Bentham blockbuster gives Robins a point

NPL Premier Division: Ashton United 1-1 Buxton

A tremendous strike by centre forward Tom Bentham saw the Robins on their way to a draw against one of the title favourites for the second game running. Just before the 20 minute mark Harry Spratt picked up the ball outside his own area and fired it forward to Bentham who having weighed up his options stepped inside on to his left foot and gave Theo Richardson no chance from 20 yards. 

The Bucks found the equaliser on 35 minutes as Warren Clarke was allowed to run into the area and saw his cross converted by high scoring centre forward Diego de Girolamo. Earlier in the half a fine pass by De Girolamo had sent Tommy Elliott into the area with Oliver Martin out smartly to block with Sam Baird completing the clearance and Ash Chambers cross was converted by Clarke with the flag raised for offside. Approaching the interval De Girolamo dragged his effort wide from Elliott’s square pass and De Girolamo was eventually crowded out in the area with Chambers tapping home again offside being the linesman’s verdict. 

The second period descended into something of a niggly affair but Elliott came close as he cut into the area and forced Martin to tip his shot over the bar and a great run from midfield by Ben Hardcastle led to Harvey Macadam side footing a weak effort at Richardson. Martin again had to be alert in the home goal after Elliott’s pass had sent Chambers running into the area and Josh Granite headed Milnes’ corner over the top from close in. 

Bentham could have added to his first half effort as he sent a shot whistling wide from Adarabioyo’s lay off and Hardcastle missed the opposite post after cutting inside and saw a further low shot held by Richardson. 

Ashton Utd: Martin, Tserpes, Spratt, Raynes, Baird, Tomsett, Hardcastle, Rowney, Bentham, Redshaw( Adarabioyo 72), Warren (Macadam 30). SNU: Ntalu, Hartley, Hunt.

Picture by Luke Smith