STAFFORD RANGERS 5, ASHTON UNITED 0
Ashton United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as their Northern Premier League, premier division campaign ended on a disappointing note.
The Robins produced arguably their worst display of the season as they were comprehensively beaten at Marston Road as the hosts dominated from start to finish.
Manager Michael Clegg was left to reflect on a challenging campaign in which they finished 15th but enjoyed success by lifting the Manchester Premier Cup.
The Robins had Luke Taylor debuting in goal in place of the concussed Greg Hartley and the hosts started with a strong breeze at their backs and saw Tom Tonks’ volley go wide from Taylor’s punched clearance.
Tonks was a threat all afternoon from long throw and just before the quarter hour his latest delivery was inadvertently flicked on by Ben Hardcastle allowing Joe Kenton to head home at the far post.
Joe Dunne then brought a decent save from Taylor, but it was only a matter minutes before Stafford doubled their advantage.
Tonks’ curling cross forced home by centre forward Kaiman Anderson and three minutes later it was 3-0 minutes when Alex-Ray Harvey put Tre Pemberton into the clear to score confidently.
Taylor could have been caught out as Kenton closed down his clearance with the rebound falling to Tonks whose scuffed attempt was then saved.
A break at the other end saw Cole Lonsdale’s swinging cross was met by Jordan Simpson whose volley forced a fine save from goalkeeper Cameron Belford.
Tonks’ next cross found James O’Neill who blazed over and Kaiman Anderson had a low effort saved from Alex Fletcher’s through ball.
Florian Yonsain won a corner for Ashton at the start of the second half and Lonsdale’s delivery was headed wide by substitute Tom Bentham while Sam Sheridan’s long ball into the area saw Bentham volley over.
On the hour, Tonks was again the provider as his pass was converted by Anderson for his second make it 4-0.
After Parabou Jenkins’ acrobatic effort had clipped the bar, the scoring was completed as Fletcher curled home a free kick after Hardcastle fouled Pemberton just outside the area.
Ashton United: Taylor, Spratt, Lonsdale, Coker, Coates (Bentham 40), Baird, Simpson (Jenkins 46), Sheridan (Donlan 72), Yonsian, Redshaw, Hardcastle. Subs (not used): Hunt, Ntula.
Report: David Robinson