LIAM HENDERSON: “I JUST THOUGHT I’LL GIVE IT A GO”

By Brian Bennett

Liam Henderson lit up Woodhorn Lane on Saturday when he scored a wonder goal in Ashington’s 3-1 win over West Auckland in their FA Trophy clash.

In the opening minute of the second half and with his side trailing 1-0, the striker took full advantage of a slip on the half way line by a visiting defender to chip the ball from 40 yards over advanced ‘keeper Steven Bessent and watch as it dropped into the net.

Afterwards the 36 year old said: “I noticed that the keeper was creeping off his line during most of the first half. Obviously I’ve done well to nick the ball off the kid on the halfway line, looked up and when I saw the ‘keeper off his line I thought ‘I’ll give it a go’ and luckily it was the right connection.”

Reflecting on the game, Gateshead-born Henderson said: “In the first half I thought we did okay. We were lacking in the final third but I thought we were playing some all right football and getting into good positions without really hurting them. It was just about being a bit more clinical which was obviously said to the two lads (Benji Shodeinde and Scott Fenwick) who came on because they got the two goals which won us the match. It’s a squad game and we’ve got another match on Monday – so lads are going to have to come together and get minutes and hopefully it’s a good omen for us.”

He continued: “I’ve just come back off holiday and wasn’t expecting to play as long as I did against Dunston on Tuesday. I’m not getting any younger but as long as I am doing a job for the team then I’m more than happy. We’re unbeaten and doing all right without doing great and hopefully we can get our first win on Monday which is the most important thing.”