AFC Telford 2 Ashton United 1 - Report and pictures
AFC Telford United extended their perfect record at the New Bucks Head to four games as a Daniel Udoh double completed the comeback against Ashton.
The Bucks were frustrated for the first 45 minutes and went into the interval behind. John McAtee struck against the run of play.
Telford kept plugging away though and had the rub of the green, with an attempted clearance bouncing off Udoh and past Luke Pilling to make it 1-1.
Gavin Cowan's side had a man advantage late on - Aaron Chalmers limped off after they had made their permitted changes - as well and Udoh swept home another. The Bucks are second in the National League North table having picked up five wins and three draws so far.
Analysis
Telford made three changes from the 2-2 draw at Leamington. Theo Streete, James McQuilkin and Darryl Knights came back into the side. Ryan Sears, who is back at Shrewsbury, Adam Dawson and Jon Royle dropped out. Midfielder Dan McKenna, signed on loan from Wolves on Friday, was not in the squad while Ashton had former Bucks duo Mark Lees and McAtee in their starting line-up.
The Robins were set up pretty deep right from the off, looking to stifle speedy strikers Udoh and Andre Brown. It was up to Telford to mix things up to try to break the visitors down and a Streete cross almost did the trick. His floated delivery from the right flank found Brown who, after beating the offside trap, headed a few inches wide.
Brown and Udoh were being watched very closely. The Bucks tried to release the pair with long balls but, because of Ashton's backline sitting on the edge of the 18-yard box, that approach wasn't working. It was a bit predictable and slow.
The Robins' defensive efforts were commendable and they went into the break in great spirits, thanks to McAtee. He lifted the ball over Max Bramley, who probably should have been quicker off his line. It was a classic away performance from Ashton in the first half - boss Jody Banim had clearly done his homework on Telford.
Cowan stuck to his guns for the start of the second period but, having watched things carry on in the same vein, made a switch on the hour mark. Tricky winger Dawson entered the fray, for centre-half Dom Smith, and the Bucks soon got an equaliser - in rather fortunate circumstances.
Udoh didn't really know anything about it, but it was his goal - showing why you should always close down. You sensed luck really was on Telford's side as, with 20 minutes plus stoppage time left, the Robins went down to 10 men.
Smelling blood, Cowan freshened up his attack by bringing on Matthew Barnes-Homer for Brown, and the Bucks got that they were searching for - Udoh coming up with the goods once again. He slotted home from close range after some exquisite work from Cowans.
Cowan made a sensible substitution following that strike as defensive midfielder Royle replaced provider Cowans and, despite having to contend with seven added minutes, the Bucks grabbed a hard-fought victory.
Key Moments
23 - Really good chance for Telford to take the lead. Theo Streete floats a cross in and Andre Brown, who beats the offside trap, heads just wide.
38 - Goal! Telford 0-1 Ashton. John McAtee scores for the visitors. McAtee beats Shane Sutton to a through-ball and pokes past the onrushing Max Bramley. Good finish, poor defending.
63 - GOAL! Telford 1-1 Ashton. What a fortunate leveller! Matt Regan tries to make a clearance for the away side and Daniel Udoh gets in the way, with the ball cannoning off him and into the bottom corner.
70 - Aaron Chalmers has taken a knock and cannot carry on for the Robins. That leaves them a man down as they have made all three substitutions.
84 - GOAL! Telford 2-1 Ashton. Udoh strikes again! Sublime work from Henry Cowans. He takes on three and cuts it back to Udoh, who finishes with his left foot. He just can't stop scoring!
Teams
Telford (4-4-2): Bramley; Streete, Smith (Dawson, 60), Sutton (c), White; Cowans (Royle, 87), McQuilkin, Deeney, Knights; Udoh, Brown (Barnes-Homer, 80)
Subs not used: Lilly, Wycherley (gk)
Ashton (4-4-2): Pilling; Jacobs (Sephton, 46), Regan, Chalmers, Hill; Bakare, Lees (c), Tomsett, Jackson; McAtee (Evangelinos, 65), Hobson (Platt, 65)
Subs not used: McHale, Anghel
Attendance: 1,148
Referee: Sam Mulhall (Cheshire)
