Train = £4-30
Entry = £5
Tea x 2 = £2
Sandwich = £1-60
Total = £12-90
Last season I stood shivering at Ashton Town's ground during a chilly April End of season match. Today I was back in the town, this time for the more intriguingly named Brocstedes Park. I decided to get the train to Wigan, and walk straight from there. Ashton is not a big town so it didn't take me long to locate the ground, after walking over the M6.
Brocstedes Park was a tidy and well maintained ground, with the entrance gates painted blue and yellow and the terraces looking promising. After I entered the ground (and discovered the programmes had sold out) the sun came out, and I felt a sense of optimism that the season was now really in full swing.
This was an early FA Vase qualifier, pitting Ashton against their (fairly local) rivals Atherton Colls. Despite much industry from both sides, the first 20 minutes barely registered a shot on target. Then the Ashton's Blakeley was subbed for Cringle, and for some reason the game began to open up.
A weak header from Ashton's Adam Gilchrist was the first shot of the game, whilst at the other end Atherton replied with a drive from the right wing. Atherton's Ben Hardcastle and Ashton's Gilchrist were at the centre of their teams' attacks as they created more chances. Ashton had a spell of 10-minute dominance, culminating in a header from Rowlands which was comfortably caught by the keeper. At the other end, Colls looked lively, with a long ranger from Holt and a drive from Hardcastle testing the home keeper.
The second half grew into a stalemate, albeit a pacey and aggressive one. Ashton again had a brief period of possession and chances, with their captain heading over, before Cringle's low drive was well saved. Almost inevitably Atherton then had a glut of opportunities. Kirby and Hardcastle had shots solidly saved, while Mark Truffas curled another effort wide. Then almost on the whistle Gareth Peet had a clear cut chance, forcing a great tip around the post.
So to extra time, and I was starting to think that nobody would score today. Atherton's chances continued, with Hardcastle's shot tipped over and Nathan Battersby firing wide. Ashton then had a gilt edged chance when Kusoloka ran free on the wing, and had a unmarked player in the middle. When he shot instead of squaring it back it brought a furious reaction from his fellow attacker! Tempers were starting to fray now, and there was an angry confrontation between Atherton's Jimmy Moore and Ashton's Louis Edwards. The game was then halted while Ashton's Luke Holden received treatment for a nosebleed. The home side then very nearly won it at the death, when Daniel Regan's long range chip was saved, before Kusoloka went clean through and was foiled fantastically by the away keeper.
So it had finished a complete stalemate, despite at times threatening to break into an entertaining game of football. I hurried back to Wigan for the 18:22 train, making it through the door at 20:35. I realised that this is the third consecutive year when I've seen FA Vase games at this round go to extra time. I'll have to put a bet on it next season!
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