1874 Northwich vs Ashton Athletic

Recap

1874 Northwich 3-1 Ashton Athletic

1874 made it three wins in a row whilst recording a first victory over Ashton Athletic. There was only one to change to the team which defeated Padiham 7-0 on the previous Saturday, Mike Brandon replaced the unavailable Matty Beadle.

The game started off with 1874 attacking the visitors and only 10 minutes in to the game, Mike Brandon had a stabbed effort cleared off the line after Ryan Jackson delivered a great corner.

Martin Pearson in the Ashton Athletic goal was busy and he made a brilliant double save to deny Tyler Edwards and then Ryan Jackson from the rebound.

The deadlock was broken on the 19th minute, Ryan Jackson whipped in a corner to the near post which was flicked on goal wards by Stuart Wellstead and in to the top corner of the Ashton goal.

The game then became a midfield battle, with both teams having a few chances, Tyler Edwards had an effort blocked after the energetic Jackson found him with a cut back.

Pearson had his defenders to thank just five minutes from half time as they cleared two more attempts off the line, first to deny Neil Chappell and then Mike Brandon.

HALF TIME: 1874 1-0 AA

On the 53rd minute, Ashton were level. Captain Paul Watson powered in a great strike from the edge of the 1874 area on the second attempt which gave Greg Hall no chance of saving.

However only 3 minutes later, Stuart Wellstead had his second of the evening, Jackson combined with Edwards on the right, Jackson’.s ball found the head of Wellstead who glanced it past Pearson in to the far corner of the goal to restore 1874’s lead.

Wellstead had a great chance for his third on the 73rd minute, Edwards crossed from the wing and the 1874 forward tried a first time volley, which went over the bar. He didn’t have to wait long for another chance, on the 80th minute, Wellstead completed his hatrick when he found space in front of Pearson’s goal and fired an unstoppable shot in to the top left hand corner in off the crossbar.

1874 probably should have made it 4-1 in the last few minutes but Pearson, impressive throughout, made a great save to deny Edwards after he was played in by Tulloch.

FULL TIME: 1874 3-1 AA
ATT: 290
MOTM: Stuart Wellstead
1874: Hall, Connor, Mitchell, Thomas, Lomas, Chappell (C), Riley, Jackson, Edwards, Wellstead, Brandon
SUBS: Craig Farnworth for Danny Thomas on 75′ and Stuart Tulloch for Mike Brandon on 81′
UNUSED: Woods, Simpson and Mason.