Annbank United 3 Ashfield F & A C 0 , New Pebble Park, Annbank - Kick-Off 2pm

Blustery conditions welcomed the players onto New Pebble Park this afternoon with a vital three points up for grabs. Ashfield reverted to their away strip of Blue and Yellow with the home side in their Black and White attire. The match started with Annbank having a strong wind behind them but it was Ashfield that took the game to the Ayrshire outfit with Jim Smith trying his luck from twenty five yards that went wide of the goal.

Annbank came back instantly with a header that Prior saved with ease with only three minutes on the clock. The pitch did not suit fast flowing football which seemed to be to the advantage of the home side. Annbank came close after five minutes after a nice one-two in midfield sent their winger clear who cut the ball back into the Ashfield box but the resultant shot flew over Prior's crossbar.

Ashfield still persisted in playing the football and were almost rewarded after twelve minutes after a Passmore Free kick was met by Shaun Fraser, but his half volley went over the bar from ten yards.

Prior was kept busy in the Ashfield goal and tipped a shot over after eighteen minutes after good play from the home team. Ashfield were now imposing themselves on the match, and Chalmers had the next effort after twenty nine minutes. Passmore passed to the wee winger on the right hand side who then cut in unleashed a great shot with his left foot that skimmed the bar.

Ashfield had missed a few chances and were to pay for this as the opening goal was scored by Annbank after thirty eight minutes. A free kick was awarded to the home side which was delivered to the back post area. No Ashfield Defender could match the run from the Annbank player as he ghosted in to nod it past Prior from six yards out. Annbank Utd 1 Ashfield 0.

It was a blow to the visitors but it got worse three minutes later as Annbank extended their lead. A foul was committed almost twenty three yards out from the Ashfield goal. The Annbank player stepped up and curled a shot that looked to going wide but it sneaked inside the post with Prior fully stretched. Annbank Utd 2 Ashfield 0.

Annbank took heart from this second goal with Ashfield relieved to here the whistle go to end the half.

HALF TIME: ANNBANK UTD 2 ASHFIELD 0

The second half started with the 'Field' determined to get back into the match but it was the home side that almost scored a third after forty eight minutes. A free kick was floated into the Ashfield box with Prior racing out to punch but the wind deceived him and the Annbank player nipped in to header past him, but it drifted wide of the goal and the resultant shot just went wide.

Annbank now had their tails up and the post denied them after fifty minutes after a great free kick beat Prior but rebounded of the post and into his arms.

This seemed to spark the visitors into action as they created a series of chances starting with Maxwell shooting tamely into the Annbank keepers arms. The turning point of the match happened after fifty six minutes after a great ball was delivered into the Annbank box. O'Donnell swivelled and smashed the ball into the net which looked to have got Ashfield back in the match but the Assistant Referee had his flag up for a previous infingement. Very harsh decision!!.

Ashfield continued to pile forward with Craig Smith coming close after sixty minutes only to see his netbound shot tipped for a corner.

Chalmers for Ashfield was a real threat to Annbank and played Ali Martin clear after sixty two minutes. Martin darted down the left and fired in a low shot which was blocked by the Annbank Keepers legs. Another Chance gone!!!!.

Try as they might, Ashfield could not get that breakthrough to bring them back into the match and were punished as the closing minutes were entered. The Annbank player picked the ball up on the left side and played a cut back across the Ashfield box which was met superbly by his team mate who struck a vicious shot that beat Prior's hand and in to the top corner of the net. Annbank Utd 3 Ashfield 0.

It was now game over for the 'Field' as Annbank played the remaning minutes out. A set back for the 'Field'? , Yes, but again chances were created but not taken.

FULL TIME: ANNBANK UTD 3 ASHFIELD 0

Man of the Match:- It was a tough ninety minutes for Ashfield today and only played in patches, with Tony Chalmers at the heart of every attack

Attendance:- Approx 75

Photographs by:- Inga