By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s Lewis Suddick scored the winner on Saturday as the Colliers won the JR Cleator Cup after a thrilling 3-2 result over North Shields – and the midfielder admitted afterwards that he knew he had put his side ahead in the contest before the ball had hit the back of the net.

Suddick’s headed goal arrived with quarter of an hour remaining and stemmed from a precision free-kick floated into the penalty area by Dean Briggs: “As soon as the ball left Dean’s foot I knew I could get on the end of it,” said the 24 year old, “It was a great delivery; I got up well and as soon as the ball hit my head, I knew it was going into the bottom corner. I haven’t scored many headed goals in my career so it was nice to get one today – and especially as it was the winner.”

North Shields-born Suddick who also lives in the town, came on as a substitute and within five minutes had popped up with the goal: “To be 2-0 down and to come back and win the game 3-2 shows that we have a lot of character as well as quality in the dressing room,” he added, “Towards the end there was only one way the result was going to go – and if we had played another 10, 20 or 30 minutes I reckon we would have scored even more.”

Suddick continued: “We are more than building a solid base. The new lads who have come into the group as well as the players who have been here for a while, compliment each other and it shows the strength we have got. Ever since we reported back for pre season training we have spoke about the league’s opening day and to make sure we are ready for it. Today it was great to win the cup and the whole squad are buzzing. I think we’re fit; tactically we’ve all gelled together and everyone is raring to go for Saturday against Seaham Red Star.”

Kick-off is 3pm.