27th April 2019 - Ashton Town 3 v 2 Chadderton FC - We awoke with a set itinery, the clocks and the climate cocked up our arrangements and with twisted knickers I went on-line to try and salvage something from the day. As I rode the web-waves the rain outside piddled down, the cold air crept beneath the door and had me reaching for my thermal jockstrap (an Athur Scarghill version from the 1970's - it may not be fashionable but the inner lining of ginger hair adds to the comfort and the sexual value). Ideally we wanted to finish the season with a team overlooked (aren't they all) but one that would provide cover and not leave us soaked to the skin and grumpy. A few messages were sent via Twitter, responses were non-existent or slow, the onus was on us to decide - ooh me nerves. In the end I opted for The Scott Rees & Co Stadium and set out with hopes of a decision made that would prove highly fruitful. The rain was still falling as we travelled down and the chill was ruddy nasty - thank buggery I remembered my Betty Boothroyd nipple cups - what an investment. Upon arrival at the ground something warm was sought and rather than look in the urinals (there are some right deviants about) we hit the tea rooms and partook of the warming leaf and a fantastic Lemon Muffin. We confabulated with the amiable Peter Morgan of the Ashton in Makerfield Amateur Radio Club and discussed a bit of punk rock and other music. A nice chap for sure! We eventually headed out into the mucky maelstrom, took up our position with a few other hardy lunatics and watch the game unfold. Here are my observations via a dampened notepad, dithered hands and rain spattered glasses.
The start to the game was highly febrile, the first action came via a free-kick for Chadderton right on the edge of the box. The contact that came was firm enough, the elevation though was high and the ball flew into the sky. The game continued in a good open style, No 11 (James Sigsworth) for Ashton went on an intentional run, put a ball in that No 3 (Luke Edwards) cracked slightly shy of the vertical. The ball now went back and forth as both teams bust a gut to try and gain the upperhand, The Chadderton No 3 (Ben Matthews) was robbed by the home No 7 (John Edgerton), the head went down, a run had and a shot was dragged just wide. Chadderton came next, the mithering No 9 (Connor Berry) pilfered, snuck in and put in a low shot that was saved well by the keeper - this was a very frisky start despite the quite horrible weather. Ashton were looking the more fluent and knocking some above average balls around the park. With the wind at their backs though they needed to capitalise on matters and grab that crucial first goal. No 9 (David Moore) put his honest crust on a free-kick but couldn't keep the ball on target and then some tetchiness crept in with Chadderton arising from the ill-temper via a flashing cross from their No 7 (Leo Iluobe) that No 11 (Joseph Richards) just failed to make contact with.
Further into the half we went, Ashton advanced, a scuffed shot saw Moore collect and fire, The visiting keeper (Jordan Hadlow) stretched and tipped over with eye-catching quality. The corner came in, went out, Edgerton collected, turned quicker than a whizzed up Dr Jekyll and let fly - once again the strike zone was missed. The game continued at a good pace, the home defence dawdled, a swift Chaddy attack came, Iluobe finalised with a looping finish onto the roof of the net. Some good endeavour was being shown from both teams, the deadlock was there to be broken, Chadderton's No 10 (Corey Kelly) tried his best to do do just that but his drilled shot just lacked direction. A corner was the result, ping pong erupted (now where was Desmond Douglas when you needed him). The ball went out, a repeat situation arose the other side, the cross was rock solid, the mittman's punch up to the task. The ball was nutted back, put out and then No 4 (Jordan Butterworth) executed a quite sweet strike and found the back of the net in cracking style. Chadderton now had their tails up, another crackerjack cross came, Iluobe rose and just failed to make a crucial connection. The half closed with another corner for the visiting tribe, it was hammered in just above the sodden greenery, the hosts struggled to clear and No 3 (Ben Matthews) had a strong strike that was mighty, mighty close. The half ended, it had been a decent do!
Half-time and a dash through the storm for a brew and back out to watch the sweetly balanced second half - I am sure we must be cracked.
Strong urgency was shown by each side at the start of this closing period, Ashton were sprightly, Sigsworth gained early possession, worked in and provided a great cross for No 14 (Dylan Glass) to glance just passed the far stick. The same team pushed once more, a lovely dinking pass by Moore found No 8 (Bradley Aspinall) who sent in a pile-driver that was blocked and then another attempt that was safely saved. Ashton made a substitute, the No 12 (Bradley Smart) made a quality first touch with a choice feed to No 16 (Matthew Johnson) who was just denied by the quick reacting keeper. From further fuss Chadderton broke and after a foul were granted a bonus boot. The ball was delivered well, Iluobe sprung like a Jack-Rabbit undergoing a prostate examination and with his well-timed crust glanced the ball into the net. 0 - 2 - this was a sound away performance of smash and grab proportions, what could Ashton do to get back in this one?
The home lads eventually set about a response, Johnson was forced wide but stuck to his task, displayed some tidy tootsies and put the globe on to the head of Moore who was there to finish - now this was more like it - the fat lady was still only warming up her vocal chords, when the warbles come who would be dancing in triumph. Almost immediately a whistling cross came the other end, Iluobe flew in but failed to make contact - now that was too close for comfort. The Town were now akin to some testicular mites, they were guilty of dwelling on the ball! Chadderton had chances to kill the game, eventually No 12 (James Horan) let fly and was only inches wide. The visitors came once more, No 11 (Joseph Richards) ran like the wind, put a good lay off to Berry who hit a first time shot. The save was regulation, the ball duly cleared. Ashton were looking unsettled, Kelly lashed one towards the home goal, the wind increased the impetus, the end result wasn't that far off the mark. As the hosts dug deep they eventually won a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Smart was the man looking to level the scoreline. The wall stood firm, the keeper crouched, the ball was cheekily tickled low and neatly trickled into the inside of the post. It was a moment of quick thinking, 2 - 2 - now for the run in.
Ashton had another free-kick, the ball was blocked, Edwards followed up - wild man, wild. Moore for the resident lads showed good commitment and went on a mission from which he was tumbled. Another gratis hoof was awarded, this time Smart made it too easy for the keeper. A sweeping move the same way soon followed, one pass, ball in, Glass was there to bury first time, a wonderful save was the outcome. No sooner had I gathered my thoughts and Ashton rolled onward again. Moore was at the latter end and placed a peach of the pass for Edgerton to run onto. The head was kept, the striker stole a snippet of time, picked his spot and wham - the winner was had and the home pack were celebrating in the corner. What a fine strike to finish a ruddy good game. Before the full time whistle the visiting crew's substitute put bonse on ball and came excruciatingly close - it was the last hoorah and the final whistle came soon after and the turn-around by the home team was complete. The Man of the Match goes to Ashton Town's No 5 (Anthony Potts) who was pretty rock solid today, worked like a donkey in the nasty conditions and held things together in a very hectic game - a very effective effort.
FINAL THOUGHT - And that is that, a great way to bow out of the NWCFL season with a 3 - 2 home win that really was a pleasure to behold. Both teams gave all, they played in conditions to test their mettle and came out with their heads held high. Now at the end of the season the teams can gather their thoughts and ponder what could have been! Chadderton have under-achieved, they are better than their finishing position and on the few occasions I have seen them have played some very good football. A few changes in staff and player have hindered the flow, a situation that is all too common in these lower leagues, but if the nucleus of this team can be kept, some sincere hard work on the fitness levels is had over the summer you can bet your buttocks on a top half finish next year. Ashton Town are a tough unit and today displayed a spirit that is always going to serve them well. With focus, eye on the ball attention and a solid belief they can progress from their 9th place finish and should be looking to the top 6 at least. Any team that goes 2 goals down and pulls out a win in conditions like this must have something good going for it - I will certainly be visiting this ground a couple of times at least next year and hope the same qualities are on show. So season done, 5 goals to finish, 2 cups of tea and a cracking lemon cake - and all for a fiver - by heck, roll on the next campaign.
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