Ashton United progress after beating Hallam FC

Ashton United 2 - 0 Hallam FC

An early breakthrough and a late strike were enough for Ashton United to overcome Hallam FC and book their place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, where they will host Scarborough Athletic.

Author | Aaron F

Stadium | Hurst Cross Stadium

Mikey O’Neill and Luca Navarro returned to the Robins’ starting XI for the replay, after Sunday’s tie in Sheffield had finished 2-2.

The opener came when Sean Newton’s free kick was charged down, but Ashton quickly regained momentum. Luke Burke released O’Neill down the right and his pass found Alex Byrne, whose cross was diverted into his own net by Jamie Sharman.

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Navarro twice tested Hugo Warhurst soon after, the Hallam goalkeeper first spilling a low cross before saving at his near post. O’Neill also went close, shooting straight at Warhurst after another Byrne delivery had been cleared into his path. Will Tomlinson forced Warhurst into tipping over as Ashton pressed for a second.

Hallam responded with Mason Warren seeing his effort deflected behind for a corner, from which Keenan Ferguson’s header was comfortably held by Jordan Eastham. O’Neill remained a threat, drawing a low save on the half hour and firing the rebound wide, while Navarro’s volley was kept out in first-half stoppage time.

The tempo dipped after the interval, with Darius Osei firing wide from an offside position and Charlie Staniland producing a key intervention to deny Navarro. O’Neill headed wide from Josh Doherty’s cross before Byrne saw another dangerous delivery blocked for a corner that flashed across the six-yard box.

With 15 minutes remaining, Eastham miskicked under pressure from Benni Ndlovu but escaped punishment. Hallam pushed forward, Staniland sending a shot over from the edge of the area. Substitute Jason Gilchrist then forced Warhurst into a low stop before, with six minutes to play, Tomlinson combined with Byrne and the winger’s cross was converted by Gilchrist to seal Ashton’s progress.