CHADDERTON 1, ASHTON UNITED 5
Ashton United finally got on to the winners’ sheet in their third pre-season friendly with a comprehensive victory at near neighbours Chadderton.
There was only one change from their line up against Crewe with Sam Baird back in defence in place of assistant manager Sean Newton.
The Robins could have moved ahead after three minutes as a fine right-wing cross from Alex Byrne was headed down to the keeper by Jason Gilchrist.
Fourteen minutes in and a right-wing throw in saw Luca Navarro control before picking out Louis White with his cross which was met with a first-time finish with his right foot.
Four minutes later a loose ball fell for Benito Lowe to steer it well wide of the target and White then fired too high having collected another Byrne pass.
One minute later, Gilchrist picked up a loose ball in midfield and exchanged passes with Byrne before finishing close in to double the lead.
Benito Lowe then forced a full length save out from Ashton keeper Connor Eastham before Baird’s pass put Byrne away down the right wing providing an easy finish for Gilchrist’s second.
The centre forward could have completed a hat trick but for an overhit pass from Darius Osei who was put through on Harry Dean after Callum Rowe had won the ball.
Five minutes before the break, Gilchrist got his third as a short corner saw Navarro fire a low ball to the far post where the lurking Gilchrist did the rest.
On the stroke of half time, a good run by Jack Sloan saw him exchange passes with Tyler Berry before hitting the side netting and two minutes after the resumption Danny McLaughlin headed home Sloan’s left-wing delivery only for it to be ruled out for a foul on Eastham.
White was then soon released down the left wing from where his deep cross was headed home by substitute Tom Denton for the fifth.
Lowe cut inside at the other end only to fire over but, with nine minutes left, the hosts got a consolation as Matthew Crothers curled home a fine free kick from 25 yards.
A through ball then saw Lowe backheel to Sloan who steered his effort over. The last opportunity for the hosts saw Lowe’s square pass find Matthew Barlow who side-footed wide from a good position.
Ashton United: C Eastham (Smith 60) , White (trialist 64), Doherty (Denton 46), Tomlinson (trialist 46), Effunuga, Baird (trialist 64), Byrne (trialist 64), Rowe (trialist 46), Gilchrist, Osei (trialist 46), Navarro.
Report: David Robinson.