ROSS: “I’VE COME BACK INTO THE SIDE AND HAVE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING”

Br Brian Bennett

Midfielder Karl Ross scored Ashington’s opening goal against Newcastle Benfield on Saturday – with his side going on to claim a comfortable 3-0 win.

And afterwards, Ross, who has waited patiently on the bench to get back into the team, admitted that after returning to the starting line up the previous week against Bishop Auckland, he has hit the ground running: “I’m happy to be back on the pitch after being on the sidelines,” he said, “I thought I was a bit unlucky to drop out of the team because I thought I was playing well but that’s football and you’ve got to take your time. I’ve come back in; I’ve hit the ground running again and I’m getting fitter – and enjoying it.”

Cramlington-based Ross – a plumber – revealed that his shot for the goal took a deflection – but no-one will be taking the strike away from him: “The ball came to me on the edge of the box and it’s one of those where the pace is already on the ball and I’ve just aimed for the target really. It took a slight deflection but I’m still claiming it!”

Reflecting on the game, the 23 year old said: “For the first few minutes we had to adjust to what was a tricky surface but the lads were outstanding today and that’s what we needed. Obviously being away from home we knew we just needed to tighten up a bit and we did that.” Ashington-born Ross believes the Colliers – who as a result of Saturday’s success, moved up to fifth from top of the first division table of the Ebac Northern League – have been ‘outstanding’ this season: “In all honesty, at the start of the campaign, I don’t think we expected to be in this position because of where we were last term – but things have gone well for us,” he said, “We are a young side who have been outstanding this year – and long may it continue.”