By Brian Bennett
Ashington manager Nick Gray said his outfit face ‘a huge nine days’ after they went out of the Isuzu FA Trophy following a 3-0 defeat against Garforth Town on Saturday.
Goals from Mutty Al-Jahadhmy, Rinor Ejupi and sub George Harrison wrapped victory for ‘The Miners’ in Leeds and ended the Colliers interest in the competition.
Gray’s side now face a quick turnaround with the derby clash against Blyth Spartans tomorrow followed by home games against Blyth Town (Saturday August 30) and Hallam (Tuesday September 2).
Although the Woodhorn Lane boss doesn’t like to look too far ahead, he broke with tradition when he said: “For me we’ve had five games and although some players have had more minutes than others, they know if they’ve done well in the five games. Fans want to see cup runs and I understand that but we are never going to win the FA Cup or FA Trophy. But I tell you what – we’ve got a huge three games in nine days now starting on Monday – and they are all defining matches for me. We have two local derbies (against Blyth Spartans and Blyth Town) then Hallam and there’s a lot of unanswered questions for me which we have got to try and put right.”
Gray – who was still perplexed after the defeat against Garforth – added: “There are worse things and harder things that go on in life and football is an enjoyment for people and is also a relief for them – but if that (the performance against Garforth) is an enjoyment and relief then for me its soul searching and I’ve got to ask questions of myself and of the players. Listen I’ve always said that I don’t mind getting beat although I don’t like getting beat – but it’s the manner of it and I’m a bit speechless to be honest.”
He continued: “For the first goal we switched off from a set piece. It was too easy and too acceptable – then we’ve had a great chance to equalise but haven’t taken it. I ask the players to pull the trigger and they don’t – and guess what the lad for Garforth did for the second goal? He pulled the trigger and the ball has gone into the top corner. I’m sick of saying it – if you don’t shoot you don’’t score. At 2-0 we had another great chance then it was just before the final whistle when the third goal went in.”
Gray says that things have got to improve: “The three games in nine days will define a lot for the players and myself whereby we need to learn and change quickly. However there are some good players in there (the dressing room), only they haven’t clicked yet and we are still a new group. I’m confident that things will change but it’s got to be quick and the players have got to realise that. The players know who need to step up to the mark but the good thing is they are good players who have got a lot of experience. Now is the time for them to deliver because in ten days, if they haven’t, I could be gone; they could be gone and that’s me being brutally honest.”
Ashington were left numb after learning of the tragic passing of lifelong supporter Craig Dickinson and Gray said: “It’s been a sad week for the club and for some supporters and I feel for Craig Dickinson’s family. It was really appreciated that some of them (the Dickinson family) came down today under difficult circumstances along with other fans and I’m really sorry for them that we didn’t get the win which we wanted to for Craig. My thoughts plus those of the management team and the players are with Craig and his family.”
In a poignant moment, as Ashington’s players came off the pitch they applauded and acknowledged the supporters (including some of the Dickinson family) who were in the stand.