We had a chance in the 4th minute, as
Noble played a lofted ball over the Ashton defence for Purewal to chase, he got a shot away, but it travelled inches past the post.

Purewal found himself in behind the Ashton defence after he was played through, and he slid a shot under Eastham to put us ahead.

Posthill passed to Noble who pinged a cross towards Purewal at the back post, and Doherty headed the ball behind goal for a corner. Noble crossed the ball towards the near post, but the referee blew for an offside.

Ashton score to level with us in the 18th minute. They forced a corner, and the ball was crossed to the back post. Carver then headed the ball home from close range.

The Hornets make an attempt to get the lead in the 22nd minute. Posthill cut into the Robins box, his cross was headed away by Burke towards Martin, whose shot was blocked. Noble fired an effort over the crossbar from the rebound, and our chance amounted to nothing.

Both sides continued to play with trepidation, but The Robins broke through and took the lead. White converted an effort from close range to his first goal of the game.

Purewal acrobatically passed to Posthill in the box close to the half-time whistle. He looks to be dragged down, but the referee waved away the appeals.

The lads attempt to equalise with the home side in the opening moments of the second half. Noble had time in the Ashton box to get a shot away, but his effort was tame and straight at Eastham.

Ashton claim a third goal in the 47th minute. White is allowed time in the Hornets box, he fired a low effort into the far corner and out of the reach of Cameron, making White on track for a hat trick.

The Hornets made a double change in the 55th minute. Olly Martin and Joe Walton were replaced on the pitch by Joao Gomes and Liam Murray.

The home side were eager to further increase their lead, as the 67th minute saw Byrne putting in a cross from the right into the Hornets box, but Cameron was quick off his line to punch the ball clear.

Ashton were successful in their efforts and claim their fourth goal in the 74th minute. White played a ball splitting pass between the Hornets defence as Byrne passed the ball to Carver who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

The Hornets attempt to pull one back, as Thompson put a cross into the Ashton box, Spence connected it with a header, but the odds were not in our favour as the ball sailed wide of Eastham’s goal.

Play was stopped after a clash of heads between Donaghy and an Ashton player.

Doherty put a cross into the Hornets box in the 82nd minute, but Cameron came out to claim the ball.

A final change was made for the lads in the 89th minute, Daniel Savage replaces Jack Donaghy on the pitch.

It was five for Ashton in the 90th minute. Byrne put in a low cross into the Hornets box, but despite Cameron’s best efforts to keep it out, Carver slotted home and completed his hat-trick.

After 5 minutes of stoppage time, the Hornets face defeat.

We welcome Ilkeston Town to Hebburn Sports Ground on Saturday 5th April, with the hopes of ending our goal drought. We finished the afternoon in 13th place, and the gaffer wants us to finish in a top 10 spot.

Att: 324

Ashton Lineup:

1 Connor Eastham, 2 Mitchell Rose,
3 Josh Doherty, 4 Sean Newton, 5 Luke Burke (C), 6 Sam Baird,
7 Alex Byrne, 8 Louis White, 9 Marcus Carver, 10 Darius Osei, 11. Remi Efunnuga. Subs- 12 Tom Denton, 15 Jason Gilchrist, 16 Donald Chimalilo, 17 Rakeala Jeffers, 18 James Hardy.

Hebburn Lineup-

1 Daniel Cameron, 2 Joe Walton, 3 Michaela Turner, 4 Arron Thompson,
5 Jack Donaghy, 6 Matthew Elsdon,
7 Liam Noble, 8 Robbie Spence,
9 Amar Purewal (C), 10 Olly Martin,
11 Joe Posthill. Subs- 12 Liam Murray, 14 Joao Gomes, 15 Daniel Savage.