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26.04.08 - UniBond Premier Division
Matlock Town 2-3 Ashton United
Gareth Richards produced a fitting end to Ashton United’s season as he struck the winner with three minutes left at Matlock Town to secure the Robins highest ever UniBond League position of tenth.
In a dour first half it was Ashton that struck as early as the second minute as Matthew Flynn got on the end of a Steve Garvey corner to head past Andy Richmond, but it was to be the Robins only attempt on goal of the half.
Matlock fared little better as they for the most part failed to take into consideration a strong breeze behind their backs and continuously put the ball out of play, Damien Rooney being the busiest player on the park, but just to take goal kicks.
The Ashton keeper did have one moment he’ll want to forget in a hurry as he went to clear following a back pass, but unlike his Marine compatriot a couple of weeks ago, the ball rolled slowly enough to goal which allowed Rooney enough time to clear.
The Gladiators levelled matters on the half hour mark as Matty O’Neill was beaten in the Town half and Paul Riley was allowed far too much room in which to run forward before firing the ball past Rooney.
By this time Ashton had been forced to rejig their defence having lost Danny Caldecott who fell awkwardly on the touchline, Nathan Wharton moving to left back.
The only other effort of note in an error strewn half was a James Lukic header from a Riley cross that went harmlessly over the bar.
The home side had an early shout for a penalty turned down in the second half as Stuart Howson cleared off the line and then Matty Caudwell volleyed wide after Ashton had failed to clear the ball despite several opportunities.
Ian Fitzpatrick was centimetres away from putting the Robins back in front as a strong header by Howson went straight to the Ashton leading scorer, but his clever lob from 25 yards hit the angle of crossbar and post and away to safety.
Town then had their best spell of the game in which Steve Circuit had a shot deflected wide and Rooney saved from Matty Thorpe.
Matlock’s pressure was rewarded with a second goal as Ben Kistell raced onto a long ball out of defence and produced a cool finish to give Rooney no chance.
The Robins were determined to end their season on a high and soon equalised as O’Neill did well to retrieve the ball from the touchline and his cross caused mayhem in the Town penalty area with several blocks to goalbound shots before Garvey got the final touch past a prostrate Richmond.
Both sides had chances, Lukic headed over from Kistell’s free kick and then O’Neill played in Ian Bennett, but his shot went wide of the near post.
The introduction of Richards and latterly Ben Deegan gave Ashton a fresh impetus up front and their presence caused problems for a Matlock defence that succumbed in similar fashion at Hurst Cross a few weeks previous.
Garvey sent in a free kick that Richmond held at the near post, and then Richards was put clean through, but his shot lacked power allowing Richmond to make a comfortable save.
With just three minutes left, Richards ended the season on a high as he received Garvey’s pass to once more go through with the keeper to beat, Richmond managed to keep out his initial shot but was powerless to stop the follow up as Richards thumped the ball home to the delight of the travelling Ashton fans.
Ashton Goals: Flynn (2), Garvey (55), Richards (87)
Team: Rooney, O’Neill, Caldecott (McAllister 22), Eames, Flynn, Howson, Garvey, Wharton, Fitzpatrick (Richards 68), Bennett, Howard (Deegan 79)
Subs not used: none
Matlock Goals: Riley (29), Kistell (53)
Venue: The Geoquip Stadium
Attendance: 382
Steve Lee