FOULDS IS PROUD AS YELLOWS BOW OUT
ASHTON Athletic jointmanager Jay Foulds admitted a trip to York City proved a ‘step too far’ following his team's thumping at Bootham Crescent.
First-half goals from David Ferguson, Jordan Burrow, Joe Tait and Alex Harris put the hosts firmly in the ascendancy but the Northern Counties West League’s bottom club avoided a bigger rout after the break with only sub Wes York scoring.
Ashton were bidding to match last season’s club record Cup run to the third qualifying round, but a philosophical Foulds admitted: “It was a step too far for us against a very good side.
“We let ourselves down a bit and didn’t do ourselves justice, but they were streets ahead of us and the game was over by halftime. You could tell they were a lot fitter than us, but that’s what happens when you play a team higher.
“It was still a good experience for us and we’ve generated a lot of money for the club that will pay for the season, so that’s the big positive we can take out of it and we’ve enjoyed our run.”
York, meanwhile, were grateful to register their first win on a Saturday in more than six months against an Athletic team who haven’t scored or picked up a point in the league since the opening day.
The Minstermen stormed in front from their opening attack of the game with a secondminute Ferguson tap-in from Burrow’s left-wing cross.
Burrow doubled the advantage with his first goal since a summer move on 15 minutes, following up to net after Martin Pearson parried Simon Heslop’s shot. Two more goals were then added before the break with Tait heading in from a Josh Law corner and former Hibernian attacker Harris pouncing after Burrow’s shot had rebounded off the post. York completed the scoring on 63 minutes when he found the roof of the net from Sean Newton’s cross into the six-yard box. Marcus Cusani went close to claiming a consolation on two ocassions, curling a free-kick inches over and, then shooting at Adam Bartlett when sent clear by Calum Wilson. Satisfied York caretaker boss Sam Collins said: “We all know how hard these games can be and I’m pleased the players put on the professional performance we asked for.”