Vics kept out by Ashton during goalless stalemate

NORTHWICH Victoria were shut out by Ashton for a second time this season despite their best efforts to break through.

They created better chances, and John Connolly’s header lacked the force to trouble goalkeeper Martin Pearson when he met Joe Camozzi’s cross.

The same player curled an effort wide after Jordan Darr and Harvey Whyte combined before Connolly turned provider for Joel Brownhill but he couldn’t find the target.

Darr then stretched but couldn’t connect with Brownhill’s cross a minute later.

Ashton went closest to a goal from a direct free-kick that brought the best from Vics goalkeeper Danny Taberner.

The second-half was quieter, although the home team still looked more likely to score.

Darr’s pass teed up Dom Craig, but he couldn’t convert.

Steve Wilkes’ side conjured their clearest opening on 81 minutes after Camozzi wriggled his way past two defenders close to the byline before steering a cross towards substitute Brian Matthews.

However his first effort was blocked and a second, jabbed towards goal with an outstretched leg while he was on the ground, wasn’t quite powerful enough.

“We’re happy to have kept a clean-sheet and a draw was probably a fair result,” reflected Steve Pickup, Vics’ assistant manager, afterwards.

“There were some tired legs on the field after playing [against 1874 Northwich] on Thursday night and perhaps we were a bit below-par at times in attacking areas.”

Vics | Taberner (GK), Camozzi, Fleming, Craig, Kenny, Barski, Clarke, Whyte, Darr, Brownhill (Matthews 70), Connolly (Mason 70) Subs not used Fitzgerald, Winder, Cottam (GK)

Attendance 143