Squires Gate returned to league action this weekend as they hosted Ashton Athletic. Coming into the game Ashton sat in 13th place in the table and came into the game on the back of a 3-1 loss to Atherton Collieries in the cup. Gate made two changes to the team that beat Irlam on Tuesday night with Benjamin coming in for Kay who was injured and Nathan Trout in for Ash Rowley who dropped to the bench.
Both teams made a good start to the game with both seemingly wanting to attack. Gates front men looked lively and didn’t give Ashton’s back line much time on the ball. The opening 20 minutes didn’t really have any notable clear cut chances until Mark Buchan hit the ball from the edge of the box. His shot could only find the keepers arms though. Ashton best chances came 5 minutes after Gates but Fletcher was on hand to deny Ashton’s attack. Former Gate striker Isaac Kusaloka had the chance to open the scoring after 35 minutes but his shot cannoned way over the bar. Gates best chance of the game came soon after. A free kick fired in found the head of Josh Westwood but his header could only find the post. But with the ball rattling off the post Cummings could have opened the scoring but he couldn’t guide the ball into the empty net. Ben Fletcher in net for Gate kept the home side in the game on the stroke of half time. Ashton’s Callum Mahoney striking from outside the box but Fletcher was equal to push the ball of the post and Daniel Smith couldn’t finish the rebound.
The second half saw little in the way of chances for either side. Gate tried to influence the game with substitutions and a change in formation but just couldn’t find that killer finish in the box. A good driving run beating 2 Ashton players by Cummings opened up space for Ferguson from left back but his curled effort fell straight into the arms of the keeper. Both Gates wingers were involved late on and both could have won the game for Gate. First Ash Rowley on as a sub hit the ball on the volley from outside the box but Ashton had 3 men on the line to clear the ball away. Then Billy McKenna tried a cheeky shot straight from the corner but he couldn’t catch Ashtons keeper out.
Another point on the table for Gate who next travel to AFC Darwen on Wednesday night looking for that first league win.
Gate: Fletcher, Richards, Westwood, Colquhoun, Trout, Ferguson, Penswick, Benjamin, Mckenna, Buchan, Cummings. Subs: Rodgerson, Cook, Clarke, Rowley.
