BAMBER BRIDGE 1, ASHTON UNITED 3
Ashton United’s strong end to the season continued as a seventh win in eight games has moved them within touching distance of a play-off place in Northern Premier League, premier.
The Robins have risen from mid-table to sixth and are only outside the top five on goal difference to neighbours Hyde but have played two less matches than the Tigers who occupy the last play-off spot.
Ashton showed character as they battled from behind with a strong second-half showing at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
Nathan Lowe was kept out by his injury picked up at FC United and the teams took the field on a breezy day with a soft surface underfoot with Sky Sinclair needing to be alert to stop Jason Gilchrist collecting Alex Byrne’s chip into the area.
Seventeen minutes into the action, Harry Scarborough was held by Sam Baird with Callum Leigh hitting a swerving free kick from 40 yards which was palmed away by Paul Cooper.
Kielen Adams picked up a foul at the other end which saw Sean Newton’s delivery fired in by Baird bringing a great save out of James Prodec in the home goal.
A fine interception by Luke Burke then saw James Hardy drag his effort past the near post but the end of an undistinguished first half saw an uncharacteristic error by Newton who tried to turn past Amadou Doumboya with the winger nicking the ball away before rounding Cooper to slide home.
Dan Cowan had to be replaced for the Robins at the interval following a heavy challenge but within two minutes they found the equaliser as Mitch Rose spread the play to Alex Byrne whose right foot cross went straight in at the far post past several attempts to make contact.
Rose then tried a first-time effort from 30 yards which forced Pradic into a tumbling save and at the other end Scarborough’s set up allowed Jack Baxter to fire a first-time effort which required a fine save from Cooper to keep it out with Baird blocking Doumboya’s follow up.
Immediately Warren Clarke made a break down the left wing and when Adams’ cross arrived Gilchrist was on hand to provide the finish close in.
Just past the midway point of the half, Gilchrist just failed to get a touch on Cooper’s long clearance and he was then just beaten to Byrne’s near post cross by keeper Pradic.
With four minutes remaining, the points were made safe as Newton’s free kick reached Byrne and his cross set up Gilchrist perfectly to head home decisively.
Ashton United: Cooper, Cowan (Abbott 46), Newton, Baird, Burke, Rose, Byrne, Hardy (Couto 70), Gilchrist, Adams (Charles 84), Clarke. Subs (unused): Caton, Cusani.
Attendance: 443.
Report: David Robinson.