by Laurie Newman
Mickleover Sports were defeated one-nil by Ashton United at home despite having a one man advantage for the majority of the game.
Mickleover Sports will be kicking themselves after today’s match as they had countless opportunities to draw level with the visitors who picked up their first league win of the season at the Don Amott Arena.
Ashton United took an early lead thanks to Aaron Smith after he dribbled the ball from inside his own half until he was just inside Mickleover’s box. He then stroked the ball past Nathan Broome and into the bottom right hand corner.
Sports nearly went two goals behind within a few minutes of the opener after Callum Dolan’s shot from inside the box nearly found the bottom left hand corner.
Ashton United were on the front foot as they had a number of opportunities to double their lead but the game was flipped on its head when Joshua Wilson brought down Nathan Modest after he was played in on goal with just the keeper to beat.
The extra man advantage allowed Mickleover to dominate the ball for the remainder of the half but they failed to create any real chances for the remainder of the half apart from a header by Richard Batchelor at the back post which was saved by David Carnell.
Sports came out all guns blazing in the second half. They could have equalised within a minute of the referee’s whistle when Declan Bacon found himself inside the box with the ball at his feet, but he failed to get his shot away quickly and was subsequently tackled.
Mickleover were on the front foot and they continued to press Ashton and put them under pressure. Richard Batchelor nearly scored for Sports as he found himself at eh far post again but this time he couldn’t direct the ball towards the goal.
Sports had a few chances in quick succession. The first came from Lee Hughes when he nearly guided the ball into the top left corner from a tight angle after a quick throw in. The second came from Jack Storer whose shot was headed away after making his way past three players inside the box.
Declan Bacon who wasted a great chance in the first half would go on to squander two more chances before the end of the match.
Bacon’s first opportunity came when he shot straight at the keeper after being played in behind the back four by Batchelor and his second came when his volley from inside the box was easily saved in the centre of the goal.
Sports didn’t conjure up any more clear cut chances for the remainder of the match which left them kicking themselves after wasting numerous opportunities to equalise. If Sports did equalise they would have most likely went on to win the game.
Sports missed a great opportunity to move up the table as well as losing their 100% win ratio at home. There is now a long break before the next game which will be a great time to regroup and prepare for the next game.