Ashton UNited 1 Winsford United 0
UniBond One
Saturday, August 26
WINSFORD United were left reeling after a late own goal rubbed salt into the wounds of a disallowed goal and late penalty claim going against them.
The agony came on 87 minutes when Ashton substitute Gareth Hamlett raced away down the right and produced a dangerous cross. Andy Burns was the unlucky one who had to attempt a clearance, but succeeded only in bundling the ball over the line.
In normal circumstances a late own goal is deflating but after the events of this game it was a kick in the teeth.
Referee Mr Brabin had got under Winsford's skin long before the game's defining moment on 62 minutes, not least when he waved play on after Danny Worthington appeared to be scythed down when in the clear.
Then, in the 62nd minute, both sides thought Winsford had taken the lead when Troy Hadar powerfully headed in Carl Rendell's corner.
Blues celebrated, Ashton walked dejectedly back to the half-way line and everybody thought it was 1-0 to Winsford. However, Mr Brabin had his arm raised in the Ashton penalty area signalling a free-kick for the home side, apparently for a push by Steve Shaughnessy.
After the own goal United continued to press and Hadar had another penalty claim when he was clattered in the area, but again it was waved away.
If Ashton, who have now won all four of their UniBond Division One games, go on to get promotion they will certainly remember this game as 'one they sneaked.'
Winsford: Conkie, Morley, Lloyd, Burns, Hibbert, Lowe, Hadar, Mills (Newman 64), Worthington, Shaughnessy (Anthony 88), Rendell.
Attendance: 154.
MoM: Neil Morley.
Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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