ASHTON UNITED 5, WHITBY TOWN 0
A five-star performance from Ashton United saw record their biggest win of the season as they easily saw off North East visitors Whitby Town.
The victory stretched the Robins’ unbeaten run in Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier to six matches as they strengthened their hold on a play-off spot.
Ashton were unchanged from their victory over Macclesfield and welcomed back returning loanees Ewan Catt and Bobby Bjork to the substitutes’ bench.
The Seasiders had the first chance after four minutes as a pass from Sean Newton saw Layton Watts play Stephen Walker into the area with keeper Jordan Eastham having to be out alertly to block.
Remi Effunuga then made a great run to the by-line and his cross was recycled by James Hardy and Louis White for Darius Osei to bring a good low save out from keeper Henry Popple.
The scoring started in the 14th minute as James Hardy’s pass found Louis White firing into the far corner after a fine break from his own half by captain Luke Burke.
One minute later and a mistake in the visitors’ defence saw White tee up Hardy who steered home easily past Popple.
Osei then brought a tip over out of Popple before he was booked for handball as he forced Alex Byrne’s near post cross over the line.
Just past the half hour, White fired over after Effunuga’s shot was blocked after Byrne’s cross hit Osei and Hardy’s left foot snapshot was saved with the Whitby goal under siege.
On the stroke of half time, Watts’ effort from distance for Whitby comfortably saved by Eastham after a mistake by Effunuga.
Three minutes after the break, Osei was denied close in before Burke fired the loose ball over, but two minutes later White was back on the scoresheet finishing after Hardy’s break had seen Byrne’s shot blocked.
Just before the hour, Byrne’s shot was pushed out for a corner which saw Byrne’s delivery headed home at the far post by centre back Sam Baird for his second goal in successive games.
The scoring was completed midway through the half as Burke picked up a loose ball in midfield and slid in substitute Jason Gilchrist for an easy finish.
There was still time for Gilchrist to blaze Tom Denton’s knockdown over the top on his left foot and White was just denied his hat trick by a low save having picked up Gilchrist’s square pass.
Ashton United: Eastham, Effunuga, Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Byrne (Gilchrist 60), White, Hardy (Denton 69), Osei (Bjork 72), Rowe (Catt 86). Sub (unused): Cowan.
Attendance: 321.
Report: David Robinson.