DIVISION ONE: Five-star Ashton too good for Prestige (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

DIVISION ONE: Five-star Ashton too good for Prestige

2:00pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News

BOTH Steeple Ashton Rangers and Prestige Bodyworks impressed with their opening-day victories in Division One.

The two title candidates were paired together on Sunday and it was Ashton who managed to grab back-to-back wins thanks to a five-star performance which saw them take the spoils by virtue of their 5-1 triumph.

Ashton pressed early on in the game, not allowing the Prestige back line to settle.

Warly chances saw Mark Hunt fire over and Jake Sainsbury go close. 

It took 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. A ball forward was headed away from danger, but only as far as Ashton skipper Hunt whose 25 yard shot was sweetly-struck leaving the Prestige keeper with no chance.

It wasn't too long until Prestige were back on level terms.

Ashton committed a foul 20 yards from goal, the resulting Prestige free kick appeared to be gathered by stand-in keeper Paul Taylor but was spilled to the feet of Sam Pring who reacted fastest to tuck the ball home.

Five  minutes later Taylor made amends for his earlier error, Ryan Tyrell cut inside from the left and his right foot shot looked to be trickling into the bottom corner, but Taylor's outstretched arm managed to tip the ball wide for a corner.

Ashton were soon back on the offensive, as a neat through ball by Phil Lewis found debutant Paul Gittens but his right footed strike went just wide of the post.

But it wasn't too long before Ashton regained the lead, Mark Reynolds picked the ball up on halfway and slid the ball through for Jake Sainsbury who used his strength to hold off his marker before slotting under the keeper form close range.

Prestige applied the early pressure in the second half but Ashton’s back line stood firm only allowing Prestige efforts from range. 

On 60 minutes Ashton pulled two goals ahead, Paul Gittens cut in from the left and squared the ball to Reynolds whose side-footed strike from 20 yards beat the keeper to open his account for the season.

Ashton's next attack all but sealed the victory, as a Lee Mounty ball put Gittens through and his effort across the keeper was well converted into the net. 

There was still time for Ashton to score again, as Holloway and Ritson with good work at the back found substitute Marc Sheppard on the left and he raced towards the box and his right footed strike found the net with a little help from the post.

Castle FC 1 Bradford Renegades 5

A WEEK after being on the end of a 7-0 drubbing in the opening game of the season, Castle FC had a chance to make amends when they welcomed old foes Bradford Renegades to their Sands Lane base.

However Renegades ran out somewhat fortunate 5-1 winners.

After admitting they were well beaten last week it was more of a case of feeling hard done by for Perkins' men this week as a few key moments didn't go their way.

Renegades dominated the opening 20 minutes and got themselves in front when Sam Jordan was through on goal and shot past stand-in keeper Doug Dickson to make it 1-0.

Castle grew into the game the longer the half went on and created several opportunities that they were guilty of spurning.

Castle were left to rue these missed chances when Renegades got their second of the morning when Lance Davis rounded Dickson to slot into an empty net.

The second half was much the same as the first with Castle dominating possession and wasting a couple of glorious chances, hitting the woodwork in the process.

Renegades killed the game when they went 3-0 up after 60 minutes with Sam Jordan scoring his second of the game after good work from Davis.

Castle gave themselves a lifeline five minutes later when Jack Fisher was upended in the box and Joe Unsworth stepped up to slot the penalty away.

At this point The Castle had Renegades pinned back and were peppering their goal.

The turning point of the half came with 15 minutes remaining when Ben House headed home at the back post.

With the goal given the referee spotted a flag from Renegades and after consulting with the linesman, changed his mind and gave the offside which was hotly disputed.

Renegades went on to get another two goals in the last five minutes, Josh Maguire making it 4-1 before Sam Jordan scored from the spot to seal a second hat-trick in as many games.

Castle manager Tom Perkins said after the game: "Last week we were beaten fair and square no complaints however this week myself and the rest of the lads feel slightly robbed, although there's no saying we would of gone on to get an equaliser.

"With 15 minutes remaining and the way the game was set up I was confident of getting something from the game however now the scoreline is somewhat flattering to the opposition."

FC Boroughs 1 Corsham United 3

WITH both FC Boroughs and Corsham United newly promoted to the division, both teams were looking for the scalp of each other this term after last season’s two entertaining draws between the sides. 

Corsham came out on top as they came from a goal down to claim a 3-1 win.

After a goalless first half Sam Parker put Boroughs ahead. 

Stuart Tutty squared things up for Corsham and goals from Joe Pritchard and Darrin Moss sealed a memorable win for Kai Flack’s side.

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