By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC midfielder Dean Briggs admitted that he ‘kicked every ball’ during the Colliers away clash against Ashton United in the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Briggs picked up an injury during Ashington’s midweek 1-1 draw with Carlisle City in Cumbria which ruled him of the game in Greater Manchester but he nevertheless travelled down with the rest of the squad and watched the cup tie from the sidelines.

“I thought the lads did really well and deserved to win,” he said afterwards, “I expected it to be a tough game but we performed extremely well. At the back, our two centre halves did really well and going forward, we caused a threat with the two lads up top working hard. However, I’ve got to admit that I was kicking every ball and its more nerve wracking off the pitch than being on it!”

The 26 year old added: “We were all disappointed to go out of the Isuzu FA Vase last week against Billingham Town but we are still unbeaten in the Ebac Northern League having won five and drawn one of our six matches and we also have games in hand so we can’t complain. Apart from the FA Vase result, we have started the season really well and want to keep it going.”