UniBond Premier League

25th April 2007

Attendance - 198

Team - Campbell, Brumwell, Stewart, Appleby, Webster, Janes, Ormerod, Nogan(Hollingsworth 66), Raw, Brunskill, McTiernan. Subs not used: Robinson, A Reid.

Report - by Andrew Snaith - Fourth-bottom Ashton United came back to win 3-2 from 2-1 down as Whitby's end of season slump continued at the Turnbull Ground on Wednesday night. Two scrappy second half goals were enough to turn the game on its head after Tom Raw and Dave McTiernan had put Whitby 2-1 up at half-time.

Manager Lee Nogan made three changes from the side that lost to championship-chasing Witton Albion on Saturday, in came Byron Webster at centre-half, Tom Raw up front and goalkeeper David Campbell made a first start since January. Work commitments ruled out, with Darren Hollingsworth and Arran Reid dropped to the bench.

Whitby made a bright start and were unlucky not to lead inside two minutes when top scorer Danny Brunskill's close range effort deflected off the covering defender but was saved with his legs by keeper Lee Bracey. But the Blues did break the deadlock seven minutes later, skipper Matty Appleby's long free-kick from inside his own half was touched on by McTiernan for Raw to half volley the ball on the turn into the bottom-right corner of the net.

However, the Greater Manchester side battling relegation as the fourth-bottom side at step 3 with the worst record, levelled just three minutes later. Steve Garvey was allowed time to pick his spot as the Whitby defence backed off, and the former Crewe midfielder sidefooted low into the bottom-right corner past Campbell, from the edge of the area.

Brunskill headed McTiernan's left-wing cross over the crossbar from close range before Whitby re-took the lead on 24 minutes. It was same combination as their opener as Raw laid off for McTiernan to fire home clinically from 18 yards via the inside of Bracey's right-hand post.

21-year-old midfield man Danny Forde should've equalised for the visitors though five minutes later, but the former Oldham youngster missed his kick when unmarked from point blank range at the far post after a dangerous drilled cross from the right was missed by Webster. At the other end, Brunskill's well-timed through ball saw Raw scamper through to beat the offside trap exchange passes with his manager but saw his tentative drive charged down. Forde chipped just over the top from the edge of the Whitby box two minutes before the break.

The second half, like Saturday, belonged to the visitors. 11 minutes in, Garvey broke clear but got the ball trapped under his feet and Campbell was able to collect at his feet. Moments later, Phil Conney's effort was deflected onto the crossbar off Webster and Garry Kharas headed across goal and wide when well placed at the far post.

Campbell saved well from Ian Bennett's awkward low drive with the Whitby keeper watching the ball well, but the away side showeds the sparsely-populated Turnbull Ground with the equaliser seconds later. The Whitby keeper saved one effort after another dangerous ball from the right, but Kharas was on hand and the German born striker made no mistake this time with a header from point blank range.

Nogan made way for Hollingsworth as Whitby reshuffled but within four minutes of levelling, Ashton took the lead for the first time. A floated cross from the left somehow made its way through to the unmarked Tommy Taylor at the far post, and the ex-Marine forward gleefully nodded the ball into the net.

Nine minutes from time, Whitby had a goal chalked off as Brunskill squared Raw to sidefoot home from an apparent offside position. None of the three officials covered themselves in glory as questionable challenges were missed, and seemingly mystery offences were spotted and given. Kharas could've put the result beyond doubt four minutes from time, but Campbell saved well when faced with a one on one against the ex-Stalybridge forward. Ashton made all three of their changes from the 89th minute onwards, but they need not have worried about running down the clock with the last chance going their way- forward Tom Baker getting his coordinates wrong at the far post and poking a real corner flag effort across the six yard box.