North Ferriby United 3-2 Ashton United
By Graham Riley
John Anderson's unbeaten start as North Ferriby manager continued as his side overcame Ashton by the odd goal in five at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium, a score-line less than reflective of a game dominated for the most part by the home side. Paul Harsley's wonder goal had the Villagers ahead at the break, with Chris White and Alex Davidson adding to the tally in the second period, but a pair of penalties from Aaron Burns kept the visitors in the game until the very end.
 
Chris White had the game's first chance for Ferriby, running into space but shooting tamely at Ashton keeper Terry Smith, Adriano Rigoglioso found himself goalside for Ashton soon afterwards when he latched onto Aaron Burns' free kick, but half-volleyed wide. Some excellent approach play saw Ferriby continually threaten the Ashton goal, Smith blocked Tom Matthews' angled shot after he was played in by Alex Davidson, and Davidson himself shot wide after some good team play. The breakthrough came on 29 minutes when Russell Fry laid off for Paul Harsley, who unleashed a 30-yard piledriver into the top corner. Rigogliso had Ashton's best chance when Ferriby keeper Ben Hallam had to swat away his dipping long-range effort, and White's neat flick was just over the bar for Ferriby, after a good run by the winger.
 
Ashton forged their way back into the game early in the second period, Josh Rose shot just wide from Burns' lay-off, and the latter won himself a penalty on 58 minutes when he was brought down by Sam Denton. Burns sent the spot kick straight down the middle and beyond Hallam. After Davidson had headed onto the roof of the net, the hosts were back ahead on 63 minutes when Davidson ran to the byline and sent a ball across for White to cooly sidefoot home. Ian Bennett headed wide for Ashton soon after, but Ferriby kept pushing forward, with Fry and Ben Turner both shooting narrowly off-target. The points looked to be safe on 78 minutes when Wayne Brooksby dispossed Alex Frost and played a ball across for Davidson to apply a simple finish. Ashton ensured a tense finale when they won a second penalty on 87 minutes, Burns was brought down by Hallam and repeated his trick from the spot. ‘We played some good stuff today' commented Ferriby boss Anderson, ‘we were dominant for much of the game, and there were just a few moments where we switched off that let them back in it. There is room for improvement defensively, we need to be able to maintain our shape and be harder to break down. Overall, however, I think we were worthy winners'.
 
Star Man: Ben Turner (North Ferriby)
 
Attendance: 208
 
Ferriby: Ben Hallam, Tom Matthews, Ben Turner, Sam Denton, Steve Burton, Paul Harsley, Wayne Brooksby, Chris Bolder ©, Alex Davidson, Russell Fry, Chris White Subs not used: Kevin Larvin, Peter Davidson, Ben Morley, Gareth Owen
 
Ashton Utd: Terry Smith, Alex Frost, Josh Rose (Lee Steele, 78), Jimmy Kelly ©, Stephen Rose, Gianluca Havern (David Young, HT), Matty O'Neill, Ian Bennett, Aaron Burns, Adriano Rigoglioso, David Owens (Clive Moyo-Modise, HT) Subs not used: Gareth Richards, Ged Murphy