Ashton Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

ASHTON TOWN 0 – 5 1874 NORTHWICH

1874 Northwich FC maintained their unbeaten away record in the NWCFL beating Ashton Town 5-0 at Edge Green Street. Unbeaten for 7 league games, 1874 moved up to second in the table level on points with Hanley Town who have a superior goal difference.

Matt Ward takes on the Ashton defence – Photo Matt Draycott

Matt Ward, signed on Friday from Droylsden, almost made an immediate impact on debut as, with the game barely minutes old he drilled a shot from the edge of the area against a post with Joe Clements in the Ashton goal well beaten. Clements came to the home sides rescue moments later saving well from Tom Peers. 1874 had several chances to score before Danny Thomas rose the highest in a crowded area meeting a 20th minute corner to head home his first competitive goal for the club.

Although dominating the game, 1874 had to guard against being caught out on the counter attack by an Ashton team unlucky to lose at the Barton Stadium earlier in the month. Ashton almost levelled the score in the 34th minute but were denied by Steve Crane who cleared off the line following a goalmouth scramble from a corner.

1874 double their advantage 7 minutes after the restart. Mike Brandon played a clever through ball into the path of Peers, who timed his run to perfection springing Ashton’s offside trap, rounding the keeper and sliding the ball into an empty net.

The game was over as a contest in the 65th minute. Brandon chasing a long ball into the penalty area was hauled down by Ashton’s Stephen Rothwell. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and showed Rothwell a red card. Ward coolly stepped forward a couple of paces, sending the keeper the wrong way to convert the penalty.

Five minutes later, substitute Paul Bowyer headed 1874’s 4th goal from a corner after Clements had saved well tipping a Stuart Wellstead header over the bar.

Ashton nearly caught 1874’s rearguard napping, the Divisions leading goal scorer Liam Rushton disposed Bowyer on the edge of the area and rifled a shot past Matt Conkie. The 1874 goalkeeper was relieved to see the ball rebound off a post and into his waiting hands.

The last word in 1874’s biggest win, so far, in their short history went to the impressive Peers. Substitute Ryan Barry set fellow replacement Dean McGregor free down the right, pulling the ball back from the by line, McGregor found Peers who took his time, picked his spot and slotted the ball home.

1874 TEAM – Conkie, McKay, Tickle (Bowyer 38 mins), Farnworth, Thomas, Foy, Peers, Crane (Barry 72 mins), Brandon (McGregor 70 mins), Wellstead, Ward. Subs not used – Broadhead, Warburton.

GOALS – Peers 52 & 86 mins, Thomas 20 mins, Ward 65mins, Bowyer 70mins.

ASHTON TEAM – Clements, Patterson, Summerskill, Keenan, Rothwell, Pollard, Robinson, Eyo, Rushton, Smart, Lorde. Subs – Baker, Jump, Wilkinson, Brabin.

Attendance 188