Report: Ashton United Vs Kendal Town
Despite dominating possession from start to finish Town again find the all important finish elusive and slump to defeat against Ashton..
Saturday 10th December 2011
Despite dominating possession from start to finish Town again find the all important finish elusive and slump to an away defeat against Ashton United.
[Match Report by Brett Munslow]
Kendal Town dominated this Evo-Stik Premier League fixture in the possession stakes from the first minute to the last but without a point to show for it, the result will leave a sour taste in the mouths of those who made the trip on this wintry afternoon.
The visitors started by far the brighter, dominating the early exchanges on what was a heavy pitch in Tameside. They could have taken the lead as early as the 7th minute when Kendal forward Jordan Connerton was felled inside the penalty area after a neat pass from winger Ciaran Donnelly. The referee pointed to the spot only to then see his linesman flagging for an offside in the build-up. Overruling his original decision, the referee controversially awarded a freekick to the home side amongst much furore from the Kendal contingent before play continued.
Ashton were restricted to ocassional counter-attacks in the first-half. Kendal central defensive pairing Marc Joseph and Jordan Tucker; standing in for the suspended Shaun Gray, performed well at the heart of the Town defence. One of such chances forced a corner after some neat play in Kendal's final third. The resulting centre found Marlon Piana, who's headed effort comfortably cleared Kendal keeper Craig Dootson's crossbar.
Kendal found themselves up against a tough Ashton rearguard; at the centre of which was former Kendal defender George Melling. Melling produced two crucial blocks within the space of a few minutes, first blocking Mark Jackson's goalbound effort then denying a clear attempt on goal for Jordan Connerton by intercepting Danny Williams' dangerous cross.
Remaining patient more often that not at this stage, Kendal continued to work the ball on the floor where possible with regular free-flowing football the result. Ciaran Donnelly was enjoying spells of good possession deep in the Ashton half with Kieran Walmsley and Danny Williams supporting well when they got forward. Walmsley tested the home goalkeeper Terry Smith a couple of times from range, both from open play and from a free-kick 25 yards out.
In the 36th minute came the best chance of the first half as Ciaran Donnelly delivered a fine cross into dangerous territory in the Ashton defensive third, Kendal central midfielder Ashley Dunn rushed onto the ball and slammed his effort into the turf sending Smith sprawling across his goal to produce a brilliant fingertip save to deny the visitors a deserved half-time lead.
The occasional squally showers that had dictated the pace of the first half became a full-blown rainstorm after the restart, somewhat detracting from the passing game of the visitors, however the Cumbrians continued undeterred early on and didn't have to wait long for a chance to take the lead.
After good work from diminuitive wingback Danny Williams, Kendal's Peter Wright was released in-behind the Ashton defence, Wright centered the ball towards midfielder Ashley Dunn who fumbled his attempt resulting in a handball and a freekick to Ashton. Such last gasp frustration was to prove to be symptomatic of Town's afternoon in Manchester.
Kendal were to be handed a numerical advantage in the 63rd minute after what can only be described as a dreadful two-footed challenge from Ashton midfielder Matty O'Neil on Ashley Dunn, which left the Kendal midfielder writhing in pain.
Fortunately able to continue with only a trophy bruise Dunn was straight back in the thick of it, providing a fantastic through-ball for forward Peter Wright. Wright's attempt on goal was well blocked yet again by Melling who proved a thorn in the side of the Kendal attack throughout the afternoon's proceedings.
Ashton had the ball in the net through Marlon Piana shortly after but it was ruled out for an adjudged foul on Craig Dootson as the ball in to the box was delivered.
It didn't take long for Ashton to net for real and take the lead though as Chris Amadi moved the ball up the pitch, his only challenger was the formidable Jordan Tucker, Amadi's shot deflected off Tucker's outstretched boot and cruelly eluded Craig Dootson to give Ashton a shock lead in the 73rd minute.
After Town Manager Lee Ashcroft had made a double substitution replacing Wright and Jackson with Alex Taylor and Gary McEvatt it wasn't long before the visitors had a golden chance to equalise.
Composed passing from Kieran Walmsley and Danny Wisdom released Ciaran Donnelly down the right flank. Donnelly's centre appeared to catch out Terry Wright in the Ashton goal who presented the ball to Jordan Connerton on a plate. Connerton had to react instantly, but his snapshot inexplicably crept wide, with the open goal gaping.
Kendal piled on the pressure in the closing stages with increased levels of desperation in front of goal. With the 3 strikers having regular turns to tee-up a shot, they often chose, agonisingly for the Town fans behind the goal, against shooting only to lose possession time and time again.
Danny Wisdom, Jordan Connerton, Alex Taylor, Gary McEvatt and Kieran Walmsley all lost possession in key areas with better options gaping or had efforts deflected. Walmsley was unlucky to graze the crossbar after Taylor had earned a freekick with his endeavour.
The best of the chances for Town to equalise came in the final minute after a neat flick from substitute Alex Taylor released fellow substitute Gary McEvatt down the right wing. He was able to produce a cross which found Connerton only six-yards out but the Crewe loanee's effort was fired over the bar.
Attendance: 122
Kendal Town Team: 1) C Dootson, 2) K Walmsley, 3) D Williams, 4) J Tucker, 5) M Joseph (C), 6) D Wisdom, 7) C Donnelly, 8) J Connerton, 9) P Wright (A Taylor 69), 10) A Dunn, 11) M Jackson (G McEvatt 69).
Subs Not Used: T Newton (GK), R Winters, T Kilifin.
KENDAL STARMAN: Jordan Tucker - Had a fine game at the back and for the vast majority of the encounter had the powerful Ashton strikers comfortably under control.
