Late Strikes deny Robins

Two late goals from the hosts denied the Robins their first victory of the season at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

Ashton were showing one change from midweek with Steven Tames leading the line and John Pritchard dropping on to the bench. On a bright sunny day the Brigs were first to show as a long free kick by White was held under the bar by Worsnop and White then advanced into space but dragged his effort wide.

White then cut inside from Lawlor’s pass bringing a good low save out of Worsnop and Sam Sheridan shot narrowly wide for the visitors from Hooper’s inside pass. Halfway through the half Waddecar’s effort on the turn was kicked off the line by Hunt after Worsnop had headed a through ball away and seven minutes before the break a fine cross by Sheridan was headed home by the stooping figure of Wilson for his first goal in Ashton’s colours.

Ashton almost registered again as Tames’ effort on the turn was cleared off the line by Sumner following a scramble from a corner and after the break Harries played Waddecar through the middle with Worsnop needing to stand tall to make the block. Just before the hour White’s ball into the box saw Forbes turn neatly before slotting the equaliser past Worsnop. With 20 minutes left Hooper’s cross from a corner dropped to sub Aaron Chalmers who forced his effort under Rigby to restore Ashton’s lead.

The game was still far from settled and Ashton’s custodian needed to be at his best as he touched away Marlow’s header bound for the bottom corner but with 3 minutes remaining the other sub Pett headed in Waddecar’s flick on from Spooner’s short corner and entering added time Waddecar’s layoff saw Marlow curl home the winner from the edge of the area.

Team: Worsnop, Harrison, Clee, Havern (Chalmers 46), Hunt, Sheridan, Tomsett (Smith 63), Rowney, Tames,Wilson (Pritchard 63), Hooper.  SNU: Cottam, Crowther.

David Robinson