A difficult start to the season saw Lancaster City fall to defeat against a clinical Ashton United side in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Jimmy Marshall made five changes to the side that drew with Heaton Stannington in our final pre-season friendly, as Cameron Graham, Simon Grand, Dylan Moonan, James Nolan and Steven Yawson came into the XI.
After sustaining a brief early period of Ashton pressure, the Dollies worked their way on top.
Dylan Moonan came so close to heading us in front on 10 minutes, with Ashton goalkeeper Tommy Taylor forcing his effort inches wide from close range.
The Robins responded well though, with a volley from Al Byrne dipping just over the crossbar.
Cameron Graham then made a fantastic save to push a fierce free kick from Kurt Willoughby over the bar.
Lancaster managed to get themselves back up the field on the break and got the perfect reward.
Joe Amison won the ball back before whipping a beautiful cross into the danger area, it was met by Sekouba Sanogo who opened the Dollies account for the 2026/27 season.
The home side drew level ten minutes before the break, as a stunning strike from Reece Kendall found the far corner.
Ashton United meant business as they came out for the second half.
A quick fire set piece double from centre back partnership Nathan Okome and Dylan Cogill meant the Dollies had to fight back from a two goal deficit.
They went the right way about it when Sanogo was dragged down in the penalty area after getting past his man.
Evangelinos' spot kick was beaten away by Taylor.
The home side then went straight up the other end and put daylight between the two sides after an emphatic finish from Danny Turner.
Warrington Rylands make the journey over to the Giant Axe on Tuesday 11th August.
Ashton United: Taylor, Lufudu, Kendall (Geddes 70'), Cogill, Okome, Spooner, Byrne (Knight 73'), Turner, Willoughby (O'Neill 73'), Osei (Doro 90'), Hardy (Johnson 73')
Lancaster: Graham, Amison, Sanogo, B.Moonan, Oliver, Grand (Tweedley 70'), D.Moonan (Leigh 73') Nolan (Lawson 70'), Evangelinos (Bailey 80'), Craig (Caine 80'), Yawson
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