League Challenge Cup Final - Ashton Athletic 1 Maine Road 0
Thu 1st May 2014 | Macron Cup | By Martin Fallon
A goal from Adam Gilchrist ensured a new name on the North West Counties League Challenge Cup, with Ashton Athletic lifting the trophy for the first time in their history after a 1-0 win over Maine Road.
Gilchrist hit a superb volley into the bottom left hand corner of the net 13 minutes from time from Adam Howard's pinpoint cross from the left.
Both Ashton and Maine Road went into the game full of confidence after finishing in the top six of the Premier Division this season. Both had half chances in the opening 15 minutes as the two sides settled into the occassion. However both efforts from Ryan Small (Ashton) and Tom Bentham (Maine Road) failed to test the keeper as they flew over the bar.
It is often said that goalkeepers like to get an early touch, and both number ones had to be alert early on with Ashton keeper (and manager) Jay Foulds out quickly to thwart Bentham and Ryan Livesey doing likewise at the other end to deny Michael Downing.
Livesey did have Maine Road supporters' hearts in their mouths after 16 minutes when he came out of his area to meet Downing with the forward beating him to the ball before crossing. However with the goal open, Maine Road's John Mason got back to clear with Small lurking.
Ashton were enjoying the bulk of possession midway through the first half but found their final ball lacking, with Phil Williams' unlucky not to pick out Downing on the half hour with James Rothel heading the ball clear.
The best chance of the evening came on 35 minutes and again came from the creative Williams. He put in a curling cross to the far post where Sam Bailey slid in, his effort going just wide of the post for Ashton.
With half time approaching, Maine Road stepped up the pressure. Matt Beadle turned in the area and hit a low shot that Foulds did well to hold. Two minutes later, a low cross from the right caused mayhem before being cleared.
The half time break came at the perfect time for the supporters in attendance who took the option for a brew, with the wind blowing through the Tameside Stadium making it feel like a freezing December instead of early May!
Maine Road, who won the trophy in 2007/08, came out much brighter in the second half. First a shot from Jack Langford was picked out of the air by Foulds, then Bentham twisted and shot from the edge of the box with Foulds again saving his insipid effort.
Back came Ashton with the ball moved quickly upfield with Williams inches from connecting to a through ball. Jamie Harrison then went close for Ashton with a curling free kick from 30 yards that was just wide.
With 16 minutes remaining, Maine Road's Martin Hill puts in a wicked cross from the right with Bentham just unable to connect before Ashton scrambled it away for a corner. Three minutes later, Ashton were ahead with Howard breaking down the left and crossing for Gilchrist, on as a 60th minute substitute, to volley home his ninth and most important goal of the season.
The goal filled Ashton with confidence and they looked more likely to add increase their lead with Maine Road pushing up looking for the equaliser that would have forced extra time. The closest Maine Road got was a cross from the right that Bentham headed goalwards, but once more Foulds was equal to it.
Many thanks once again to EvoStik League North Champions Curzon Ashton for hosting the Final. Photographs courtesy of Phil Costello. Action Photos from this evenings game will be uploaded tomorrow evening.
League Challenge Cup Final - Ashton Athletic 1 Maine Road 0
Thu 1st May 2014 | Macron Cup
By Martin Fallon
A goal from Adam Gilchrist ensured a new name on the North West Counties League Challenge Cup, with Ashton Athletic lifting the trophy for the first time in their history after a 1-0 win over Maine Road.
Gilchrist hit a superb volley into the bottom left hand corner of the net 13 minutes from time from Adam Howard's pinpoint cross from the left.
Both Ashton and Maine Road went into the game full of confidence after finishing in the top six of the Premier Division this season. Both had half chances in the opening 15 minutes as the two sides settled into the occassion. However both efforts from Ryan Small (Ashton) and Tom Bentham (Maine Road) failed to test the keeper as they flew over the bar.
It is often said that goalkeepers like to get an early touch, and both number ones had to be alert early on with Ashton keeper (and manager) Jay Foulds out quickly to thwart Bentham and Ryan Livesey doing likewise at the other end to deny Michael Downing.
Livesey did have Maine Road supporters' hearts in their mouths after 16 minutes when he came out of his area to meet Downing with the forward beating him to the ball before crossing. However with the goal open, Maine Road's John Mason got back to clear with Small lurking.
Ashton were enjoying the bulk of possession midway through the first half but found their final ball lacking, with Phil Williams' unlucky not to pick out Downing on the half hour with James Rothel heading the ball clear.
The best chance of the evening came on 35 minutes and again came from the creative Williams. He put in a curling cross to the far post where Sam Bailey slid in, his effort going just wide of the post for Ashton.
With half time approaching, Maine Road stepped up the pressure. Matt Beadle turned in the area and hit a low shot that Foulds did well to hold. Two minutes later, a low cross from the right caused mayhem before being cleared.
The half time break came at the perfect time for the supporters in attendance who took the option for a brew, with the wind blowing through the Tameside Stadium making it feel like a freezing December instead of early May!
Maine Road, who won the trophy in 2007/08, came out much brighter in the second half. First a shot from Jack Langford was picked out of the air by Foulds, then Bentham twisted and shot from the edge of the box with Foulds again saving his insipid effort.
Back came Ashton with the ball moved quickly upfield with Williams inches from connecting to a through ball. Jamie Harrison then went close for Ashton with a curling free kick from 30 yards that was just wide.
With 16 minutes remaining, Maine Road's Martin Hill puts in a wicked cross from the right with Bentham just unable to connect before Ashton scrambled it away for a corner. Three minutes later, Ashton were ahead with Howard breaking down the left and crossing for Gilchrist, on as a 60th minute substitute, to volley home his ninth and most important goal of the season.
The goal filled Ashton with confidence and they looked more likely to add increase their lead with Maine Road pushing up looking for the equaliser that would have forced extra time. The closest Maine Road got was a cross from the right that Bentham headed goalwards, but once more Foulds was equal to it.
Many thanks once again to EvoStik League North Champions Curzon Ashton for hosting the Final. Photographs courtesy of Phil Costello. Action Photos from this evenings game will be uploaded tomorrow evening.
