Cheadle Town 2-3 Ashton Town

A last-minute Ashton Town goal dumped Cheadle out of the FA Vase and exacted cold revenge for their FA Cup defeat earlier in the month.

Without three key players - Deano, Mac and Carpy - Cheadle were always going to have it a bit tougher today. However, it was they who drew first blood. A rather colourless first 15 minutes was broken by the Andy Lindon goal when he collected an Arron Riley flick-on and, whether he meant it or not, sailed the ball over the Ashton 'keeper whilst positioned on the right wing.

Ashton Town got back on even terms on 24 minutes when a teasing left-wing cross was side-footed in past Mellor.

Cheadle missed a glorious chance to go back into the lead four minutes later when Carl Buchanan blasted a shot against the 'keeper's body, only to see the rebound ballooned horrendously wide by McDonagh.

After that it was Ashton Town asking most of the questions. On 34 minutes a cross from the right was just headed over the bar and on the stroke of half-time, another header got a little bit closer when it struck the crossbar.

By this point, Cheadle were down to ten men as Heathy got involved in a tussle with an Ashton player and ended up swinging a wild punch at him (which fortunately for the Ashton player didn't connect).

And that's all I saw as at half-time I had to leave. At that point the tie was starting to fray at the edges for Cheadle as they were down to ten men and Ashton Town were looking the more likely team to score again....which they did, twice, after Arron Riley had got Cheadle back into the lead on the 50th minute. Four minutes later, Ashton converted a penalty before they snatched the win in the 90th.

Ah well. That's the Vase campaign over and out. Onwards to the FA Cup next Saturday where the squad can pick themselves up again at Dinnington...

Photos from the day can be seen by clicking here.

TEAM: Mellor, Heath, B Roberts, Cotterill, A Roberts, Brocklehurst, Riley, Buchanan, Lindon, McDonagh, Hussain. Subs: Flanagan, Atkinson, Logan