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