GUISELEY 3, ASHTON UNITED 0
Ashton United’s’ Emirates FA Cup adventure ended at the first hurdle as they were comprehensively beaten at Guiseley’s Nethermoor Park in the first qualifying round.
It was a first defeat of the season for Steve Cunningham’s side which is unbeaten in its first six games of the season in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier.
Several changes were made to the Robins’ starting line-up including a first full start for Tom Denton leading the line and among the opposition was John Lufudu, formerly of Ashton who was to have a significant impact on the game.
Three minutes into the action, Josh Doherty needed to block Gabriel Johnson’s attempt after Prince Ekpolo had made the break following a missed pass by Jak McCourt.
Five minutes later, Lufudu almost burst through only being stopped by Sam Baird but within a minute Lufudu progressed to the by-line and saw his pull back squeezed home at the second attempt by Johnson.
Still in the opening exchanges, Baird conceded a corner which saw the clearance land with another ex-Robin Adriano Moke who should have done better than to clear the crossbar.
Three minutes before the break, Ashton forged a great chance to equalise as McCourt’s free kick was headed down by Denton for substitute Darius Osei to make space only to fire narrowly wide.
Seven minutes into the second period, a fine passing movement saw the ball reach Lufudu 20 yards out from where he sidefooted home a fine finish and Lufudu then showed his speed with a vital tackle on Bobby Bjork as Ashton threatened a break from their own area.
Luke Burke then needed to be on the stretch to cut out Lufudu’s next cross after he had turned past Baird and Doherty but shortly afterwards Dan Cowan was penalised for pulling back Johnson in the area despite protests from the Ashton bench.
When the penalty was eventually taken Johnson converted at the second attempt after Conor O’Keefe had gone the right way.
Several bookings then followed for both teams before George Chmiel’s cross was guided straight at keeper Joe Cracknell by Osei and Will Longbottom’s corner saw substitute Reece Kendal help the rebound over from close range.
Ashton United: O’Keefe, Cowan, Denton (Hardy 58), McCourt (Johnson 58), Burke, Baird, Bjork, White, Doherty, Massey (Osei 27), Couto (Chmiel 73). Sub (unused): Newton.
Attendance: 415.
Report: David Robinson.