Yoker Athletic 2 Ashfield F & A C 3 , Holm Park, Yoker. Kick-Off 1pm

A dramatic injury time winner from Craig Smith, driving low with his left foot from the edge of the box, ensured victory at Holm Park, Yoker yesterday for the `field in what was a tough encounter on a pitch that resembled a `paddy field`. The game must have been in doubt after the incessant rain of Friday, however the Referee declared the pitch playable and the Match went on and it turned out to be a real cracker.

Despite the underfoot conditions the game started off at great pace with Ashfield attempting to play some good Football, however were regularly thwarted by a strong Yoker defence and Midfield and it was Yoker that had the better chances in the opening half. After an early chance for Ashfield from Alan `Spider` Smith when his glancing header went wide, it was Yoker that should have been ahead after some excellent link up play from midfield. Stevie McGovern in the Ashfield goal was in excellent form throughout the match and made a double save on the 20th Minute to deny Yoker. Shortly after a last ditch tackle from Ian Murphy denied Yoker as he deflected a net bound effort wide. As the half wore on Ashfield began to look more like themselves and were denied a penalty on the half hour mark when Darren O`Donnell appreared to be clipped inside the box, but the Referee was having none of it.

The Referee was extremely leniant to some heavy tackles, none more so than when ex-Ashfield player Scott Cameron appeared to lunge at Mark Thomson with his studs up. Ashfield almost sneaked a goal before half time when Thomson`s header narrowly missed the goal after a curling delivery from Alistair Martin.

HALF TIME:- YOKER ATHLETIC 0 ASHFIELD 0

No one could have imagined the transformation in the game in the Second Half, with both teams serving up a cracker of a match. After a strong opening from Yoker when again McGovern made a couple of excellent saves, it was Ashfield that took the lead in the 57th Minute after some brilliant midfield play from Ryan Cairley. The Ex-West Park Juveniles player delivered a wicked cross ball which the Yoker keeper failed to collect properly allowing Alistair Martin to nip in and walk the ball into the net to put the `field 1-0 up. Yoker Athletic 0 Ashfield 1

Ashfield seemed to take control of the Midfield area with Davie Gumley`s workrate ever prominant. Ryan Cairley was having a smashing second half threading the ball through to the forwards on a regular basis, so it came as a real setback when Ashfield conceded after an error in midfield allowed the big Yoker Centre Forward to run-in on goal. The Ex-Vale of Clyde Centre took the ball round Stevie McGovern and drilled it into the empty net. Yoker Athletic 1 Ashfield1.

This gave the home team a real lift and the game flowed from end to end, however it was the `field that struck next. Tony Chalmers was brought on to replace Darren O`Donnell and it was Ryan Cairley again that threaded a lovely angled ball through to the striker who delivered an inch perfect cross for the onrushing Alistair Martin to drive into the net. Yoker Athletic 1 Ashfield 2.

Ashfield needed to consolidate their lead for the next period of time, however incredibly Stevie McGovern was picking the ball out of the net three minutes later after a wonder goal from Yoker Athletic. The Yoker Midfielder picked the ball fully 30 yards out and let rip with a shot that was still rising as it hit the top corner of the net. A real blow for Ashfield. Yoker Athletic 2 Ashfield 2.

Ashfield piled on the pressure in the last few minutes and it looked like they would have to settle for a share of the spoils after Davie Gumley failed to connect in front of goal after excellent play on the right. However three minutes into injury time Craig Smith picked up the ball on the edge of the box and after evading a Yoker defender drilled the ball low and hard with his left foot which hit the post before crossing the line to the delight of the players, bench and support. Yoker Athletic 2 Ashfield 3. A hard one for Yoker to take, however yet again Ashfield showed their resilience away from home and the three points headed back to Saracen Park.

FULL TIME:- YOKER ATHLETIC 2 ASHFIELD 3

Man of the Match:- Many contenders for this award with Alistair Martin again putting in a great performance and scoring a couple of goals into the bargain, however Ryan Cairley`s second half performance was outstanding and showed a great deal of maturity against a tough tackling Yoker Team.

Attendance:- 65

Photographs by:- Inga, more pictures of this game can be seen in my Gallery on the following link: Yoker Ath v Ashfield Gallery Pics