It wasn’t the best of starts for Castleton, a few minutes in and Ashton had taken an early lead. A long ball played over left back Paddy’s head was met by the Ashton winger, who then squared the ball into the 6yrd box, and the striker was there to meet it for a simple tap in. Not a brilliant start for Castleton and they would have to dig deep early on if they were to get a result. Again the midfield partnership of Jackson and Watkinson was working well and a few chances were created for both sides, and in particular the Ashton wingers were giving Castleton’s wing backs some work to do. But Castleton persistence paid off as mid-way trough the first half, a cross swung in by Brad Barrington was met by the head of Dean Watkinson for what was a textbook Duncan Ferguson-esque header that flew into the back of the net. 1-1. Chances were few and far between for the rest of the half, Dean Watkinson again with a header but that sailed over the bar, and a couple of runs down the wing. But then another blow for Castleton, Michael Ward had to be taken off the pitch due to an ankle injury that was more serious than was first assumed and regrettably a wave to the crowd would prove to be his last contribution of the afternoon. 
Assistant manager Lee Chadwick was a second half replacement for the injured Michael Ward, he would now deputise at right back. The second half commenced and soon enough Castleton’s troubles continued to mount. Brad Barrington accidentally kicked the underneath of an Ashton defenders boot after passing the ball, thus resulting in him having to be taken off, and with limited option’s on the bench, the player only known to me as “Pingu” was brought on. The rain continued to fall and as a result, some tackles looked far worse than they actually were, but in the case of Carl Winstanley, he just lost his temper when losing the ball and jumped in unnecessarily. 
A defining moment in the game and indeed the season so far happened around the 70th minute. Some scrappy play in the Ashton box, a ball was played through to Andrew Pheby who, in the 6yrd box calmly controlled the ball and played in Christian Evans, who with the goal at his mercy put the ball agonisingly wide. Although the linesman’s flag was eventually raised (even though he was on-side), this was clearly a problem that Castleton would have to address as not enough chances were being converted.
Fitness again was a key factor as Castleton’s play was slowed down, and some sloppy passing and weak defending gave confidence to an Ashton side that was willing to fight to the end. With about 7 minutes to go Ashton took the lead; a neat through ball was collected by an Ashton attacker who slotted home from inside the area.1-2. Things were to get worse for Castleton when some poor marking from a corner resulted in another goal. The corner came in and was met by the head of an Ashton player who played it onto the head of another Ashton player, who with the goal at his mercy placed it in the back of the net.1-3. With only minutes to spare this was maybe a mountain too high for Castleton to climb, and soon enough the final whistle was blown.
There were a couple of chances throughout the second half, Dean Watkinson having a shot blocked along with Matthew Jackson, and Ashton also hitting the post midway through the second half, but again for the Gabs then lacked the composure to find the back of the net when needed.
Injuries, banned players and a makeshift ground obviously contributed to another Gabs defeat even though things looked promising after Monday’s Chadderton game. But maybe a return to Butterworth Park for the next home game would lift a side in need of confidence and a win, but until then they would have to play away against Eccleshall and the coming weekend’s fixture against Norton United.
Name: Michael Ward
Name: Andrew Pheby
Name:Carl Winstanley 
Name: James Elstub 
It was vital in the first half that Mathew Jackson and the still un-fit Dean Watkinson combined well in the centre of mid-field as this would be where most of the game would be played, plus with the speed of the Chadderton strikers the defence would have to be at their best.
The second half was much better from Castleton Gabriel’s, again there was a dogged fight in the centre of midfield, which Mathew Jackson coped well with, and with the power of Castleton’s defence, Chadderton were limited in their attacking play. Castleton again attempted to breach the goal with some long-range efforts, in particular Christian Evans unleashing a powerful 25-yard shot that was easily caught by the Chadderton keeper. Then out of the blue Chadderton scored a 2nd goal from a counter attack. Paul Ashton received the ball around the half way line and ran the rest to slot home an excellent individual effort. His pace was too much for Castleton’s defence, even when 3 defenders were hounding him. This was a catalyst for a Castleton fight back. A change of formation to 3-5-2 with Michael Ward moving into midfield worked very well. Some neat touches and some long-range efforts seemed to boost the confidence of the mostly quiet central defender. Carl Winstanley broke clear of the Chadderton defence and had a shot but the angle proved too acute for him. Graham Hicks also tried his best to provide the attackers with some ammunition…in particular a free kick from the left, which was met by a diving header, only for Chadderton’s keeper to comically push it away. 
The break through was a scrappy goal, Brad Barrington played a ball into the box, which through a sea of bodies took a knock off a Chadderton defender and rolled into the back of the net. There was no time for celebrations as only 5 minutes remained on the clock so the ball was taken straight to the centre spot. With Chadderton obviously on the back foot and Castleton seeking an equaliser, Chadderton decided to throw 9 men in defence and leave a lone striker up-front, and in doing so prevented any chance of Castleton claiming an equaliser. The final whistle was eventually blown.
A combination of dubious referee decisions and fitness level would contribute to a Blackpool white wash in the second half. The rout began with a terrible refereeing decision that led to a penalty. Blackpool on the attack in Castleton’s box, the ball fell free to Andrew Pheby who cleared from his area, only for a Blackpool player to fly into Pheby with a late challenge…unbelievably the referee awarded Blackpool a penalty. Dumfounded by the decision the Castleton player’s and management could only watch as Blackpool converted the penalty with ease. The 2nd Blackpool goal didn’t take long to come, similar play to Castleton’s first goal, Blackpool pressed down the right wing and what was clearly a cross into the area, ended up flying over the head of Mark Canning and into the back of the net. The 3rd Blackpool goal came from yet another dubious refereeing decision. Nathan Eastmond was the victim of a late challenge yet the referee stayed quiet and the Blackpool players advanced down the right wing only to be awarded with a free kick themselves. From the resulting free kick Blackpool coolly headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-3. The referee waved away all Castleton’s protests and the game resumed. The forth and final goal came from an excellent individual effort. A Blackpool attacker ran the right wing, cut inside and coolly slotted the ball in back of the net.
Several attempted runs down the wing, and individual runs from Nathan Eastmond could not get Castleton back into the game and the final whistle was blown. A clear lack of match sharpness was missing upfront as all efforts were confined to the stands, and despite many headers being won, and a clear ability to pass and cross the ball Castleton Gabriel’s need to find some form for Mondays clash against fierce rivals Chadderton F.C. 
