Ashton Town (25-04-2015)

Ashton Town 0 - 3 Chadderton (NWCFL Division 1), Saturday 25th April 2015

Train = £4-30
Sandwiches = £2
Entry = £5
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Oxo = £1
Pasty & chewing gum = £2-10
Bus in Sheffield = £1-80
Total  = £18-20

Today was the last game of the regular non league season. With the summer beckoning, I foolishly assumed that it would be nice weather, setting off from Sheffield without a coat. It turned out to be absolutely freezing, and as an icy wind swept through platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I regretted my earlier decision.

I'd picked a game today with at least something hinging on it. Ashton Town (3rd from bottom) were playing Chadderton, who were looking to secure a NWCFL play off place. This is the first year that the division 1 league will have play offs, and its something of a boon, keeping the season alive for many clubs.

Ashton-in-Makerfield is a tricky place to reach by train, involving 2 trains from Manchester, changing at Wigan. The town is about 4 miles from Wigan so I decided to train it on the way and walk on the way back. The town actually has two teams, the other being Ashton Athletic, who I hope to see next season.

After a 20 minute amble from Bryn station, I reached the Edge Green Street ground, at the end of a cul de sac. The ground reminded me a little of Nelson's Victoria Park. The turnstile opened out behind one goal and there was a welcoming clubhouse on the right. To the right was a white and red changing room block and to the left were two seated stands. I popped in for a cup of tea, and noticed a world map on the wall, with coloured stickers indicating countries the local amateur radio club had contacted! There was a trophy cabinet which seemed full of youth and local trophies, and a raft of club pendants on the wall from far and wide.

The programme acknowledged that Ashton had had a difficult season, and the game pretty much ran to expectations. Ashton looked disorganised throughout with no shape, and no attacking threat. Chadderton, on the other hand, were a competent NWCFL side, and took the lead on 11 minutes when their burly number 9 chipped over the keeper at the far end. They doubled their lead when the same player headed in shortly after, and thereon in the result was clear. 7 and 3 hit drives high and wide, with 9 at the centre of most attacks. Ashton really lacked any presence in midfield, particularly an enforcer, and were overrun in the middle at times. Perhaps the most noticeable thing on their side was a defender who vaguely resembled Gary Cahill!

Chadderton, playing in a rather slick orange and black kit, were not shutting up shop, and came out for the second period looking hungry for more. This may have been due to the fact that a vastly improved goal difference might nudge them up a place. I was impressed with their workrate and desire, and wasn't surprised when they made it 3 when 7 teed up 11 in the box. Then came Ashton's one moment of promise, when 11 hit a superb curler onto the top of the cross bar. Shortly after they forced a great one on one save from the away keeper, but this spurt proved to be their only real threat of the game. In the middle of the park, Chadderton's 7 was outstanding, at the centre of most attacks and spraying the ball around with ease. It finished 3-0 and as I headed out of the ground I couldn't believe another season was pretty much over, and that it had been so chilly at a game in late April! I marched back to Wigan, making the 17:59 down to Mancunia, and made it back through the door just before 8:30. Just playoffs, cup finals and a few League/Premier League games left, and another season will be over.