By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

After two games where he has had a face like thunder, Ashington manager Nick Gray emerged from the dressing room on Saturday wearing a smile following his sides battling goalless draw against Grimsby Borough in North East Lincolnshire.

“It wasn’t a classic game by any means but it was a point on the road and we kept a clean sheet,” he said “I was proud of all the players today because they gave everything and left everything on the pitch. On Thursday night against Newcastle University it was both a disappointing result and performance as we lost 2-0 but there were some lessons learned. We definitely would have taken a point before the game today. If I’m being honest I thought it was probably a fair result because I didn’t think either team had that bit of quality in the final third. We even could have won it – but that’s been our issue where we are not scoring or working the goalkeeper. There are still things which we have got to learn but today was positive. We’ve had two draws in the league and are hard to beat but we need to work on finishing teams off.”

He continued: “It was a good bounce back after Thursday night. We are a Jekyll and Hyde team with my assistant Liam McIvor and I not sure what we are going to get. The best teams have got consistency  – and that’s what we have got to aim for. You take each game and now the midweek games have finished which allows you to work on things in training but you’ve just got to keep thinking positively.”

He added: “Probably a learning curve for us today was the substitutes who came on and who gave everything were the people who haven’t had many minutes. We probably need to work them a bit harder because we are asking them to do things when they go on the pitch and they are not quite up to fitness but I take the responsibility and blame for that – it’s not on them.”

Ashington were forced into a late reshuffle when Scott Lowery pulled out in the warm up – and Gray gave a glowing tribute to Ryan Donaldson: “Scott was disappointed but he didn’t feel right,” said the boss, “He’s had an injury and played last week and after not involving him against Newcastle University, I thought he would have been okay for today – but fair play to Ryan Donaldson. Ryan was informed 20 minutes before the game that he was starting and he got through 90 minutes. He’s been out for a while with injury himself but he’s played two games within 48 hours and that’s credit to him. He’s comfortable on the ball and is a very good communicator on the pitch.”

Ashington Football Club is proud of the fantastic facilities we provide for the level at which we operate. However, we recognise that maintaining these facilities comes with significant costs. In the current economic climate, with rising energy and food prices alongside increases in wages and National Insurance, the non-football side of the club has been reviewing ways to operate more efficiently internally.

After evaluating the hatch and Sunday lunches, the club has made the difficult decision to discontinue in-house catering effective immediately. We would like to thank everyone involved in their dedication and hard work in this effort.

To ensure that our fans continue to enjoy quality food on matchdays, the club will now outsource catering services and is delighted to welcome back Katie Doc’s food van, who will provide an excellent offering for supporters.

Additionally, the club has reluctantly made changes to the bar operation, including the mutual agreement to discontinue the bar manager role. We are pleased to confirm that our former bar manager will remain with the club as part of the bar staff team moving forward.

While some may see these changes as a temporary step back, they are necessary to ensure the club becomes more efficient and sustainable. Our priority remains the best interests of the club, our facilities, and the overall matchday experience for our supporters and this commitment is evident in recent improvements, including the switch to LED floodlights, which not only increase efficiency but also reduce light pollution in the surrounding community. The club will continue to explore ways to enhance operations while maintaining the high standards our fans expect.

Thank you for your continued support!

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray pulled no punches as he openly and honestly delivered his postmatch verdict after his side had gone out of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup following a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle University at Prudhoe’s Essity Park last night.

Joel Manning gave the Students an early lead in the second half which was added to midway through when Andrew Anderson put the ball into his own net – and Gray was seething with his outfit.

“I cannot be having the same conversation after every game about performances,” he stormed, “A lot of questions have to be answered by myself as manager and the players. We spoke to them before the game about attitude, mentality and how we had to be better than them (Newcastle University) and I just wonder whether the players are not listening to the information we are giving them – and if that is the situation then something has got to change.”

He continued: “On the night we were beaten by the better team – no arguments about it – and it has hurt me badly. The supporters were fantastic again and I am apologising to them – but I cannot keep on doing that. I’m really, really disappointed and some of the players have got to come to the table. It’s a quick turn around for us as we go to play Grimsby Borough tomorrow – and I’ll be looking for a reaction.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Liam Miller says he just wants to start playing football again after putting pen to paper for Ashington on a loan deal from neighbours Morpeth Town.

The 23 year old has been out of the game for 18 months with injury but he has now been given the green light to kick start his footballing career.

“I did back to back ACL’s (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) on the same knee,” he said after making a brief appearance as an 84^th minute substitute in the Colliers 1-1 draw against North Ferriby at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday, “After being injured the first time, I returned within seven to eight months but after doing pre season, it went again in my first game back. However, I’ve played things safe this time round and have been out for a full 12 months.”

Hexham-born Miller, who is a football coach, continued: “I just want to get some minutes into my legs and play football again. I know a good few of the lads at Ashington so I thought it was a perfect opportunity because it’s just up the road as well. I’m buzzing – and can’t wait to get started.”

Ashington manager Nick Gray said: “I’ve know of Liam for four or five years. He’s coming back after a long term injury but has been training and has received the okay to play but needs minutes. I’ve brought him in because we are a bit lopsided between left and right footers as we only have Jay Hornsby and I’ve told Jay that Liam – who has got a great left foot – will help him. If a player becomes available who you think is going to strengthen your squad then we’ll always look at the situation. Liam is a player who is here to get his match fitness back. He’s a good player and will enhance the squad for sure.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Nick Gray didn’t have to speak about being disappointed and frustrated after his side had played out a 1-1 draw against high fliers North Ferriby at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday – the expression on his face said it all!

After the visitors had been reduced in number following Louis Kirk’s red card two minutes into the second half, Josh Gilchrist fired the Colliers in front but the ten men of Ferriby went back home with a point as a cool finish by Charlie Clements with a little over ten minutes remaining levelled the scores.

A furious Gray commented: “One hundred per cent it was two points dropped today and what I will say is that when it went to 1-1, I thought they (North Ferriby) were more likely to score again than us. The game was there for the taking from the first minute of the second half right the way through. The sending off obviously helped us and we got our noses in front but missed some good chances. We still gave silly free kicks away even though we talk about not doing that and to be fair our ‘keeper Tyler Jones has made two unbelievable saves from set plays.”

He continued: “We gave them (North Ferriby) a goal by over playing in the wrong area and people have got to learn. When they went down to ten men, they worked harder than us – and that shouldn’t happen because we have got to raise our game. We made wrong decisions and played sideways and backwards passes too much and invited them on. Credit to them, they worked hard and got the equaliser but for me it was avoidable.”

Chances were at a premium in a dull opening period. It was past the quarter hour mark before Lewis Dennison missed out with a close range header for North Ferriby  – before Liam Henderson fluffed his lines when he stroked wide of the upright: “Liam said he should have scored after what was a good move,” added Gray, “I thought we began the game slowly but grew into the half as it progressed. We got more possession but didn’t use the ball wisely enough and at half time I said to the lads ‘let’s look after the ball a bit better’ – and we started the second half okay. We got our noses in front and with no disrespect to the opposition, when you are 1-0 up against ten men you should control the game but we didn’t. That was disappointing and we’ve got to learn from it. It’s a point more than we had before kick-off but I do feel it was two points dropped.”

Ashington travel to face Newcastle University on Thursday night (October 23) in the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup and Gray added: “It’s a one-off game and we’ve got to make sure that we’re ‘at it’ and focussed. We’ll dust ourselves down and prepare for the match but it won’t be easy. It’s a competition where the final is played at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park and all players relish the opportunity of playing there. With that incentive, if people can’t raise their games then they shouldn’t be in non league football.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray said his side still had to work on their consistency following their slender 1-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Redcar Athletic on Wednesday night.

Just when it looked as if the Colliers were going to pull off a deserved goalless draw against the free scoring Steelmen, striker Oscar Fletcher netted the winner in the 89^th minute.

Gray commented afterwards: “Listen, we came with a game plan and I thought that the starting 11 worked their socks off and pressed Redcar well. We stayed with runners and the longer the game went on, the more we grew into the contest and they (Redcar) got more frustrated. We changed the shape and matched them and it was disappointing that we didn’t get anything out of it at the end –  you could see how happy they (Redcar) were. They are a good side and have got some good players and it was just a lapse of concentration which led to the only goal of the game near the end. The result hides away what was a really good performance. Everyone gave their all and yes I’m disappointed. Could we have nicked it? They have scored but we’ve had a chance at the end with a header which went just over.”

Gray touched on the goal: “The pace of the ball beat our ‘keeper Tyler Jones,” he said, “Louis Johnson is a good player and he spun Rory Powell. Johnson could have had a shot himself but he’s played the kid in (Oscar Fletcher) and it worked for them.”

Gray added that his outfit face a ‘huge week’ ahead: “We have taken a lot of credit over the last seven games,” he said, “After the first 20 minutes we played really poorly against Emley on Saturday but we have won three and played against Matlock Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Redcar Athletic and we have given them all a game. However, we have got to work on our consistency because we have got a huge week coming up with a home game against North Ferriby on Saturday (October 18), our Northumberland Senior Cup tie away to Newcastle University on Thursday (October 23) and an away clash at Grimsby Borough on Saturday (October 25). We will take our confidence on board and learn from our mistakes. We are going the right way – I’m positive about that  – but we have got to eradicate Jekyll and Hyde performances which we still have in us.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor was seething after the final whistle and slammed the Colliers’ display after the 3-0 defeat against Emley on Saturday.

“It was a hard one to take,” he said afterwards, “I thought for the first 20 minutes there was nothing in the game and then they scored. I’m always harping on about doing the basics – and the goal came from us not doing that due to a bit of communication and a silly throw in which developed into a 50-50 that we didn’t win – and the ball ends up in the back of the net.”

After Chris Dawson had added a second for the hosts, McIvor was pleased to hear the half time whistle. “We needed to ‘man up’ because for the last 25 minutes of the first half we were awful,” he added, “It was like men against boys. It wasn’t good enough and that’s not acceptable. I thought we started the second half brightly and if Sam Davison had scored when he had a chance then it would have changed the picture a bit.”

He went on: “Our attitude before the game was right and young ‘keeper Tyler Jones has pulled off some great saves again. However, that wasn’t a performance by a Nick Gray/Liam McIvor side and I felt embarrassed that we got clapped off by our fans who back us no matter what. I didn’t think it was as bad a showing as against Consett recently when we lost 4-0 – but it was along those lines.”

He concluded: “We’ve got a game on Wednesday night against what I call a proper team (Redcar Athletic) and if we don’t turn up with the right mentality, we’ll get rolled over. Nick (Gray) and myself will be looking for a reaction but one thing about us is that we raise the bar against the better teams. Redcar certainly fit into that category but if we raise the bar then I know we can match them.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington skipper Karl Ross said at the weekend that he and his team-mates will go into the next three league games inside eight days against teams in the leading pack – Emley, Redcar Athletic and North Ferriby – full of confidence.

The Colliers gave a wholehearted display despite a 2-1 defeat against leaders Bradford Park Avenue last midweek. The hosts – who were unbeaten in ten matches – went two goals ahead inside the opening quarter hour through Joe Ackroyd and Kareem Hassan-Smith.

However, a header by Scott Lowery halved the deficit and prompted an energetic display by Nick Gray’s side with the hosts happy to hear the final whistle.

Ross – who is based in Cramlington – said: “I thought we definitely deserved a point. Obviously we had a tough start but we changed things a little bit and after that we gave a cracking display away from home. There weren’t many chances but after the fight which the lads showed, I was just proud to be on the pitch with them. I think for heart and desire, our performance was right up there as being one of the best I’ve been a part of. Every single person plus the lads who came on ran themselves into the ground – and that’s not easy to do that when you have travelled for two and a half to three hours.”

Ashington go to Emley on Saturday (October 11) and Ross – who celebrated his 27^th birthday last Friday – added: “We’ve had a good couple of weeks and have hit a bit of form of late. We were without a fixture on Saturday so we’re looking forward to the game. Following on from Bradford, we’ve got the other top three to play in the games which lie ahead and we’ll be relishing the opportunity to play against them. Things are starting to click a little bit for us and we’ll be looking to continue to play like we have been.”

On Wednesday (October 15), the Colliers travel to Teesside where they face Redcar Athletic (7.45pm) before they take on North Ferriby at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday (October 18).

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray was disappointed – but certainly not downhearted – after his side had lost 2-1 away to league leaders Bradford Park Avenue last midweek.

The Colliers were unlucky not to share the spoils against the West Yorkshire outfit but as his side prepare to face three mouthwatering fixtures in a week – against Emley, Redcar Athletic and North Ferriby – Gray has reflected on the first few months of the campaign.

“We have now played nearly a quarter of the season and by the time we play Emley on Saturday, I think most teams will have done the same,” he said, “From what we have learned from the first 11 games is that the old cliché rings true – that there are no easy games in this league and if you’re not switched on and focussed you’ll get overturned. As for the quality and difference in the sides – I think there are a lot of teams who can beat anyone and then there are the likes of Matlock Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Dunston who stand out for me. Likewise with us, I knew it would take a little bit of time for us to get our first win but perhaps not as long as it did but when you analyse it, we’ve got 11 new players in the squad and we’ve changed our shape this season which has taken some time to adjust too. I’m happy with the pool of players although we always look to add to it if we need to but when we went down to Ossett United and I looked the bench – and of the personnel who were missing – that’s when I thought we’ve got a cracking squad here. The 11 who started must have thought that there was pressure from the bench so they had to perform and when we’re bringing on a Liam Noble, Jake Orrell or a Liam Henderson it holds good for us.”

He continued: “We’ve also got the youngsters like the Powell twins Harry and Rory and Sam Davison who are not even 20 years of age and they have come into men’s football and it’s difficult for them. However I think we are learning with every game. We have a young goalkeeper in Tyler Jones who has done terrific for us. He’s just come to us so half of our team are new to men’s football and it’s going to take time. However, as I keep mentioning to the players, senior football is about getting results – that’s all what matters and if you don’t get them, some players go and predominantly managers go. After our first 11 games we now have some confidence in us but we’ve got to continue with that and take it into our future matches.”

Gray recalled the crushing 4-0 defeat at Consett recently and went into more detail about the reverse at Bradford: “They (Consett) were good on the night but Bradford Park Avenue were even better and if we had played at Bradford like we did against Consett, it would have been an even heavier defeat,” he said, “Yes we had some players missing but I was very proud of everyone who turned up on Tuesday night because they gave their all. We didn’t have much in the way of firepower in the final third but we stayed in the game and worked extremely hard and I certainly couldn’t have asked for anything more from the lads.”

He continued: “I thought Bradford played really well in the first half with loads of energy but after we had addressed a couple of things we came out of the game with a lot of confidence and a lot of credit. We had players who hadn’t played a lot of minutes like Scott Lowery and Jake Orrell. Sam Davison played in an unaccustomed role and we had an 18 year old in Tyler Jones in goal whilst we couldn’t fill the bench so our options were limited. Being greedy we would have liked to have taken a point but we didn’t quite manage that. There are still things to work on – the two goals we conceded at Bradford were disappointing and we’ve got to be more difficult to break down in our half as well as tracking runners, being braver and stronger – and we’ve got to learn quickly.”

He concluded: “I think when you know you are playing a top side or one who are doing well, you’ve got to be focussed and switched on and I think we’ve looked better against the likes of Bradford and Matlock because we raised our game. However the key word in this league is consistency and we’ve got to improve on that. The next three games are going to be challenging for us but they are also going to be challenging for our opponents. We’ve got to pick up points from these games – it’s as simple as that – and we are more than capable of doing that.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray spoke of his overall pride in his players – despite the Colliers going down  2-1 against Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday night.

The Wansbeck outfit were on the wrong end of a crushing 4-0 defeat against Consett recently and after conceding goals scored by Joe Ackroyd and the impressive Kareem Hassan-Smith in the first quarter hour, looked to be heading for a repeat against the unbeaten league leaders.

However, Scott Lowery silenced the home crowd when he halved the deficit in the 23^rd minute with a header and thereafter Nick Gray’s side gave their all and left every drop of energy and sweat out on the Horsfall Community Stadium’s 3G pitch.

Although they never really tested home ‘keeper Jack Hall, the Colliers made Bradford fight all the way for the points and Gray said afterwards: “It was a very difficult first ten to fifteen minutes for us when we were 2-0 down and the players could have chucked it then if I’m being honest – lesser teams would have done – but to be fair to the lads and to give them credit, they stuck to the task. We tweaked the shape a little bit and got back into the game with a goal from a set piece and for the last 20 minutes of the first half and the whole of the second half I was really proud of the lads. Certainly with a little bit of luck we could have got something out of the game.”

He continued: “Take nothing away from Bradford – they are a good side. Their movement was good and they pulled us around in the first half. We came here tonight with one or two players missing and I always say no disrespect to people who aren’t here because they can’t affect the game but to the ones who were here tonight, the club have got to be very proud. Three weeks ago we would have lost that game comfortably so it shows how far we have come and we’ve just got to keep on believing. We’ve now got a weekend off. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Well we’ve got ten days before our next game and we’ve got to take the positives from the Matlock Town game a couple of weeks ago to where we are now and what I will say is that we are not going to be an easy ride for teams to play us.”

He added: “Young ‘keeper Tyler Jones has had two things to do in the second half – one of them where he’s made an unbelievable save – whilst Andrew Anderson and Scott Lowery haven’t played much football recently and they both did well. Also we had a couple of lads on bookings early doors but they kept their heads right and Sam Davison is another who hasn’t played much but I thought he was brilliant.”

He went on: “Second half we were better without really testing the Bradford ‘keeper but listen they (Bradford) are a good side and I’m not going to take that away from them because they have won the game after what they did to us in the first 20 minutes.

When you are away from home in a midweek game and you come away disappointed from not getting anything against a team who are top of the league shows that you are going in the right direction. However, our next four games are against teams in the top five and play off places so we’ve got to play in the same manner.”

He concluded: “At half time I told the lads that the wide men were coming in off the pitch for them so to condense the middle of the park and for midfield players to stay with runners –  and they did that. We sacrificed a little bit up top but I thought Josh Gilchrist worked hard and Craig Spooner played in a role which was a bit unnatural for him but he also put in a shift. The lads gave their all and left everything on the pitch tonight but for the last two weeks we have shown some great character, resilience and togetherness with some quality and we’ve got to take all of the positives. We have a break now before our next game which is away to Emley. Again it will be a tough game – but we’ll look forward to it.”