ASHTON UNITED 2, MICKLEOVER 0
Ashton United finally booked their place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier play-offs with two second half goals good enough to see off their already relegated Mickleover.
Jason Gilchrist was back leading the Robins’ front line with Louis White restored in midfield as steady rain greeted the players in front of a decent Bank Holiday crowd.
Five minutes in, Darius Osei’s inside pass found James Hardy steering his effort just wide of the left-hand post and a bad back pass by George Wilkinson then saw Gilchrist pounce to round keeper Yusuf Mersin only to slice his shot wide.
Twenty minutes into the action, Callum Rowe spread the play to Alex Byrne whose first time cross was glanced past the far post by the head of Gilchrist and Sean Newton then had to concede a corner from Brandon Ferron’s cross following a quick break at the other end.
Stuart Beavon picked up a foul from Sam Baird on the left-hand edge of the area which saw Andy Dales’ floated effort punched away and Josh Doherty’s overlapping delivery saw Hardy making insufficient contact to test Mersin.
Hardy then had two efforts blocked in quick succession as Ashton upped the tempo before Dylan Edwards near-post effort hit the side netting and the same player almost capitalised as Baird under hit a pass.
The action took a turn at the start of the second period as Gabriel Adebambo was booked for trying to stop Byrne and within five minutes was dismissed for halting Rowe in full flight through the midfield.
On the hour, Gilchrist turned on to a left-wing ball and saw his shot deflected on to the far post by Mersin with Byrne offside from the rebound.
But three minutes later, the centre forward made the breakthrough helping home Byrne’s cross close in after he had retrieved White’s initial delivery.
With eight minutes remaining, the Robins made their place secure as leading scorer Osei forced home after Newton’s flick had been recycled by Gilchrist with Byrne drawing the initial foul from Brandon Ferron out wide.
Substitutes Marcus Carver and Tom Denton both missed chances to extend the advantage but the home side now await to see whether they will play Worksop or Guiseley for a place in the play off final.
Ashton United: C Eastham, White, Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Byrne, Rowe, Gilchrist (Denton 86), Osei (Rose 90), Hardy (Carver 77). Subs (unused): Efunnuga, Chimalilo.
Attendance: 344.
Report: David Robinson.