ASHTON UNITED 4, WHITBY TOWN 1
Ashton United returned to winning ways with a convincing success against North East visitors Whitby Town.
After the midweek home defeat to Macclesfield FC, the Robins made it five victories from their last six matches in Northern Premier League, premier to keep alive their play-off hopes.
Steve Cunningham’s side is sixth – one place and three points outside the play-offs but having played one less game that neighbours Hyde United who are fifth.
Alex Byrne was back on the right wing for the hosts, and he won an early free kick which was headed clear with Warren Clarke’s follow-up cross ending in the keeper’s arms.
Three minutes in and Daniel Rowe’s header from Harrison Beeden’s long throw in was only kept out by a combination of keeper Paul Cooper and the crossbar and Kielen Adams flick on then evaded everyone before a loose clearance reached Lewis Hawkins who fired it over.
James Hardy then just missed the far post having taken Nathan Lowe’s pass in his stride and Byrne’s first-time cross found Jason GIlchrist heading straight at Shane Bland.
Adams then turned inside onto Byrne’s pass and saw a fierce effort deflect over off the crossbar but after 25 minutes the Seasiders moved ahead as Connor Smith’s high cross was dropped under pressure by Cooper and Stephen Walker was on hand to make space before sliding home.
Eleven minutes later the Robins were level as Gilchrist headed home on the six-yard line from Byrne’s cross after a fine run through midfield by James Hardy and four minutes ahead of the break Byrne won a corner which saw Nathan Lowe’s deep delivery headed back by Sam Baird for Adams to turn it home.
Four minutes before the hour, Byrne’s cross bounced over Gilchrist in the area, but Hardy latched on to it only to be brought down by keeper Bland with Byrne converting from the spot.
Walker then progressed along the byline before forcing a good save at the near post and in added time Lowe’s shot was blocked but rebounded to substitute Jake Charles who rounded Bland and slid home the fourth from a narrow angle.
Ashton United: Cooper, Cowan, Newton, Lowe, Burke, Baird, Byrne (Charles 70), Hardy, Gilchrist (Abbott 60), Adams (Caton 77), Clarke. Subs (unused): Cusani, Rose
Attendance: 317.
Report: David Robinson.