ASHTON UNITED 2, FC HALIFAX TOWN 2
Ashton United’s toughest pre-season assignment to date turned out to be just that as they had to overturn a two-goal half-time deficit to salvage a draw at home to National League side FC Halifax Town.
A midday kick-off saw the Shaymen, two divisions higher in the football pyramid, first out of the blocks with Belize international Angelo Cappello making a strong run before his shot was deflected through to the keeper.
With 13 minutes played, a triallist spun 25 yards out before firing a blockbuster into the top corner of Ashton’s goal and not long after Andrew Oluwabori’s pass saw Cappello, previously a professional at Sheffield United, denied by Sean Newton with no foul awarded.
Just past the half hour, Max Wright converted Cappello’s pullback after Dan Cowan had initially blocked the centre forward’s effort on the goalline.
Oluwabori could have extended the visitors’ lead immediately after the break as his free kick was deflected on to the crossbar.
The Robins rode their luck and then at the other end halved the deficit as a neat pass into the area saw Jason Gilchrist reduce the deficit.
A good overlapping run by Ashton’s triallist right back then won a corner and after the third delivery a triallist equalised as Newton touched the ball on.
Several substitutions followed before a left-wing cross just evaded a Halifax triallist ghosting in at the far post and then Cappello fired wide from 25 yards as the visitors almost snatched victory late on.
Team: Triallist, Triallist, Newton, Lonsdale, Cowan, Triallist, Triallist, Abbott, Gilchrist, Triallist, Adams. Subs (not used): Milner and several triallists.
Report: David Robinson.