Home v Ashton United

Result - Reddish North End 3 Ashton United 4

Team coach (James) views on the game:

This is a very difficult game to summarise. On the one hand I am desperately disappointed - we have only ourselves to blame after creating more chances than in any other game this season and yet failing to win. On the other hand, after such a long enforced break – this was the boys first game since Dec 1^st – I was really pleased with how they played, with some good passing and firm tackling. Also their attitude and determination to keep going in cold and blustery conditions were spot-on.

With a stiff breeze behind us in the first half we didn’t capitalise until late in the half. After spurning three one-on-one chances with only their goalie to get past, and after Michael elected to pass rather than shoot from a free kick, I was wondering if it was to be one of those days. Ashton’s defence was going AWOL and yet we couldn’t take advantage, but unfortunately despite captain Callum Nightingale’s best efforts our defence followed suit, and only a brilliant fingertip save from Callum Williams, pushing a shot onto the post kept us level. Ashton then had a goal disallowed for offside before going in front after we failed to deal with a loose ball.

My worries about how the boys might respond were quickly allayed, however, as a great run and shot from Michael saw the ball fall to Jake, who whacked home an equaliser. Then another chance saw Daniel hit the bar, the rebound falling to Michael who powered it home for a 2-1 lead at half time.

The pattern of the game continued in the second half, with chances at both ends. Ashton equalised with a decent shot, only for Reddish to retake the lead with Michael curling in a free kick with fantastic precision. Although we defended stubbornly, we were undone when a harshly awarded free kick for Ashton saw them equalise again, and from a later breakaway their player did very well with his one-on-one and did what we hadn’t, stabbing the ball past Callum.

Unfortunately it wasn’t Jamie’s day today, and another glorious chance (you guessed – a one-on-one) saw him shoot too early and the keeper made the save. Even then Reddish weren’t done, a last minute corner bouncing around but no-one able to apply the finishing touch.

So the team were all understandably really disappointed, but this was easily their best home performance of the season and showed us parents just what they are capable of, and coming as it did after such a long break from 11 a side everyone can hold their heads up. We will hope for more of the same in next week’s cup match at home to Medlock, and if we get it I am sure the results will follow.