By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray pulled no punches as he openly and honestly delivered his postmatch verdict after his side had gone out of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup following a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle University at Prudhoe’s Essity Park last night.

Joel Manning gave the Students an early lead in the second half which was added to midway through when Andrew Anderson put the ball into his own net – and Gray was seething with his outfit.

“I cannot be having the same conversation after every game about performances,” he stormed, “A lot of questions have to be answered by myself as manager and the players. We spoke to them before the game about attitude, mentality and how we had to be better than them (Newcastle University) and I just wonder whether the players are not listening to the information we are giving them – and if that is the situation then something has got to change.”

He continued: “On the night we were beaten by the better team – no arguments about it – and it has hurt me badly. The supporters were fantastic again and I am apologising to them – but I cannot keep on doing that. I’m really, really disappointed and some of the players have got to come to the table. It’s a quick turn around for us as we go to play Grimsby Borough tomorrow – and I’ll be looking for a reaction.”