Report by David Robinson
ASHTON UNITED 2, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1
ASHTON United edged a hotly contested local derby as Stalybridge Celtic’s troubles deepened after a sixth straight league defeat.
The Robins ended their own disappointing run of four successive league losses in the game which attracted a decent crowd of 510.
It was also a game which saw both sides finish a man light, Celtic’s Scott Holding sent off on his debut and Ashton’s Matt Regan also dismissed.
Regan saw an early header saved low down by Greg Hall before the visitors, who had three debutants in their starting line-up and another on the bench, moved ahead as Godwin Abadaki won a free kick 25 yards out.
Matthew Carson’s delivery only palmed out by Greg Hartley for Dylan Moonan to tuck the rebound away on his debut.
Kevin Spinelli’s head then met Joe Robbins free kick but put it straight into the keeper’s arms and Robbins’ left foot cross then saw a miskick in the visitors’ defence with Tom Warren unable to keep his effort down under challenge while Callum Saunders brought a low save out of Hall following a neat turn.
Just past the half hour, Ashton won a series of corners with Godwin Abadaki hacking one of them clear before a foul was eventually given against Regan.
Four minutes after the break and the decisive moment arrived as Sam Baird’s long ball broke to Saunders who was fouled in the area as he tried to turn past Holding, the defender picking up his second yellow card before Regan converted confidently.
With their tails now up, the Robins moved ahead as Ben Hardcastle’s overlapping run won a corner which saw substitute Mike Phenix head home Joe Robbins’ delivery from eight yards.
Moses Yoah then blocked out Ben Hardcastle from Brewster’s pass with Phenix’s eventual cross escaping everyone with Ashton now in the ascendancy.
Regan picked up a yellow card for fouling Raul Correira out wide with Hartley catching Carson’s latest free kick and Sam Baird then steered wide from Saunders’ touch following Regan’s header back from a corner.
With time running out, Osebi Abadaki was fouled on the edge of the area by Regan who also picked up his second booking with Carson over hitting the free kick as the home side held on to take all three points.
Ashton United: Hartley, Battersby, Warren, Baird, Regan, Brewster (Hough 74), Hardcastle, Milner, Spinelli (Phenix 46), Saunders, Robbins (Lonsdale 74). Subs (not used): Scanlon, Coates.