Match report: Ashton Athletic 2 Squires Gate 1

Gate were involved in the league’s first ‘ground hop’ day and played the first of Easter Sunday’s three games.

Gate started superbly and looked to have adjusted well to Danny Penswick’s tactical switch of three up front.

They opened the scoring after two minutes as Joe Noblet reacted quickest when keeper Martin Pearson dropped Tarren Moxon’s cross into the box.

Ashton would equalise in some style 15 minutes later with a well-worked goal.

The ball was played low into the back post where the Ashton striker backheeled the ball past Griffith and into the bottom corner.

Gate’s overall performance was very encouraging in the first half, reacting well to going behind and still trying to carve out chances.

Firstly Max Rothwell took aim from outside the box but fired wide before Noblet tried to grab another goal but was also off target.

As the first half came to a close Ashton had a couple of chances to give them hope for the second half.

Compared to the first half, the second half was completely different for Gate and the phrase ‘game of two halves’ has never been so appropriate.

Ashton would take the lead after 69 minutes when they struck with two passes and a clever finish.

Moxon gave the ball away up front trying to play in Jordan Casey; Ashton broke forward down the right and crossed the ball low into the box for a spare man to fire past Griffith.

The second half started to fizzle out for Gate who didn’t really get back into the game until the last 10 minutes but late chances from free kicks and corners couldn’t be converted.

Corey Moorhead did well to stretch and keep in a late corner but Gate couldn’t capitalise from the follow up.

Gate now travel to fourth-bottom AFC Darwen, looking to win and move themselves further away from the chasing pack.