Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Chris Reid’s first goal in Ashington colours secured a vital victory against a Consett side who ended the contest with nine men at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

It wasn’t a wonder strike but Reid’s close range effort eight minutes into the second half was all that mattered.

The result meant it was back to back wins for a Colliers side rejuvenated under the guidance of interim managers Marc Ellison and Karl Ross as they backed up Saturday’s 1-0 away success over Garforth Town.

All of a sudden the league table has a different look to it with Ashington – who climbed out of the drop zone on Saturday – now up to 15th place.

However Ellison and Ross will be the first to acknowledge that there is still a long way to go before the final round of fixtures on the last Saturday in April and they will make sure that their side will be fully focussed on the job in hand when Grimsby Borough come to Woodhorn Lane this weekend.

Like at Garforth, Ashington’s win on Tuesday evening was fully deserved. They shaded the first period and although the Steelmen showed more urgency from the first minute of the second half, the Colliers had their own bit of steel as a defensive unit and kept Consett’s chances down to a bare minimum.

The home side ought to have edged ahead in the 12th minute following link up play between Ryan Wombwell and Louis Burns which set up an opportunity for Rory Powell but the full back dragged a first time shot wide from 16 yards.

It was midway through the half before Consett threatened following a crossfield pass by Jordan Patterson but former Collier Will Constantin’s effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Ashington came again and in the 25th minute, Craig Spooner – on his return to the side after a six week lay off through injury – took a pass from Wombwell but curled a right footer wide.

As the interval approached, Donny Holdsworth struck a low effort which was superbly tipped around at the foot of his right post by home ‘keeper Ben Metcalf before the Colliers – playing with a newfound confidence – put together the move of the half.

The impressive Rory Powell found Josh Gilchrist down the right and when he pulled the ball across, Spooner didn’t have to break stride – but side footed wide of the far upright.

The visitors began the second period with more urgency but in the 53rd minute, they were rocked when Ashington took the lead.

Spooner floated a free kick into the box which was glanced on by Jeremy Perera – who was making his home debut – and in the scramble which ensued close to the goal-line, Reid got the all important touch to put the ball into the back of the net.

There was little in the way of chances and play was scrappy but determined defending saw Ashington repel anything which Consett threw at them.

However in the 76th minute, the visitors were reduced in number when Calvin Smith was sent off by referee Alex Clark for a second yellow card offence.

With only four minutes of the 90 remaining, substitute Sam Davison came agonisingly close to sealing the result.

Rory Powell found substitute Ben Sampson down the right flank but when he crossed low, Davison coming in at the far post, missed the ball by a matter of inches.

Just before the final whistle, Consett’s night was further compounded when Marc Costello was also shown a second yellow leaving the Steelmen to play out the last minute with only nine men.