WARRINGTON RYLANDS 3, ASHTON UNITED 4
Master marksman Jason Gilchrist scored four goals in 35 minutes as Ashton United produced an incredible fightback to bag all three points at Warrington Rylands.
When Rylands went three ahead inside half an hour, they looked to be heading for victory in this Northern Premier League, Premier fixture.
They say fortune favours the brave and Robins’ manager Steve Cunningham made three first-half substitutions which helped spark the remarkable recovery.
Ashton had an unchanged starting eleven from the home draw to Blyth Spartans, but it was the home side, featuring several ex-Robins who got off to a flyer on the slick surface as an attempted clearance rebounded off Jake Burton only for Dan Cowan to provide a short back pass allowing Ntumba Massanka to round keeper Conor O’Keefe and slide home the opener.
Midway through the half a poor clearance by O’Keefe gave possession away allowing Jake Burton to cut inside before providing an emphatic finish to make it 2-0.
Louis White’s effort at the other end brought a tumbling save out of Luke Pilling.
Just before the half hour, Liam Morris’s cross was blocked by Luke Burke for a corner which reached the back post untroubled where Matty Regan sneaked his header between O’Keefe and the post.
Regan was back in the action immediately conceding a penalty against Darius Osei which allowed Jason Gilchrist to give Ashton a lifeline.
Cunningham then made three substitutions before the interval.
Four minutes into the second period, Ashton pulled another goal back as good work by Osei saw him stand a cross up to the far post where Tom Denton’s knockdown was turned home by Gilchrist.
Burke then made a great run from midfield before shooting straight at Pilling with the Robins looking like a different team.
Another substitute Benny Couto then sprinted on to Osei’s pass before forcing a near post save. Just ahead of the hour mark matters were level as Burke’s long free kick saw the giant Denton again provide a flick for Gilchrist to complete his hat-trick.
Seven minutes later the scoring was complete as Denton’s fine pass spread the ball wide to Bobby Bjork and his cross was headed home by the unmarked Gilchrist to the delight of the visiting fans sheltering from the persistent rain
Ashton United: O’Keefe, Cowan (Couto 34), Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Hardy (Bjork 34), White, Gilchrist, Osei (Chmiel 83), Massey (Denton 31). Sub (unused): Lowe.
Attendance: 388.
Report: David Robinson.