By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie
Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill said he had mixed emotions after his side had clawed their way back against Bishop Auckland in a pulsating tie which finished 1-1 in their Emirates FA Cup clash against Bishop Auckland at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.
After Louis Johnson had nudged the visitors’ ahead midway through the first half, a brilliant goal by Cyril Giraud levelled things up. However, despite having chances, the Colliers were unable to force home their advantage with the game going to a replay on Tuesday night.
“Wow just wow,” he said after he had regained his breath, “Where do I start. I’ve got mixed emotions really. I thought the first half performance was unacceptable – it was well below par and it was so disappointing because I thought they (Bishop Auckland) were better all over the field. They were stronger and more aggressive; they controlled the game and I thought coming in 1-0 down at half time was exactly what we deserved. We just had a few words with the lads – not in an aggressive fashion, just in an honest open way – and asked everyone to be the best version of themselves because in the first half I could look at maybes two or three of them that were hitting the heights that we are used to whilst the others were below par. So we just asked them to go out and be full of energy and use the crowds’ energy and to be on the front foot.”
For the start of the second period, Ashington introduced Jay Errington for Matty Slocombe and Hill added: “We made one change and it was nothing to do with Matty’s performance. We just felt we needed something different up top, we wanted something to happen to spark something off and within minutes of Jay’s entry into the game, he was flicking things on and linking the play – and I thought second half we were excellent. On another day our performance after the break was worthy of two, three or even four goals – and that’s probably the only disappointing thing that we are not through to the next round. Their ‘keeper (Ryan Catterick) has pulled off two or three wonderful saves and we know that no matter where we have got possession on the field, Bishop Auckland provide a threat. However, I thought we shut the back door up well and I don’t think our ‘keeper Dan Staples has had a great deal to do – whilst at the other end, we caused them lots of problems.”
He continued: “We now have to go and play them for a third time in eight days and we’re not under any illusions that the replay will be anything other that a very, very tough game – just like the other two have been but I thought the reaction of the players was excellent. The wind was quite strong as per normal at Woodhorn Lane which requires you to look to play and I thought in the first half, we resulted in Dan Staples ‘going long’ which played into Bishop Auckland’s hands. We just asked players to be a little bit braver and to get on the ball and build the play up gradually through the thirds. At times we did go long but it was the right time to do it especially when you have got players like Wilson Kneeshaw up top where you can miss out the midfield provided it’s delivered in a good way. However, I was really pleased that we gave that second 45 minutes performance because there was a good crowd today including some who will have watched us for the first time this season and it was important that they enjoyed it.”
The game was beamed out live by the BBC via iPlayer, Red Button and online and Hill said: “There was a lot made of the publicity surrounding it and rightly so because it’s brilliant for Ashington Football Club. However sometimes you’ve got to manage that hype and make sure the players understand that it was just another game of football and it’s what they do on the field over the 90 plus minutes that is important. Perhaps the reason behind our first half showing were the cameras being in attendance – but we don’t expect that level of performance. That first 45 minutes was disappointing – but all I’m going to look at is the second half improvements.”
The replay is at Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park ground on Tuesday (August 20) where kick off is 7.45pm.