ASHFIELD F & A C 0 ST ANTHONY`S F C 0 - SARACEN PARK, GLASGOW

Ashfield drew a blank against a very well organised St Anthony`s side at Saracen Park this afternoon. This was Ashfield`s first League Game in the higher League for 12 years and anticipation was high before kick off.

Joe Tartaglia started his first Match of the Season as Captain in the absence of Ian Murphy. Steven McGovern in the Ashfield`s goal was still feeling the effects of last weeks injury sustained against Maryhill, however still started, as Ashfield`s No 2 Stuart Aitchison was still sidelined after picking up an injury in the 4-0 win at Perthshire 2 weeks ago. St Anthony`s, playing in all green, started the brighter, with slick passing movements in the midfield area coupled with the imposing `back two` snuffing out any Ashfield attacks in the first part of the half. No chances at this stage fell to either team, however as the half wore on Ashfield started to look like their old `selves and started putting pressure on the `Ants` goal, with Tony Chalmers being denied by the foot of the `Ants` goalkeeper towards the end of the first half. Mark Thomson was commanding in the Ashfield Defence throughout the first half.



HALF TIME:- ASHFIELD F & A C 0 ST ANTHONY`S F C 0

Ashfield, with the strong wind behind them, looked more menacing and Maxwell was starting to make his legendary runs behind the back four. Long throw-ins were causing concern in the `Ants` defence as a couple of chances were scrambled away. Midway through the second half the `Ants` had a good couple of shouts for a penalty which were turned down. The Referee controlled the game very well and kept bookings to a minimum, letting the game flow.
The `major` talking point of the match was Ashfield`s free kick in the 70th minute when 40 yards out Ian Garscadden `let rip` and hit the top corner of the net to the delight of the Ashfield bench and support, only to be disappointed seconds later with the Referee apparantly stating that it was a non-scoring free -kick....did we see his hand up before the kick........????
Anyway, the goal was disallowed and despite both teams trying to nick the victory the match ended 0-0. It`s a point, and we head off to Castle Park, Blantyre next week to try and pick up 3 points.

FULL TIME:- ASHFIELD F & A C 0 ST ANTHONY`S O

Man of the Match:- Great Effort put in by all the Ashfield boys, however Mark Thomson was outstanding, and unlucky with a second half free kick, brilliantly saved by the impressive `Ants` keeper.
Attendance:- 86