AFC Blackpool 3 Ashton Town 0: Birchall double on debut
AFC Blackpool continued their unbeaten start to the North West Counties League season with a comfortable home win.
A brace for new signing Liam Birchall and a thunderous volley from Conah Bishop made it seven points out of nine in First Division North for Martin Baird’s side.
The game kicked off 30 minutes late because the visitors had travel issues and Ashton were first to put the ball in the net on seven minutes, though the goal was ruled out for offside.
This spurred AFC into action and Ric Seear stung the keeper's hands when Birchall crossed to the back post.
AFC broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, when Fran Donaghy's ball over the top found Josh Winder and he teed-up Birchall for a debut goal in the bottom left corner.
Mechanics threatened again almost instantly, Birchall turning provider for Bishop, whose shot from range was well saved.
After a drinks break enabled the players to cool down in the 30-degree heat, Blackpool continued to dominate until half-time as Fran Donaghy twice headed wide.
Baird’s side picked up where they had left off in the second half as Josh Dolby beat two defenders to go one-on-one with the keeper but scuffed his shot after having his shirt tugged.
A 54th-minute move started with a great Bishop challenge and ended with Tarren Moxon heading just over from Maine Walder's head-back.
Three substitutions on the hour gave AFC a new lease of life and Bishop doubled their lead, volleying a deflected cross into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.
A penalty for a foul by Donaghy gave Ashton hope with 10 minutes left but the spot-kick rattled a post and Dan Hall saved the rebound.
Victory was sealed when substitute Callum McHale floated the ball over from the left for Birchall to head his second at the back post.