ASHTON UNITED 2, RUSHALL OLYMPIC 1
Two late goals at Hurst Cross saw Ashton United squeeze past relegation threatened Rushall Olympic in an exciting finish when stalemate had looked likely for a long time in their Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier clash.
A late shower had left a slick playing surface and in the first minute Mikey O’Neill cut inside for the hosts before firing straight at keeper Jake Laban.
And it was O’Neill, recent recipient of the Supporters’ Club Player of the Month award, who continued to go closest as just past the quarter hour Alex Byrne’s corner was flicked on by Sean Newton for O’Neill’s shot close in to be cleared off the line and a further corner saw an action replay with O’Neill again just denied.
Just after the half hour mark, Aurio Teixeira spread the play to Sam Unitt whose cross was guided narrowly over by the head of Harry Wakefield and Alex Moore’s shot from distance then rebounded for Wakefield to fire it over on his left foot.
Byrne missed a great chance early in the second half as a long clearance saw him cut inside on to his right foot before bringing a good save out of Laban.
The breakthrough arrived with 20 minutes to go as Byrne’s long throw saw Newton’s flick on half volleyed home by James Hardy and the same player was only prevented from adding a second by the intervention of Osaze Okuonghae at the far post clearing Byrne’s cross.
The resulting corner was then flicked on to Newton at the far post who was denied by a fine save and from the next corner kick Newton’s header saw Jason Gilchrist’s volley well tipped over by Laban.
In added time it was Okuonghae who brought Pics level with a tumbling header from Carter Lycett’s left wing cross.
But entering the final minute, the Robins won a corner which reached Callum Spooner whose left foot effort clipped in off the post to secure maximum points.
Ashton United: Eastham, Spooner, Doherty, Newton, Knight, Cogill, Byrne, Rowe, O’Neill (Mampala 79), Osei (Gilchrist 80), Hardy (Jenneh 96). Subs (unused): Denton, Chmiel.
Attendance: 228.
Report: David Robinson.