Morecambe went into this game as underdogs but came out of the game not knowing how they hadn't managed to win this game and progress into the next round. Despite going 2-0 down in the opening 20 minutes, Morecambe had most of the possession through out the game and showed grit and determination but just couldn't find the equaliser they desperately needed in the end.
Morecambe made two changes for this game with Liam Marshall replacing the unavailable Joe Shanley in goal and Dean Hughes back from suspension to replace Guy Gibson at centre back. From the kickoff, it looked as though it would be a one sided affair with Ashton quickly taking control in the middle of the park for the first ten minutes. Marshall was called into action on a few occasions , having to tip two efforts around the post. Morecambe's defence were also called in action with some frantic defending in the penalty area, having to make some last ditch blocks and tackles but the period of pressure finally paid off as they went in front.
A free kick on the left hand side of the penalty box was headed in over Marshall as Morecambe's marking was all over the place. This would prove to be a wake up call for the visitor's as Morecambe started to take control in the middle of the park whilst Ashton sat back and tried to play on the break. The Shrimps' started to create some chances but couldn't break through as the final ball was just not good enough. But out of nothing, Ashton extended their lead to 2-0. A Morecambe break was broken up and cleared up field by the centre back letting Ashton counter attack. The ball bounced up 30 yards out after Morecambe hadn't properly cleared, and was volleyed in over the stranded Marshall.
It was unexpected but it didn't stop Morecambe as they reduced the deficit straight away with Russell Moore bringing the Shrimps back into the game. Moore got the ball on the edge of the box and weaved his way through two weak challenges and managed to poke the ball past the keeper into the bottom right corner. The rest of the half was all Morecambe with Will Huntington ripping Ashton's right back to shreds and getting crosses in all the time which caused the hosts some real problems but the crosses weren't converted. The fast paced first half came to close with the score staying at 2-1 to Ashton but the second half would continue at this frantic pace.
The second half was just all Morecambe controlling everything. The visitors were winning every 50/50 tackle and looked like they wanted it more than Ashton and should have equalised in the first 10 minutes. Adam Bell headed a corner over the bar and Hughes volleying against the post as Ashton's defending was none existent from set-pieces. Sam Hallam then thought he had scored after hitting the sweetest of volley's from 6 yards out but somehow Ashton's keeper managed to tip it over the bar with a brilliant save.
However, once again Ashton scored out of nothing on the break to increase regain their two goal cushion. Another long kick up field bounced on the edge of the box and fell perfectly to Ashton's striker, whose unconvincing shot somehow sneaked into the corner. One which Marshall should have done better with. But just like before, Morecambe struck again straight away to bring them back into the game again. Moore and Huntington combined once again to weave their way through Ashton's defence, Moore then got tackled but the ball rolled across goal with the keeper in no man's land, and they were two Morecambe players waiting to score. Callum Crookes got their first to reduce the deficit.
Morecambe continued to press for the equaliser they needed but couldn't create any more clear chances like they had done before. The closest they came was when Huntington's cross was just too hard for substitute John Frizzle to reach. The game ended 3-2 to Ashton and would probably have been a huge sigh of relief for them as they knew that they had been in a game. Morecambe Will reflect on what might have been but performances like this are needed to be continued in the league if they want to do well.
Man of the Match - Dean Hughes - Brilliant on his return with some important last ditch tackles and he won everything in the air. However, everyone performed well and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Morecambe made two changes for this game with Liam Marshall replacing the unavailable Joe Shanley in goal and Dean Hughes back from suspension to replace Guy Gibson at centre back. From the kickoff, it looked as though it would be a one sided affair with Ashton quickly taking control in the middle of the park for the first ten minutes. Marshall was called into action on a few occasions , having to tip two efforts around the post. Morecambe's defence were also called in action with some frantic defending in the penalty area, having to make some last ditch blocks and tackles but the period of pressure finally paid off as they went in front.
A free kick on the left hand side of the penalty box was headed in over Marshall as Morecambe's marking was all over the place. This would prove to be a wake up call for the visitor's as Morecambe started to take control in the middle of the park whilst Ashton sat back and tried to play on the break. The Shrimps' started to create some chances but couldn't break through as the final ball was just not good enough. But out of nothing, Ashton extended their lead to 2-0. A Morecambe break was broken up and cleared up field by the centre back letting Ashton counter attack. The ball bounced up 30 yards out after Morecambe hadn't properly cleared, and was volleyed in over the stranded Marshall.
It was unexpected but it didn't stop Morecambe as they reduced the deficit straight away with Russell Moore bringing the Shrimps back into the game. Moore got the ball on the edge of the box and weaved his way through two weak challenges and managed to poke the ball past the keeper into the bottom right corner. The rest of the half was all Morecambe with Will Huntington ripping Ashton's right back to shreds and getting crosses in all the time which caused the hosts some real problems but the crosses weren't converted. The fast paced first half came to close with the score staying at 2-1 to Ashton but the second half would continue at this frantic pace.
The second half was just all Morecambe controlling everything. The visitors were winning every 50/50 tackle and looked like they wanted it more than Ashton and should have equalised in the first 10 minutes. Adam Bell headed a corner over the bar and Hughes volleying against the post as Ashton's defending was none existent from set-pieces. Sam Hallam then thought he had scored after hitting the sweetest of volley's from 6 yards out but somehow Ashton's keeper managed to tip it over the bar with a brilliant save.
However, once again Ashton scored out of nothing on the break to increase regain their two goal cushion. Another long kick up field bounced on the edge of the box and fell perfectly to Ashton's striker, whose unconvincing shot somehow sneaked into the corner. One which Marshall should have done better with. But just like before, Morecambe struck again straight away to bring them back into the game again. Moore and Huntington combined once again to weave their way through Ashton's defence, Moore then got tackled but the ball rolled across goal with the keeper in no man's land, and they were two Morecambe players waiting to score. Callum Crookes got their first to reduce the deficit.
Morecambe continued to press for the equaliser they needed but couldn't create any more clear chances like they had done before. The closest they came was when Huntington's cross was just too hard for substitute John Frizzle to reach. The game ended 3-2 to Ashton and would probably have been a huge sigh of relief for them as they knew that they had been in a game. Morecambe Will reflect on what might have been but performances like this are needed to be continued in the league if they want to do well.
Man of the Match - Dean Hughes - Brilliant on his return with some important last ditch tackles and he won everything in the air. However, everyone performed well and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
