Ashton Town AFC

Ground 36

Match 37

North west Counties Division 1

Ashton Town 1-2 Chadderton

Ground - The AM Property Group Stadium
Edge Green Street Ashton in Makerfield

Ground Capacity 2,000

Founded 1953 as Makerfield Mill

Admission £5

Programme £1.20

Distance Travelled 19 miles

Nickname The Town

Kit - Red Black red

Attendance 31
























No problem finding Egde Green Street and adequate parking space . Indeed many cars parked up inside the ground on ample space set back from the clubhouse goal side .
The gate attendant was friendly enough and i got good vibes about the place . The clubhouse was to the right of the turnstile , on the far touchline are two separate covered seated stands which , to be honest , have seen better days . No doubt the club makes the most of what its got and at this level its adequate . Dug outs and a changing room adorn the clubhouse touchline with a combination of metal poles and advertising boards completing the far goal side . Managed to grab a drink before the match started , only £2.20 for a pint of smooth . I 'd purchased the match programme and at £1.20 no complaints , its a decent read and well edited . Bar and kitchen staff provided an excellent service with a smile . Coffee 80p , tea 60p , most pies £1.50 .

The bitter cold blowing gale force wind could make it difficult for the teams but at least it was going to be a colourful affair . Town in red and black , Chadderton in orange/amber/black ,lemon and marroon . A concotion of Dundee United and Motherwell blended together , at least its different , no trouble spotting the players !



Chadderton make the early running and take a deserved scrappy lead through Socha after 18 mins . The ball should have been cleared and at this stage it looked likely to be a 'ride in the park ' for ' Chaddy . ' Town began to create a few opportunities and for a side struggling third bottom of the league , put some decent moves together . They seem to lack confidence and belief in front of goal but eventually equalised through McGill after 33 mins . Chaddy were still looking dangerous and created several more scary moments for the home fans before Danny Shaw made it 2-1 on 40 minutes after the keeper could only parry a shot straight to him with the goal gaping .
Half-time Ashton Town 1-2 Chadderton .

Ashton Towns equalising goal .























The second half is fairly even , both teams put on decent displays taking into account the appalling wind and bitter cold . Town pass the ball confidently at the back but still lack the extra quality in front of goal . Chaddy are just as composed and almost get a third , a fierce volley denied by a stunning save from Towns keeper at point blank range on the edge of the six yard box . It really was a terriffic save . almost the last kick of the game nearly results in an equaliser for Town but the shot is struck wide . The final whistle sees Chadderton retaining their lead but it could have gone either way ; probably a draw would have been fair but credit to both sides for an entertaining afternoon .

Match Officials 8/10 generally on the mark .

Ashton Town photos January 7, 2012">