Sam Ashton wins FA Cup player of the second round

FC United’s Sam Ashton has been voted the player of the FA Cup sponsored by E.on second round and was quick to acknowledge the fans who had voted for him.

Ashton’s penalty save in the 96th minute topped off a great performance to keep United in the cup. He gained 55 per cent of the public vote and will now be joining Jake Cottrell at the FA Cup Final in May.

Ashton saw off competition from Luton Town’s Andy Drury (33 per cent), Adam Birchall of Dover Athletic (eight per cent), Scott Rendell of Wycombe Wanderers (three per cent) and Southampton’s Adam Lallana (one per cent) to lift the prize.

He becomes the second FC United player in succession to win the player of the round award, after Cottrell walked away with the accolade for his First Round display against Rochdale.

Sam said: "I want to thank all the the fans who voted for me. The FA Cup run was great, all the players really enjoyed it and I hope the fans enjoyed it as much as we did. Now all I need is for Owen Coyle to get Wanderers to Wembley to make it a perfect day."

Sam will now receive a commemorative E.ON Player of the Round trophy and two VIP tickets to this season’s FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 14 May 2011 where he hopes to see Bolton Wanderers competing in their first final for over 50 years.