By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie
Karl Ross says the Ashington players are ‘buzzing’ and ‘can’t wait’ ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against Newcastle United U21s in the semi final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup at Woodhorn Lane.
Vice captain Ross also believes that the home fans ‘can play a huge part’ as the Colliers bid to reach the final of the competition for the first time in over a decade.
Ashington-born Ross said: “Its one of those games which doesn’t come around very often and all of the lads are buzzing and can’t wait. I vividly remember playing against Newcastle only a couple of years ago in front of a crowd on 1357 and the fans were our 12th man that night as they kept us going. Hopefully we’ll be playing in front of another bumper attendance and again they can play a huge part. They are fantastic and even in our league games at Woodhorn Lane with 5-600 backing us, you can feel the atmosphere.”
Turning the clock back to the 2021/22 campaign, the young Magpies led 2-0 at Woodhorn Lane before Ross and Craig Spooner both netted which brought the Colliers level – with the visitors progressing via a penalty shootout: “When I scored, all I heard was a mighty roar,” recalled Ross, “I’d never experienced that sort of feeling before but the fans were quality all the way through because they spurred us on. There was quarter of an hour remaining when Craig (Spooner) equalised – and after that we had two clear cut opportunities and could have nicked it.”
Meanwhile 25 year old Ross said that the goal he scored in Ashington’s 5-2 win against Bridlington Town recently was ‘the best of his career’: “I’ve got to admit that it was some finish – but I reckon I’ll never score one of those again,” he said.