MOSSLEY 1, ASHTON UNITED 2
Holders Ashton United booked their place in the quarter finals of the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup with a goal in each half sufficient, despite a late fightback by local rivals Mossley at Seel Park.
The Robins were without the departed Connor O’Keefe, who has joined FC United, and also missing Benny Couto and Sean Newton and were facing three ex-Ashton players – Mark Lees, Michael Brewster and Mason Fawns.
After seven minutes, Jason Gilchrist sent a first time volley just wide having collected Tom Denton’s flick.
One minute later, Obua Mugalula collected Adam Sherratt’s pass down the left wing and his cross saw Eric Yahaya unable to place his header on target.
Midway through the half, Trevon Bryan fired right across the goal from Gilchrist’s pull back and fellow winger Leon Johnson showed a burst of speed before hitting his cross too strongly for Gilchrist.
Three minutes past the half hour, Johnson’s run into the area drew a foul from Jack Marrow with Gilchrist converting the penalty right down the middle.
Three minutes after the restart the Lilywhites almost drew level as Mugalula’s cross saw Joseph Berks goalbound effort cleared off the line by Josh Doherty before Gilchrist caught hold of a 20-yard effort which was well held by keeper Finley Madigan.
The dangerous Mugalula then saw his cross cut out by Sam Baird as he sped on to a long ball and 20 minutes into the half Doherty’s overlapping run won a corner from Matt Kardacz which saw Nathan Lowe’s delivery glanced home by Baird to make it 2-0.
Mugalula’s chip was cleared in front of goal by Baird from Berks’ through ball before Eastham conceded a needless corner which almost led to a goal as Brewster’s cross was missed right in front of goal by Yahaya.
WIth nine minutes left, a great run into the area by Mugalula was only stopped by the advancing keeper Jordan Eastham with Berks placing the rebound wide of the near post.
But the hosts did eventually pull a goal back in added time as Baird picked up a booking for stopping Berks just outside the area and the winger’s free kick was deflected home by the head of Jak McCourt.
Ashton United: Eastham, Doherty, Denton (Osei 74), McCourt, Burke, Baird, Lowe, White, Gilchrist (Rimmer 85), Johnson, Bryan. Subs (unused): Hardy, Cunningham.
Attendance: 390.
Report: David Robinson.