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