Ashton Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

With a number of players unavailable today, due to holidays, injuries or work commitments, Ian Street was still able to use 16 players in his penultimate pre season friendly game.

On an excellent playing surface both teams tried to play good attacking football and indeed both sides created a number of good chances in the opening 45 minutes but poor finishing and good goalkeeping by both custodians meant that there was a delay before the scoring would commence.

When the opening goal did arrive it did so courtesy of a fine finish from Paul Connor from ten yards.

1874 threatened to increase their lead but it looked as though their shooting boots were left at home and after Ashton had wasted a couple of chances of their own, they found themselves quickly back on terms with a well worked goal finished clinically by their centre forward lobbing the ball over the advancing Fossdyke.

Before the interval and after having wasted a good few other chances, 1874 restored their lead when Rick Bailey slotted the ball home from six yards.

The second half started much the same as the first with both keepers dealing comfortably with all that came their way until a dramatic entrance from Dave Short who entered the fray as a substitute and quickly increased the lead to 4-1 as he netted with almost his first and second touches of the ball. Unfortunately he was injured soon after and had to leave the field as he looked set to add to his tally.

Within five minutes and the home side scored their second goal thanks to a well worked move and a good finish.

However almost immediately, 1874 restored their three-goal advantage when the trickery of Abdullah finished with him stroking the ball home nonchalantly with the outside of his right foot.

And just a few minutes later the scorer combined well with Igenoza to find Paul Connor on the right and the wide man crossed perfectly to enable Brandon to slot home with his trusty left foot

Soon it was 7-2 when Daley Woods fired home and just before the final whistle, Brandon headed the ball home following an excellent cross from Ryan Mitchell.

So a good work out for 1874 with all the players showing a good committed attitude and helping each other throughout to impress a healthy away support from the 1874 faithful.

Team: Fossdyke; Mitchell; Farnworth; Aston; Duckworth; Connor; Woolley; Bailey; Stewart; Brandon and Beadle

Subs: Woods; Igenoza; Short; Abdullah and Mannion

Mom: Woolley