Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Ashton United 14th with 53 points, Belper Town 22nd with 30, 23 apart. On recent form Ashton United sat only 18th league-wide over the last five rounds, well short of their 14th overall. In league terms the two rates read 1.38/1.52 for Ashton United and 1.05/2.05 for Belper Town (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.34.
5 games without a win framed Ashton United's arrival. Belper Town had gone 5 games without a win.
The venue was Hurst Cross in Ashton-under-Lyne, with room for 4,500 spectators. On the scoreboard, Ashton United led 2-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 3-1.