By Brian Bennett

Striker Noah Cunningham was the jewel in the crown on Tuesday night as Ashington turned on a five star showing in a terrific 4-1 win over Lincoln United.

Wearing a broad smile, the 19 year-old – who plundered a hat-trick and set up the fourth goal for Josh Gilchrist – said afterwards: “I probably should have had another couple. On one occasion, I went to chip the ‘keeper and should have done better but I got my third after that so I’m not too bothered. It was a good result and we needed it. We’ve said that we have been doing well but just haven’t been getting results and tonight we have stayed as a team and have done what we needed to do and it came off. We also talked about a team going to get a drubbing because of the way we have been playing and Lincoln got it tonight – we have travelled here and done the job. We have been playing well but dying off in the second half or the last 15-20 minutes but tonight we have shown character and competed for the whole game – and got a result.”

For all his hat-trick, Gateshead-born Cunningham revealed that he had had to take a bit of banter from his team-mates in the dressing room after the game: “For the fourth goal which Gilly (Josh Gilchrist) scored, the lads were having a go at me for not shooting but I though Josh was in a better position so I passed it to him and he made no mistake,” he said.

Speaking of his treble, Cunningham added: “Dan Groves shouted at me to make a run for the opening goal and his pass was weighted perfectly then Ryan Donaldson has played a perfect ball over the top which led to my second. The third was another great ball played in behind by Oli Thompson and I was delighted not only to finish it but also get my hat-trick.”

Cunningham turned his attentions towards Saturday’s trip to face high flying Bradford Park Avenue and said: “It’s away again but Lincoln were higher than us so it makes no difference. Yes it’ll be a hard game but if we turn in the same type of performance as we have done tonight, then there’s nothing to stop us from getting another result – and we need it 100 per cent. 

Manager Marc Ellison said: “Noah has turned into a bit of a nuisance all of a sudden. He was unlucky to come out of the team on Saturday against Silsden but we knew it was important to get minutes into Liam Henderson – who couldn’t travel tonight – because he’s been struggling. However, Noah has absolutely run Lincoln ragged tonight and if he plays like that every week, I’ll have no complaints. He’s a 19 year old who is a big handful. He probably should have scored more than the three if I’m being honest – but he was brilliant.”