Ashton Aim For Unlikely Promotion

By Joshua Peck

ASHTON UNITED are aiming for promotion to the Skrill North in an attempt to boost their finances.

The Robins are currently one place outside the Evo-Stik Northern Premier play-off places, with just goal difference separating them from the top five.

United won eight league games in a row before Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Fylde, and joint-manager Steve Halford knows it won’t be easy to maintain their good form.

Halford said: “We’re not one of the big boys of the league. We have a small budget and a small squad, which doesn’t help.

“We need a bit of luck to keep our good form going because if we get hit by injuries and suspensions, then it makes things tricky for the club.

“We are a match for anyone when we’ve got a full squad though, and if we do well then finances should rise which would help.”

Skelmersdale currently sit top of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier, with Chorley hot on their heels, although the Magpies have games in hand on Tommy Lawson’s side, with the pair facing each other tomorrow (Saturday).

Ashton also have games in hand on some of the teams around them, and Halford is hopeful of a push into the play-offs.

He added: “We have a points target in our mind, and that should get us into the play-offs but it’s a tight league.

“There are about ten teams separated by just seven points but we’ve got a good home record and everyone knows that’s important.”