WARRINGTON TOWN 1, ASHTON UNITED 3
Ashton United’s great upturn in fortunes continued with a convincing win at promotion hopefuls Warrington Town.
Three first-half goals were enough to see the mid-table Hurst Cross side post their sixth win in their last seven matches against one of the contenders for a play-off spot in Northern Premier League, premier division.
With Cole Lonsdale unavailable, Harry Spratt started at left back on a bright sunny day and immediately Matty Grivosti forced goalkeeper Greg Hartley into a sharp save after a header had been flicked on.
Town applied the early pressure as Jay Harris also fired straight at Hartley and Josh Amis’s weak effort from a long clearance went straight into the keeper’s arms.
The game changed after 19 minutes as Michael Brewster touched home Florian Yonsian’s flick after good work on the left side by Jack Redshaw.
Four minutes later and it was Ben Hardcastle doubling the lead after he had played Yonsian through and Dan Atherton in the home goal had spilled the centre forward’s shot.
Just past the half hour, the home side was reeling as Redshaw curled home a fine free kick after a rather fortuitous award just outside the area.
The Wire came out in determined fashion after the break and instantly James Baillie’s pass saw Amis play in substitute Jordan Buckley whose shot hit the left-hand post.
Harry Coates then missed a through ball allowing Amis to pull one back and Luke Duffy stepped inside before floating his effort over.
Just before the hour, Liam Tomsett picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and hammered a swerving effort against the bar and shortly afterwards a long clearance saw Yonsian impeded by former Robin Matty Regan who was somewhat harshly shown a red card.
As time ran out, Jordan Buckley brought a good save out of Hartley and saw his next effort blocked by Spratt, but the rest of the game was comfortable for Ashton who may still harbour faint hopes of the play offs themselves.
Ashton United: Hartley, Lufudu, Spratt, Sheridan (Bentham 76), Coates, Coker, Hardcastle, Brewster, Yonsian (Ntula 87), Redshaw (Abadaki 76), Tomsett. Subs (not used): Simpson, Raynes .
Report: David Robinson