YOKER ATHLETIC 2 ASHFIELD F & AC 1 at Holm Park, Yoker - Sat 29th March 2008

Ashfield lost out narrowly today in an end to end Match at Holm Park, Yoker this afternoon. Ashfield were looking for a repeat of the scoreline from earlier in the Season in the Sectional League Cup (2-0), however were met by a detemined and resilient Yoker Team who have hauled themselves into the Promotion Race with this victory. Ashfield will be wondering how they managed to lose this game after missing a host of chances throughout the Match.
Both Teams started brightly with Yoker forcing Ashfield on the back foot with a series of Free kicks and Corners, however Stevie McGovern in the Ashfield Goal looked very assured. The first clear cut chance of the Match fell to Kevin Miller of Ashfield when the ball broke to him in the box, only to see his shot blocked by the Yoker `keeper. On the quarter hour mark Ashfield should have taken the lead after a frenetic spell saw two goal line clearances by Yoker from efforts by Alan `Spider` Smith and Tony Chalmers.


There was a lot of tough tackling in the Midfield area, however the Referee must be commended for letting the game flow and showing a lot of common sense with his decisions. After an even spell, it was Yoker who struck first, after a wind assisted clearance was partially cleared by the Ashfield defence, resulting in a cross from the right wing which was met well by the onrushing striker and his header glanced into the top right hand corner of McGovern`s net to the delight of the bench and home support.


Yoker Athletic 1 Ashfield 0. Ashfield tried to get back on level terms before Half-Time, however found the Yoker Defence difficult to break down and just on the Half-Time whistle, Ashfield were struck a massive blow after a right wing closs was deflected by the Ashfield Defence to the unmarked Yoker No11 who dispatched a low drive into the corner of the net.

Yoker Athletic 2 Ashfield 0.

HALF TIME:- YOKER ATHLETIC 2 ASHFIELD 0

Ashfield came out strongly at the start of the Second Half and pinned back the Yoker Defence for the bulk of the Second Half. Again, Ashfield failed to take early chances when a Mark Thomson header went narrowly wide from 8 yards out. On the 55th Minute however Ashfield pulled a well merited goal back when Gordon Passmore`s Cross on the right was met on the half volley by Man of the Match Martin Gault who stroked the ball into the Yoker net.

Yoker Athletic 2 Ashfield 1. It looked ominous for Yoker as Ashfield piled on the pressure, however Ashfield failed to capitalise after missed chances from Tony Chalmers and Darren O`Donnell.

It really was a frantic end to the Match, however as the game came to a close Yoker found renewed confidence and defended resolutely also missing chances on the break. This was a disappointing result for the `field, however not a bad performance and the Ashfield players can go into next week`s game against Port Glasgow with confidence at the number of chances they are creating.




FULL TIME:- YOKER ATHLETIC 2 ASHFIELD 1

Man of the Match:- On the scoresheet again and dominating in Midfield, Martin Gault wins the MOM for the Second Successive Match.

Attendance:- 35 ( Crowd badly affected by Old Firm Match and Weather, however Ashfield had half of the Crowd)

Photographs by : Inga

More pictures from this match can be seen in our Gallery Section, Click here

Match report from the Clydebank Post Newspaper - http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/articles/2/21929