BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 1, ASHTON UNITED 1
Ashton United are becoming Northern Premier League, premier draw specialists after being held again at Bradford Park Avenue.
That’s five times in seven games in 2024 that the Robins have seen matches end in stalemate as they sit ninth in the table and seven points adrift of the play-off spots.
Ashton’s latest encounter on a plastic surface resulted in another draw which was probably a fair reflection of the play.
With captain Nathan Lowe still suspended and Mitchell Rose absent, Brad Abbott was handed a start in midfield, and it was his pass in the first minute which led to a wayward effort from winger Alex Byrne.
The winger should certainly have done better after four minutes as Sean Newton’s long clearance saw him lob a glorious chance over the top and still in the first five minutes a break by Benny Couto saw his shot palmed out by Barnsley loan keeper Kieren Flavell, eventually reaching Byrne who hit the inside of the post.
Abbott’s chip into the area then found Jason Gilchrist helping the ball goalwards with Mason O’Malley clearing before Will Lancaster picked up a loose ball and fired just wide from 25 yards.
Centre forward Chinedu Osadebe then took too long on O’Malley’s pass and was denied by keeper Paul Cooper with Edy Maieco steering the rebound wide.
Three minutes past the half hour, Jake Charles saw yellow for a strong challenge on Lucas Odunston and Osadebe’s pull back saw Maieco bring a fingertip save out of Cooper as the interval arrived with the scoreline somehow blank.
Eight minutes after the restart Couto’s left-wing cross brought a reaction save out of Flavell with James Hardy’s follow up attempt blocked, and Byrne’s right wing cross saw Gilchrist denied close in.
Just past the hour a third consecutive corner from Couto held up on the wind allowing Gilchrist to head it home at the near post and Byrne’s latest cross saw Hardy’s shot cleared off the line by O’Malley.
The importance of this was emphasized two minutes later as the Robins’ defence dwelt in possession and the ball bounced up perfectly for substitute Jake Daniels to rifle it home from 22 yards, the Blackpool loan striker’s first goal for Avenue.
With five minutes left and Avenue pushing for a winner, Maieco’s effort was pushed away for a corner and Daniels next effort was scraped away by Cooper before a deep cross saw Jordan Preston’s header hit the side netting.
Ashton United: Cooper, Cowan, Newton, Couto (Adams 88), Burke, Abbott, Byrne, Moko, Gilchrist, Charles (Clarke 46), Hardy (Cusani 77). Subs (unused): Caton, Baird.
Attendance: 528.
Report: David Robinson.