League

Ashton-under-Lyne
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Reggie Mannell started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 3rd minute the ball was on its way in behind Darlington United's goalkeeper Charlie Phelps, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Don Rowe struck a weak shot in the 6th minute. Charlie Phelps didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ashton-under-Lyne. If Reggie Mannell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 14th minute Sammy Leatherdale shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matty Barraclough saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 17th minute the ball was on its way in behind Ashton-under-Lyne's goalkeeper Matty Barraclough, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 1-0 became the score in the 20th minute when Don Rowe elegantly shot the ball into goal just under the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Mattias Bilton during the 23rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Darlington United booed when Ashton-under-Lyne was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mattias Bilton didn't get a good kick on the ball. Reggie Mannell's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Charlie Phelps read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 26th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sammy Leatherdale in the 28th minute of play forced Ashton-under-Lyne's goalkeeper Matty Barraclough to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Reggie Mannell's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Charlie Phelps read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 32nd minute of play. 34 minutes into the match, Darlington United's goal looked a bit too open when Reggie Mannell came free, but Charlie Phelps reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The wind increased when Sammy Leatherdale made the kick off in the second half. Reggie Mannell recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Charlie Phelps stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Reggie Mannell's shot from short distance in the 57th minute. Sammy Leatherdale fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Matty Barraclough having to interfere. Olly Trueman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 62nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tim Hutchings's late challenge caught a Darlington United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Tim Hutchings helped the player get up and apologised. In the 75th match minute, Ashton-under-Lyne was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Tim Hutchings to maneuver through the defense. With 79 minutes on the clock, Paul Deighton commited a dangerous tackle. The referee had no choice but to show him the red card. After 78 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Darlington United! Reggie Mannell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 84th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Charlie Phelps having to interfere. If Reggie Mannell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 87th minute Don Rowe shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Charlie Phelps saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. A collision led to Ashton-under-Lyne getting a freekick after 89 minutes play. Mattias Bilton hit a great ball. Matty Barraclough made a fantastic save in the 90th minute, when Olly Trueman sent off a good shot on target. Darlington United's Olly Trueman got a good chance for a goal in the 95th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Don Holland hit a great freekick 96 minutes into the match. Ashton-under-Lyne were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Darlington United for a fine match.