Hyde halt Robins run

NPL Premier Division: Hyde United 2-1 Ashton United

Ashton’s recent winning run came to an end on Hyde’s plastic pitch as the hosts overturned a deficit to take the points in front of a crowd of 686.

With Harry Coates injured in the warm up, Michael Raynes stepped into the centre of defence accompanied at right back by debutant Will Hall on loan from Altrincham.

A breezy day saw control at a premium and the Tigers threatened first as Liam Tongue volleyed comfortably over from Jonah Mitchell’s neat lay off and Bradley Roscoe then helped Tongue’s delivery from a corner past the near post.

Florian Yonsian then saw his shot blocked for the Robins with Tom Bentham denied by Joe Green in the follow up but on 25 minutes Yonsian won a penalty latching on to Bentham’s pass before being brought down inside the area by Green – unfortunately Bentham became the latest player to see his penalty saved as Green dropped to his left.

Five minutes later and Bentham side footed wide from Brewster’s set up and after Tongue had gone close at the other end Harry Spratt blocked out Mitchell with a goal saving tackle before Ashton’s pressing game saw Hardcastle play in Brewster whose cross was converted at the far post by Bentham.

Just as the visitors thought they were going into half time with a lead Hall was booked for a challenge on Pratt out wide and when Tongue swung the free kick in the ball found its way into the far side of the net unhindered.

The hosts started the second period on the front foot as Tongue sent an effort fizzing into the side netting and Mitchell’s dangerous cross was cut out at the near post by Spratt with the return ball from Tongue knocked wide of the far post by Mitchell.

With the conditions having an increasing say it was the Tigers who made the most of them as midway through the half Mitchell’s square pass saw Tongue find space for a fine strike home from just outside the box.

Pratt then saw his shot saved at the near post with the game finishing in slightly fractious manner with three yellow cards for the home side as they held on to their lead. 

Ashton Utd: Martin, Hall, Spratt, Brewster, Raynes, Baird, Hardcastle, Macadam, Bentham (Abadaki 61), Yonsian, Warren. SNU: Hartley, Bianga, Tserpes.