By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray has challenged his squad ‘to be better than last season’ – ahead of Saturday’s curtain raiser in the Pitching In Northern Premier League when the Colliers travel to face Bridlington Town.

Gray said: “This is our bread and butter and we’ve got to learn from last year because there are things which we need to do a lot better. We are still in the process of putting a squad together and apart from bringing some players in, we’ve got the nucleus from last year. However, we’ve still got people away on holiday and others still finding their fitness and although August isn’t a pretty month – it’s an important one. We have got to get some points on the board during this period – and against some good sides that’s for sure – but we are well capable of doing it.”

The Woodhorn Lane boss says his squad will head down the East coast “in a positive frame of mind” – and emphasised the importance of being ‘up for it’ come 3pm on Saturday: “Our away game at Bridlington last year sticks in my mind because if we had got a good result, we could have enjoyed the end of the season more than we did,” he said, “It’s like every team in this league, if you’re not ‘at it,’ you can get battered and that day, we didn’t perform at all. The pitch is big, and we will go there in a positive frame of mind and with confidence. It’s the start of 42 league games – and if you’re not up for it you shouldn’t be involved in football.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington tasted a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough U21s at Woodhorn Lane on Wednesday night – but manager Nick Gray was in a much happier frame of mind than at 4.45pm on Saturday.

Last weekend, Gray’s side exited the Emirates FA Cup following a 3-1 reverse against Shildon who compete in the first division of the Ebac Northern League.

The Colliers gave a flat, sub-standard showing – something which Gray duly acknowledged as he later apologised to the club and its supporters.

However, after the Boro workout Gray said: “It was the end of our pre-season games, and we got out of the clash what we needed to. I thought the lads were terrific tonight and it was definitely a worthwhile exercise – and I’d like to thank Middlesbrough FC for coming up here. Beforehand we spoke about the Shildon defeat and things which needed to be addressed after the performance on Saturday and tonight, there was a good reaction. Of course, it’s disappointing to be knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup but we’re looking forward to the start of our league programme, and although there are still things to work on, we got a lot of positives out of the game tonight.”

He continued: “We took an early lead and that resulted from a bit of pressure. We talked about not giving good players time and space on the ball – and we did that – but we’re still learning how we want to play and with that we are going to make mistakes. We’ve just got to be brave and positive.”

Gray spoke about the enormous amount of help which has gone on behind the scenes at the Woodhorn Lane-based club which he and his coaching staff appreciated: “To be honest, I’m just pleased that pre-season is over – but I’d just like to go on record to thank the committee and people who have helped us out,” he added, “I’ve been involved in non-league football for a long time and I’ve never known people behind the scenes help the staff like I have here – it shows what the club means to them and Liam McIvor, Tom Read (assistant manager and goalkeeping coach respectively) and I are very thankful for it.”

On a pleasant evening and in front of a good crowd, Michael Annang-Colquhoun gave the Colliers a ninth minute lead, but Middlesbrough hit back early in the second half to edge in front 2-1. Rio Patterson Powell equalised with a stunning right foot drive from 30 yards then Hazeem Bakre fired home what turned out to be the winner on the hour mark.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray was apologetic on Saturday after his side had tumbled out of the Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle.

Indeed, Gray’s outfit were licking sore wounds after Shildon – who play in the Ebac Northern League’s first division – defeated them 3-1 in their extra preliminary round clash.

With Shildon having a new 3G pitch laid, the contest was staged at Consett’s Belle View Stadium. It’s a venue which over many years, has not been one of Ashington’s happy hunting grounds. And at around 4.45pm the Colliers were heading for the exit door as goals from Jon Weirs, Andrei-Vasile Ardelean and Luke Spalding put the Railwaymen on track for victory before Craig Spooner scored a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Afterwards a seething Gray pulled no punches when he said: “As a squad we have let the club and the supporters down today. A week is a long time in football – this time last week I was in a lot more positive mood. I thought in the first half we had the lion’s share of the possession – just Shildon were more effective, and they scored a goal which defensively was disappointing from our point of view. We had a few words at half time but if I’m being honest the second half was worse than the first.”

Gray didn’t hold back with his tirade and was keen to emphasise that there were no excuses: “It’s got nothing to do with pre-season, and it’s got nothing to do with the fact that Shildon had played two more competitive games than us – I’m not having that as an excuse. Overall, on the day they were the better side – and it (the scoreline) could have been worse. We have got to learn quickly. I thought too many players weren’t ‘at it’ – and you cannot go through games like that. Shildon had more desire than us; they had more hunger than us and that for me is not acceptable. I don’t mind getting beat by a better team or if the commitment is there but if I was to ask my players from one to eleven who had a better game than their opponent, apart from the respective ‘keepers, I reckon they would struggle to say ‘I came out on top’  – and that’s nothing against their goalkeeper because he didn’t have a shot to save until the penalty towards the end.”

He continued: “Shildon had a lot of changes in their back four and we didn’t utilise that. We spoke about things and didn’t do them. You can say what you want but once they go over the white line, then it’s down to the players who play. You can talk about tactics; you can talk about desire, and you can talk about it being the FA Cup – but it’s so disappointing to get beat. We’ve got a good friendly on Wednesday against Middlesbrough U21’s and our work ethic has got to be much better than it was today.”

He added: “Listen, as a group you take the plaudits and the criticism and today is a day to learn from things because we weren’t at it at all. There were a few other things which we spoke about, but they will stay in the dressing room. We got the ball into wide areas but didn’t utilise it. Especially in the first half we got the ball into good areas but they had a new goalkeeper and three new defenders, and you look at their forwards and what we did in the final third and its chalk and cheese. You can’t just turn it on like a tap. Good players are the ones who are the most consistent and although we’ve got a young group, we’re altogether. If we learn from it, then okay but I know what today means to the club and the supporters especially when you want to boost the profile of the club and to get beat – and the manner of it – was disappointing. There are things we need to work on, and we have got to do things a lot better – but it’s the first game of a long season and the result today is not going to define our season.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray admitted that his side face a ‘difficult challenge’ on Saturday (August 2) when they meet Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The clash is to be staged at Consett’s Belle View Stadium as Shildon are currently having a new 3G pitch laid at their Dean Street ground.

Gray said at the weekend: “Obviously with the number of teams entering the FA Cup, our season starts earlier.  Shildon are not playing on their home pitch which may help us slightly, but they are a good side who have been very unlucky over the last two years not to gain promotion to the Northern Premier League. The play offs didn’t help them but over the campaigns, they have deserved to go up – not once but twice.”

He continued: “It’ll be a tough difficult game for us but equally it’ll be the same for them. I’m sure they will come strong again this season and we know it’s going to be a challenging contest because they have got some good players; a good management team and they’ll be organised. We’ve had them watched in pre-season, so we know a little bit about them and how they played last year but they’ve obviously got a few more personnel. However, we’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we put a good game together.”

Gray added that several players will be assessed ahead of the 3pm kick-off: “We’ll be looking at our squad to prepare for the game. We’ll have a strong side out and it should be a good entertaining game,” he said.

Ashington will go into the game with a week of training behind them after they finished their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Surrey-based Horley Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday with goals from Michael Annang-Colquhoun and Marc Ellison.

Gray said: “Pre-season is all about fitness and finding out about players. We have certainly found some positives and it’s an opportunity to try things out for what works for you or vice versa. Results wise, Ashington fans would have been disappointed at the result against AFC Newbiggin, but the Newcastle Benfield match was a good workout where we came out of the traps much better the second half whilst we also spotted things which we need to work on.”

He went on: “We’ve had good preparation, and we are raring to go on Saturday. Apart from the FA Cup tie against Shildon, the first five league games including Matlock Town will hit us hard. However, we are slowly getting there.”

If Saturday’s game ends in a draw, the replay will be played at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (August 5).

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray spoke of his delight on Tuesday night after confirming that twin brothers, Harry and Rory Powell had both put pen to paper.

The pair were released by Newcastle United in the summer and have featured in the Colliers warm up games. Gray said: “I’ve known of Harry and Rory for years and watched them at grassroots football when they played for Red House Farm Juniors. They signed for Newcastle’s Academy and were at the club for several years. Obviously, it’s challenging coming from a professional club trying to find where you are going to go but Harry and Rory have been with us for the majority of pre-season and have done really well not just on the pitch but off it as well. They are hardworking and honest lads, and their communication has been good.”

He continued: “Whilst Harry is a centre half, Rory – although primarily a full back – can play in any position in defence. The pair have been great, and I’m delighted to get both on board. Supporters have watched them in pre-season, and there is only more to come from them.”

Gray added that Harry and Rory will be in the Ashington squad for Saturday’s clash in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup against Shildon which is being staged at Consett’s Belle View Stadium.

In their opening game of the season in the first division of the Ebac Northern League, Shildon were locked in a goal-less draw at Carlisle City and they were back on their travels on Tuesday night when they beat Newcastle Blue Star 3-1.

By Brian Bennett

Michael Annang-Colquhoun says he is ‘buzzing’ after signing on the dotted line for Ashington.

The 24-year-old who was born in London, scored one of the goals in Monday night’s 3-2 win over his former club Newcastle Benfield and he said: “Obviously, I’ve been to a couple of teams in the Northern League now and I might be known for jumping about a little bit – but I’m looking to make the step up and being committed, properly testing myself. I really want a hard challenge – which I think it will be – but I think I can live up to it and I’m buzzing about joining Ashington.”

Sunderland-based Colquhoun continued: “Pre-season has gone well – although results haven’t been what we wanted. We’ve had a lot of younger lads and trialists in the side plus people away on holiday, so it’s been difficult. I’m looking forward to it – 100 per cent. I reckon the whole team will be pretty strong and everyone seems really close in the changing room – so I think it will be good craic especially the away days and we’ll have good togetherness.”

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor said: “Michael has trained with us all pre-season and has looked very good. He did well in the friendlies against North Shields and AFC Newbiggin and I thought tonight against Newcastle Benfield, he changed the game when he came on and did really well. He’s a powerful player and a good runner with the ball who will stretch defences and he’ll be a big asset for us. He’s been on our radar and is another who has joined us after playing for a club a league below us in the pyramid.”

By Brian Bennett

Andrew Anderson says he is looking forward to the start of the new season with Ashington.

The 26-year-old has joined the Colliers after a long serving spell with Cramlington United and said: “It’s a great opportunity for me and a great step up. Obviously after being with Cramlington United, I’ve come from the Northern Alliance and jumped past the Northern League into the Pitching In Northern Premier League – and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve enjoyed pre-season and have got a few friends here already which has obviously helped me to settle in the changing room. I’ve got to work hard and see where I can get to – and my aim is to stay in the team.”

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor said: “Andrew is a player who has been at Cramlington United for most of his career. He has made the decision to join us and I think he’s more than capable of doing well and has already impressed in his short time with us. I’ve known Andrew for a long time and when manager Nick Gray mentioned him recently, we got him in to play in our first friendly against North Shields. Andrew was good when he came on and followed that up with another eye-catching performance against AFC Newbiggin last week and he’s been brilliant in training.”

McIvor continued: “I think Andrew will become a fans favourite – he’s got that aura about him and wears his heart on his sleeve on the pitch. He is a holding midfielder who can play box to box or anywhere in the midfield. He’s exactly the type of player we want, and the squad is starting to come together now.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor was delighted on Monday night after his side scored a late winner from the penalty spot to clinch a 3-2 result over Ebac Northern League first division outfit Newcastle Benfield at Woodhorn Lane.

In an entertaining contest which was goal-less at half time, Ashington went two goals ahead through a Liam Henderson header and a close-range effort from Michael Annan-Colquhoun before the Lions roared back to equalise with two fantastic strikes in as many minutes from Harrison Minto and Kyle Fryatt.

However, with time running out the Colliers were awarded a penalty for a foul and new signing Sam Davison remained as cool as a cucumber to confidently fire home from the spot.

McIvor said afterwards: “Personally I don’t think there’s any such thing as a friendly. For me you start the way you mean to go on. It was a great work out for the lads tonight. I’ve watched Benfield a couple of times in pre-season, and they are a very good side who I think will do really well in their league.”

McIvor, reflecting on the game, added: “I thought we were a bit sloppy first half and didn’t keep the ball very well in good areas. Second half I thought we started off really well and it was a great ball in by Jay Hornsby for Liam Henderson’s goal and similarly it was another good delivery in which saw Michael Annan-Colquhoun on target. To be honest after that we could have scored another couple and what we need to learn – and it’s a bit of a similar story to last season – is that it doesn’t matter at what level of football you are playing, when you are 2-0 up you should be boxing games off and not allowing the opposition to come back into the contest. To be fair to Benfield, the two goals which brought them back level at 2-2 were brilliant strikes and the two players won’t hit the ball any better than they did. However, I was happy for young Sam Davison – another good young lad who we have signed – who got the penalty and converted from the spot in great style.”

Ashington play their final warm up game on Saturday (July 26) against Surrey-based Horley Town and McIvor said: “It’ll be another tough contest which is exactly what we need. We also need minutes off all of the players and because we started two weeks later than the Northern League we are playing catch up. I’ve spoken to the lads, and they have got to get out and do some road running ahead of Thursday when we train again before Saturday’s clash.”

By Brian Bennett

Manager Nick Gray has described Ashington’s opening sequence of fixtures in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League as presenting his players with ‘a challenging start.’

The Colliers begin the season on Saturday week (August 2) when they meet Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup – which throws up a repeat of last season’s curtain raiser at the same stage of the competition when the Wansbeck side came from behind to secure a 4-1 win.

However, with the Durham club undergoing work on a new 3G pitch, the match will be played at Consett’s Belle View Stadium.

The NPL programme gets underway on Saturday August 9 with Nick Gray’s side making the journey along the east coast to face Bridlington Town before they play their first game at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (August 12) against Bishop Auckland.

However, supporters are sure to have looked at when the two derby games against Blyth Spartans are to take place – with the match at Croft Park on August Bank Holiday Monday and the return at Woodhorn Lane on Boxing Day.

Gray – speaking from Ibiza where he was enjoying a mini break – said: “It’s a challenging start and I’m looking forward to it. In the league, we’ve got three local teams in the first five games – Bishop Auckland, Dunston and Blyth Spartans. We realised last year that there are no easy games and the first month is all about getting points on the table. Your first point; your first win – and the quicker you can get them the easier it gets.”

Gray is eager for his side – which admittedly includes new players – to learn from last season’s disappointing defeat at Bridlington: “We go to Bridlington first game of the season which still sticks in my mind from last season,” he said, “If we had got a result down there we would have been safe – but we didn’t losing 3-1 – and on the day Bridlington were far better than us and we need to remember that and learn from it. However, the lads have been training hard, and they’ll be chomping at the bit. We’ve still got a small squad and need to add to it which we will do, but the players we have got are good quality and any new additions who we bring in have got to meet the criteria that we want.”

He continued: “Like I have already said on record, the worst time is the close season followed by pre-season and you just want to get the campaign started. The games come thick and fast during the first month with Saturdays, Tuesdays and Bank Holidays and every team is up for it.”

By Brian Bennett

North Shields FC 1 Ashington AFC 1

Ashington manager Nick Gray said he was ‘relatively happy’ after his side drew 1-1 against Ebac Northern League first division side North Shields at the Daren Persoon Stadium in their first workout of pre-season.

Regan Paterson’s excellent opener in the 70^th minute was cancelled out ten minutes later by an Ashington trialist and Gray said afterwards: “It was our first friendly of the campaign as opposed to Shields’s fourth game and it was a great work out. They (North Shields) have played together a bit longer than us whilst we had new personnel and looked at playing a different shape. We don’t want to lose games and I keep saying that pre-season results don’t really matter but I thought overall a draw was a fair result and I’m relatively happy. There wasn’t a lot in the game with handling by both ‘keepers’ excellent and what little they had to do they did it really well.”

He continued: “We gave the goal away after we lost possession in a poor area and it was a fantastic finish by the kid Paterson but to be fair we kept going and got our just rewards. We got an equaliser, but they (North Shields) could have nicked it in the end with our goalkeeper Matty Alexander making a couple of great saves which will do his confidence the world of good.”

He added: “We had players missing and we were still looking at other personnel and I thought the trialists did well. The players who were playing out of position gave their all so it was a worthwhile exercise. Pre-season is only as good as what you get out of it and I thought we got a lot out of it tonight.”

Meanwhile all of the Ashington players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for former Collier Curtis Coppen who sadly passed away recently. “It’s obviously a sad time for Curtis’s family and friends,” added Gray, “Curtis played for Ashington and was with me as a player when I was manager at Morpeth Town. He was also a cult hero here at North Shields and his passing brings things back to reality. I spoke to Shields’ manager Brian Smith about it during the week and said we wanted to do something. Shields’ have already had previous friendlies where they have held minutes silences for Curtis, so we opted to wear black armbands.”