Ashton United 3
Nantwich Town 2
League (NPL Premier Division)

Match Report

Saturday 27th February.2010


ASHTON UNITED 3 v NANTWICH TOWN 2
Ian Howard 24 (pen) Dave McPherson.37
Ian Bennett. 69 Jake Sedgemore 78 (pen)
Craig Robinson. 88


Ashton put their off field problems behind them to register a first home league win in six attempts, thanks to a controversial late winner from skipper, Craig Robinson. Both sides found it hard going on a heavy pitch, but they played some decent football and the result was in the balance throughout. However, both managers were unhappy with the performance of the officials.

Dabbers’ manager, Peter Hall, stated, “The officials were dreadful, simple as that. At the moment, decisions do not seem to be going our way. The players put in bags of effort, but we were punished for our inability to defend properly. We got ourselves back in the game at one each and had chances to go in front, which we failed to take. In the second half we struggled to get going and injuries to key defenders disrupted our shape. In the end, it is another disappointing result, but we have to pick ourselves up for Tuesday’s game”.

Ashton boss, Danny Johnson, was happy with the win: “It was a tough game and I was disappointed with the referee’s performance, but I’m happy to get three points”.

Facing a strong breeze, Nantwich started brightly and should have taken a first minute lead when ASHLEY CARTER and DANNY GRIGGS combined to set up MICHAEL LENNON who inexplicably blazed his shot over the bar from a mere four yards. Meanwhile, a JAKE SEDGMORE 30 yard effort clipped the angle of post and bar ahead of another wasted opportunity by LENNON who proceeded to shoot wide from close range whilst at the other end, RICHIE SUTTON, returning to defence following a five match ban, produced some timely interventions as the home side pressed for an early goal.

GOAL: 24 Minutes. Ashton took the lead against the run of play when DAVE WHITTAKER was adjudged to have fouled centre forward DANNY EGAN. Midfielder IAN HOWARD converted from the spot but WHITTAKER escaped a booking.

Shortly after the penalty KEVIN STREET let fly with a 30 yard shot that the Ashton ‘keeper just managed to hold whilst MARVIN ROBINSON then had a one on one with TERRY SMITH but the Ashton keeper pulled off a last ditch save.

But the home side were looking lively and during one of their breaks striker RYAN MOORE brought out a good save from LLOYD-WESTON, but otherwise Nantwich held firm.

GOAL: 37 minutes. Nantwich deservedly pulled level courtesy of a superbly taken shot from the edge of the area by DAVE MacPHERSON following good work by STREET, GRIGGS and ROBINSON who initially received the ball from GRIGGS before chesting down into the path of MacPHERSON who beat SMITH in the Ashton goal.

Right on the stroke of half time SEDGEMORE delivered a brilliant free kick from 40 yards and whilst everyone was waiting for the ball to drop the pace took it past everyone bar the Ashton ‘keeper who just managed to get across the flight of the ball and prevent it entering the net.

HT: ASHTON UNITED 1 v NANTWICH TOWN 1

Within minutes of the second half getting underway Ashton defender IAN KEARNEY headed wide from a corner, the match then twice halted in the 50th and 52nd minute following injuries to ‘Dabbers’ central defender DARREN TINSON and winger ASHLEY CARTER. CHRIS FLYNN replaced TINSON whilst RODNEY JACK replaced CARTER wide on the right. Meanwhile, the lively GRIGGS was keeping the Ashton defence on their toes with ROBINSON and MCPHERSON also prominent but, despite achieving a series of corners the ball didn’t fall kindly to the men in green.

On 65 minutes Nantwich were again hit by injury – this time it was STREET who retired - GLYN BLACKHURST coming off the bench as Nantwich were forced to reorganize for the third time in the match.


GOAL: 69 Minutes. Ashton broke up a Nantwich attack in midfield and turned it to their advantage when a neat through ball by EGAN found central midfielder IAN BENNETT – BENNETT running on without challenge before beating LLOYD-WESTON at the far post to restore the home side’s first half lead.

GOAL: 78 Minutes. ASHTON UNITED’S lead was pegged back for the second time when KEARNEY was adjudged to have fouled ROBINSON and despite SMITH getting a hand to it SEDGEMORE’S spot kick found the back of the net to bring the sides level for a second time.

GOAL: 88 Minutes. A controversial goal and one which generated a furious reaction from Nantwich players. During LLOYD-WESTON’S reach for a high ball from a free kick Ashton defender CRAIG ROBINSON collided with the ‘Dabbers’ goalkeeper bringing him to the ground before losing control of the ball. Meanwhile, ROBINSON collected the loose ball and slammed it into the back of the net with the referee, who had controversially awarded the home side a first half penalty, took no action and allowed the goal to stand. Moments later, Nantwich were reduced to ten men when FLYNN was dismissed for contesting the referee’s decision in allowing the challenge to go unpunished.

FT: ASHTON UNITED 3 v NANTWICH TOWN 2

Nantwich: Lloyd-Weston. Sutton. Street (Blackhurst 65). Tinson (Flynn 50). Whittaker. Sedgemore. Carter (Jack 52). McPherson. Lennon. Robinson. Griggs. Substitutes: Blackhurst. Flynn. Aspinall. Jack. McNulty.

Match report written by Phil Johnson