committed himself.
We then needed a short break in play when a little dog decided he wanted to join in only to be chased away.
Ashton tried to score the vital second goal that would of killed the game and another attacke lead to Roberts, the Cheadle Centre Half, receiving his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Unfortunately with 4 minutes to go the equaliser came. A free kick on the edge of the are was palmed away by Hewitt but Alan was the quickest to ract and he squoze a shot from the tightest of angles into the back of the net.
Ashton then went down the other end and thought the game was won when a header was knocked in from a yard out only to be ruled offside.
Then Chris Walton and Cheadle's Logan were sent off for well handbags at ten paces.
Cheadle had a clear chance to win the game but the free header was put wide. They too thought they had won the game when the ball was tapped home from 5 yards only to be ruled out for offside.
Somehow Cheadle never snatched it when the ball came in from their right and an unmarked O'Brien put his shot over the bar from no more than 9 yards out.
Judging by the amount of chnaces we created in the firsthalf it could only have been a sense of dissapointment not to take all three points

Final Score Ashton 1 Cheadle 1

Onwards and Upwards

A preview to cheadle town

This Saturday Cheadle Town make the trip to EGS to face Ashton for the first time this season. I personally have had a chance to see Cheadle play this season although it was way back on Tuesday 18th August, the same night Ashton were beaten 3-2 at home by Irlam.
That night I just remember driving past Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose Ground (who were at home to Port Vale) and then on to a long and winding road that seemed to go nowhere. It did, however, end up in Leek. Before I could get to the end of that road though, I was greeted by Harrison Park, Home of Leek Town of the Unibond League and Leek CSOB who of course were Cheadle’s opponents on the night.
I’d taken one of them little pasta pot things from ASDA for my tea and as I’d arrived early I thought I’d relax and eat it whilst the two teams were on the pitch warming up in front of me. Half way through my tomato flavoured pasta pot I over filled my little plastic fork and as I went to shovel it all in to my gob I dropped the lot right down the front of my coat and onto my right trainee!!!
I could of done with a few goals that night to cheer me up. Apart form looking like a tramp with a bright orange stain down the front of my coat and on one trainee the night wasn’t too bad. Somehow the crowd of 45 never seen a goal that night but it wasn’t for both teams not trying. Leek Missed a penalty (I think it was Leek when I think back) and I also remember Cheadle hitting the post twice.  They looked a good side that night and deserved all three points.
The following Monday I seen Cheadle draw again this time away to Chadderton, twice coming from a goal down to end the game at 2-2. again they looked a good side that night.
Looking on ‘The Pole’s’ website www.chealdetownfc.com he has provided me with the following information:
The last four meetings between the two sides at EGS have all been won by one goal. Three of the last four years have been away wins for Cheadle coming by way of a 1-0 win in 2005/6 and 2007/8 and a 3-2 win last season. The other result, which was in 2006/7 was a 3-2 victory to Ashton.
 
Looking at the league website the last 5 matches for each team are as follows:
 
For Cheadle you have to go back to December
20/02/10 Cheadle 2-3 Atherton Cols
13/02/10 Irlam 2-3 Cheadle
06/02/10 AFC Blackpool 4-0 Cheadle
12/12/09 Oldham Boro 0-1 Cheadle
05/12/09 Cheadle 0-3 AFC Blackpool
 
For Ashton you don’t have to go as far back.
20/02/10 Norton 1-0 Ashton Town
16/02/10 Ashton Town 1-0 Eccleshall
13/02/10 Oldham Boro 1-1 Ashton Town
06/02/10 Wigan RP 2-4 Ashton Town
30/01/10 AFC Blackpool 2-0 Ashton Town
 
That makes me think that whatever happens on Saturday it is going to be a close game.
 
Onwards and Upwards

Two games, One week

The thing about reflections is that everthing you see on one side is the complete opposite of what you see on the other. That was how it was for Ashton this week in the two matches against Eccleshall and Norton.
Tuesday seen us play host to Eccleshall at EGS where one goal settled the game. The first half seen Eccleshall turn up at EGS and control the game as if they were the home side. Two good forwards and a solid midfield made Eccleshall a threat but for all the punches they threw, they failed to deliver the knockout blow. With players who thought 3 passes ahead and moved the ball round with ease Eccleshall really did impress. If it wasn't with the full back it was knocked short into Midfield before being played right and left. All in all it was very pleasing on the eye for a neutral but not for those in Town Colours.
Somehow Town managed to get to half time with the game still goalless.
In the second half Town finally woke up and 11 minutes in the killer blow was finally dealt, only not from Eccleshall but from Town who had been on the ropes for the first 45 minutes. One chance one goal, One punch one opposition well and truely knocked out. It was Shaun Judge who for the second time in as many matches put the ball into the back of the net. A free kick was awarded to Ashton on the angle about 40 yards from goal. The free kick was floated in and Judge got his header on target. The Eccleshall keeper palmed the ball away on the angle before Judge blasted the rebound past him before he could get back on his feet. Andy Hewitt made a few fine saves in the Ashton Goal as well as being spot on in his basics to keep a clean sheet. Sometimes in football you get results you don't deserve.
Like I said everything in a reflection is the opposite of what you seen in the original. Now lets take the second game of the week as the reflection. Instead of a Staffordshire based side travelling to Ashton, in the reflection it was Ashton who travelled to a Staffordshire based side. This time it was Norton United. With a few shuffles in the pack Ashton started relatively slowly. 11 minutes in and Lee Green played a suicidal pass across his own penalty area. Norton's Allen intercepted the pass and somehow managed to squeeze a shot in to the net off the post to put Norton 1-0 up. From then on it was all Ashton and after failing to convert chance after chance that was how it finished. It wasn't as simple as that though. For 79 minutes and with Norton one goal to the good they took on the tactic of wasting time. Somehow it worked, with a slight helping from a referee who didn't have the best of days, Although with out one you don't have a game. In that case they are as important as corner flags. As I just said without them there is no match. Chances by Judge, Baxby, Walton and Rolo all missed and just how Ashton never got at least an equaliser is beyond anybody. Once again you have to say Sometimes in football you get results you don't deserve. Ashton certainly didn't deserve to lose this one.

The two results for this week were:

Ashton Town 1 V 0 Eccleshall
Norton United 1 V 0 Ashton Town

Onwards and Upwards

Oldham Boro 1v1 Ashton Town

Was it a point gained or two points lost? Even in the warm up the pitch cut up everytime anyone moved on it. In the first half Ashton shot up the hill at the Whitebank Stadium. We never got out of bed at all and sruggled to get used to the conditions with people losing their footing time after time. There was nothing you could do about it though as everytime you tried to do something your standing foot moved from underneath you. The home side coped better in the first half and found themsleves a goal up on 17 minutes when a corner was crossed in, 'keeper Andy Hewitt misjudged his punch and Schofield finished with his head.
We seemed to wake up a bit after that and managed to battle our way through the first half and got to half time 1 down.
After half time Ashton shot down the hill and the whole flow of the game changed and it was Ashton who had the asscendancy. 4 minutes in and Ashton were awarded a penalty which Judgey 'cooly' placed right down the middle. There was still a few chances in the match but unfortunately ste dee, baxy and the most guilt edge chance which fell to Kev Hill all missed. Oldham also had a chance to steel it just a minute before Kev Hill's chance when somehow substitute Nsimbe broke through only for Andy Hewitt to pull of two great saves. The final Whistle blew to bring the game to an end and it finished at the whitebank stadium Oldham Town 1 Ashton Town 1. My thought is considering the conditions it was a point gained rather than two dropped.

Eccleshall provide the opposition for Tuesdays match at EGS.

Onwards and Upwards

Wigan RP 2 Ashton Town 4

Labelled by our friends at Wigan Robin Park as "The Pie Derby" the game left the Robins eating Humble pie rather than the Meat & Potato variety. Unfortunately I wasn't there for the start of the match as I went to Anfield to watch the Merseyside derby. With Liverpool gaining the 3 points the whistle blew and I ran the three quaters of a mile or so back to my car before jumping in it batman style to fly down the M58 to Robin Park from one derby to another. Going down the M58 was a story in it's self with fog thicker than Tyrone Dobbs I couldn't see 20 yards in front of me but "The Pie Derby" was more important than slowing down to worry about a bit of mist. By the time i'd got to the Wigan end of the M58 I'd left the fog behind, although it did catch up with me a bit later. Onto that 'A road' that goes through Pemberton was a bit of a pain, I kept getting stuck behind Vera and Mavis going to B&Q for the pensioners 10% off but I managed make it to Robin Park just before the Half hour mark. I got into the dugout to find us 2-0 up, Goals courtesy of Ste Eddy and Christian Baxby on 8 and 10 minutes respectively, only to see the minute I parked my rear on the bench a goal pulled back by McNally of Wigan RP to make it 2-1. Wigan played a few passes and we seemed to just let them through to go and score. Half time came with the scores at 2-1. After having our time in the dressing room and trying to put right the wrongs of the first half I managed to nip upstairs to see the Wigan RP secretary Taffy Roberts. Taffy is a true Gent in every sense of the word and he also provides lovely butties. Thanks Taff you're a credit to your Club. Butties shoved in my mouth we went back out for the second half. The half started as a bit of a midfield battle but about 10 minutes into the second half Wigan looked the better side and managed to equalise courtesy of a side footed, placed shot by substitute Small. 2-2.

From there on in the game turned into a real derby, fiesty, fast and a terrible referee. The sense of victory seemed to turn the residents of the Wigan Robin Park dugout into the raging lunatics, wanting to argue and fight with every one they could. It's a shame really because as I say they do have the likes of Taffy Roberts who are a credit only to be let down by other committee members who like to try and fight whenever they are getting beat. I refer to a few games that I've seen at the Arena namely AFC Liverpool, Atherton Cols and Chadderton.
So at 2-2 it was time to turn up the heat. A few rash challenges from Wigan RP were ignored by the referee whereas the replies from Ashton were immediately punished. The Fog that I had earlier left behind on the M58 had now well and truely caught up with me so we could hardly see the ball hit the back of the net when ste eddy slotted his second of the game on 76 minutes. We did see it enough to enjoy our celebrations in the technical area though. Four minutes later the game was wrapped up by substitute Kev Hill who made it 4-2 after 80 minutes. Cue the erruption in the Ashton dugout and the commencement of the Wigan bench tucking into a massive slice of Humble Pie. At that point we knew we only had to see out the rest of the game to get us back to winning ways. Even after the referee had added about 4 minutes on at the end we managed to deal with everything that Wigan threw at us which in all honesty wasn't that much. The final whistle went and the Wigan RP bench stormed into their dressing room without shaking hands because they were beaten by the better side on the day. I can't help but think that if the result was the other way round they woud of been the first ones offering their hand after the final whistle. After a little congratulations in the dressing room Taffy once again laid on the butties which were readily appreciated by all. After a butty and a drink it was time to head home with our 3 points in the bag. Well Done Boys

Wigan Robin Park 2 Ashton Town 4 Onwards and Upwards

The trip to Robin Park via Blackpool but not Cheadle

Well the less said about our trip to Blackpool last week the better. Instead of enjoying what George Formby describes as a "little stick of Blackpool Rock" Town suffered a major headache that turned into an full blown hangover as the game progressed. So instead of having a moan about what we did or didn't do in Saturdays 2-0 defeat at the home of the formerly known mechanics I think i will bemoan something else.



Once again we fell victim to the snow as our visit to SK8 to face a Cheadle side who are just praying for a game of football in any shape or form was called off at about 2 o'clock. Cheadle's Park Road ground was frozen and with the falling snow resting on top it was too hazardous to play. That leaves us with 5 games yet to be arranged. SO much for Global warming. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise and only time will tell. Lets look at it from both sides. The Liverpool Senior Cup Quater Final Tie against Liverpool Reserves took a lot more out of us than we expected so the rest may do us a favour but the other angle is that the best cure for a bad performance is to get out there and play your heart out in the next game, which most players prefer to be as soon after the bad performance as possible.
It is worth noting that 6 of Liverpool reserves starting 11 against Town have just been included in Liverpool's Europa League Squad so no wonder it took something out of us.



So now onto a little preview of our short trip up the A49 to the Robin Park Arena to face local rivals Wigan Robin Park.

The Robins sit in 7th position on 22 points after 14 games. That's 7 points ahead of us and Wigan RP also have two games in hand.
Last time out which was Saturday just gone Wigan were beaten 2-0 at Silver Street by Irlam. To get the Robins last 5 league results you have to go back to before the last time they played us which was the 31st October! Thank you snow. Anyway here are Wigan RP's last 5 results:
24th Oct Wigan RP 1v2 AFC Liverpool
14th Nov Wigan RP 3v2 Irlam
21st Nov Wigan RP 2v3 Eccleshall
1st Dec Wigan RP 3v0 Oldham Boro
30th Jan Irlam 2v0 Wigan RP

So for the Robins in the last 5 league matches they have won 2 and lost 3 compared to Ashtons record of won 4 lost 1.

The match takes place at 3pm on Saturday 6th February at the Robin Park Arena, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UH in the shadows of the DW Stadium.

Come on Town. Onwards and Upwards

A Bridge Too Far Ashton Town 0 V 4 Liverpool

From the minute the gates opened to the minute they closed almost 6 hours later it was a special night at Edge Green Street that everyone involved with Ashton Town will never forget.

A nice big posh Ellisons coach reversed down Edge Green Street's bumpy 'surface' to let the players of Liverpool FC off and into the ground. They all got off in thier Liverpool Trackies each rolling a big bag on wheels and went into the changing room. This just highlighted the different worlds the players of the two clubs live in.

Whilst Liverpool made their way into their dressing room, we also made our way into our dressing room. A sit down and a chat followed. The lads all looked in good spirits and if any of them had nerves they weren't showing them at this point.

After a chat the lads got changed and got ready for the warm up. Ashton were the first team out onto the pitch to do their warm up, which I suppose is no suprise considering the Liverpool players will most probably have had a training session in the morning. Anyway, 20 minutes into the warm up the lads were joined on the pitch by their Liverpool counterparts and 20 minutes later the lads were called back into the dressing room for final instructions and to get their kit on.

Meanwhile on the pitch the 20 mascots were given a 10 minute 'warm up' before their big moment arrived.

Back in the dressing room and the lads were ready to get out there. The referee rang the bell and the lads lined up ready to walk out on to the pitch. My first thoughs when they Liverpool side walked out was that they would be more suited to a basketball Court! Jay Spearing apart they were all over 6 foot.



Credit to Liverpool who by picking a team that included Jay Spearing, who has Champions League experience playing against PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid no less, A French under 21 international in the form of Damien Plessis, and Daniel Ayala who all have Premiership experience just showed how much respect they had paid to Ashton Town.

The teams in full were: Ashton Town Carl Lloyd, Andrew Mawdsley, Lee Crompton, Gary Doyle, Lee Green, Scott McNair, David Barton, Chris Walton, Shaun Judge, Christian Baxby and Steven Edwards.

Liverpool: Chris Oldfield, Steve Irwin, Robbie Threlfall, Daniel Ayala, Chris Mavinga, Emmanuel Mendy, Jay Spearing, Damien Plessis, Alex Kacaniklic, David Amoo, Nikola Saric

When the game got underway it was Liverpool who took control immediately and had three chances before we managed to get our first shot on goal. That shot came from Christian Baxby who hit a left foot drive which was superbly turned over by Chris Oldfield. By the time we got to grips with the pace of the game we found ourselves a goal down. After 14 minutes a long ball over the top found Emmanuel Mendy racing down the right hand side, keeper Carl Lloyd missed the ball as he came rushing out and Mendy squared the ball to Amoo who looked certain to score only for an amazing last ditch tackle by Lee Crompton which unfortuately fell to Alex Kacaniklic who did slot into the empty net. That was how it stayed until the break thanks to great saves by Carl Lloyd who managed to keep out efforts from Mendy and Saric.

2 minutes after the break another ball over the top, this time for Ashton, seen the ball end up at the feet of Liverpool Goalkeeper Chris Oldfield who sliced his clearance. Christian Baxby couldn't quite reach the ball and within 3 passes we found ourselves two down. The ball was played down the left to Kacaniklic who found himself somewhat suprisingly being closed down by Carl Lloyd, he then squared the ball to half time substitute and form Ajax man Jordy Brouwer who rolled the ball into the empty net.
The third goal came in the 58th minute when the athlete that is Chris Mavinga was brought down 25 yards out and Jay Spearing curled the resulting free-kick into the bottom corner.
The fourth and final goal came 7 minutes from time when Emmanuel Mendy slotted under Carl Lloyd after the ball was played in from the left.

After the game the Liverpool Players signed autographs and shook hands and were a credit to the football club.

The Ashton lads can be proud of thier acheivements and it's now onto an important league match against AFC Blackpool on Saturday. Unfortunately this one was just a bridge too far...

Good preparation for the visit of Liverpool.

Saturday afternoon, 3 o'clock, and finally some football! After 44 days of non-activity in the match department it was a releif to finally get back out there. After such a great finish to 2009 you could be forgiven for being a little nervous that the enforced 44 day break might not of worked in our favour. All the lads turned up for the Ashton Town V Rochdale Town match kitted out in their new trackies which I must say do look nice. After getting ready it was out for a warm up. Half an hour warm up complete and back into the dressing room for final instructions. Preparation over and out to get the game underway.
The opening ten minutes were pretty even with both teams game plans very easy to see. Rochdale were looking for the long diagnal ball over the heads of our full backs lee green and andrew mawdsley, whilst we tried to get the ball down and knock it around. After ten minutes we started to impose our superiority over bottom placed Rochdale Town and broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when a corner was swung in and baxy (Christian baxby) put the ball into the back of the net with a cheeky flick.
We didn't have to wait long to double that lead when 3 minutes later a lovely ball from the centre of midfield sent eddy (Ste Edwards) through on goal before he hit a powerful left foot drive beating the keeper at his near post. That's how it stayed until half time despite eddy's attempt at a superb over head kick after a cross came in from the right it was behind eddy, who turned round and somehow managed to get an over head volley on target. Unfortunately it fell into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Half time came and focus was the main thing. We new rochdale would come out at us in the second half. I mean who wouldn't in that situation? So we new the next goal was vital. After 3 minutes of the second half it came when Rochdale left eddy one on one with a defender, which is a silly thing to do especially down the hill, he raced away and slotted home to make it 3-0 and effectively game over. Chance after chance spurned in the second half meant that's how it finished but it could
of been many more then 3.
A confident performance going into the biggest match in Ashton Towns history. Well done boys you can be proud of a good performance. Let's just hope we can take it into Wednesday.

Our spying mission to Prenton Park

Last night myself and 12 scallies embarked on a spying mission that was about as secret as Paris hilton's love life. Our mission took us to prenton park to watch next weeks oponents Liverpool Reserves.
I left the house and travelled through the delightful Birkenhead Tunnel at a cost of £1.40 to appear on the other side in the pissing down rain. I made my way up to the ground and pulled my car onto the car park where two little tosspots stopped me to see if I had a pass, obviously I didn't, and at that point the pair of idiots in their bright orange jackets charged me two quid for the privelege of parking next to a French BMW x5. Things couldn't get any worse.
Quite right, They didn't. It was all upbeat from there. Walking into the reception we were greeted by non other than the Liverpool reserve team manger john mcmahon in his footy boots and shorts, as well as David fairclough the Liverpool legend. The nice lady behind the desk gave us our tickets which said on them "please admit to the vice-presidents lounge and directors box". I thought great stuff. I walked up the stairs and into the lounge where I met a few of the lads who were already there, only to realise the little gobshites were all dressed up and no-one had bothered to tell me. It's ok lads it's only me who looked like a scruffy bastard in my tracky and trainees. Anyway no grudges held we sat down to as much free tea and coffee as you could stomach. That's great if you like tea or coffee but if you're fussy like me well it was tuff shit.
About 10 minutes before kick off we took up our padded seats in the directors box placed right on the half way line. Just before kick off we were joined in the posh area by sammy lee the assistant manager of Liverpool along with his little foreign side kick and two foreign plaers who looked like they should still be learning how to tie their shoelaces. The match began and our pens began to write as we looked for something, anything, to help us in our plight. The match was entertaining although it was freezing an pissing down we managed to see three goals in the first half.
At half time again it was back into the lounge for as much tea and coffee as one could take. John Carroll said "I've had three cups of that and my fucking breath stinks" don't blame the coffee john!
In the second half we managed another 3 goals the last of which was an injury time equaliser by Liverpool to make it 3-3. Sammy lee had obviously had enough long before that point when Liverpool were 3-2 down he thought better of it and fucked off out the cold! I probably should of followed him but I wasn't passing off 15 minutes of a free match. The whistle went and it was as if they had said "now you've had a coffee and biscuits you can piss off" so off we went back through the tunnel and back to normality. In more ways than one! Overall a job worth doing and a job done well.

Finally some football after the snow!!

Finally after 44 days without a fixture it's looking good for a Town V Town clash. That's Ashton Town V Rochdale Town, or as the older folks would call them, Cassie Gabs. Refering to their former name of Castleton Gabriels of course.

Since the prescot match, way back on 9th December, loads has happened at Edge Green Street.... well off the pitch anyway. With no matches since then the arl legs might be a bit rusty but with about 10 training sessions in between and a little bit of christmas turkey thrown in to the mix everyone is in the same boat I suppose.

Also since then we found out we have the small matter of Liverpool FC visiting EGS for the quater final of the Liverpool Senior Cup. What a culture shock that's going to be for a few snot nose, 18 year old foreigners who are more used to a few grand a week and a snooker table-esque playing surface plus the nice weather of the costa del sol. Welcome to the real world boys. I know when they played Prescot Cables in the Senior Cup last year they bottled it the minute they walked into Valerie Park and thats wembley compared to our place.

Anyway enough said about the senior cup until after the Cassie Gabs match on Saturday. as it satnds they are bottom on 6 points and we are one place above them on 12 so a victory is needed given that 3 other teams are also on 12 points.

Anyway keep it here for One-Man's blogs on the Talk of the Town