Photo: Ian Brodie

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison said after the 4-2 victory over West Allotment Celtic on Saturday that the players at the Woodhorn Lane club are still harbouring thoughts of promotion come the end of the season.

Following consecutive yet narrow 2-1 defeats against both Sunderland Ryhope and North Shields, the Colliers returned to winning ways in awful conditions at The dwmedia Stadium against West Allotment. Ashington currently sit fifth top of the Ebac Northern League’s first division with 11 matches remaining.

Harmison said: “We have a belief amongst the squad in the dressing room and the way we are playing, we think we can put some points on the board and be amongst those promotion spots. It’s game by game I know but we have got some great fixtures coming up and I don’t see why we can’t be up there challenging. The players are still talking about it and with the squad we’ve got it’s still feasible. We want to be promoted and until it’s mathematically impossible we’ll keep trying.” The 36 year old added: “This is definitely one of the best Ashington sides I have been part of. It is a different style of playing and from my point of view, I’m now in the defence whereas in the past I’ve been up top as a striker. The team spirit is brilliant but the way we pass and move the ball is excellent. Today for example (against West Allotment Celtic), we got on the ball and did what we wanted really.”