By Brian Bennett
Ben Metcalf’s call up to the Northern Ireland squad opened the door for a recall to Ashington’s starting line up for Matty Alexander – and the ‘keeper played an integral part in the Colliers 1-0 victory over high flying Dunston at Woodhorn Lane on Friday night.
Six minutes into the second half when the visitors were awarded a penalty, Josh Donaldson stepped forward – but the striker saw his effort superbly saved by Alexander who dived to his left and palmed the ball away one handed. Five minutes later Ben Williams netted the all important goal of the contest.
The 23 year old said of the crucial save: “Dunston have had a few penalties recently so I had a quick look – but to fair the penalties had gone all over – to the left, to the right and down the middle and there have been a couple of different players who have taken them. I think the last one went to the goalkeeper’s left so I thought I’ll go the same way and hope for the best – and thankfully it paid off. As a goalkeeper, it’s always nice to save a penalty because it makes you think that you are contributing and helping the team so it was a good feeling.”
Metcalf’s call up prompted an earlier return to action for Newcastle-born Alexander as he explained: “I was ruled out at the start of the season with a hand injury then I injured my ankle in the first half against Emley,” he said, “Obviously Ben (Metcalf) is away at the moment so I’ve come back a bit sooner than I thought – but our physio Kev Chapman has done a good job in strapping my ankle up tonight and it has paid off.”
Reflecting on the game, Alexander added: “I thought we created more chances and I didn’t feel as if I had an awful lot to do. We hit the post and had one cleared off the line and in the end with the effort we put in, I thought we deserved the win because we worked for it. Now we’ve got to get a positive result against Blyth Town on Tuesday. The games are coming thick and fast and with the Easter weekend, we’ve got to make the most of it and keep going.”
Interim boss Marc Ellison said: “If Ben Metcalf hadn’t been called up to International duty with Northern Ireland, he would played for us tonight. We got the rub of the green which you’ve got to take and fair play to Matty Alexander. We’ll have to assess how he is because he was limping at half time with his foot. He’s got through it and he’s a good lad so we’ll see before Tuesday and go from there. But he has now saved two penalties and we have won both games 1-0 and those six points could potentially keep us in the league. We can’t knock his attitude and commitment when he hasn’t been in the team. He’s here every week for training; he travels with us even if he’s not in the squad and he’s brilliant.”