Ashfield F & A C 1 Blantyre Victoria 1, Saracen Park, Glasgow

Ashfield welcomed Blantyre Vics to Saracen Park this afternoon in what turned out to be a very good game of Football despite the wet and slippery conditions. The Ashfield groundsman had done a magnificent job to make the pitch playable. Blantyre Vics were on the back of 3 straight wins, so Ashfield knew they were in for a hard game, and they weren`t disappointed. However despite Blantyre`s good play, Ashfield will be kicking themselves that they didn`t bag all three points, with numerous missed opportunites, the bar and post coming to the visitors rescue in the first half and big `Maxi` missing from the spot midway through the second half. This coupled with losing a goal in the 91st minute !



Ashfield made a couple of changes to the Team that narrowly lost to Lanark United on their last outing with the prolific pairing of Maxwell and O`Donnell up front. The game started at a great pace with neither team giving an inch in the wet conditions, and it was the visitors that held the upper hand for the first half hour, however as the half wore on Ashfield took control and had a



number of chances to take the lead. Darren O`Donnell had a briiliant effort in the 38th Minute denied by the crossbar. The resultant move broke out to Mick Tolland who lashed the ball against the base of the post only for Maxwell to tap in the rebound. Ashfield`s joy was shortlived





as the Linesman had his flag up for Offside. Ashfield gained confidence from this and pinned back the Vics defence for the remainder of the first half but failed to capitalise.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 0 BLANTYRE VICS 0



The second half was a different game and Ashfield upped their game considerably and should have made the points safe before eventually taking the lead in the 83rd Minute. From a couple of set-pieces midway through the half, the Vics defence managed to make a couple of last



gasp clearances to deny Ashfield, with the Vics `keeper having a particularly good game. Ashfield eventually thought they had made a breakthrough in the 69th minute when Darren O`Donnell was brought down from behind in the box (see pic below). The normally reliable Paul Maxwell, who had converted previous penalties with aplomb, drove the penalty to the goalkeepers right, only to see the `keeper parry the effort away to the delight of the large travelling support.





With 10 minutes to go, Ashfield`s joint top scorer Tony Chalmers was brought on and with virtually his first touch put the `field 1-0 up. Mick Tolland picked up the ball in Midfield and drove at the Vics defence only to be upended, with the Referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.



`Wee` Tony lashed the ball to the `keepers left to the delight of the players, Management and support. Ashfield had eyes on taking up the 2nd spot in the League and were guilty of switching





off in the last couple of minutes, thinking that the job had been done. Blantyre fired a warning shot with an inswinging cross from the right which was headed past the post to the relief of the Ashfield defence and a minute later broke down an Ashfield attack and had a one on one situation only to see Stevie McGovern pull off an excellent stop with his legs.



However from the resultant corner, in the 91st minute, Blantyre Vics equalised (see pic-above and below). A low hard Corner to the front post, was volleyed into the Ashfield net by the Vics No 14, to the delight of the travelling support. Ashfield were stunned and raced up the park to try and salvage the three points - despite a number of balls into the box, the `field couldn`t get the winner and the match ended up all square.


Ashfield head to Tinto Park next Saturday to take on the Bens, in what looks like a cracker........C`mon the `field.

Attendance:- Approx. 90

Photographs by :- Inga

Man of the Match:- Martin Gault - Excellent shift from Midfield, passing great and carried a goal threat.

FULL TIME:- ASHFIELD 1 BLANTYRE VICS 1