Ashfield F & A C 4 Maryhill F C 3 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 2pm

Ashfield put their Cup exploits behind them as they welcomed Maryhill to Saracen Park this afternoon in what turned out to be a cracker of a match. An amazing fightback from Ashfield ensured that the three points stayed at Saracen Park, however if both teams had taken all of their chances it could have been 10-10. It certainly was a day that both defences will want to forget, however on the other hand it is probably being unfair to both sets of strikers who put in excellent shifts. No more so than the midweek hero, Paul Maxwell who walked away with the Man of the Match after completing a superb double.
The game started at a great pace as Ashfield`s biggest crowd of the season looked on and Ashfield were looking confident, knocking the ball about well and it came as no shock that the `field took the lead on the 14th Minute. A ball was played out of defence to Craig Smith with his back to goal, however the young striker turned and ran fully 40 yards side stepping the Maryhill challenges before drilling a low shot underneath the goalkeeper to put the `field 1-0 up. Ashfield 1 Maryhill 0.

It looked like Ashfield were going to take command and had a further chance from a Martin Gault Free-Kick which was well held by the Maryhill keeper. Maryhill`s front two were looking lively and the normally resolute Ashfield defence were looking a bit shaky which was highlighted by a couple of cross balls being scrambled to safety. However in the 25th Minute Maryhill were level after a wonderfully worked free-kick. Jamie Reilly committed a foul on the edge of the box and the resultant Free-kick was floated in to the unmarked Maryhill Central defender who cushioned the ball over Stevie McGovern in the Ashfield goal. Ashfield 1 Maryhill 1.

Maryhill got a lift from the goal and were playing some good football, especially on the break. Ashfield were still looking lively up front with Paul Maxwell reading the line well, however just as it looked like both teams were going in level at half time, Maryhill scored. A mix up in the Ashfield defence allowed the ball to break free to the Maryhill No 9 who drew out McGovern and placed a low hard shot past him to the delight of the travelling support. Ashfield 1 Maryhill 2. Ashfield knew they were in a game now and were looking slightly tired as this had been there 4th game in 7 days and were aware that they had to turn it around in the second half.


HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 1 MARYHILL 2

There were no changes to the Teams at the start of the Second Half, and the supporters were eagerly awaiting the match as the first half had really been an open and enjoyable affair. Ashfield were looking to start the Second Half on the front foot, however they could not have wished for a worse start and found themselves 3-1 down after less than a minute. A Ball was played into the Ashfield box from the far right with the Maryhill forward being first to react, heading low to McGovern`s right. The big Ashfield keeper got a hand to it but was unable to stop it squirming over the line to the delight of the Maryhill support. Ashfield 1 Maryhill 3.

This was a real blow to the`field and it would have been easy to let the heads go down, however this Ashfield team are full of resiliance and character and kept pushing forward at every opportunity looking for a break which came their way on the 58th Minute. After a scramble in the Maryhill box, the ball was cleared to Gault 20 yards out who drilled a shot goalwards with the ball taking a deflection onto a Maryhill defenders arm. The Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, however I`m not sure if the defender could have done much about it. Lets say it was of the `soft variety` and probably made amends for the penalty that the `field did not get against Glencairn last week. Alistair Martin stepped up and placed a lovely shot into the bottom corner to put Ashfield back in the game. Ashfield 2 Maryhill 3.

Both teams continued to `have a go` at each other and the game was beginning to `simmer` in Midfield with some tough tackling going on. Ashfield at this stage brought on Tony Chalmers to replace Craig Smith and with 20 minutes to go Ashfield got the all important equaliser. Ashfield had the ball in the net 5 minutes previously when Sean Carberry lashed the ball in from an offside position. This time however, after some lovely link up play by Jamie Reilly, the ball broke to Paul Maxwell who ran on and despatched a low shot past the Maryhill keeper to put the game level. Ashfield 3 Maryhill 3.

The relief and joy was there to see in the Ashfield players, however this match was far from over and the Maryhill No 11, who has caused Ashfield problems in the past, was giving Davie Gumley and Gordon Passmore a torrid time down the left wing with regular crosses being delivered into the 6 yard box. Ashfield stood resolute and Ian Murphy was brought on to assist and were also assisted by the Maryhill No 6 being shown a `straight red` by the Referee for foul and abusive language. Two Minutes later and the comeback was complete and it was Paul Maxwell that scored the fourth after a lovely ball was played over the defence by Passmore. `Big Maxi` side-footed the ball over the onrushing Maryhill Keeper to complete a superb double and ensure that the points remained at Saracen Park. Ashfield 4 Maryhill 3.

It was a hard one for Maryhill to take, who had put so much into the game and had contributed to an excellent attacking and sporting game of Football. Ashfield `s determination won through and will leave them in high spirits for the Midweek League Cup Semi Final against Shotts Bon Accord.

FULL TIME:- ASHFIELD 4 MARYHILL 3

Man of the Match:- Paul Maxwell was an absolute stand-out. Not just for scoring a couple of goals but for putting in a good shift at the back when the Defence needed help.

Attendance:- 200

Photographs by:- Inga