CUP GLORY PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR CLEGG
MICHAEL CLEGG wants Ashton United to use their Manchester Premier Cup win as a springboard for more success next season.
The Robins won the cup after beating local rivals Hyde United 1-0 on Monday night.
Boss Clegg was delighted with his side’s triumph and sharing it with families.
“To be crowned champs in front of a thousand at Broadhurst Park, it was just a great night,” Clegg told The NLP. “The lads were celebrating, getting pictures with their mums, dads, girlfriends, wives and kids.
“The Manchester Cup, it’s local bragging rights. Any silverware builds momentum at clubs – and it has been a long time without any silverware on offer with Covid.”
It has not been an easy ride through the tournament for Ashton, with late goals becoming a regular feature in the clubs run to final.
“We went to Chadderton in the first round, and we were on a bad run then and we dug in and that was the start of a good run for us,” Clegg said. “We went to Mossley in the second round and, again, lost two lads in the first half to injuries and then snatched it late on.
“Third round we scored in the 91st and 92nd minute to win it.”
And the final was just as dramatic.
“It all happened a bit quick,” Clegg said. “We scored after 13 seconds – nine minutes in we lost our captain and then 20 minutes in we lost our playmaker, so it was a wild start.
“We epitomised what we’re about, and we dug in and got what we deserved.”
The cup success comes in a season Clegg admits has had its challenges but he believes they can now build for a brighter future ahead of the new campaign.
“We did have higher expectations; the season has just been all over the place,” he added.
“We have suffered horrific injuries and there have been some real lows because of that.
“This summer we have a clear plan of what we want from next year.
“We’re constantly evolving, we’re building from the ground up and I think we’re just doing things right.”