By Brian Bennett
Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles said that elementary mistakes had proved costly after his side went out of the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday following a 4-1 defeat away at Congleton Town.
Coyles commented afterwards: “We’re extremely frustrated with our performance today. We had some good spells of football both in the first and second half but the four goals that we conceded are really from our own doing. That’s the unfortunate thing where we fought and worked hard to try and get back in the game and we’ve just made some elementary mistakes which have cost us.”
Ashington had shouts for two penalties in the second period and Coyles added: “We were extremely disappointed with the officiating today. When we were close to getting back in the game we’ve had two clear cut penalties not even considered then for the fourth goal the Congleton players have said that the ball was a yard out and we have conceded as a result. I thought we were knocking on the door at the right time and a couple of decisions have gone against us and I think frustration and anger have set in with maybes emotions at times getting the better of us today.”
He continued: “You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth and I thought the lads were fantastic against Bishop Auckland on Tuesday in the cup replay and gave a really good account of themselves. However we did think there were some tired legs out there having played 120 minutes on Tuesday then being on a coach journey for four hours today – but that’s football. If you want to do well in these competitions you’ve got to get on with it. Also we continue to pick up injuries with another couple today. Cam Gascoigne has pulled up with his hamstring and Charlie Exley has taken a real severe blow and it looks like a serious one to the eye – as well as a couple who are nursing niggles but who are playing through.”
He went on: “I was actually quite happy at times with the first half but in patches I just thought we were quite wasteful in possession and needed to move the ball a lot quicker – but we also needed to be more positive and play forwards more. We started the second half really well and knocked on the door and I certainly thought the final scoreline flattered Congleton. Football is a strange game. We were by far the better footballing side but our own doing has gifted them (Congleton) some goals today.”