Ashton United’s last two NPL Premier Division visits to Workington have produced excellent results for the home side.
Under Danny Grainger the Reds celebrated their return to the top flight after promotion in the first game of the season with a 5-0 win at Borough Park.
Last season it was the final game, under the present management team of Brian Dawson and Billy Redden, and Reds won 5-1.
Now it’s fair to say Reds will take a 1-0 today when they host Steve Cunningham’s side again, given the club’s pointless start to the new campaign.
Four games, no points and manager Darren Edmondson on leave due to a family issue, it has been a start nobody could have predicted.
Edmondson is in regular contact with Dawson and Redden, and will have watched a recording of Tuesday’s game with Warrington Rylands.
When deciding on the make up of the side to face Ashton, they will have to bear in mind they have another game on Monday at Lancaster.
Jordan Little should be available after missing the start of the season while on honeymoon but Kai Nigent, Tom Stephenson and Will McGladdery might not come into consideration until Monday or even later.
Ashton suffered their first defeat in mid-week when they lost 1-0 at new table leaders Rushall Olympic and sit sixth in the table with seven points from their four games.
Two of the players who scored against Ashton back in April – Connor Pani and Bruce Strachan – are no longer with the club while young Alfie McDonaugh, who scored twice has not featured so far. Josh Galloway scored the other goal.
Meanwhile it’s fair to say the Ashton directors will be keeping a close ear and eye on their travelling fans.
The board had to issue a statement after last Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Stocksbridge Park Steels.
It read: “It has been brought to our attention that during Saturday’s match a small group of AUFC supporters were singing pro-Tommy Robinson songs during the match.
“We utterly condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms. It has no place in football or society. Not only is it completely at odds with our values as a club but it also undermines the efforts of everyone at AUFC, including our players, staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to create a warm and inclusive family club.
“If you are identified as having done this you will be banned. Anyone using racist, homophobic or discriminatory language of any kind will be removed from the stadium and banned.
“AUFC is a community club that strives to bring people together and foster an environment where everyone is welcome. We have a zero tolerance policy to any discriminatory or anti- social behaviour.”
- Ruben Grewal, who played for Reds last season has signed for NPL Premier rivals FC United of Manchester. The young midfielder was previously with the Wigan Athletic Academy.
