Lancaster City 3 v 0 Ashton United (Bet Victor Northern Premier League)
Lancaster City returned to the Giant Axe this weekend knowing that victory against struggling Ashton United would see them climb into the top three of the Bet Victor Northern Premier League. The Dolly Blues who are unbeaten so far this month were looking to take maximum points from Jody Banim’s side who are still suffering a hangover from last seasons Vanarama National League North relegation.
The visitors started the stronger of the two sides and should have taken the lead after just two minutes, when a pass from Steven Tames found Liam Tomsett on the overlap and his right-wing cross was headed towards goal from six yards by Ionut-Casian Anghel, but City keeper Sam Ashton made an outstanding save tipping the ball over the crossbar for a corner to the visitors.
Three minutes later, the visitors were again on the attack and should have done better with their opportunity, as Ionut-Casian Anghel broken through the home defence before getting to the edge of the box and blasting his shot high and wide of Sam Ashton’s goal.
On seven minutes, Nicholas Clee sent a long ball over the top of the City defence for Slew to chase, but just as the Ashton United striker was about to collect the ball inside the area Matty Williams made a sliding tackle to clear the ball away for a corner.
After the opening ten minutes, the home side started to get a foot hold and the match and they drew level on seventeen minutes after a beautiful Sam Bailey cross from the right came into the box and David Norris got between the defender and goalkeeper to head the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.
Lancaster City were now on top and had two great chances to extend their lead, the first came on nineteen minutes from Paul Dawson with an effort from outside the box which went just over the crossbar. The second fell to Blinkhorn after he received a pass from Dawson which began a great run into Ashton’s box, sadly his shot went over the visitors crossbar for a goal kick.
On twenty-three minutes, Charlie Bailey made an excellent run before being fouled just inside the visitors half. The resulting free-kick was played to the back post where Lewis Fensome was in acres of space, but his shot hit the goalkeeper and went out for a corner.
The resulting corner was played into the middle of the area and was headed clear, however the ball fell to Paul Dawson who hit a first time shot that failed to trouble the visitors goal.
Lancaster City extended their lead on twenty-six minutes, when they were awarded a penalty after a push in the box. Rob Wilson step up and sent visiting goalkeeper Allison the wrong way to make the score 2-0.
On thirty-five minutes, Ashton United came close to pulling a goal back when a shot from Jordan Slew was headed off the line by Glenn Steel which went for a corner.
Four minutes later, Charlie Bailey collected the ball on the halfway line before starting another excellent run. The winger showed some great skills getting past three defenders before being brought down.
City came close to yet another goal when Paul Dawson played a lovely ball over the top to of the Ashton United defence for Sam Bailey to run on to. Unfortunately, the wingers shot went across the six yard box and narrowly missed the far post.
The second-half started much the same as the first with Ashton United having the first effort on goal, when Steven Tames broke free but put his shot over the bar. Then just two minutes later John Lufudu played a cross into the City area but Jordan Slew got the ball tangled in his own legs and as a result he scuffed his shot.
City were the next team in the referee’s book, but not once, but twice. The first went to Steele for a challenge he did outside his team’s box. The second was for Clee, this one was because of his part in the previous challenge. He was given the yellow after the referee consulted with his assistant on the incident.
Ashton United went back on the attack once again as they were awarded a free kick which they nearly buried. The opposition’s midfielder Sam Sheridan came very close as he put his free kick attempt across the floor, this forced Ashton to make a superb save down low.
Lancaster City extended their lead on fifty-eight minutes, which finished the game for Ashton United. Once again it was David Norris with a sublime goal, which saw him run onto a ball that was played in behind the defence, he then went around the keeper and finished from a tight angle to make the score 3-0.
On sixty-eight minutes, Charlie Bailey got inside the visitors box and hit a shot that just went over the crossbar. Shortly after that Matty Blinkhorn went close to adding a fourth with a lovely chipped effort which went just wide after he caught the visiting goalkeeper Allinson of his line.
The City defence were outsatnding this afternoon and were looking to keep a clean sheet and with just four minutes left the whole team blocked multiple shots. The final chance shot from point blank range produced a world class save from Sam Ashton which was his third outstanding save of the game.
The last-minute of injury time saw Sam Ashton called into action once again this time a strike from visiting defender Wilson which again Sam Ashton pulled off an incredible save palming the ball away from the top corner, making the full-time score 3-0.
Lancaster City will look to continue their excellent form on tuesday evening as Radcliffe Football Club visit the Giant Axe in the Bet Victor Northern Premier League.
Match Details
Lancaster City – Ashton, Fensome, Williams, Cowperthwaite, Steel, Dawson, S.Bailey, Wilson, Blinkhorn, Norris, C.Bailey (Subs) Anderson, Povey, Wills, Roache
Ashton United – Allinson, Lufudu, Clee, Wilson, Hunt, Sheridan, Smith, Tomsett, Slew, Anghel, Tames (Subs) Rowney, Worsnop, Field, Gonzales, Woodford
Goals – (Lancaster City) Norris (18, 59), Wilson (26)
Attendance – 317
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