By Brian Bennett
Ashington manager Nick Gray expressed his disappointment after Friday night’s clash against Consett in the Pitching In Northern Premier League was called off by referee Elliot Cowens less than half an hour before kick-off.
“I was disappointed,” said Gray, “Obviously both teams were at the ground when it started to rain about 40 minutes before kick off. It’s one of those now where you only need one or two to give their thoughts to the referee and the referee has to consider it – and that was from both sides to be fair. The referee was quite happy to start the game but wasn’t confident that it would get finished and I think what happens is that kidology creeps in with thoughts about where one team goes ahead and wants play to continue whilst the team who goes behind wants the game to be called off. I’ve never known as many abandonments as we have now but I understand the referee’s situation and accept it. The Consett manager wanted the game off and when the referee asked me for my opinion, I initially declined to comment. I then said that I would accept whatever decision he arrived at and the referee called it.”
Gray then gave a glowing tribute to groundsman Scott Robson. The Woodhorn Lane surface took a battering in the game against Brighouse Town the previous Saturday but after hours of dedicated and sterling work, Robson amazingly transformed the pitch into a perfectly playable condition before the late rainfall.
Gray said: “Scott did a fantastic job and I’m disappointed for him because obviously he tried his best to get the pitch fit to get the game on tonight.”
Meanwhile the boss gave an update on the four Ashington players who are nursing injuries – Scott Lowery (knee), Jay Hornsby (foot), Liam Miller (quad) and Ryan Wombwell (hamstring): “Scott isn’t far away and Jay is looking to train next week,” he said “Liam is probably two weeks away whilst Ryan was ruled out tonight and has no chance for the home clash against Ossett United on Saturday (December 13). We’re probably looking at the game against Blyth Spartans on Boxing Day for Ryan to make a return to the squad.”