Castleton Gabriel’s Vs Ashton Athletic

On a very typical wet British afternoon, Castleton were in search of their first points of the season, but standing in their way was Ashton Athletic. But an injury ravaged team and a late surge from Ashton would condemn Castleton to another 1-3 loss in Bacup.

Because of several injuries, Andrew Pheby was pushed to the left wing, Graham Hicks moved to right back and Paddy promoted to left back.

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.