Late Lazenbury penalty seals FA Vase victory over Ashton Athletic
Abbey Hey booked their place in the Second Qualifying round of the FA Vase with 1—0 win over Ashton Athletic at the Abbey Stadium.
A late Jordan Lazenbury penalty ten minutes from time separated the two sides, as Terry Hincks’ side made it nine consecutive wins on the spin.
Early chances came for the hosts, as they looked to break the deadlock in the opening exchanges, but neither Rhys Clooney, Dylan Norris or Lazenbury could break the deadlock in Greater Manchester.
The visitors came close to opening the scoring, but Ross Heywood produced a brilliant one-on-one save from Ethan Beckford from close-range.
More opportunities came for the home side in an end-to-end first half. Dylan Fitzgerald went on an incredible run past the Ashton defenders before aiming for goal, but his shot was denied by the fingertips of Ashton goalkeeper James Aspinall.
Abbey had to wait until the 80th minute to open the scoring when substitute Cameron Darkwah was brought down in the penalty area, allowing striker Lazenbury to step up from the penalty spot, sending the ball into the bottom left corner beyond Aspinall.
Two minutes later, the visitors were reduced to ten men when an Ashton player, who was booked for diving, became infuriated with the referee and had a heated argument with him. The referee wasted no time and showed him the red card.
Abbey Hey progress into the next round of the FA Vase and will face Hall Road Rangers at the Abbey Stadium in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 25th September.
Their immediate attentions however turn to this coming Saturday, when West Didsbury and Chorlton travel the short trip to the Abbey Stadium in a top of the table clash to take on Abbey Hey next weekend.
