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22.03.08 - UniBond Premier Division
Ashton United 1-0 Worksop Town
A single goal was enough to secure three precious points for Ashton. Ben Smith struck eight minutes from the end of normal time with a shot from twenty-five yards that swerved viciously and, although Town ‘keeper Steve Hernandez got both hands to it, he couldn’t prevent it finding the corner of the net.
Conditions were difficult and both sides struggled with a blustery wind and hard pitch as well as occasional snow showers on a freezing cold Easter afternoon. Both defences looked comfortable for the majority of the match, with new signing Stuart Howson making an assured debut alongside Matthew Flynn in the centre of the United defence.
The visitors created an early chance when David Cotterill and Paul Stansfield combined to set up an opportunity for Kevin Sanasay, but Ashton ‘keeper Damien Rooney produced a fine save to tip the ball over for a corner. Hernandez made comfortable saves from Ian Bennett and Ben Deegan and then Smith’s cross found the head of Ian Fitzpatrick, but the Worksop ‘keeper was well placed to gather the ball once more.
Stansfield came close with a shot from distance that flew just wide as Town tried to take advantage of having the wind at their backs in the first half. The closest they came was just before the break, when Liam McManus made a goal-line clearance from Sanasay.
The second half saw few chances for either side and both goalkeepers were mostly reduced to the role of spectators. Cockerill made a good early run, beating two defenders before the ball was scrambled clear and Jermaine Palmer had a shot on the turn that went wide of the upright.
Smith had a sight of goal following a good run and cross by Canning, but he shot over from the edge of the penalty area. Fitzpatrick prodded a shot wide from close range following good work by Deegan and it began to look increasingly likely that a single goal would be enough to win the game. In the eighty-second minute Smith gathered the ball, looked up and struck the vital blow, making it three successive matches in which he has scored.
Substitute Andy White had a shot blocked by McManus and Worksop forced a couple of corners in the dying minutes, but the home side saw out the remaining time quite comfortably. The victory sees Ashton rise to fourteenth in the table with eight games to play. Next weekend they host Kendal Town and victory in that match would go a long way to securing their place in the premier division for next season.
Ashton Goals: Smith (82)
Team: Rooney, McManus, Caldecott (cpt), Bennett, Flynn, Howson, Canning, Smith, Deegan, Fitzpatrick, Howard
Subs: O' Neill, Garvey, Moore
Venue: Hurst Cross
Attendance: 163
Ashtonutd.com Star Man: Ben Deegan
Bryan Marshall