The weather forecast was not good ahead of yesterday`s re-arranged fixture at Robertson Park however Uddingston had its own micro-climate yesterday and the weather during the Match was very kind. Both teams had met in early September and a close encounter was expected again. Ashfield had a couple of returnees from injury and it was good to see Graeme Hearton back in the line up alongside debutant Lee Cochrane and also a return to the Goalkeeping position for Gary McLenaghan. The Match was played at great pace early on and it was the `field who started the brightest utilising the height of Paul Maxwell with a couple of close calls early on narrowly missing the goal. The `field were utilising the flanks extremely well coupled with Kenny Hadden`s long throw-ins and the Thorniewood back four had to be on their metal to keep the `field at bay. As the half wore on the home side began to carve some openings for themselves however Gary McLenaghan on the whole dealt well with some long range shooting from Thorniewood. On the half hour mark and just as the game was beginning to get a big bogged down in Midfield, the visitors opened the scoring and what a goal it was. The `field had been pressing however the ball broke out to young Lee Cochrane 25 yards out and the Ex-Renfrew man drove the ball into the top corner past the despairing arms of the `wood Keeper to the delight of the travelling support. This must be contender for goal of the Season and a great way to mark your debut. Thorniewood Utd 0 Ashfield 1. Ashfield sensed further goals and lay siege on the `wood back four for the next 5 minutes however efforts from Hearton and Maxwell were well dealt with. The home side finished the half well and both teams knew that the game was far from over. HT:- Thorniewood Utd 0 Ashfield 1 The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Ashfield playing high up the park and before Thorniewood could plan to claw back the 1-0 deficit they found themselves further behind courtesy of an excellent strike from Graeme Hearton. The goal in the 48th minute came from a corner on the right where the ball was cleared from the penalty box however found Gordon Passmore in unfamiliar territory. The Ashfield stalwart managed to get a shot in which took a deflection into the path of Hearton and the young Ashfield Striker finished with aplomb for his 6th Goal of the Season. Thorniewood Utd 0 Ashfield 2. The home side made immediate changes to their line up and after a 10-15 minute spell of competitve football, all of a sudden the home side began to make some chances. The Ashfield back two of John Gaynor and Gordon Passmore had been terrific however the home side started playing diagonal balls into the box and should have pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go as the ball was headed across the 6 yard box only to see Damon Welsh fail to control and the chance was lost. A couple of minutes later and a lovely one-two on the edge of the box saw the `wood`s No 7 drive the ball goalwards before taking a deflection past McLenaghan in the Ashfield goal and inches past the post. Following a corner, Thorniewood`s No 5 outjumped the visiting defence however could not keep his header down. The `field knew they were in a game and had to be at their best to keep the home side out however with 14 minutes left on the clock should have wrapped up the points following a brilliant run from Leverage saw the ball played across the goal however somehow Graeme Hearton put the ball over the crossbar when it looked easier to score. The home side continued to press Ashfield right up until the final whistle and played some good football however the `field remained resolute to secure a valuable three points. Not a failure in the Ashfield Team today with everyone working extremely hard. Special mentions to the back four and Keeper Gary McLenaghan and also Mark McManus in midfield. It`s back to Cup action this week for the West of Scotland Cup 1st Round Tie at home to Rossvale. ? FT:- Thorniewood Utd 0 Ashfield 2
