30th August 2025 - Ashton Athletic 1 v 4 Droylsden FC - Footballing Saturday was here again. We ponder, pick and head out - the plan as per, to have a good morn walking, wildlife recording and chilling before getting the usual ball booting fix. Today I was leading a walk at Bewsey Woods for the Land Trust so had no say in where we were going. The good lady was my partner in crime and we led a decent bunch of folk around an area in need of a good soaking. We clocked up 110 species, had some good natters and arrived at the ground in good time. We had avoided all rain but as we left the car and purchased brews it seemed we had just scraped by. A quick pootle around the pitch resulted in 21 species of wildflower in bloom, Field Horsetail and a Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) heading for cover. We followed the groppers intent and were soon seated and out of the elements. We settled in, predictions made for game 16 of the season. Things slow up from here as I lead more walks for a while and am here, there and everywhere. I shall do what I can and hopefully squeeze in the odd report, just like this one, No 434 in fact - ooh me fuckin' nib!
The object that is round got hoofed on the dot of the hallowed footballing time as the wind grew in strength and the first timed teardrops fell from the sullen skies. No 7 (Yasir Salim) wasted no time in making a thrust, cutting in and having a shot that saw a corner ensue. The ball entered the box, was sent outward before No 5 (Emmanuel Udjor Omorogbe) received and touched off to No 4 (Jamie Robinson) who had a pop and made the home No 1 (Billy Davies) produce a choice save. The immediate follow-on corner was easily dealt with.
Ashton eventually began to gain some possession and won a free kick. The ball was played, No 9 (Deklan Hill) challenged the keeper, the ball went loose but No 7's (Emmanuel Ujahchuku) touch was shabby and matters were cleared. Droylsden were still holding the upper hand although they were not finding many areas to create threat due to the home team's constant hustling. Eventually though a sumptuous ball was played to Salim, a pure chance was seemingly there to be had but by heck that first touch by the wannabe assassin was dire. The Bloods advanced again, a superb cross field ball was followed by a choice delivery that saw No 11 (Nellson Van) cranially connect with and have his attempt saved right on the line.
The game continued, the weather dissolved into a dreary mess. A free-kick was awarded to the guests with the quality of the delivery not deserved of an untimely infringement. Van had the next effort after great huff and puff battling. The shot went over the timber into the murky beyond and then a corner came with yet another testing posting had and the keeper doing mighty well to punch clear from a clashing mush of carcasses.
A spark was needed to really ignite this game that was just lacking that extra magnetising edge. The guests put together a sound passing sequence, No 10 (Caelan Kilheeney) sent forth a good cross that just wasn't met by the incoming attackers. Soon after No 6 (Luis Cantello) had a crack that was way over the bar and No 8 (Luke Crompton) returned with the same effort and outcome up the other end of the park. The away lads nearly committed the cardinal sin when pissing about with the ball at the back and allowing Crompton to nip in, pilfer and have his sights set on an open goal. The shot that came from distance though was ruddy woeful. The hosts came again, Kilheeney fired first time but only found the awaiting keeper's midriff.
During this period of little threat came an unholy stench of fish. I was wondering if someone had smuggled in a sardine -based snack or perhaps a Joan Collin's look-a-like was in attendance and watching the match with legs akimbo. One thing for sure, my cod-piece was going in the bin when I got home. Anyhoo, the half fizzled out with the closest we got to a goal being when an Ashton ball into the Droylsden box bounced with great 'oomph' and nearly beat the keeper. The mitted one did well to palm behind, the corner bore sour bugger all.
Despite the malodorous stench that only the most perverse ichthyologist would get aroused by, and the need for a quick water break, we stayed put for the break and watched the rain fall, the distant trees sway and a few locals bear the weather in the hope of a better second half. I had gone for a 1 - 3 scoreline, my missus had opted for 1 - 4 - we were being affected by the weather though and felt that a 0 - 0 draw was on the cards - ooh what miseries.
The second half began with hopes flatlined, but things soon lifted when it was noted that the hosts had a veritable spring in their step whereas the visitors seemed a trifle unsettled. Eventually the latter team got back into the groove with a quick flourish that the home keeper (who was having a ruddy fine game) did well to snuff out. Ashton responded, Hill busted a goolie and earned a gratis hoofing. No 5 (Ethan Pearce) stepped up and took the honours with a grass-grazing blisterer that the keeper did well to get down to and, more importantly, hold onto.
Another free kick came for the Bloods soon after with a cracking delivery leading to a touch that just went wide. A corner was the result with the ball blocked, sent out and No 9 (Kyle Campbell) leaning back and having a pop that had too much uplift (a bit like the titties of Tessie O'Shea when she tried out the patented Breast Scaffolding as designed by Dr Franz Mammary). Ashton came on with a superb delivery into the area marked 'hazardous' only for the robust Udjor Omorogbe to tidily nut away. A handball shout came, nothing was doing and the scoresheet remained unblemished.
End to end hoofing came, composure was lacking and we awaited a strike of any import. Droylsden pushed, Ashton nipped away after the guests were guilty of being trigger shy. Hill released Emmanuel Ujahchuku who only had the keeper to beat. The shot was low, the No 1 (Jordan Latham) watched it all the way and saved. The corner in was dealt with - a golden chance was gone. At the other end a recent substitute tried to dink one in but the keeper easily dealt with it - by heck, where was the opening goal coming from?
From here Droylsden won a corner, I expected little, imagine the shock when the ball was struck by No 12 (Sam Oliver) and went straight into the goal. Well if ever a game needed a stroke of luck this was it! Within mere moments the leading team were at it again, Campbell was in the box and tumbled, the referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. Campbell stepped up and struck well, the keeper reacted and produced a quality save. The corner came, in, out and back in the ball went with Robinson rising and nutting home. 0 - 2 - now then, what's going on here?
The game briefly settled, Ashton were stuttering along and conceded another. No glory but a repeat ball in was had. In the globe glided, No 14 (Cody Artwell) rose and the third goal was bagged. From a game looking to be destitute of goals we now had three in the bag. The clock was winding down and it looked as though a comeback was beyond the realms of possibility. An Ashton sub had a dig that went straight at the mitter and then at the other end Artwell latched onto a ball and yet another strike was bagged. The home team looked deflated and bewildered, this was a cruel turn of events. In the final spurts another pop at the Ashton goal came and then the home No 3 (Aleksander Calaku) went on a fine run, put the ball in and Ujahchuku grabbed a consolation.
Game done, we were keen to get on the homeward journey and avoid arsing about under the vile clouds and inhaling anymore nasal invading haddock odours. This had been a fair day out though, the Man of the Match was a close call, I thought the home No 1 (Billy Davies) was exceptional and ruddy unfortunate to let 4 goals in but, for me, Droylsden's No 5 (Emmanuel Udjor Omorogbe) was a concrete rock at the back and played with a simplistic style, a strong authority and a good reading of the game. I like the way the man operated today - keep it up fella.
FINAL THOUGHTS- It had been a while since we were last at this ground, it was nice to return and see a few goals. Ashton Athletic look to be in for a tough season, the team just seem to be lacking that final finished gloss and that much needed cohesion. A mere splashing of luck may help turn things around and a more relaxed and attacking frame of thinking may alter tack. They have several players who look to be willing, able and competent and maybe, just maybe, with one or two wins a corner can be turned. This is an unforgiving league though and the season will breeze on - I hope the next time I see them they are faring better. Droylsden FC are my tip to win this league, they will be in the mix as they do have funds and a squad that looks mighty close to being a complete unit. There are no real flaws anywhere on the park although they do need to be more aggressive up front and when the strike zone is spied the trigger needs to be pulled. The first half indicated perhaps that they can be dragged down into the mire but the second half showed what determination and belief can do. The next few months will roll by and then we may have a clearer picture of how the campaign will unfold. Rest assured though, it won't be easy for any team this time around.
No comments:
Post a Comment