Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield F & A C 6 , Keanie Park, Johnstone - Kick-Off 2pm


Both teams went into today`s match desperate to take the points for different reasons. The home side were looking for a repeat of their performance earlier this season at Saracen Park to try and avoid relegation and Ashfield were looking to close in on Thorniewood Utd & Maryhill for the second promotion place. It was the `field who deservedly took the points producing one of their best performances of the season scoring 6 goals into the bargain. The goals were evenly spread out with Jim Smith scoring a double, Ryan Cairley and Chris Prior scoring their first goals for Ashfield (yes Goalkeeper Chris Prior scored the `field`s 4th goal !), Alistair Martin scored his 25th goal of the season and last but not least Martin Gault got himself back on the scoresheet.

Keanie Park was bathed in sunshine as the teams ran onto the turf this afternoon. Johnstone were in their traditional all Red Strip with Ashfield reverting to their Yellow and Blue Outfit. The game started at a frantic pace with both teams looking 'up for game' in the early exchanges. Darren O'Donnell had the first chance after seven minutes firing a left foot shot which was blocked for a corner. The home side contributed almost immediately after this as their number 7 fired a shot that just went wide of Prior's goal.

Johnstone Burgh seemed to be high in confidence after beating Glencairn earlier in the week and took the lead after ten minutes. A corner was awarded which was delivered to the back post area. The 'Burgh' number 7 outjumped his marker to bullet his header high into the net from eight yards. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 0.
This early goal seemed to spur Ashfield into action and Darren O'Donnell should have equalised after fourteen minutes. Craig Smith picked the ball up deep in the Johnstone half and crossed the ball to Ali Martin just outside the penalty box. Martin cut the ball back to O'Donnell who looked a certainty to score but his left foot shot from ten yards squirmed past the far post.

Ashfield still continued to pressurise the Johnstone defence and Alan 'Spider' Smith flashed a header just wide after eighteen minutes after great play from O'Donnell and Tony Chalmers.
Craig Smith had a golden opportunity after twenty six minutes as he was sent clear on goal after a wonder pass from Mark Thomson. 'Smiddy' raced in on goal and angled his shot which evaded Tony Chalmers at the back post and drifted to safety.
Robert Wright and Mark Thomson were now controlling the midfield area and spraying passes that were causing severe problems for the Home team. Chances were now coming thick and fast for Ashfield and Gordon Passmore looked to have scored the vital equaliser after thirty five minutes but his well controlled volley slid inches past the post with the Johnstone Goalkeeper beaten.
Eventually Ashfield deservedly got the equaliser after thirty seven minutes. Prior fired a long clearance to Darren O'Donnell just inside the Johnstone box. The Ashfield striker turned one way then the other which caught out his marker who 'clipped' his heels with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. The ever reliable Jim Smith stepped up and wrong footed the Keeper, stroking it low and hard into the net. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 1

The remaining minutes were played out and the referee blew for half time. It was a tremendous first half with some lovely football played but no one could predict what was to unfold in the second period.

HALF TIME:- JOHNSTONE BURGH 1 ASHFIELD 1

The skies were active with planes taking off and landing into Glasgow Airport as the second half started. The home side started the brighter again but Jim Smith, Alan Smith, Jamie Reilly and Gordon Passmore in the Ashfield rear guard thwarted any real threat.

The pressure was clear to see as both teams were desperate for the points and you could feel the tension. Ashfield started to push forward again and were awarded a corner after fifty five minutes. Ali Martin swung a vicious cross in which was only half cleared. The ball fell back to Martin who darted inside his marker and curved a vicious shot which slammed against the gloves of the Johnstone keeper, but, the keepers heroics were short lived as Jim Smith capitalised and prodded the ball into the corner of the net with a fine header. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 2.

This was the goal that Ashfield needed as they now were in total command, shooting down the slope with the team hungry for more goals. Mark Thomson had the next effort after sixty five minutes but his header from a Ali Martin free kick dipped wide of the post.

It did not take long though for Ashfield to extend their lead. Ryan Cairley had been brought on for Ashfield to replace the impressive Robert Wright. Seventy three minutes was on the clock as Jim Smith passed to Mark Thomson, the Ashfield captain then slid a pass to Cairley who was fully twenty five yards out. The midfielder took a touch before unleashing a 'rocket' which beat the Johnstone keeper to his right side. The delight was clear to see as this was Cairley's first goal for the 'Field' and what a time to produce it!!!!. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 3.

This vital goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Johnstone Burgh as Ashfield piled forward and the lead was increased with the most incredible goal Ashfield fans have probably ever seen. Chris Prior in the Ashfield goal received a pass back and launched the ball fully seventy yards only to see the wind catch it. The Johnstone Keeper was clearly worried as he hurtled back towards his goalline but was to late as the ball dipped just under his cross bar and amazingly the Ashfield stopper had scored!!!!!.. As you can imagine, Prior was delighted as he raced towards the Ashfield dugout to be congratulated by his teammates. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 4.

A truly bizarre goal but great credit to Prior who's kicking was a threat all afternoon.

Ashfield maintained their high pace and got their fifth after eighty nine minutes. O'Donnell took a quick throw to Tony Chalmers who raced in on goal and cut the ball back to Ali Martin who thrashed the ball high into the net from five yards. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 5.


Ashfield then made another change with the threat of Martin Gault entering the arena and 'Gaulty' made an immediate impact in injury time scoring the sixth goal. Chalmers picked the ball up on the right hand side of the 'Burgh' area and stroked it to Gault who shrugged off a challenge before unleashing a bullet of a shot with his left foot that hit the net before the Johnstone keeper could even move. Johnstone Burgh 1 Ashfield 6.

What a performance from Ashfield, 'different class' is probably a description for the second half performance. It`s now onto Vale of Leven on Wednesday night, which again will be another tough encounter as the `field seek 2nd Place in the Stagecoach Central League Division 1.

FULL TIME: JOHNSTONE BURGH 1 ASHFIELD 6

Man of the Match:- Really the whole team deserve the award, however big Jim Smith just edges it with his two goals.

Attendance:- 85

Photographs by:- Inga