Ashfield defeat Maryhill but football real winner on return from Covid shutdown

Football finally returned to the Peugot Ashfield Stadium on Saturday when the hosts defeated Maryhill 4-2 in a friendly encounter.
Ashfield faced Maryhill behind closed doors at the Peugot Ashfield StadiumAshfield faced Maryhill behind closed doors at the Peugot Ashfield Stadium
Ashfield faced Maryhill behind closed doors at the Peugot Ashfield Stadium

With the turnstiles firmly closed due to the current COVID-19 arrangements, the match was played behind closed doors and with strict safety guidelines which were really well adhered to by both teams and officials.

The match itself was certainly not played under the normal tempo for a friendly as both teams were desperate to continue where they had left off in February. The home side`s last encounter was a 6-3 home victory to Annbank Utd on February 29.

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Both teams had early chances to open their account with the `Hill keeper Black pulling off a great save from Callum Graham which was followed up at the other end by a glancing header coming back off the post.

However as the half wore on it was the home side who took control and went ahead on the 15th minute with a lovely header from one of Ashfield`s trialists.

The home side continued to cause one of their local rivals problems and in the 23th minute Mark McManus whipped in a free-kick from 22 yards, leaving Black with no chance.

Chances continued to fall for the home side as the visitors struggled and were glad to hear the half-time whistle.

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A few changes were made to the personnel and this game was certainly a ‘game of two halves` as the visitors, backed by a strong wind, took the game to the `Field.

Within 10 minutes of the restart were on the scoresheet with a lovely angled drive which found the corner of the net.

It was game on as both teams threw caution to the wind and the Field had to thank the woodwork on a couple of occasions before going 3-1 ahead courtesy of a lovely goal from a further trialist.

Not to be undone, Maryhill reduced the deficit within 60 seconds from a free-kick which caught out Ashfield keeper Moore.

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However the home keeper made amends by saving a penalty 15 minutes from time.

As the game came to a close, Ashfield scored a fourth following a header across the goalmouth.

Both teams deserve credit for putting on an excellent show as they try and get back to full fitness before the West of Scotland League kicks off next month.

Ashfield: Moore, Barr, D Leverage, Doherty, Trialist A, C Leverage, Boyce, Crumlish, Graham, McManus and Galloway. Subs: Hearton, Trialist B, C, D and E.

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Maryhill: Black, Crawford, Martin, Etherson, McNeill, Coyle, Naysmith, McGuinness, Skinner, Dobbs and Henderson. Subs: Ashe, Browne, Easdon, Gray, Kennedy, McEwan, McRoberts, O`Neil, Stevenson and Wallace.

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