ASHTON UNITED 0, PRESCOT CABLES 3
Newly promoted Prescot Cables ran out surprisingly easy winners against Ashton United at Hurst Cross with two first-half goals and a late penalty proving decisive.
It is a loss which sees the Robins slip to fourth in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier with the Merseysiders climbing into mid-table.
Ashton fielded an unchanged line up from the midweek win against Matlock Town and, after Alex McNally was penalised for fouling James Hardy, Darius Osei flicked the resulting free kick wide before Osei himself cut inside and saw his shot deflect to the far post where Jason Gilchrist guided it wide.
Just before the quarter hour, a throw in saw Ben Elliott progress towards the area with the ball breaking to Jack Goodwin who brought a tumbling save out of Eastham.
Osei missed a better chance midway through the half as Hardy’s ball sent him into the area from where he slid his effort past the post.
Just just past the half hour, Matthew Devine won a corner from Sam Baird which saw Nelson Digbeu’s header back acrobatically finished on the turn by Elliott.
Four minutes before the break, the visitors moved further ahead as Luke Burke was penalised for bringing down James Foley near the byline and the captain got up to send Eastham the wrong way from the spot.
Osei’s flick into the area on the stroke of half time saw Gilchrist’s bouncing effort comfortably saved by ex-Ashton keeper Andre Mendes as Ashton tried to strike back immediately.
Several substitutions made by the home side were to little avail and Cables threatened again on the break as Douglas Cross-Adair’s delivery saw Foley make insufficient contact to trouble Eastham.
And after Francis Smith’s free kick had narrowly missed the far post, Luke Burke hit the side netting having cut inside onto Nathan Lowe’s pass.
The points were made safe as Dan Cowan brought down substitute Louis Gilboy as he tried to collect Tom Owens’ cross leaving Foley to convert again from 12 yards.
Ashton United: Eastham, Cowan, McCourt (White 46), Newton, Burke, Baird, Couto (Lowe 46), Hardy (Bjork 81), Gilchrist, Osei, Bryan (Denton 61). Sub (unused): O’Keefe.
Attendance: 331.
Report: David Robinson.