On a cold Friday night, Ashton Athletics’ past players lined up against Wigan Athletics’ past players to play in the annual Peter Catterall Trophy and also to support the Emma Hoolin appeal.
One hundred and ninety six supportive souls turned up for a cracking game of football @ Brocstedes Park.
A match that started off in a tentative style, with both teams working out how each other would play in this eagerly contested tie. The first 10 minutes only having a Wigan Athletic free kick that sailed over the bar to show for any action. The 15th minute saw Wigan attack and a breaking ball put David Lowe through for him to slot it passed the goalie into the bottom right corner, 1-0 Wigan. Could Ashton come back, they were showing some promise?
Ashton then had 2 decent chances on 30minutes their nippy winger No.# 11 down the left put a peach of a ball across the face of goal, only to find the penalty area vacant of any catching up players. Then Ashton’s best chance on 33 minutes, No. #6 (we think his name was Gary) had a one on one breaking through Wigan’s defence like the proverbial hot knife, only to find that Wigan’s ringer goalkeeper Colin Clarke was cat like saving well to his right. It was a missed that proved to be costly as 2 minutes later step forward the god that is Peter Atherton, his raking 35 yard looping screamer hitting the ‘back of the net’ to make it 2-0 to Wigan.
The remainder of the half saw Wigan then dominate with Andy Pilling having a shot cleared off the line and Andy Lyons then knocking a 3rd in for Wigan just before half time, Ashton had one last chance No. #8 (We believe it could be Steve) going close.
Half time and the pies were very good, but where was the gravy?
The 2nd half saw a tactical change for Wigan, with Neil Rimmer coming on for Kevin Langley, it took just 5 minutes for Wigan to make it 4-0, a corner from the right saw man mountain David Lowe rising above everyone else to nod it home. Soon after this Ashton again paid for their finishing with their No. #4 hitting the bar.
Tiredness started to creep in and the pace of the game slowed and this brought the annual dodgy tackles ala 1970’s, on 60 minutes though Ashton Athletics’ No.#3 (apologies we tried to get their names) started a mazy run beating at least 3 Wigan players ala Archie Gemmill ’1978 only to finish like Hugo ‘2011. A few more attacks followed with Wigan glancing the crossbar on 70 minutes, David Lowe having a shot well saved (Habsi style) on 73 and Andy Pilling lob just over on 75.
Ashton though were to score after a goalkeeping clanger, a 50 50 ball in the area & Ashton’s No.# 6 (Gary) was to score after the goalkeeper fell not once but twice to gift a tap in to make it 4-1.
David Lowe was to finish the match off with a superb solo effort on 85, cutting through the tiring Ashton defence to find his shot saved onto the bar only for it fall kindly for him to head home for 5-1 and his Hat-trick.
The ref blew for full time, the officials too giving their fees towards the Emma Hoolin appeal and it was off to the club house for a pint.
The presentations were made, and a nice touch was for Ashton Athletic to present a cheque to TNS’s own Bernard for the Anthony Ramsdale appeal.
Ashton also presented a cheque to Emma Hoolin’s family for the evening’s football event.
Finally the Peter Catterall trophy was presented to Wigan’s Peter Atherton who retains the trophy for yet another year.
Thanks for all those who supported the evening, special thanks for Andy Lyons for the time and chat after the match and also to Jonathan Jackson who supported the evening on behalf of Wigan Athletic.
Andy
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