Ashfield F & A C 3 Greenock Juniors 0 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick off 2pm.


Greenock Juniors were the visitors to Saracen Park today in the 1st Round of the West of Scotland Cup looking to cause an upset. The teams ran out in pleasant conditions with the sun threatening to break through. Ashfield were in their traditional black and white hoops with Greenock sporting a Red and Black strip.

Ashfield took the game straight away to Greenock with Smith almost scoring for the 'field' after four minutes. He rounded the Greenock keeper but his net bound shot was blocked to safety. It did not take long though for Ashfield to make the break through with Smith again involved in the build-up after ten minutes. Neat play in midfield saw the ball arrive at Smith's feet just inside the Greenock half. The tall striker turned the defender and raced up the wing with no opposition player being able to get near him, Smith brilliantly played the ball across the Greenock box to an onrushing Dave Gumley who ghosted in at the back post to slot the ball into an empty net. Ashfield 1 Greenock 0.

This early goal gave Ashfield great confidence as they piled on the pressure, Ali Martin went close after fifteen minutes when his volley went narrowly wide and O'Donnell watched as his net bound header was cleared off the line after a corner from Martin after twenty minutes.

The match could have been over as a contest if these chances had been taken but to their credit Greenock started to edge themselves back into the game. McGovern in the Ashfield goal had to save well after twenty five minutes when the Greenock player smashed in a shot from twenty yards and this was followed by a scramble in the Ashfield box on the half hour mark with Alan Smith deflecting a dangerous shot for a corner.

The match was now starting to be a very good cup-tie. Ashfield should have gone further ahead after thirty five minutes when Martin Gault side-stepped two challenges in midfield before releasing O'Donnell through on goal but the normally lethal finisher mishit his shot past the post.

The last chance of the half fell to the visitors. The Greenock midfielder picked it up approx 25 yards out and unleashed a swerving shot but big 'Guv' managed to leap to his left hand side to pluck it out of the air.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 1 GREENOCK 0

The teams emerged for the second half with the prize of a second round place still in the balance. It was Ashfield that started the brighter playing some creative passing moves over the Saracen turf. Gordon Passmore was having a superb match for Ashfield at the back, not wasting a pass all afternoon and defending with a sense of calmness.

Greenock were battling hard and were also trying to play football and this almost paid off after sixty four minutes when they should have equalised. The Greenock number 9 was released down the right side of the pitch deep inside Ashfield territory and he sprayed a 'wicked' cross into the Ashfield box which was met by their number 11 who really should have scored but his shot went wide of McGovern's left hand post.

This missed opportunity gave Ashfield a boost as they stamped their authority on this game and scored the all important second goal after 73 minutes. The ball was cleared from the Ashfield box to Gault who played a lovely left foot volley pass to Darren O'Donnell just inside the Greenock half. The 'Dazzler' drilled the ball to Craig Smith who again used his electric pace to 'dance' past the Greenock defender before sliding the ball across to the original playmaker Martin Gault who slammed the ball low and hard into the net. A brilliant goal from Ashfield!. Ashfield 2 Greenock 0.

This would have knocked the stuffing out of most teams but Greenock came back again with Mooney testing McGovern after eighty three minutes. Greenock were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Mooney bent it round the Ashfield wall only to see his shot turned round the post by the Ashfield stopper.

Craig Smith almost scored after eighty six minutes when again he went clear of the Greenock defence but the keeper saved well from his blistering strike.

O'Donnell and Smith were linking up brilliantly and as the game approached injury time Ashfield scored a third goal with a virtual copy-cat of the second goal. O'Donnell played in Smith who again moved into 'overdrive' as he sped past the Greenock player before sliding the ball across goal to Ali Martin who slammed the ball under the Greenock keeper to send Ashfield into the 2nd Round of the West of Scotland Cup.


FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 3 GREENOCK 0


Man of the Match:- Hard to choose today as O'Donnell, Craig Smith and Martin Gault were excellent but Gordon Passmore was outstanding at the back and ventured forward at every opportunity.

Attendance:- 40

Photographs by:- Inga, more pics can be seen in the Gallery, please click the link for more photos: Ashfield v Greenock Gallery Pics