Burscough 1-2 Ashton United

Nov 5 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

ENTERTAINING the Unibond Premier Division leaders, Burscough looked the better team for long periods.

From the start it was clear the crowd would be entertained by two teams that were looking to win.

First, Gareth Richards fired wide, then after a superb piece of control Iain Howard put a rising shot over Kyle Clancy’s crossbar, all in the opening minutes.

Linnets’ James McCulloch put in an even better effort in the 17th minute, latching onto a loose ball and launching it at goal from 20 yards, only being frustrated by a magnificent acrobatic save by Ashton’s Terry Smith.

The game went through a brief lull before a goal brought it to life in the 41st minute.

Pat McFadden sent the ball in from left and it went to an area around the edge of the six yard box.

With an Ashton player on the far side of the box, something had to be done, Bayliss stuck out a foot and the ball went into the air, Ian Bennett entered the 18 yard box and placed a free header looping over Clancy and into the net.

Andy Gray made a change at the interval, bringing on top scorer Darren Byers and it made an instant difference. Byers went down the right, zipping in a cross, then in the 50th minute, skilfully slipping Hanley through but his chances were snubbed out by Gareth Johnson.

For the first 25 minutes of the half, Burscough were in control, but were still struggling to make inroads into the Ashton backline.

The Linnets finally equalised in the 68th minute.

Lewis Field sent in a throw-in, the ball was helped on the ball going to around the penalty spot, McCulloch entered the area late and hit a first-time shot low into the net.

Seven minutes later, Burscough came desperately close to taking the lead; Hanley chesting the ball down to Byers and his shot must have taken a coat of paint off the goalpost.

In the last ten minutes, Ashton finished strongly, the game became very stretched and the destination of the points looked more doubtful by the minute. Clancy made saves from Johnson and Richards, while Byers and Gary McEvatt twice threatened.