ASHTON UNITED 1, LEEK TOWN 0
A single second half goal was enough to see Ashton United home in the first encounter against newly promoted Leek Town for 17 years.
The breakthrough came eight minutes into the second period as Louis White’s pass sent Benny Couto down the left wing and his cross was fired home close in by Darius Osei.
The Robins were featuring loanee Luke Hogan in central defence in place of the injured Sam Baird and looked like opening the scoring right from the off as just three minutes in Osei was denied close in by keeper Dino Visser from Trevon Bryan’s pull back.
And three minutes later Bryan’s own attempt needed to be tipped over by Visser. Nathan Lowe forced another tip over with a direct effort from a free kick after 10 minutes and shortly afterwards Couto’s delivery saw Dan Cowan’s header scrambled away from the base of the post.
Josh Doherty then strode forward after collecting a rebound before missing the far post and on 20 minutes the visitors saw Hayden Campbell pick up a loose ball and his far post cross was steered wide by Tyreece Onyeka against the run of play.
Approaching the interval, Bryan was fouled out wide with Lowe’s delivery missing Louis White’s attempted header at the far post and the break arrived with Cowan heading clear Onyeka’s cross after Liam Buckley’s return ball had won a corner.
Chances were at a premium after the interval with Campbell seeing a long-range effort easily held before debutante Hogan cleared William Reeves’ cross after White had slipped with Osei heading Jacon Hamman’s subsequent header away from the goalline.
The Robins were largely comfortable in holding on to their lead to move up to fifth place in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier courtesy of their first clean sheet since August.
Ashton United: Eastham, Cowan, Doherty, White, Burke, Hogan, Couto, Lowe, Hardy (Gilchrist 84), Osei, Bryan (Rowe 69). Subs (unused): Denton, McCourt, Efunnuga.
Report: David Robinson