2 second half penalties were enough to see the visitors comfortably into this year’s final of the Manchester Premier Cup and end Ashton’s reign as holders.

The away side were featuring several ex-Robins in their line up and made the early running as Darius Palma was fouled out wide with Matty Regan heading the free kick clear before James Dwyer volleyed over.

On ten minutes Sean Newton’s near post cross was headed past the near post under challenge by the stooping figure of Jason Gilchrist who needed treatment before continuing and Palma was then afforded too much space from Dom Smalley’s throw in but fired well wide.

Regan then advanced through midfield but saw his lofted pass just evade Gilchrist and Jerome Wright saw a low shot saved following a misplaced pass from Jack McKay. With the interval approaching Town had the best chance of the half as Vernon Parny robbed a combination of McKay and Ben Hough and provided the cross from which Palma dragged his shot wide when well placed.

Four minutes into the second period McKay was penalised for a foul on Parny in the area and Palma slid the spot kick home comfortably.

Gilchrist then saw his effort palmed away for a corner by Jakovlevs and Cole Lonsdale saw a similar tip away from the keeper having been fouled 25 yards out. With 20 minutes left James Baillie cut inside and saw his left foot effort deflect out for a corner but 2 minutes later Palma burst past Lonsdale on the edge of the area with the Ashton man deemed to be the last defender and duly dismissed.

With 13 minutes left on the clock a right wing cross was flicked on following a corner and with Bryan appearing to be impeded close in Mr Wyatt awarded his second penalty of the evening, Palma converting into the opposite side of the goal.

The visiting number 11 could have completed a hat trick but for a sharp save from Mendes and the night finished in something of a fractious manner with Ashton manager Steve Cunningham also booked by the referee.

Team: Mendes, McKay, Newton (Baillie 64), Baird, Regan, Hough, Gilchrist, Whitham (Jenkins 85), Adams, Guilfoyle (Milner 46), Lonsdale. SNU: Lowe, Culkin.

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