Annbank United 6 Ashfield 4 , West of Scotland League Conference A, Dam Park, Ayr - Kick-Off 1.45pm The game was switched yesterday from Annbank`s New Pebble Park to Dam Park in Ayr, home of Whitletts Victoria to ensure the match went ahead and from an entertainment point of view the decision to move certainly paid off especially for the home side who looked a very strong outfit indeed. The last two games now between the teams have produced an amazing 19 goals with the `field coming out on top in the last encounter by 6-3. The Bankies however showed why they are undefeated in the League so far attacking the `field straight from kick off with a shot that went narrowly past the post as early as the 1st minute. The new strike force of Steven Currie and Ex-Hearts Striker Christian Nade had a strong feel to it and the Ashfield Back four knew they were in for a difficult afternoon from the start. On the 6th minute with the home side pushing forward at every opportunity the Bankies were awarded a penalty after Friel infringed and it was Steven Currie, on loan from Hurlford, who drilled the ball low and hard past the despairing arms of Ryan Dakhill in the Ashfield goal. Annbank Utd 1 Ashfield 0. The `field continued to struggle and a couple of difficult corners were eventually scrambled to safety before the game suddenly changed in the 16th minute when Ashfield played in Callum Graham who gathered a pass in front of the last defenders and as he bore down on goal drove the ball into the far corner of the net to level the scores with the `field`s first attack. Annbank United 1 Ashfield 1. The home side were rocked by this goal for a while after dominating early play and Ashfield then upped the pace and on the half hour mark following nice interplay, the big Ashfield striker made room for himself before cutting back and driving the ball into the net. A great goal ! Annbank Utd 1 Ashfield 2. The `field found themselves in `dreamland` 5 minutes later when Callum Graham was played through again and despite the attention of the Bankies defence he made room for himself before finishing with aplomb to complete his hat-trick. Annbank Utd 1 Ashfield 3. The game was really open as the play went from end to end however in the 44th Minute the home side were awarded a corner on the far right and as the ball was whipped into the box, it was Nade who outmuscled the visiting defence to bullet a header into the roof of the net to haul Annbank back into the game. Annbank Utd 2 Ashfield 3. The half was not finished just yet and Ashfield producd their best move of the match with lovely play involving Hepburn and Crerand who found Dean Leverage racing down the left flank. The Ashfield left back delivered a low cross which was turned in by Callum Graham who side footed the ball home via the far post. Annbank Utd 2 Ashfield 4. What an end to an amazing first half however both teams knew that there was more to come. ? HT:- ANNBANK UTD 2 ASHFIELD 4 ? It was important for the visitors to keep things `tight` early on in the second half as the home side would have been eager to try and get back into the Match however it wasn`t to be as the impressive Bankies left back gathered the ball 25 yards out in the 51st minute following a defensive clearance and took one stride forward before unleasing a drive into the top corner of the net leaving Dakhill in the Ashfield goal helpless. Annbank Utd 3 Ashfield 4. The home side looked galvanised after this and went on to give the Glasgow Side a torrid afternoon from then on in. Within 5 minutes and the game was `all square` following a corner which resulted in a good old `stramash` in the box with Nade`s power allowing him to poke the ball to the far post which saw an onrushing Bankies player who drove the ball in from close range. Annbank Utd 4 Ashfield 4. It was `game on` now and the visitors were struggling now to get any cohesion to their play and the `tide` continued to head one way and the home side went ahead with 20 minutes left on the clock. The goal came from an Ashfield corner however when the move broke down the ball was played out to Steven Currie who ran in on goal despatching a left foot drive past Ryan Dakhill to turn the game on it`s head. Annbank Utd 5 Ashfield 4. The `field made a couple of changes bringing Boyce, Rodden and Giblin on to try and forage something however the Bankies defence stood firm and with 8 minutes to go went further ahead when Currie was again played through after a couple of loose passes from Ashfield as as the Bankies forward was about to shoot he was upended by Dean Leverage with the Referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Steven Currie stepped up again and gave Dakhill no chance from the spot. Annbank Utd 6 Ashfield 4. Despite a couple of free kicks late on for Ashfield, it was the home side who held out to secure a valuable 3 points. As Referee brought proceedings to a close, the visitors will have a lot to ponder ahead of next week`s visit from Ardeer Thistle - to score four goals away from home and leave without anything is disappointing however the home side fully deserved the victory and look to have the makings of a very good team. ? ? FT:- ANNBANK UTD 6 ASHFIELD 4 ? Man of the Match:- What a tremendous effort from both teams who put on a very good attacking show. Callum Graham hauled the `field back into the game after a shaky start and his finishing was of the highest order in an amazing first half. ? Attendance:- Closed Doors ? Ashfield`s Team:- R Dakhill, C Friel, D Leverage, J Barr, S Doherty, C Leverage, B Hepburn, J Howat, C Graham, L Crerand and R McManus. Subs:- M Giblin, C Beedham, B Quate, J Crumlish, B Rodden, M Boyce, C Sideserf, M McManus and A Byrne
