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04.10.08 - UniBond Premier Division

Ashton United 2-1 Ossett Town

Terry Smith proved to be the hero as he made a penalty save deep into injury time to enable the Robins to hold on to their slender advantage and return to winning ways.

Ashton boss Danny Johnson faced an injury crisis leading up to the game with just twelve fit players, four players named on the bench all carrying knocks of varying degrees.

The Robins had an early chance as debutant keeper John Lamb was forced into a rushed clearance that fell to Ryan Moore, but after steadying himself, struck a long-range effort wide of the target.

Ossett belied their lowly position by taking advantage of some poor Ashton distribution to test Smith. In quick succession Rob O’Brien saw a shot tipped onto the post and away for a corner and then a shot by the same player forced Smith to dive across his goal and claw the ball away.

Another defensive error allowed Tom Greaves in, but once more found Smith in superb form as he made another stunning stop to deny the former Bradford Park Avenue man.

Ossett grabbed a deserved goal after seventeen minutes as Ashton struggled to clear their lines, Nathan Wharton, returning after a brief spell at Hyde, swung his foot at the loose ball only to slice it into the top corner giving Smith no chance.

Ashton forced their way back into the game as an attacking force, Ian Fitzpatrick saw a shot go wide and then after Ossett failed to clear a corner, Liam Ralph fired in a dangerous cross that missed the incoming Fitzpatrick by inches.

Wharton was presented with a great chance to redeem himself as the impressive Ryan Moore played a defence splitting pass through to send Wharton through on goal, but his first touch took him wide and when he rolled the ball across the face of goal, Ossett were able to clear the danger.

The second half sprung into life once Deegan entered the fray, the Town defence being unable to cope with his all action running and closing down.

Deegan had been on the pitch just two minutes when he received a throw in from Stephen Rose, he comfortably beat off Rob Tonks challenge before his low cross was missed in the first instance by Fitzpatrick, but Iain Howard stroked the ball home on the back post to level the scoring.

Within four minutes the Robins were in front, Ian Kearney’s searching ball out of defence dropped over the head of Rob Pacey and into the path of Howard, whose inch perfect cross was met by a superb header from Deegan that flew into the top corner with Lamb a bystander.

Ossett still posed a threat going forward, Smith once more made another five save to deny Liam Armsby and then O’Brien headed over following a long throw.

Moore went close to sealing the points as he easily rode the challenge of Tonks, only to see his shot go inches wide of goal.
Town remained in the game and were presented with the perfect opportunity to equalise in injury time as Smith was harshly adjudged to have held Greaves as a free kick was floated into the area, the referee instantaneously pointing to the spot.

Ashley Longstaff struck the spot kick to Smith’s left, but the keeper guessed the right way and made the save to deny the Yorkshire side a share of the points.

Ashton held on to record their first ever Hurst Cross success over Ossett in six attempts.

Ashton United: T Smith, Rose, Caldecott, Eames, Kearney, Frost, Moore ( B Smith 85), Wharton, Howard, Fitzpatrick (Richards 75), Ralph (Deegan 56). (subs not used) Middleton, Talbot, O'Neill

Ashton Goals: Howard (56), Deegan (60)

Ossett Goals: Wharton (og 17)

Venue: Hurst Cross

Attendance: 122

Reporter: Steve Lee