Match report Vs Ashton UtdVenue: AggboroughDate: 11-08-18Att: 1335 (away fans: 19)

11-08-18 - Report - Harriers 3 Ashton Utd 3

Another draw and a lucky one this time

Report: Harriershane

I closed the Telford report saying how this game would be interesting. So, how does six goals, a comeback, two efforts offs the line, a sending off and a last minute equaliser sound?

Harriers were, once again, unchanged whilst Ashton United lined up with a team who would be well known to those on the Greater Manchester circuit. The game was just three minutes old when the Robins rocked Aggborough. Liam Tomsett gained possession just inside the Harriers half, with the defence retreating to the North Stand car park, before playing in Matt Chadwick who fired past Brandon Hall.

Pretty much straight after it was 2-0. Former Curzon Ashton man Matt Regan unleashed a rocket of an effort into the top corner, leaving Hall with no chance.

The Harriers were abysmal, unable to even string together two passes, with Stevenage loanee Ryan Johnson notably struggling. Credit to the visitors though, who played some lovely football and carried out their game plan superbly well. The lively Tomsett almost made it three but his effort went wide.

I’d like to tell you about some Harriers chances but outside of a Matt Hill clearance off the line following a Jimmy O’Connor effort, there really wasn’t any.

HT: 0 – 2

The Harriers manager Neil McFarlane certainly had some work to do at half time and quite possibly some Scottish fire to put on display. A double substitution and a switch to 4-4-2 later and out come Harriers for the second half with renewed purpose; Sam Austin and Ryan Johnson withdrawn in favour of Joel Taylor and Ed Williams.

Immediately Lee Vaughan found Dan Bradley, who was denied by an excellent Josh Ollerenshaw save. The bright Harriers start yielded what it deserved – a way back into the game. With Joe Ironside offside, Bradley lobbed a ball through which Taylor raced onto before dispatching it expertly across the keeper.

Harriers kept pushing; Declan Weeks putting a free kick from range just over. Remember that red card I mentioned? Bradley was driving at the Ashton midfield with a couple of visiting defenders snapping at his heels. Referee Aaron Jackson blew for the free kick and Bradley blew his top, pushing Tomsett. After a couple of pushes each the supporting cast joined the fray. Once order was restored, Bradley was duly sent on his way. Aaron Chalmers and Tomsett both received a yellow card for their roles in the fracas.

Whilst in some quarters there is a belief that the game should’ve become 10 v 10, I must make the case that Bradley, as the instigator, was the most deserving of the red card. Hopefully the manager doesn’t excuse the indefensible behaviour of the “golden boy”.

Back to the football then. Ashton, buoyed by their man advantage, looked to make it count. In the 73rd minute that is exactly what they did in comical fashion. A hopeful punt forward dropped between Taylor and Hall with the former heading past the latter, straight to the feet of Nic Evangelinos who accepted the gift from “on high” with glee.

On came Kane Richards for Billy Daniels and straight away Lee Vaughan bombed down the line and squared for Ashley Chambers who beat Ollerenshaw at his near post. A consolation then?

As Harriers pushed for an equaliser Weeks again just missed the target with another free kick before Joe Ironside saw a header cleared off the line. Chambers was also denied soon after before six minutes of injury time was announced. Was there time for a last gasp equaliser?

Fraser Horsfall was up from the back and Ironside’s header found him. Horsfall’s effort was blocked though, only as far as Richards, who poked home to spark glorious delirium in the stands.

Harriers could’ve won it had the referee not been a pedant with his time. Let the late comeback not overshadow what was an appalling display, topped by the childish impetuosity of Daniel Bradley. Chester FC await on Tuesday following an 8-1 battering from Blyth Spartans. 0-0 it will be then…

FT: 3 – 3


Goals for Harriers: Taylor 49, Chambers 77, Richards 95

Goals for Ashton Utd: Chadwick 3, Regan 6, Evangelinos 72


The Harriers Online MotM is: Ed Williams

Talk about the game here

Latest table and stats here


HarriersGoalsSubsTimeCards
Hall    
Vaughan    
Austin 46 
O’Connor    
Horsfall    
Johnson 46 
Weeks    
Daniels 73 
Ironside    
Chambers   
Bradley   
 
Subs: 
Williams 46 
Taylor46 
Baxendale    
Richards73
Digie    
 
Ashton UtdGoalsSubsTimeCards
Ollerenshaw   
Lees    
Regan   
Chalmers 88
Hill   
Sheridan    
Sephton    
Anghel 53 
Evangelinos79 
Tomsett   
Chadwick   
 
Subs: 
Roberts    
Dixon 79 
McAtee 53 
Jacobs 88 
Hobson    
     
Referee: 
Mr Aaron Jackson
Liverpool