Yoker Athletic 0 Ashfield F & A C 2 at Holm Park, Yoker

An excellent start to Ashfield`s League Cup campaign at Yoker this evening. Two brilliantly finished goals from Darren O`Donnell were enough to see off a hard working Yoker side and things look very promising for the season ahead. Both teams contributed to an excellent and fiercely contested match which saw the game flow from end to end.
In an excellent first half in which Ashfield held the upper hand both teams showed that they will be very hard to beat this season. Ashfield had a great opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half when O`Donnell was brought down in the box. Michaell Tolland, who is normally clinical in these situations, blasted high and wide from the spot to the delight of the home support. Ashfield continued to press and Tony Chalmers was having an excellent match, and almost set up the lead close on half time when O`Donnell put the ball over the bar from six yards out. Mark Thomson was outstanding in defence and snuffed out the home attack on a regular basis & the Ashfield defence restricted Yoker to long distance set pieces.

HALF TIME:- YOKER ATHLETIC 0 ASHFIELD F & A C 0



Yoker `came out the traps` better in the second half and put the Ashfield back four under a bit of pressure, however Ashfield were very dangerous on the break, so much so that in the 55th Minute Ashfield took the lead after excellent wing play on the left resulting in the ball breaking to O`Donnell in the box. Darren controlled it expertly and lashed the ball under the Yoker keeper to give Ashfield the lead.
The match ebbed and flowed & McGovern in the Ashfield goal blocked a net bound effort with his legs shortly after.
Ashfield should have increased their lead when they had a 4 against 1 situation which resulted in a major let-off for the Yoker defence. After bringing on Dave Gumley and Joe Tartaglia as substitutes Ashfield made the game safe with 18 minutes to go when Darren O`Donnell, created and finished a marvellous goal, showing the prowess that made him Ashfield`s UnOfficial Website Player of the Year last year, when he controlled and drilled a curling shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the box to the delight of the Ashfield bench and the larger than normal away support. The game continued to flow and both teams deserve credit for their play which bodes well for the forthcoming season. Special mention to two of Ashfield`s new signings, Garscadden and Miller who contributed well to this excellent away win.

FULL TIME:- YOKER ATHLETIC 0 ASHFIELD F & A C 2
Attendance:- 82

Man of the Match:- Mark Thomson (Ashfield). closely followed by the front two of Tony Chalmers & Darren O`Donnell.