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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Ashton Athletic (29.01.08)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 6 Ashton Athletic 0

Friendly

at Irongate

Tuesday 29th January 2008

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge ran in six goals without reply against North West Counties League Second Division side Ashton Athletic at a cold and wet Irongate in this well contested friendly fixture. Despite being totally outplayed by their Northern Premier League hosts, to their credit, the Ashton-In-Makerfield outfit gave a good account of themselves; putting in an honest and workmanlike performance. This was the first ever game between the two clubs.

This game was arranged due to Bamber Bridge having had no scheduled game on the previous Saturday or any fixture during midweek.

Ashton Athletic returned to the North West Counties League last season after a twenty year sojourn in the Manchester League and are currently pushing for promotion from the Second Division.

Brig assistant boss Neil Crowe selected his strongest possible line-up, but the South Ribble side were without injured trio striker Sean O’Neil (knee) and defenders Allan Fleming (back) and Steve Williams (hip). Also missing was full-back Paul McMenemy, who was unavailable through suspension.

The game opened in lively fashion with both sides going close in the first few minutes. Ryan Salmon just failed with a header at the back post following a Stephen Brown cross in the first minute of the game, whilst at the other end Dave Sherlock fired narrowly wide after cutting across the Brig box with a menacing run from the left.

Bamber Bridge quickly got into their stride and Salmon saw his header hacked off the goal-line by a defender in the 5th minute following a finely struck Brown corner-kick.

The home team enthusiastically went about their business and had the North West Counties League minnows on the back foot with some incisive play. It was little surprise therefore, when they got their noses in front on 10 minutes. Adam Tong set Alex Porter away down the left flank and from his telling cross DAVE EATON easily bundled the ball past Ashton goalkeeper Andy Paxton from close range.

The goal stung the visitors into action and they responded with three fine efforts in as many minutes. A worthy attempt by left-winger Dave Sherlock was pushed around the post by Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick and from the resulting corner-kick, taken by the same player, Paul Townsend headed narrowly wide. Then right-winger Chris Weeder found Townsend in space and the Ashton striker fired narrowly past McCormick’s left hand post.

However, Bamber Bridge increased their lead on 18 minutes after an inventive build-up which ended when Danny Mahoney laid the ball into the path of DAVID EATON who struck home confidently from the edge of the penalty box.

Brig were carving the visiting defence to pieces with some delightful football and the gulf in class was fully emphasised on 25 minutes with a third goal. Eaton took advantage of some hesitation in the Ashton defence to slip the ball through to ALEX PORTER who neatly pushed his shot beyond the advancing Paxton and into the empty net.

Brig knocked the ball around with authority as the visitors continued to struggle with the pace and skill of their hosts. The Mahoney brothers dominated the midfield and Matt Mahoney almost got on the score-sheet against his former team-mates, but his effort was blocked. Dave Eaton pounced on the rebound, but his goal-bound effort was kicked off the goal-line by a defender.

The visitors nearly got a goal back on the half-hour mark when McCormick blocked a Sherlock drive following some good work by Townsend.

However, a great interchange of passes between the Mahoney boys brought the Wigan side to their knees on 33 minutes when DAVE EATON finished off the move in style with his hat-trick.

To their credit Ashton battled back bravely and Chris Almond hit the Brig crossbar following a selfless lay-off by Townsend. The visitors endeavours almost paid off just before the break when Adam White came close from distance after taking advantage of Weeders industry on the left.

The pace of the game inevitably slowed down after the interval but Brig remained on the offensive. Porter set Salmon in motion on the hour mark but substitute goalkeeper Joe Clayton; on for the injured Paxton, came quickly off his line to cut out the danger. A Damian Dashti pile-driver zipped across the face of goal, as the home side went in search of further reward.

It was not long in coming. Following some determined play by Mark Edmeads on the right on 65 minutes, ADAM TONG crashed home a shot into the roof of the net from fully twenty-five yards out for the best goal of the night.

Ashton kept plugging away and were almost rewarded five minutes later when a long speculative cross-shot by full-back Tom Potter caused McCormick to save under the crossbar.

Brig continued to work hard and Neil Spencer came close twice within as many minutes before goal number six arrived on 80 minutes. Ryan Salmon worked his way down the left before delivering a perfect cross into the path of MARK EDMEADS who touched home from close in.

Brig could have increased their lead in the closing stages when both Brown and Zarac hit the crossbar with worthy efforts.

The South Ribble side will travel to Newcastle Blue Star on Saturday with confidence after putting in a good nights work.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Steel, Dashti (Ince 65mins), Melling, Tong, M Mahoney (Edmeads 45mins), Brown, D Mahoney (Spencer 45mins), Salmon, Eaton (Zarac 45mins), Porter (Watson 77mins)

Goals: Eaton (10, 18, 33mins), Porter (25mins), Tong (66mins), Edmeads (88mins)

Attendance: -