Ashfield F & A C 2 Benburb 3, Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 2pm

Ashfield produced a disappointing Second Half Performance to kill off any promotion hopes for this season. Leading 1-0 at Half time & 2-1 midway through the Second Half, the `field lost 2 goals from Set-Pieces and eventually lost the match 3-2 despite a late onslaught.

Both teams came into this match desperate for the points. Ashfield were looking to build on a great result last weekend against Thorniewood Utd with Benburb also looking to bounce back after they narrowly lost to Cambuslang Rangers.
A pleasant afternoon greeted the teams onto the pitch with Ashfield changing to their All red outfit with White flashes, Benburb appeared in their traditional all Blue Strips. Ashfield came out the traps the stronger team and looked to impose themselves early on. Ali Martin had a chance after five minutes when he slipped past his marker but the 'Bens' goalkeeper got down well to save. The next chance fell a minute later as Ashfield were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out. Captain, Mark Thomson stepped up and whipped a vicious swerving effort that 'cracked' off the Benburb crossbar.

It looked as if it would be one way traffic after these initial chances but Benburb came back into the match and should have opened the scoring after twelve minutes. A corner was delivered to the back post area of the Ashfield box which was neatly headered back towards the onrushing 'Bens' Player. Prior in the Ashfield goal was lively though as he saved brilliantly from the resultant shot from ten yards.
Prior had to look lively again two minutes later as he tipped a shot-come cross over his own crossbar for a corner. It was now an entertaining match with the match flowing from end to end in the sunshine. Ashfield were looking dangerous with Ali Martin bursting down the wing at every opportunity.

Paul Maxwell had the next chance for the 'Field' after thirty three minutes. Mark Thomson floated a lovely free over the Bens defence which was met by 'Maxi's' head but his effort slipped wide of the far away post. Benburb were making life hard for the Ashfield defence and the home team had a let off after thirty eight minutes as the Bens striker sliced wide from close range after neat play in Midfield.

Half time was fast approaching with neither side taking control of this match, however, Ashfield broke the deadlock after forty one minutes. Tony Chalmers who was lively all afternoon seized on a Benburb mistake at the back to race in on goal. The Ashfield forward tried to turn his ensuing marker but was pulled back. The referee had no hesitation in awarding Ashfield a penalty kick. Chalmers dusted himself down and stroked the ball low into the corner of the net to give the 'Possil' team a vital lead going into the interval. Ashfield 1 Benburb 0.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 1 BENBURB 0

This goal just before half time seemed to give the home side confidence as Ashfield piled on the pressure at the start of the second half. Davie Gumley produced a great 'lob' to the back post area of the Bens box which fell to Ali Martin. Martin looked a certainty to score but his free header drifted wide of the post.

Ashfield's new signing Robert Wright had the next chance after fifty two minutes as he held off his marker before unleashing a shot from fully twenty five yards that went wide. Ashfield were now starting to take command of this match but the game was turned on its head after fifty eight minutes. Mark Thomson challenged for the ball just inside the Ashfield box and as it was cleared appeared to clip the Benburb player. The referee saw the incident and showed Thomson a straight red card. To make matters worse, a penalty kick was awarded to the away team. Benburb's number five stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the net. Ashfield 1 Benburb 1.

This was a real blow to Ashfield but the team spirit shone through immediately as they re-gained the lead after sixty minutes. Robert Wright weaved his magic in midfield and sent a lovely through ball to Ali Martin on the wing. Martin darted into the box and played a perfect low cross to Paul Maxwell who slid the ball past the Bens keeper from three yards out. A great team effort for this goal!. Ashfield 2 Benburb 1.

Ashfield had to make some tactical changes after this goal to try and combat the threat of the Bens strikers. Benburb were awarded a free kick after seventy seven minutes. The ball was played high into the Ashfield box and was met by Paul Craig who flicked a glancing header that wrong footed Prior and the ball squirmed into the corner of the net. A very bad goal to lose from an Ashfield point of view. Ashfield 2 Benburb 2.

Craig Smith had entered the playing field for Ashfield and the prolific striker had a brilliant run after eighty minutes. He raced past two challenges and crossed to Paul Maxwell who bulleted a header that was brilliantly blocked by the impressive Bens stopper.

It looked as though this game was to end in a draw but Benburb produced a killer blow after eighty four minutes. A long throw was delivered into the Ashfield area, Prior came to punch but the Bens number five rose above him and nudged a header that crept over the line to the dismay of the Ashfield faithful. Ashfield 2 Benburb 3.

Ashfield then `pummelled` the Bens defence for the remaining minutes with Wright smashing a shot that looked netbound but the Bens keeper palmed it to safety. Ashfield were awarded a corner in the ninety first minute which was swung into the Bens area. Maxwell got up well and headered goalwards only to see the ball hit the top of the crossbar.

The referee looked at his watch and blew for full time.

FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 2 BENBURB 3

Man of the Match:- Some good performances from the home side despite the loss, Paul Maxwell showed his adaptability playing Midfield, Centre Forward & Centre Half all in the same Match, however Tony Chalmers was a nuisance to the Benburb defence all afternoon and wins this weeks Man of the Match.

Attendance:- Approx. 100

Photographs by:- Inga