Away v Ashton United

Result - Reddish North End 3 Ashton United 7

Team coach (James) views on the game:

Our first full away match since Nov 8^th and a very disappointing result - but sadly we can have few complaints. Despite a promising first half in which Reddish were the better team, we hardly got going in the second, and while a half-time score of 2-3 barely reflected our dominance and chances created, the full-time score tells no lies in how far we dropped off the pace and made it hard for ourselves.

The poor defending which holed us beneath the waterline was in evidence from the first attack of the match, from which Ashton scored. They were soon two up but on such a compact pitch and in perfect, still conditions, Reddish started playing and came close on several occasions before Michael scored twice within a few minutes to bring us back level. Although Ashton regained the lead we had two great chances to score again, a desperate goal-line clearance denying us another equaliser.

Second half we did not start playing until ten minutes after the restart. By then, more calamitous defending straight from kick off cost us another goal – despite Callum Williams advancing from goal and dropping on the through ball, a defender ignored his call and kicked it almost out of his hands and into the path of an Ashton player who couldn’t miss. Why do that? Another goal soon after from a corner (free header) and the team spirit was sinking, and although there were some sporadic attacks and a few good passing movements, only Jamie’s alert pounce on a loose ball went in. At 3-5 there was still plenty of time, but Charlotte’s excellent long range effort that hit the post was the closest we got, although Daniel had a good shout for a penalty (not given). Ashton broke through more weak defensive lines towards the end to seal their victory.

I was annoyed to see straight after the game that some of our players had practice balls out and suddenly found plenty of energy to start messing about, as we had become lethargic in the second half and made it too easy for our opponents. The team have missed a golden opportunity today, and they must learn that they have to be a lot more vocal and find a lot more energy, as well as the determination to keep tracking players and tackling. That said, earlier in the season we would have sunk without trace in a game like this so I must keep the result in perspective. We got goals and with a bit of good fortune would have scored more, and that is a definite plus to take forward. Also, the other three sides with us in the bottom four also lost this w/e so it’s ‘as you were’.

Next week we are at home to AFC Oldham who are bottom of the league at present. Although we have beaten them already this season it will definitely not be an easy match, and anyone thinking we just have to turn up to win will get a rude awakening (and start as sub)! We will win for sure if we defend better and attack as we did in the first half today but not if we bring our second half performance with us! Oldham will be every bit as keen to play us – remember they are only two points behind us - and only a massive effort from RNE will be enough. So, boys, let’s do it!