Lanark United 0 Ashfield F & A C 2 , Moor Park, Lanark - Kick-Off 2pm

Ashfield produced one of their best performances of the season to beat an undefeated Lanark United side at Moor Park this afternoon. A healthy crowd welcomed both sides onto the park, and it was a very competitive match fom the Kick-Off. Ashfield made a couple of changes from their last match and had a very attacking formation out, looking to try and consolidate 2nd position in the League. It was end-to-end stuff during the first half without either team really making any clear-cut chances however the game was punctuated by fouls given by an over fussy Referee, who is normally one of the best in the Junior ranks.

Top Scorer Tony Chalmers was partnering his old partner-in-crime Darren O`Donnell up front and the two of them were causing consternation in the Lanark back four, with the latter blazing over an opportunity midway through the half. Lanark produced a couple of beautiful angled passes in front of the back four towards the end of the half which were brilliantly cleared by `keeper Aitchison, Davie Gumley and from one of the best players on the park, Jamie Reilly.


HALF TIME:- LANARK UNITED 0 ASHFIELD 0

No-one would have predicted the total transformation in the second half from a resurgent Ashfield side. Straight from the Kick-Off Ashfield attacked the top Team in the League and were ahead in the 48th Minute. Tony Chalmers picked up the ball on the edgeof the box and delivered a low hard cross which was placed into the corner of the net by Darren O`Donnell to the delight of the Ashfield support.


The question was could Ashfield build on this lead & the answer was a definitive `Yes`.
However before increasing their lead Ashfield had a couple of amazing let offs. Lanark were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after an alleged push and Lanark`s Jaffray stood up to take it. He delivered a wicked curling free-kick which hit the underside of the crossbar and was eventually cleared for a corner.

From the resultant corner Lanark delivered a curling wind assisted cross which hit the inside of the far post and was eventually cleared to safety. Ashfield went straight up the park and scored an absolute cracker. The ball was played out to O`Donnell on the the left wing who evaded a couple of defenders and played a beautiful pass to Chalmers who took it on the run and lashed the ball to the Lanark keepers right and into the net to the delight of the Ashfield Team, who celebrated in style at the corner flag !









Despite Lanark putting heavy pressure on the Ashfield back four, they stood firm and it was Ashfield that could have increased their lead towards the end of the match with excellent efforts from Chalmers and Gordon Passmore. The Referee brought proceedings to an end in what was a very competitive and sporting match, however the Referee produced far too many bookings in a match that did not have a bad tackle in it. Ashfield take on the `Candy Rock` on Monday night in what is always a difficult match and Lanark will be looking to maintain their pole position when they take on Benburb and Port Glasgow in their next two matches.
Well done the `field !!!

Quick Vid of Ashfield running onto the park today: -



FULL TIME:- LANARK UNITED 0 ASHFIELD 2

Man of the Match:- There were 11 Man of the Matches today in what was an excellent team effort. Special mention to Darren O`Donnell, Tony Chalmers, Mark Thomson and Davie Gumley,however Jamie Reilly was simply superb at the back and wins the MOM.

Attendance:- 180

Photographs by:- Inga. More Pics can be seen on the following link: PLEASE CLICK HERE