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