Ashfield F & A C 4 Glasgow Perthshire F C 0, Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 6.45pm

Ashfield produced an excellent display of finishing to kill off a very impressive performance from Perthshire this evening at a wet Saracen Park. A large crowd turned up to see the first competitive fixture of the season and a return to action for Perthshire after a season of non-playing. Ashfield came out sporting their Yellow and Blue Strips, sponsored by the Colin Hutton Group and Perthshire were in their traditional Black & White stripes.



The heavens opened as the match kicked off and it was Perthshire that played very good fast flowing football in the early stages. They took a grip of midfield and spread neat passes to their pacy wingers who were causing Ashfield problems. Numerous corners were awarded to the away team but Ashfield defended well and cleared any danger. McGovern made an excellent save in the Ashfield goal after approx 15mins when a 20 yard shot was drilled high goalwards but the big keeper got his hand to the ball and palmed it to safety. Ashfield slowly started to ease back into the match with Smith and Chalmers linking up well in the forward line.



Against the run of play after approx 25mins Ashfield took the lead with a superb opening goal. Ryan Cairley received the ball in the centre circle before swivelling past his counterpart and sprayed a pass in behind the 'Shire right back four to an onrushing Ali Martin. Martin played the ball 1st time with his left foot across the box to an onrushing Craig Smith who slid the ball in at the far post. Ashfield 1 Perthshire 0.



This goal did not dampen the Perthshire spirit as they continued to play excellent football resulting in some narrow escapes in the Ashfield box. Jamie Reilly was superb in the Ashfield defence mopping up any serious danger.

As the minutes passed it was Ashfield who were looking for the Half Time whistle and this was greatly received shortly after another Perthshire attack.

HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD 1 PERTHSHIRE 0

The teams entered the Saracen turf again with no let up in the rain. Ashfield manager, Stevie Rankin and his coaching team had obviously seen the threat that Perthshire could pose and made some vital tactical changes for the 2nd half. Mark Thomson (Website Player of the year last season) was brought on for his 1st run-out of the season due to injury and also prolific goal scorer Paul Maxwell.

The formation was tinkered with and Ashfield now looked a real threat as the game commenced. The 'shire started well but Ashfield soon took a grip of this match and scored a 2nd goal after approx 55mins. Good build up play in midfield allowed Gordon Passmore to find some valuable space that he did not waste. Smith made a decoy run to pull the 'Shire defender as Passmore played a lovely diagonal pass to Tony Chalmers who smashed the ball low and hard across the goalkeeper with his left foot and into the corner of the net. Ashfield 2 Perthshire 0.



Ashfield then turned up the heat and were now playing the silky football that the team are known for. Cairley and Passmore were linking up well down the right hand side with Alistair Martin now starting to control the left hand side and it was Martin that dealt the killer blow after approx 60mins with Ashfield's 3rd goal. Ashfield were awarded a free kick approx 30 yards out on the right side of the 'Shire territory. As the players moved into position expecting a cross into the box, Thomson had other ideas as he floated a ball to the near post which was met by Chalmers. The 'wee man' unselfishly played the ball 1st time back to Ali Martin who smashed the ball under the goalkeeper and into the net from 10 yards. Ashfield 3 Perthshire 0.



Most teams would have crumbled after this goal but to their credit Perthshire came back strongly with their number 11 on the left wing causing great concern for the Ashfield Defence. Perthshire should have got a goal back when great wing play resulted in the ball being slid across the Ashfield box. The 'Shire forward mishit his shot from 8 yards out and McGovern managed to get a fist and foot to it and send it for a corner.



Both teams brought on fresh legs as Craig 'Smithy' Smith in the Ashfield forward line showed his pace exploiting a tiring but courageous Perthshire defence. As the light began to fade fast, Ashfield sealed an important victory with a clinical 4th goal. Thomson picked the ball up near the half way line and fired a long ball over the head of the Perthshire defender with Smith being the target. The perfectly placed pass drifted over the defenders head with Smith brilliantly meeting the ball on the volley to stear it in like a bullet at the near post. Ashfield 4 Perthshire 0.



Perthshire continued to press forward but could not penetrate the Ashfield goal and the referee blew the final whistle. Great credit to Perthshire as they never gave up and played some lovely football. Ashfield now look forward to their next Sectional League Cup encounter next Wednesday (13th Aug) against Clydebank at Holm Park, Yoker that should be a cracker!!.

FULL TIME:- ASHFIELD 4 PERTHSHIRE 0

Man of the Match:- Many good Performances in the Ashfield Colours this evening, however Jamie Reilly never put a foot wrong all night and coped admirably with a lively Perthshire forward Line.

Attendance:- 150 approx.

Photographs by:- Inga

More Pics can be seen in the Gallery: Please Click - Ashfield V Perthshire Pics


Craig Smith scoring the opener on video below