Match Report & Pictures - Season 2026-2027
Match No 1:- Bonnyton Thistle 4 Ashfield 0 - Pre-Season Friendly - Saturday 4th July 2026 - Kick-Off 2pm - Townholm Arena, Harriet Road, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA3 1BB
Well it certainly wasn`t like a day in early July as the rain lashed down for the whole 90 minutes of a very competitive Pre-Season Friendly. The hosts had started their matches a week before Ashfield putting 4 past Kilmarnock Reserves and the `field knew that their newly assembled Team would take time to `bed in`. The first half was played at a great pace with the match swinging from end to end. Despite having the better of the early play it was Bonnyton that made the breakthrough on 13 minutes with Dylan Howarth breaking clear of Ashfield`s offside trap to drive the ball low and hard into the corner of the net. Bonnyton Thistle 1 Ashfield 0. The visitors were just adjusting themselves to being a goal down when Lewis Sanderson in the Ashfield goal was picking the ball out of the net again when Kyle Dinnett cut in from the right flank before despatching a wonderful effort in the top corner of the net. Bonnyton Thistle 2 Ashfield 0. To their credit Ashfield foraged forward at every opportunity with Dylan Caddis in the home goal saving twice from Adam Cummings. Right on the interval Sean Allan should have reduced the deficit when the ball was played across goal only to see his effort sail over the bar. At times the game got rather feisty with Referee Holley deciding to keep his Card(s) in his pocket during the friendly.
HT:- BONNYTON THISTLE 2 ASHFIELD 0
Peter Hill & his Coacjing Staff made 6 changes to the second half line up as they set about narrowing the gap in the incessant rain. The game itself, as with friendlies tailed off in terms of pace and intensity but it didn`t stop the home side from getting themselves a third goal on 53 minutes when a curling free kick was met early by Jack Isherwood and his header gave Sanderson no chance. Bonnyton Thstle 3 Ashfield 0. Leo McCartney was showing some excellent play in turning his marker on a number of occasion s however the final ball was well defended by the Thistle defence. At the other end Substitute Jay Woods, Ashfield`s recent signing from Greenock never lost a 50/50 all afternoon and highlighted the stiff competition for places. The `field tried their best to claw themselves back into the game however the substitution from Thistle bringing on Jordan Baird put the `field on the back foot & they succumbed albeit from a defensive error on 83 minutes for Louis Kerr to complete the scoring. Bonnyton Thistle 4 Ashfield 0.
An excellent workout and the `field will probably not meet a better team this Season as the home side had certainly improved from last Season`s Team on this showing. No major injuries to report ahead of game v Dalbeattie Star on Tuesday night - 7.30pm KO. Please note this game has been moved from Stepford Park to the Ibrox Complex, Edmiston Road, Govan (Opposite Ibrox Stadium).
We wish Bonnyton all the best for the Season and thank them for their kind hospitality yesterday.
FT:- BONNYTON THISTLE 4 ASHFIELD 0
Ashfield`s Team:- L Sanderson, K Stewart, A Watson, M Gray (capt), D Armstrong, G Chlmers, S Allan, J Brown, A Cummings, A McAuley and M Connor. Subs:- Trialist, J Woods, Y Daouichy, L McCartney, R Martin, A Paterson & M Corrigan
Man of the Match:- An excellent work out against a very good team with every player tested. Jordan Brown, Kyle Stewart and Adam Cummings lasted full 90 minutes & Jordan just edges it this week showing a high level of fitness throughout.
Attendance:- 50
Referee:- Adam Holley
Match No 2:- Ashfield 3 Dalbeattie Star 1 , Tuesday 7th July 2026 - Kick Off 8pm. Pre-Season Friendly - Ibrox Complex, 80 Hinshelwood Drive, Glasgow G51 2XP
Ashfield`s one and only home friendly of the Season had to be switched from Stepford Park to the Ibrox Complex as we welcomed West Lowland Side Dalbeattie Star in what we would be another good test as the build up to the start of the Season continued.
Already at this stage Peter Hill and his Coaching Staff have built up a strong squad with competition for places extremely competitive.
Referee Andrew Campbell got proceedings underway with the backdrop of the main stand at Ibrox Stadium looming large behind the players and within 10 seconds of the Match it was Dalbeattie that made their intentions clear when a 30 yard shot almost caught out Lewis Sanderson in the Ashfield goal however the Keeper did well to get a touch to push the ball past the outside of the post. The game, like the game on Saturday, started off at a great pace and already the Ashfield front three of McCartney, Cummings and Starrs were showing tremendous pace. Adam Cummings got away from his marker 22 yards out after 5 minutes however was crudely brought down with the subsequent free-kick well defended. Aiden McAuley and Mason Durham were dominating the midfield early on and a lovely run from Mitchell Starrs on the right wing saw the ball played out to an onrushing McAuley who drilled the ball into the net with the aid of a deflection to put the `field ahead on 7 minutes. Ashfield 1 Dalbeattie Star 0. The South of Scotland Team responded quickly but found Adam Watson and Daniel Armstrong on the left hand side of the defence in a mean mood and chances were at a premium for the visitors. On the 15 minute mark it was Mitchell Starrs again that caused the visitors a problem and a lovely mazy run saw him cut in from the bye line before the ball was played across goal for an onrushing Adam Cummings who lashed the ball into the net to put the `field further ahead. Ashfield 2 Dalbeattie Star 0. A lovely goal in what had been a promising start for the home side and they continued to maintain the tempo throughout the remainder of the half. Dalbeattie foraged forward at every opportunity also and could have pulled a goal back five minutes from half time when a brilliant free-kick delivery to the far post saw the Star Centre forward bullet his header over the bar, As it was the `field went in 2-0 at the interval with the prospect of a few changes in the 2nd half to give everyone a `run out`.
HT:- ASHFIELD 2 DALBEATTIE STAR 0
The second half continued in the same vein despite a number of changes early on to the line up with Sean Allan, Manus Connor and Connor Hughes replacing the front three, A couple of close offside decisions went against the `field as they tried to increase their lead. Manus Connor had moved into a midfield role as the shape changed slightly and it didn`t take too long for Manus to affect proceedings. The young Ex-Clydebank player picked the ball up in midfield on 68 minutes before threading an inch perfect pass to Sean Allan who raced in on goal before guiding the ball under the advancing keeper to put Ashfield further ahead. Ashfield 3 Dalbeattie Star 0. A lovely move and goal from Ashfield. The game began to slow down a bit after this with the introduction of further substitutions from both sides and it was the visitors that managed to reduce the deficit after being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box on 72 minutes. Up stepped Cameron Shaw showing a great technique as the ball dipped under the bar leaving Sanderson with no chance. Ashfield 3 Dalbeattie Star 1. The `field upped the pace again and should have gone further ahead with 10 minutes to go as it looked like Sean Allan had evaded the offside trap again before driving the ball into the net however Referee Campbell deemed he had timed his run a little too early and the goal was `chalked off`. The game finished as both teams tried to increase their goal tally and this had been a great workout for both teams and an enjoyable view for the healthy crowd inside the Complex.
The `field head down to England on Saturday to play Alnwick Town FC before further games next week away to Saltcoats Victoria and Drumchapel United finish their build up to their League Campaign.
FT:- ASHFIELD 3 DALBEATTIE STAR 1
Ashfield`s Team:- L Sanderson (Capt), K Stewart, A Watson, J Woods, D Armstrong, R Mullen, M Starrs, A McAuley, A Cummings, M Durham and L McCartney. Subs:- M Gray, S Allan, M Connor, RJ Black, A Paterson, Y Daoichy and C Hughes.
Man of the Match:- An excellent performance from Ashfield where everyone played their part in the victory. Aiden McAuley set the tone with his workrate early on scoring the opener also. Special mention to the whole back four of Watson, Woods, Armstrong and Stewart with the front three also looking good.
Attendance:- 100
Referee:- Andrew Campbell
Match No 3:- Alnwick Town 5 Ashfield 1 , Pre-Season Friendly - Saturday 11th July 2026 - Kick-Off 2pm. St James Park, Alnwick, Northumberland.
A great start to the Match saw the game swing from end to end with the hosts scoring first. Unfortunately the first half was halted due to a serious injury to Ashfield`s Central Defender Jay Woods who was in serious distress & was immediately taken to hospital. Ashfield equalised before half time through Jordan Brown but the `field also suffered another injury to winger Mitchell Starrs who later received 6 stitches in a facial wound.
HT:- ALNWICK TOWN 1 ASHFIELD 1
The home side stepped up a gear in the 2nd half playing some excellent football and also capitalising on some defensive mistakes from the visitors to win comfortably in the end. A good workout again against impressive hosts and we wish them all the best in the Northern League Division 2 this Season.
FT:- ALNWICK TOWN 5 ASHFIELD 1
Ashfield`s Team:- L Sanderson, J Brown, A Watson, J Woods, D Armstrong, G Chalmers, M Starrs, M Durham (Capt), L McCartney, A McAuley and S Allan. Subs:- Gray, Black, McGhee and Wilkie
Man of the Match:- Jordan Brown
Attendance:- 150
Referee:- tbc
Match No 4:- Saltcoats Victoria 2 Ashfield 3 - Pre-Season Friendly - Tuesday 14th July 2026 - Campbell Park, Saltcoats, Ayrshire KA21 5JQ
A lovely summers evening on the North Ayrshire Coast greeted both sets of players and supporters in this Pre-Season Friendly. The `field were `nursing` a few wounds from their trip down South on Saturday however it was great to see Jay Woods make the game on crutches after being released from Hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery,
Onto the game itself, Peter Hill and Andy Gardner made a number of changes bringing in new Signing Ex-Rangers Academy Player Ben Jenkins and he settled into a Midfield berth alongside Mason Durham and Aiden McAuley. The transformation in Campbell Park from our last visit away back in December 2018 was amazing and the ground was looking splendid. Referee Haswell got proceedings underway and after an initial period of `sparring` it was the `field that began to exert some pressure with a couple of shots from outside the box. Ashfield were utilising the flanks well and Adam Cummings almost broke clear of the last man on a couple of occasions before the `field eventually took the lead after 17 minutes from the penalty spot after Ben Jenkins had been brought down. Mason Durham finished with aplomb to put the visitors ahead. Saltcoats Vics 0 Ashfield 1. You are never more vulnerable than when you have scored almost applied to Ashfield as the home side almost equalised with their first main foray into the Ashfield box when a turn and shot hit the base of Lewis Sanderson`s right hand post. A couple of dangerous corner ensued after & the `field knew they had to be careful. On the 26th Minute however Jordan Brown picked up the ball in Midfield before driving into the box & despatching a right foot shot into the corner of the net to put the `field 2-0 ahead. A wonderful effort from Jordan ! Saltcoats Vics 0 Ashfield 2. The `field remained on the front foot however with 3 minutes until half time, a rash tackle from RJ Black gave the Referee no hesitation in pointing to the spot with McCullough placing the penalty out with Sanderson`s reach to reduce the deficit. Saltcoats Vics 1 Ashfield 2. As it was there was no further scoring with the Crowd looking forward to the 2nd period.
HT:- SALTCOATS VICS 1 ASHFIELD 2
The crowd were just settling into their vantage points for the second half viewing when, with the assistance of the wind, the impressive Saltcoats Captain Jamie Stirling strode into the Ashfield half before unleashing a 40 yard shot which sailed past the Substitute Ashfield Keeper Malley and into the top corner of the net to level the score. Saltcoats Vics 2 Ashfield 2. After dominating most of the first half the `field knew it was `game on` as they foraged forward at early opportunity. A great shot by Substitute Cian Kinney missed the upright by a fraction. The introduction of Mitchell Starrs added further pace and trickery to the Ashfield attack as they lay siege on the Vics back four and on the hour mark a lovely move down the left hand side saw the ball played across the edge of the box by Ben Jenkins where Starrs got to the ball first time hitting the back of the net in seconds to restore Ashfield`s lead. A terrific goal from Mitchell ! Saltcoats Vics 2 Ashfield 3. The `field upped the tempo for the next period however while there was only a goal in it the home side knew they had a chance. Both teams made a number of substitutes in true Pre-Season fashion and the game ebbed and flowed. The `field were awarded a 2nd penalty as the clock ticked towards the 90th Minute. Leo McCartney stepped up this time however it was the Vics Keeper who produced a brilliant save before the ball was cleared to safety. Referee Haswell brought proceedings to a close shortly after and this had been a great workout for both teams ahead of their Season openers on the 25th July against Kilsyth Athletic and Glenvale respectively.
We would like to thank Saltcoats for their kind hospitality and wish them for the Season.
FT:- SALTCOATS VICS 2 ASHFIELD 3
Ashfield`s Team:- L Sanderson, R Mullen, A Watson, M Gray, RJ Black, J Brown, B Jenkins , M Durham (Capt), A Cummings, A McAuley and L McCartney. Subs:- S Allan, D Malley (GK), M Starrs, C Kinney and T McGhee
Man of the Match:- Some good performances in the Black and White Hoops with special mention to Matthew Gray, Jordan Brown, Ben Jenkins and Mason Durham however Ross Mullen put in a solid performance at Right Back and later in Midfield and wins this week`s MOM.
Attendance:- 70
Referee:- Calum Haswell
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