ASHFIELD F & A C 0 LANARK UTD 1 Saracen Park, Glasgow - Saturday 5th January 2008




Ashfield entertained Lanark Utd this afternoon at a rain drenched Saracen Park. The pitch was in excellent condition considering the amount of rain that had fallen prior to kick off. The winner of this encounter would go top of the league and a very good match was witnessed with both teams desperate for the points.

Ashfield had an enforced change with Mark Thomson unavailable. The game started with Ashfield fast out the traps and taking an early grip of the match. A great chance was created after approx 5 minutes with Tony Chalmers racing down the wing and sliding a cross over to Paul Maxwell who flicked the ball goalwards only to see the Lanark Utd goalkeeper pull off a fabulous reflex save. This spurred Ashfield on for the next 15 minutes with good possession play resulting in the Lanark defence scrambling the ball away on numerous occasions.

Kevin Miller in Midfield for Ashfield appeared to have a back problem and was replaced by Mike Tolland resulting in a re-shuffle to the 'field' formation. This seemed to upset Ashfield and Lanark began to gain more control of the 1st half. After approx 30mins, Lanark were awarded a penalty kick. Good link up play ended up with the Lanark forward receiving the ball just inside the Ashfield penalty box. Ashfield's captain Ian Murphy slid in to the challenge and the referee decided that a foul had been committed and pointed to the spot. A harsh decision as it looked as if Murphy had claimed part of the ball.

The Lanark player placed the ball on the spot, ran up and stroked it low to the goalkeepers left hand side, McGovern in the Ashfield goal got down well and gleefully held onto the ball.

The heavens then opened on the players with torrential downpours. It looked as if the teams would go in level at half time but Lanark scored bang on 45minutes. A ball was played centrally towards the Ashfield penalty box, Murphy looked to have it covered but the Lanark player nipped in on his blindside and went 1 on 1 with McGovern. To his credit, the Lanark player stroked it calmly under the advancing keeper. Ashfield 0 Lanark Utd 1.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 0 LANARK UTD 1



The teams ran out for the 2nd Half in a change of strips due to the horrendous weather. Ashfield again, as in the 1st Half, started the better side stroking the ball round well and causing problems in the Lanark defence. Great crossing from Tolland and Passmore should have resulted in an equaliser but the Lanark defence held firm. Mark Andrews in the Ashfield midfield was having a great match and was using the ball intelligently. Ashfield's joint top scorer Darren O'Donnell was introduced to the match as Ashfield pushed forward for the equaliser.

Lanark weathered the Ashfield storm and came back into the match but neither side could create a clear cut chance. Gault had a bullet of a shot saved well by the Lanark goalkeeper while at the other end Lanark produced some telling crosses that were cleared well.

As time wore on Ashfield had 2 or 3 set pieces that were well marshalled by a very strong Lanark defence and goalkeeper. The referee (who was excellent all day) blew for full time and Lanark now sit top of the division. A very good match in terrible conditions, good football played and hardly a dirty foul in the match.

FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 0 LANARK UTD 1






Man of the Match:- Definitely a few candidates for this match, Reilly was outstanding at the back, Maxwell a real handful up front but Mark Andrews was superb this afternoon. He stroked the ball around well and picked out an Ashfield player with every pass.

Attendance:- Approx 40