Sat. 4th August - Johnstone Burgh (Friendly), Saracen Park, Glasgow:-

ASHFIELD F & A C 2 JOHNSTONE BURGH 1 (H-T 2-1)

Two early goals from Tony Chalmers gave Ashfield a pre-season Victory against Premier Division Johnstone Burgh in a feisty encounter at Saracen Park this afternoon.

Again Ashfield rose to the occasion against a team from a higher league and caught Johnstone Burgh cold with two early goals from Tony Chalmers who was playing instead of Paul Maxwell who had 7 stitches put in a nasty head wound courtesy of last Wednesday night`s friendly game against Waterside Amateurs.

This afternoon`s encounter was a particularly good match considering it was a friendly and certainly Johnstone Burgh did not want to lose this one and were guilty of a couple of late tackles in the first half against Martin & Reilly where in normal circumstances may have resulted in straight `reds`.

Both teams played very good football in blustery conditions and Johnstone pulled a goal back mid way through the first half after an uncharacteristic mistake from Reilly. Kevin Miller, Ashfield`s new signing from Petershill slotted in very well to the midfield and Ashfield looked a compact unit despite losing that goal. Tolland in particular was putting in some excellent wing play on the left hand side and delivered 2 or 3 excellent crosses which went a begging.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD F & A C 2 JOHNSTONE BURGH 1

Both teams carried on their excellent play and the match flowed from end to end with both teams guilty of missing a few chances. Aitchison, who replaced McGovern in the Ashfield goal produced an excellent reflex save and Pattison of Ashfield put the ball wide of the post when through one on one. The game had been simmering with a few feisty tackles, however all hell broke loose after Darren O`Donnell got involved with the No 2 of Johnstone Burgh. This resulted in a booking for the Burgh defender, however O`Donnell was given his marching orders which seemed a bit harsh for a friendly, where in normal circumstances a player would be substituted. This was the only black mark in an excellent win for the `field ahead of their Sectional League Cup matches.

FULL TIME:- ASHFIELD F & A C 2 JOHNSTONE BURGH 1

Man of the Match:- Thomson
Attendance:- 75



Ashfield sporting their new Strip for the coming season