Ashfield F & A C 2 Larkhall Thistle 0 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 7.15pm

Ashfield produced a very good all round performance against tough opponents this evening, winning 2-0 to ensure another three points on the board as the `field get closer to a possible Promotion spot. It was Ashfield`s last home game of the season and two goals early in the second half from Alistair Martin and an absolute cracker from Craig Smith had the home support in raptures. It`s now `on the road` for the last 4 games of the season against Johnstone Burgh, Vale of Leven, St Anthony`s and Maryhill and it will be a case of each game as it comes.

A beautiful May evening welcomed the teams onto Saracen Park this evening with Ashfield determined to maintain the promotion surge and it did not take long for the 'Field' to threat the Larkhall goal. Six minutes was on the clock as O'Donnell crossed to the back post only to see Ali Martin volley the ball to Chalmers who smashed the ball over from close range.
Chances were hard to come by as the game ensued. Larkhall should have scored the opener after thirteen minutes after a well delivered corner was headed wide by the Larkhall number 8.

Ashfield came back strongly though and Chalmers played the pass to Wright in Midfield who 'wiggled' past his markers before firing a shot that was just tipped over by the Larkhall keeper. Ashfield were now in command with Wright, Thomson and Martin dealing with any forward surges from Larkhall.

Chalmers had the next chance after twenty six minutes after great play from Craig Smith. Chalmers tried to outhink the Larkhall keeper but he grasped the ball out the air. Chalmers again had the next chance after great play from O'Donnell, the 'wee'man however, blasted high over the bar on the half hour mark.

Larkhall were still a threat and almost caught Prior out after thirty one minutes but the Ashfield Stopper watched the effort drift wide of the post. This was now a real 'battle' of a game with challenges coming in thick and fast with the referee reacting sensibly.

The referee looked at his watch and the whistle was blown.

HALF TIME : ASHFIELD 0 LARKHALL THISTLE 0


The teams emerged for the second half with Ashfield taking the initiative from the start. Robert Wright was controlling the midfield area with Passmore surging from the right to give Larkhall a torrid time. It did not take long for the home team to take the lead after fifty minutes. O'Donnell picked the ball up and lifted a high ball to the back post area which was met by Ali Martin who thunderred his header into the net aided by a slight deflection. Ashfield 1 Larkhall Thistle 0.

This was a vital goal for the 'Field' and they took confidence from this as they poured forward. Larkhall were now now in tatters as Ashfiled rained in on goal. Darren O'Donnell was back to his menacing self, supported by Chalmers and the 'lightning' Craig Smith. The second goal was inevitable and it came after fifty five minutes. Prior layed the ball down in his box and fired the ball long deep into the Larkhall half, only to see the ball squirm of the defenders head to the onrushing Craig Smith who stroked the ball delicately over the keeper and into the net. A fantastic goal! Ashfield 2 Larkhall Thistle 0.

The visitors came back straight after the kick off with Prior tipping over from fifteen yards to keep the 'field' dream alive. Ashfield were now a real threat and O'Donnell missed a golden opportunity after sixty three minutes. The Striker looked to have only a 'tap in' but his effort was stopped on the goalline by the Larkhall keeper.

Ashfield piled forward and the Larkhall keeper had to be vigilant with O'Donnell and Smith coming close with efforts after seventy one and seventy eight minutes. Great credit must to be given to the Larkhall keeper for stopping these point blank saves.

Larkhall tried to push forward but were overwhelmed by the attitude of the Ashfield players. They fought, scrapped for every challenge and as time approached full time hit the cross bar twice within seconds. Ali Martin fired in a twenty five yarder that took a slight deflection that 'thudded' off the cross bar.

Tony Chalmers had the next chance a minute later. The 'wee man' drifted in from the left and floated a shot which again crashed off the Larkhall bar. The build up play was superb with Ali Martin and Craig Smith involved.

Ashfield have now won 5 games in a row and are really hitting form at the right time. It`s on the road now for the four remaining fixtures with the prospect that winning three could be enough for Ashfield to move up to the Super League. This was a tough fixture this evening and the `field coped with the physical threat of Larkhall.

FULL TIME :ASHFIELD 2 LARKHALL THISTLE 0

Man of the Match:- Every player in the Black & White hoops contributed to a very important victory with some excellent individual performances, however Gordon Passmore on the right hand side of defence was class and has been for a good number of weeks now.

Attendance:- 60

Photographs by:- Inga