Ashton Athletic Reserves vs Darwen F.C.Reserves

Kick off 7.45pm 29 August 2006

Line up

1. Ian Harle (3)

2. Peter Maynard (3) (mom)

3. Stephen Croft (3)

4. Gareth Costello (3)

5. Richard Sheilds (2) (sub 80 min)

6. Nicholas Dougherty (3)

7. Steven O'Brien (3)

8. Anthony Aspin (2) (captain)

9. Daniel Aspin (2) (sub 70 min)

10. Stephen Shackleton (2) (sub 60 min)

11. Tom Donaldson (2)

12. Lee Eccles (2) (60 min)

14. Stephen Maynard (3) (70 min)

16. Nicholas Griffiths (2) (80 min)

Score

H/T      2-0   

F/T      2-2

Scorers

Stephen Maynard (73)

Steven O'Brien (85)

Assists

Steven O'Brien

Stephen Shackleton

Report

Three changes supposedly strengthened the Reserve team but this was a poor showing bar the last fifteen minutes when they finally seemed to wake up.

Ashton dominated the first half playing some good football. Only a number of Ian Harle saves kept Darwen in it. However Harle was at fault the goal as he spilled a free kick to the oncoming striker. 

Half time provided only brief respite for Darwen and Ashton scored again after a good move.  The tide turned however after a disputed line call saw Stephen Maynard on as a substitute in space down the left.  His drifting shot ended up in the top corner and Darwen finally got into the game.

Pouring forward they forced a series of corners and one of these proved fruitful as Gareth Costello crossed and Stephen Shackleton nudged the ball to Steven O'Brien who cooly slotted home. If the game had continued for another ten minutes Darwen may have won but probably overall that would have been hard on Ashton.

This game was good value for money but only when Darwen came out of their shell and believed they could win did it become a contest.  One mention is for the referee who decided he would not have linesmen except for throw ins and continually struggled to keep up with play. Overall Darwen must be happy with a point though.