JACKSON: “I’M EXCITED ABOUT JOINING ASHINGTON”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s new striker Cieran Jackson said at the weekend that he is excited about joining the Woodhorn Lane based outfit.

The 24 year old was included in the squad for Saturday’s trip to face Sherwood Colliery and came on as a substitute just past the hour mark.

The contest finished all square at 1-1 with Ryan Wombwell on target for the Colliers with a late equaliser.

Afterwards Jackson said: “I’m excited about joining Ashington and to start playing again – hopefully I can score a few goals. As soon as the manager (Nick Gray) rang me it was a no brainer to join. It was good to get on as a substitute today – I thought I did alright – and maybes could have scored but the defender (Jaz Goundry) got back to clear. We had a better second half today but I thought we dropped two points really because we could have won.”

Ashington boss Nick Gray said: “I’ve known Cieran for a few years. He’s been at Spennymoor and Stockton – both good clubs – and although we are getting better, we need to be looking to improve even more and probably in the attacking third. Cieran is a player who will give us tenacity and he’s a livewire who will put his body on the line. He’ll not score 25 goals a season but will create chances for others and work hard for the team and won’t give the opposition defence time on the ball.”

He continued: “Cieran lives in Bishop Auckland – which is not close to Ashington – and he had a couple of other offers but decided to join us so that says something about the lad. I’ve admired him for a good while and he’ll give us something which we haven’t got and that will be a plus for us.”