ASHTON UNITED 0, SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC 0
Ashton United dealt a blow to Scarborough Athletic’s Northern Premier League, premier division play-off hopes following a goalless draw at Hurst Cross.
It proved eventful as both sides ended with 10 men, United having Ekow Coker dismissed for two bookings.
Sam Baird made a surprise appearance in the home defence after a lengthy injury absence and Jack Redshaw took over as captain as the hosts had the first chance when Florian Yonsian volleyed well wide from Redshaw’s header.
On the quarter hour, Athletic’s Luca Colville was taken down by Coker who picked up a booking with the free kick being blocked before Ben Hardcastle’s defence-splitting pass to Yonsian was just cut out by Ashley Jackson at the expense of a corner.
Five minutes before the break, visiting player Simon Heslop was handed a red card for a high challenge on Sam Sheridan.
Five minutes into the second period and a sharp turn by Yonsian saw him fire a 30-yard effort over the bar and Jackson’s pass then put Michael Coulson in the clear, but goalkeeper Greg Hartley denied him with a good save with his left foot.
Hartley again needed to be alert as he palmed away Glynn Kieran’s chip into the area at the last moment with Jacob Day lurking and Colville’s shot eventually blocked by Coker.
With 12 minutes left, Jackson’s long free kick saw Coulson knock the ball back for Colville to slice a great chance wide and immediately afterwards Coker was dismissed for a second booking.
The final chances saw Yonsian fouled 25 yards out, Cole Lonsdale curling the free kick just wide and a long throw ended with Colville heading straight into Hartley’s arms.
Ashton United: Hartley, Spratt, Lonsdale, Sheridan, Baird (Donlan 46), Coker, Hardcastle, Simpson (Hunt 82), Yonsian, Redshaw (Jenkins 73), Tomsett. Subs (not used): Taylor, Ntula.
Report: David Robinson