Ashton Ladies 1 v 4 Portishead Reserves

Ashton Ladies exited out of the County Cup to high flying Portishead Reserves from Division One at The NL Services stadium in what was a closely fought contest despite what the scoreline suggests.

From the off and using the slight slope to their advantage, Portishead were on the attack from the off. Portishead were rewarded with a goal in the 5th minute which seen them take the lead with some slick passing on the edge of the box and a finish to beat player of the match Keira Allan.

Portishead continued their attack but the Ashton back 5 held out well along with Ashton Keeper pulling off some fine saves to keep the scoreline down. Ashton themselves had opportunities with Lainey Bartley, Honey Ongley and Edyta Sawon all having efforts saved by the impressive Portishead keeper. It was certainly a day for the keepers with both making great saves.

The half finished with the single goal from Portishead and both teams having fine efforts saved by both inform goalkeepers.

The second half started with Ashton in attack and creating chances in an effort to get back into the match but again found the Portishead keeper in fine form saving chance after chance.

However, it was Portishead that extended their lead when some exchanges in midfield found a Portishead player break the backline and slot the ball past the advancing Keira Allan to make it 0-2.

Ashton continued to attack and with some great corners sent in from Meli Millard-Riga one found Liv Plummer whose effort rebounded off the upright and eventually cleared by the Portishead defence.

Portishead, now playing uphill again broke the backline and the number 8 with pace raced into the box and slipped the ball under the advancing Keira Allan who clashed with the Portishead player resulting in a penalty awarded by the referee. The penalty was converted making the scoreline 0-3

Ashton gave themselves a lifeline shortly after when Honey Ongley raced passed the Portishead right back, put a floating cross into the box which the Portishead keeper couldn’t collect, and the advancing Josie Almond was there on hand to chest the ball over the line to make 1-3.

Ashton kept pushing but it was Portishead who finished the scoring when a corner taken from the club house corner of the pitch resulted in a mix up and the ball rebounded off Keira Allan and into the empty net.

After the match Manager Steve Ponsford had this to say, “I thought we gave a good account of ourselves today against a good side from the division above”. Ponsford continued, “it shows that if we get promotion, we can hold our own in division one”. We conceded a penalty and scored an own goal and if some of our chances went in the match would have taken a different turn and we would be looking at it differently”. “I am really pleased with how the match went, we didn’t disappoint ourselves in anyway”. “I would say that we need to get a little fitter as we did start to look leggy at the end where they looked fresher on a heavy pitch”.

Next up, Ashton Ladies face Add Down at The Creek in what is 1st v 2nd where a win could see Ashton Ladies go top of the league for the first time in their history.