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13.09.08 - FA Cup 1st Round Qualifier

Ashton United 2-3 Kendal Town

The Robins failed to translate their league form into cup success as Kendal edged them out in a hard fought encounter at Hurst Cross. Both sides have made a good start to the season in The UniBond League, Premier Division and there was little to choose between them. The home side twice fought back to level, but player-manager Lee Ashcroft struck the decisive blow from the penalty spot with fifteen minutes remaining.

The early minutes saw both sides struggling to take control. David Newnes made a comfortable save from Ian Fitzpatrick’s shot, while George Melling headed over for the men from Cumbria. There was a lengthy stoppage when Danny Caldecott was injured in an aerial clash with Michael Cole. The Kendal man appeared to jump at the Ashton defender and he was lucky to escape punishment from referee Paul Marsden.

Kendal took the lead for the first time in the twenty-second minute when Ashcroft played a deft ball over the defence to Alex Taylor, who struck the ball past Terry Smith.

Iain Howard tested Newnes with a shot that the ‘keeper held at the second attempt and Ryan Moore shot over as Ashton tried to get back on level terms. Smith produced a fine save at full stretch to deny Callum Warburton as both sides created chances. The home side equalised five minutes before the break through Deegan, who got in behind the visitors’ defence and finished confidently, slotting the ball past Newnes. The Ashton striker was cautioned four minutes later for a foul on Dan Wordsworth.

Both sides continued to create chances after the break. Newnes saved Moore’s header from Stephen Rose’s cross, but Kendal re-took the lead through Carl Osman, who struck a low shot past Smith after latching on to a fine through ball from Ashcroft. Within five minutes the scores were level again, Robinson deflecting Howard’s low drive into the corner. However, less than two minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty, which Ashcroft calmly fired into the corner.

Ashton threw men forward in an effort to find another equaliser, but Kendal’s defenders thwarted all their efforts and it’s the men from Cumbria who go into the second qualifying round and keep alive their dreams of glory.

Ashton United: T Smith, Rose (Frost), Caldecott, Eames (Flanagan), Kearney, Robinson, Moore, B Smith, Deegan, Fitzpatrick, Howard (Richards) (subs not used) Middleton, Wharton, Cooke, O'Neill

Ashton Goals: Deegan (40), Robinson (73)

Kendal Goals: Taylor (22), Osman (68), Ashcroft (75 pen)

Venue: Hurst Coss

Attendance: 118

Reporter: Bryan Marshall