ASHTON UNITED 3, FC UNITED 1
An entertaining encounter saw Ashton United emerge victorious against early Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier leaders FC United in front of a Bank Holiday crowd of 1,035.
FC United headed to Hurst Cross in top spot with a perfect record from their first four league matches before Ashton ended it as they bagged the three points to climb to fourth place.
Ashton restored Callum Rowe and Mikey O’Neill to their starting line-up and were facing former player Paul Ennis who captained the Rebels.
The visitors were first on to the attack as Matthew Grivosti volleyed Jay Fitzmartin’s early cross over the top.
And with 11 minutes gone, good work by Declan Evans sent Fitzmartin racing into the area where his shot was saved at the near post with the resulting corner headed over at the far post by Rudy Misambo.
Just before the half hour, captain Luke Burke took charge for the Robins as he moved towards the penalty area before collecting Willem Tomlinson’s return pass which he volleyed past keeper Dan Atherton at his near post.
Immediately, Jordan Eastham was forced into a point blank save from Jordan Buckley who connected with Fitzmartin’s cross.
O’Neill’s fine pass then put Alex Byrne in position to hit a cross which evaded O’Neill before Louis White went down under challenge with the referee unmoved.
In added time, the visitors won a corner which saw Ajay Weston’s delivery glanced against the left-hand post by Buckley.
One minute after the break good play saw O’Neill recycle the ball for Darius Osei to fire narrowly too high.
The Rebels had a chance when the ball broke to Ajay Weston in the Ashton area with him driving wide.
Burke’s cross saw White stretching to head wide then three minutes past the hour the Robins were 2-0 ahead when a great throw out by Eastham saw Tomlinson’s square ball to O’Neill pick out the unmarked Byrne for a right-foot finish.
Two minutes later, the Rebels were back in the argument as Weston’s corner was forced home close in by substitute Jan Palinkas.
With FC United threatening an equaliser, Matty Thomson’s pass picked out a tremendous run into the area by Weston whose shot was touched over by Eastham and with 15 minutes left Michael Donohue won a corner from Sam Baird which saw Evans’ header marginally miss the left-hand post.
Adam Le Fondre’s pass then gave Buckley a clear run on goal with Baird making a tremendous recovery to block before a bout of head tennis in the area ended with Le Fondre teeing up Buckley whose weak effort was saved by Eastham.
With FC United risking everything in throwing keeper Atherton forward, they were caught out as a break from their own area saw Jason Gilchrist pick out Callum Rowe who fired into the empty net from 40 yards to secure the points.
Ashton United: Eastham, Burke, Doherty, Newton, White, Baird, Byrne (Gilchrist 81), Rowe, O’Neill (Denton 93), Osei (Efunnuga 96), Tomlinson (Navarro 68). Sub (unused): Taylor.
Attendance: 1,035.
Report: David Robinson.