Match Report

**Ashington won 4-3 on penalties

By Brian Bennett

Goalkeeper Adrian Janusz was the hero as Ashington scraped through to the quarter finals of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup after a nail biting penalty shootout against Newcastle University at Essity Park on Thursday night.

Janusz – who had already denied home skipper Adam Redford from the spot – produced an astonishing save low down to his right to push the ball away from James Edgely which booked the Colliers their place.

It was the final twist in a cup tie which never reached any great heights but for a while had all the ingredients of the University causing another upset.

The hosts – who plays two leagues below in the ENL second division – had delivered a knockout punch to end Ashington’s interest in the competition last season and on Thursday night the Students held the upper hand for a large chunk of the opening period.

They went ahead in the tenth minute following a corner on the right. The ball was blocked but ran to Daniel Kemp who netted from close range.

The University had three further chances to increase their lead with Jack McClarin and Kemp firing over then Janusz performing extremely well to keep out a header from Jos Storr.

In the 39th minute, Ashington got back on terms when skipper Ryan Wombwell drove the ball home following a corner on the left by Josh Gilchrist.

Shortly afterwards, Noah Cunningham latched onto a through pass but his first time effort was directed straight at ‘keeper Tobias Sharkey.

Back came the home side and another stop by Janusz diving to his right kept out a long range shot from Edgely.

The first 20 minutes of the second period saw a complete transformation with the Colliers calling the tune.

Jude Cogdon lashed over but in the 53rd minute, the full-back made a positive run down the flank and when he crossed, Gilchrist finished well, slotting inside the far post.

Ashington continued to be in the ascendency and after Oliver Thompson had been thwarted by Sharkey following a pass by Paddy Almond, Gilchrist charged through but missed a gilt-edged chance, stabbing the ball wide with only Sharkey to beat.

Just before the midway point, Wombwell played a one-two with Gilchrist but saw his effort pushed away by the home number one.

In the 69th minute, referee Elliot Cowens pointed to the spot after Almond impeded Sam Wills and Kemp added his second although Janusz got his hands to the ball but could not keep it out.

Wills hit a cross-shot wide but it was the Wansbeck side who had opportunities to win it  before the final whistle.

Scott Lowery had an effort deflected for a corner; substitute Liam Henderson blasted over then Gilchrist went close from a free-kick.

After finishing all square at 2-2, the game went straight to a penalties which the Colliers edged 4-3.

Although Liam Henderson put his effort wide, Jude Cogden, Karl Ross, Ryan Donaldson and Ryan Wombwell all netted for Ashington with Daniel Kemp, Jos Storr, and Jack McClarin on target for the hosts.

Janusz had already foiled Redford but when he kept out the fifth kick by Edgely, it booked Ashington a home tie in the next round against Newcastle Benfield.