Rushall Olympic 4 Ashton 2 - Report

Olympic got off to the worst possible start when they fell behind to a Liam Tonsett goal after two minutes. John Pritchard saw his free kick kept out by a combination of Joe Slinn and his post before Tonsett tapped home the rebound.

The Pics had an instant reply with an almost identical goal on four minutes. This time Daniel Dubidat had an effort cannon off the woodwork before Danny Waldron prodding the loose ball into an empty net.

The following period of play was frantic with chances at either end. Joe Slinn had to make himself big to keep out Nic Evangelinos before Ashton keeper Dave Carnell was forced to tip over a fierce Dubidat effort.

Carnell was twice called into action again not long after. First, Waldron worked his way into the box before getting a shot away and Dubidat saw a chested effort saved on 27 minutes.

Daniel Mooney went close twice in the closing stages of the first half. His first effort was a rocket against the post before Slinn had to tip his second shot over the bar just before the break.

Daniel Dubidat put Pics ahead on 54 minutes before a wonder goal on 63 minutes by Mathis Fonovich made it 3-1. when he was played in by Waldron down the right. The striker got a shot away that squirmed through Carnell’s grasp to give Rushall the lead.

The lead was doubled on 63 minutes thanks to a wonder goal by Mathis Fonovich. The Frenchman teed himself up 25 yards out before looping a perfect volley into the top corner.

Ashton pulled a goal back on 68 minutes courtesy of John Pritchard.

A ball went all the way across the box before Pritchard kept his cool to place into the bottom corner.

Despite heavy pressure, the Pics stood strong for the remainder of the game. The icing on the cake was a goal for debutant and Rushall academy graduate Simeon Paisley, who took advantage of an open goal in the dying seconds to cooly pass into the back of the net from just in the opposition half.