ASHTON UNITED 0, WYTHENSHAWE TOWN 2
Ashton United’s reign as holders is over as they were victims of a giantkilling act in the semi-finals of the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup, beaten at home by Wythenshawe Town.
Two second-half penalties were enough to see the North West Counties League side, two divisions lower in the football pyramid, triumph and claim their place in the final.
Robins’ new manager Steve Cunningham rested several key players and used others in different positions as he still gets to know the team.
But there were no complaints as United, reduced to 10 men in the last quarter of the game, were second best for much of the night.
Town featured several ex-Robins in their line up and made the early running as Darius Palma was fouled out wide with Matty Regan heading the free kick clear before James Dwyer volleyed over.
After 10 minutes, Sean Newton’s near-post cross was headed past the near post under challenge by the stooping figure of Jason Gilchrist who needed treatment before continuing and Palma was then afforded too much space from Dom Smalley’s throw in but fired well wide.
Regan then advanced through midfield but saw his lofted pass just evade Gilchrist and Jerome Wright saw a low shot saved following a misplaced pass from Jack McKay.
With the interval approaching, Town had the best chance of the half as Vernon Parny robbed a combination of McKay and Ben Hough and provided the cross from which Palma dragged his shot wide when well placed.
Four minutes into the second period, McKay was penalised for a foul on Parny in the area and Palma slid the spot kick home comfortably.
Gilchrist then saw his effort palmed away for a corner by Callum Jakovlevs and Cole Lonsdale saw a similar tip away from the keeper having been fouled 25 yards out.
With 20 minutes left, James Baillie cut inside and saw his left-foot effort deflect out for a corner but not long after Palma burst past Lonsdale on the edge of the area with the Ashton man deemed to be the last defender as he was dismissed.
Town sealed victory in the 77th minute as a right-wing cross was flicked on following a corner and with Matty Bryan appearing to be impeded as a second penalty of the evening was awarded and again converted by Palma.
The visiting number 11 could have completed a hat trick but for a sharp save from Andre Mendes and the night finished in something of a fractious manner with manager Cunningham also booked by the referee.
Ashton United: Mendes, McKay, Newton (Baillie 64), Baird, Regan, Hough, Gilchrist, Whitham (Jenkins 85), Adams, Guilfoyle (Milner 46), Lonsdale. Subs (unused): Lowe, Culkin.
Report: David Robinson.