By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie
Not surprisingly, Marc Ellison wore a broad smile when he gave his post match assessment following Ashington’s 2-0 victory over North Ferriby on Saturday.
Ellison and captain Karl Ross – who were recently installed as the interim management team at the Woodhorn Lane based outfit – looked on in sheer delight as the Colliers clinched the result with a stunning goal from Louis Burns and an effort in the last minute from Liam Wotherspoon.
Ellison said: “It was our first game for three weeks and I couldn’t be prouder of the lads. We have been through a rocky period of results but the players are over the moon in there (dressing room) and they should be after what was a great result. I would have taken any positive result on the road but to perform the way we did and to get three points was really, really satisfying. I know they (North Ferriby) had a man sent off early doors but we looked comfortable before that. We’ve dominated the game and had the lion’s share of possession and should have been ahead at half time.”
The Wansbeck side went into the interval all square at 0-0 and Ellison added: “The problem for us in the first half was without the ball. Even when we had the extra man, we were getting caught too high up the pitch. They were breaking on us too easily because we weren’t working hard enough out of possession. We changed things at half time and in the second half the lads done exactly what we have asked them to do in the three weeks we have been in charge as they played the way we want them to play. We’ve got a style of play which we are going to stick with and what we are looking for was all there – yes it still needs polishing and sharpening up but it’s brand new to all of us.”
He continued: “I’m absolutely delighted for Louis Burns who produced a great finish for the opening goal. However, I must also mention Liam Noble who was absolute brilliant in the middle of the pitch and who ran the game but Ryan Wombwell was my Player of the match. With Jeremy Perera picking up an injury before half time, we asked Ryan (Wombwell) to step into midfield from left back and I thought he was phenomenal from minute one whilst the two lads at the back – Ryan Donaldson and Chris Reid – were solid. If we can sharpen up in the final third and start to put away some of the chances, then I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”