Ashbourne 4, Hanley Town 2 (20/09/2017 19:30) - Staffordshire Senior County League

Ashbourne FC are another one of those Derbyshire clubs that I have seen play as an away side. I had not been to the ground that they call 'home'. Tonight was a great opportunity to rectify that.

Their former home, the 'Ashbourne Recreation Ground', was not of 'Step 7' standard and as such their progression has necessitated a 'home' venue suitable for the eleventh tier of English football; and so, for the time being, Ashbourne play at Rocester's Hillsfield Ground, seven miles southwest of 'The Gateway to Dove Dale', in Staffordshire.

Like Belper Town's Christchurch Meadow, Hillsfield sits in the shadow of a Mill, an Arkwright Mill of 1782. The ground itself is tidy and sufficient for the needs of the both Ashbourne FC and their landlords, 'The Romans', a Midland League (Step 5) team.

I was not expecting a classic by any means. Both Ashbourne and Hanley had made very average starts to the season, with the teams 5th from bottom and 3rd from bottom respectively.

A small crowd of 20 or so were treated to six goals shared, albeit unevenly, between two very youthful teams. Both teams had energy but were lacking in the strength, experience and composure that one sees in a typical Central Midlands League game.

Ashbourne had the territorial advantage for the majority of the 90 minutes but it was Hanley, playing on the break with fast moves, that had the better chances early-doors. A flicked header lead to chance from the edge of the box and a decent effort struck the crossbar. Minutes later Hanley were ahead from a free-kick.

Ashbourne deservedly levelled before the interval and then pretty much bossed the second-half.

The goals are described thus:

0:1 A free-kick in a central position, some 30 yards out, was fiercely struck and a deflection took the ball past the 'keeper's left hand.
1:1 Following some good build up play down the right, a lovely flicked pass inside the box opened up the defence for the striker to find the far corner of the goal, across the 'keeper, from 9 yards out.
2:1 A shot from 25 yards thundered against the cross bar, came down and out with the 'keeper floundering. Number 9 followed up the shot and calmly nodded the ball, unchallenged, past the 'keeper.
3:1 In a left of centre position, 20 yards out, a spinning right foot shot beat the 'keeper low down at the near post.
4:1 A good run down the right was followed by a driving cross. Number 10, running onto the cross, fired home low to the 'keeper's right from 6 yards.
4:2 A shot from a central position in a crowded box found its way through the (otherwise exemplary) 'keeper.