By Brian Bennett

“I’VE GOT A REVISED FIGURE IN MY HEAD – ONLY I’M NOT GOING TO DIVULGE WHAT IT IS!”

Ashington FC’s on-loan striker Connor Thomson has set himself a new goals target – only he’s keeping the figure a closely guarded secret!

Thomson – who celebrated his 28^th birthday last month – linked up with the Colliers in mid October from Morpeth Town but last week the two clubs agreed to extend his loan until the end of the season.

The hotshot forward netted the winner in Ashington’s 3-2 victory over Consett on Saturday – which was his 16^th goal of the campaign and he said afterwards: “I’m absolutely buzzing. When I first came to the club, I wanted to score goals and get assists and I’m delighted with both aspects. I initially set myself a target of ten (goals) and I’ve exceeded that so I’ve got a revised figure in my head – only I’m not going to divulge what it is!”

Newcastle-born Thomson described his goal on Saturday – which brought Ashington their first win at the Belle View Stadium in eight years: “Darren Lough gave me the ball and I took a touch inside,” he said, “I just wanted to hit it (the ball) as hard as I could towards goal and luckily enough it struck someone’s foot and lobbed over the ‘keeper and dropped into the back of the net. Yes it got a deflection but I’ll take it – and with five minutes remaining, it was a great time to score. We needed those three points as well so it proved to be massive.”

Ashington boss Ian Skinner has challenged his players to go through until the end of the season unbeaten and Thomson is hoping they can not only do that but find some consistency: “When I came to the club in October, we got some real good momentum going but then we hit a bit of an off patch where we lost a bit of form,” he added, “We seemed to get our form back and then it dropped off again which is similar to a lot of teams in this league where you can’t seem to find a good routine. However, if we keep pushing and believing in ourselves then I reckon we should be fine for the rest of the season.”

Manager Skinner added: “We are delighted to extend Connor’s loan. He has now scored 16 goals for us and that speaks for itself.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC defender Charlie Exley said that winning the game at Consett on Saturday was the ‘main thing’ – after he had made a goalscoring return to action having been ruled out for the last four and a half months with an ankle injury.

With the scores locked at 1-1 and 20 minutes remaining, Exley was thrust into the fray along with Cam Gascoigne and the two substitutes combined to put their side 2-1 up with the latter setting the ball up for Exley to lash home left footed.

Although Dan Capewell equalised a second time in the contest for the Steelmen, Connor Thomson bagged the three points for the Wansbeck outfit five minutes from time which saw Ashington claim their first win in eight years on the artificial surface at the Belle View Stadium.

Newcastle-born Exley said that he was ‘ready’ and ‘felt comfortable’ to return to action. Earlier in the week he had been named amongst the substitutes – although he didn’t feature – when Ashington drew 3-3 against Pontefract Collieries in West Yorkshire.

“I got the injury at the beginning of November in our away game at Grantham,” said Exley, “I had an MRI scan which showed a miniature break to my ankle. There were no chippings so it didn’t require surgery but its left deep lying bruising which can take a while to go away. I resumed training 4-6 weeks ago and was named on the bench last Tuesday. I was ready if required and I felt comfortable knowing that if I had to come on that I would be fine.”

On Saturday, Exley was again named as a substitute (at Consett) and just shy of the half way mark in the second period, was given the nod by manager Ian Skinner.

Five minutes later, the 23 year old netted with a fine left foot finish: “It was quite a clean strike and against my former club – even though I’ve still got some really good friends at Consett,” he said, “It was just a relief to get back on the pitch and play and I just tried to be positive when I came on. I thought the game was crying out for someone to spark a bit of life and intensity into it and I thought Cam (Gascoigne) and I did well – we compliment ourselves in different ways.”

Exley – a street lighting electrician – went on: “When I get injuries they tend to be serious – so with my fingers crossed, my target is to finish the season unscathed and help the lads to push on because we should be further up the table. It was good to score on my comeback but securing the win was the icing on cake.”

By Brian Bennett

Skipper Nathan Buddle and defender Charlie Exley both returned to action for Ashington following lengthy spells on the sidelines as the Colliers chalked up an eye catching 3-2 win over Consett at the Belle View Stadium on Saturday.

Buddle was on the injured list for two months earlier in the season with an ankle problem before he played in the 4-0 win over Hebburn Town on Boxing Day. He then slipped two discs in his back which has seen him ruled out for the past two and a half months.

Meanwhile Exley – out of action since he sustained an ankle injury in the 2-2 draw at Grantham in early November – returned to the squad in Ashington’s 3-3 draw at Pontefract in midweek where he was an unused substitute.

Woodhorn Lane boss Ian Skinner said of Buddle: “Nathan has trained for two weeks and it was a case of when could we find the right opportunity to get him back involved. Si Jakab pulled out with an illness so Nathan came in on Saturday and he did well. Ideally we didn’t want to leave him out on the pitch for as long as we did – but needs must.”

On Exley, Skinner said: “Charlie has been out for a good while but he’s been back in training for the last 4-5 weeks. We just wanted to be sure and get the results of his MRI scan which came back positive and he’s been itching to return. Obviously he’ll be delighted after coming on from the bench to his face his old club (Consett) – and also getting on the score sheet.”

By Brian Bennett

“We now have nine league games left and the challenge to the players is can we go through until the end of the season unbeaten.”

Understandably, Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner wore a broad smile on his face after seeing his side come out on top with a 3-2 victory over Consett on Saturday.

Now the boss has laid down a new challenge to his players – asking them if they can go through until the end of the campaign unbeaten.

“I was very happy with the result at Consett today,” said Skinner afterwards, “There were lots of parts of the performance to be pleased with yet there were a couple of things that frustrated me in terms of us being a little bit loose and slack. We got off to the perfect start being 1-0 up after 24 seconds. Without being disrespectful, for 40 minutes in that first period, we must have dominated the ball in and around the Consett penalty area and dominated territory whilst I think they probably got into our half on a handful of occasions. Albeit they did flash a shot wide of the post and then our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made a very good save from their full back who has hit a long range drive but we just became a little bit too loose and slack with that final pass, making wrong decisions or taking shots on when it wasn’t the right situation. We almost tried to score with every attack instead of being a little bit more patient in the build up and making sure we fashioned a good opportunity. We knew Consett’s strengths were set plays. They are a big side and whilst it’s 1-0 in a game, it’s always finely in the balance and we were on the end of the perfect sucker punch right on half time. Karl Dryden has come and made a save from a corner and it’s dropped to Dan Capewell who has put it into the net.”

He continued: “At half time I was really frustrated that it was 1-1 given all of the domination we had had and then second half it was a little bit more even. We managed to go 2-1 up after we made a couple of substitutions. I thought we started to look a little bit leggy in terms of having travelled to Pontefract to play on Tuesday on a heavy pitch so we introduced a little bit of freshness – and both Cam Gascoigne and Charlie Exley who came on did really, really well to be fair. They combined for the second goal and you think ‘great – we are 2-1 up – can we get back to dominating the ball?’ But straight from kick off Consett have played a diagonal ball; we’ve headed it back inside and there’s been a great block but the ball has gone for a corner – one of their strengths. Karl (Dryden) has come for the ball and some people were saying he was fouled, I’m not sure – I would probably be upset if a decision was given against us in that situation. Karl has dropped it (the ball) and Capewell has bundled it into the net to make it 2-2. However, we kept going and got our just rewards – Connor (Thomson) scoring aided by a little bit of good fortune with a deflection which took the ball over the goalkeeper.”

He went on: “Even for the last five or six minutes I was just frustrated in terms of we’ve got to get on the ball and play – we went long and we are not a side who can play long. All that did was to invite Consett to keep sending the ball back in and they pushed the centre backs up. Thankfully we held on – and across the whole game we deserved the win. However, I am irritated because when we were on top in the first half we needed to be more ruthless and clinical. If we had been, the game would have been put to bed inside half an hour. But we’ve won which is the main thing. We now have nine league games left and the challenge to the players is can we go through until the end of the season unbeaten.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said he was disappointed following his sides 3-3 draw against Pontefract Collieries on Tuesday night.

Trailing to a controversial penalty which was converted by Adam Haw, Ashington went into the interval 2-1 up after quick fire strikes from Wilson Kneeshaw and Paul Van-Zandvliet.

Kneeshaw added his second of the night to make it 3-1 but the hosts rallied to force a share of the spoils with Haw again on target before Louie Chorlton struck in the 85th minute.

“It was probably a great game for the neutral – but I’m not a neutral,” said Skinner afterwards, “When we are 3-1 up just after the hour mark, I’m disappointed that we haven’t taken all three points. I thought it was a game which was littered full of chances for both sides. Certainly they (Pontefract) looked a threat from long throw ins and we looked a constant threat when we played down the sides and in behind them for the pace of Connor (Thomson) and Wilson (Kneeshaw).”

Shortly before the half hour mark, Pontefract were awarded a spot kick and Skinner said: “I thought it was a very, very soft penalty which saw us go 1-0 down but I thought our reaction to that was very good in terms of scoring two quick goals at good times just before half time. We went in 2-1 up and we knew what to expect after the break from Pontefract as they are the home team and they are going to throw everything at us.”

He continued: “We came out and hit the bar then we managed to score a third goal similar to the other ones with a ball in behind and Wilson Kneeshaw using his pace. For me, the key was that we conceded within about four or five minutes which got them back into the game at 3-2 but I thought the lad was offside. I also thought Wilson (Kneeshaw) is possibly offside for our third – and tonight the officials had below par performances in general.”

He went on: “Obviously Pontefract are going the throw the kitchen sink, just wanting one more and I was disappointed that the equaliser came from our poor clearance and a little bit of panic. People just need a bit of composure. We’ve cleared the ball off the back of one of our own players and it’s bounced to their forward who has poked it home from close range. Then the game could have gone either way really. In the end we’ve come away from home on a Tuesday night and a point is not the worst result but when you’re winning 3-1, I would have preferred all three. However, the point stops the little run of successive defeats which we were on and puts us in good stead to train and prepare to play Consett away on Saturday.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner was far from downbeat when he emerged from the dressing room following his sides 2-0 defeat by Pitching In NPL East Division leaders Stockton Town on Saturday.

A goal in each half by Michael Fowler and substitute Tom Portas saw the Anchors complete a seasons double over the Colliers but Skinner said: “Stockton are a good side and you can see why they are favourites to win the league. However there were loads to be pleased about with our performance and the difference between the two sides today was that they were just a bit more clinical than us.”

Fowler put his side ahead after seven minutes and Skinner said: “We didn’t start particularly well – they began much brighter than us and went 1-0 up quite early. It was a really poor goal to concede and if you are going to come to somewhere like Stockton where you are up against a very good side, to get anything from the game, you need to defend better. It had us rocking and they (Stockton) were certainly on top for the first 20-25 minutes. We probably rode our luck at times then we started to grow into the game a little bit. For the last 20 minutes of the first half, I thought we caused them all sorts of problems where we got in behind with the pace we had and whether it was a marginal offside decision; the weight of the pass or maybes just delaying the pass a second too long but we couldn’t quite get that final ball right.”

The boss added that the half time team talk was very constructive: “There were lots of positives to discuss,” he said, “We talked about taking the game to Stockton in the second half because we felt we could cause them problems – and we certainly did that. We started far brighter; we had a couple of good chances in the first couple of minutes then we dominated large periods – if not all – of the second half. But when you have those periods where you are on top, you need something to show for it. Then a little bit of a poor clearance from us and they’ve picked it up and played a great ball forward and it’s a fantastic finish by Tom Portas to be fair.”

He went on: “That knocked the stuffing out of us but I still thought we stuck to our game plan, kept playing and had a couple of half chances. However my two biggest gripes are the poor first goal we conceded and that we probably didn’t have enough efforts on target to work their goalkeeper.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that his outfit were far from being at their best in the first half against Cleethorpes Town on Saturday – but nevertheless thought a draw would have been a fair result.

Following their midweek share of the spoils with Stocksbridge Park Steels on a pitch which cut up, the Colliers did extremely well to get the game on.

Early in the contest, Curtis Bateson fired ‘The Owls’ ahead before Connor Thomson netted the equaliser. In the 80^th minute, a sensational strike by Harrison Poulter tipped the scales in favour of the visitors who went on to record a 2-1 victory and complete a seasons double following their 1-0 win at the end of September.

Afterwards Skinner said: “It’s always disappointing when you lose a game. I thought we began really sluggishly and they (Cleethorpes) certainly started far better and went ahead early in the contest. We talked about the wide player (Curtis Bateson) who likes to come inside and open the goal up but we defended poorly, allowing him to move inside and he showed that he is a good finisher. After that, we got a foothold in the game and started to move the ball a bit quicker but I just thought we were too slow in possession and out of possession we didn’t get close enough to Cleethorpes. They were looking to put the ball in behind our full backs for their two wide players who offered them a lot throughout the game. We had a chance that got cleared off the line and from another good passage of play, we got down the side and managed to cut it back and Connor (Thomson) has scored to make it 1-1. After that, we had a little spell where we probably had more of the ball than Cleethorpes but we didn’t really create too many opportunities and at half time, I was probably pleased with a 1-1 score line because I didn’t think we had played to the levels which we are capable of. I’m not offering excuses but this was our fourth game in two weeks with minimal changes and we looked like a team who were feeling the effects of playing four times on heavy pitches.”

He continued: “If the truth be know, we didn’t start the second half particularly well either and we tried to freshen it up by bringing on a couple of substitutes just to see if we could get a little bit more energy into our play. I thought we did that then we’ve probably dominated possession for long periods in the second half and got into good positions in and around their box but a mix of us being a little bit loose and sloppy around their box and some good defending on their part has kept us out. We did ‘get in’ and fashioned a couple of chances – and Karl Ross has put a great ball across that just evaded everybody and trickled the wrong side of the post.”

Skinner added: “Cleethorpes cleared one off the line just before they scored the second goal and I was disappointed that we got caught. I need to see the footage but in my mind there is a potential foul in the build up. We defend it – then a header drops lovely for the lad (Harrison Poulter) to strike and it’s gone in.”

Skinner went on: “Even when they were 2-1 up, we’ve had a couple of chances in and around the box but I just thought we wanted that extra pass or extra touch. We delayed or refused shooting opportunities at times when we could have taken it on and ultimately it’s probably cost us. However for all that, I definitely thought we deserved something from the game for our overall general play and a draw would have been a fair result.”

He concluded: “We just need to dust ourselves down a little bit and need to manage the load. We are running with quite a tight squad at the moment due to injuries and some long term ones – obviously Nathan Buddle, Charlie Exley and Jordan Summerly have all been out for months now – and we’ve had to dip in and get a couple of people dual registered just to help us through the period. Andrew Cartwright played for us on Tuesday night against Stocksbridge and with West Allotment Celtic’s game being called off today it was a bonus to have Cyril Giraud available. However, it was disappointing to lose today because we were on a little unbeaten run of three games. We’ve got to look to bounce back and on Saturday (February 24) we’ve got no tougher a test than when we travel to play the league leaders Stockton Town.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said he was ‘slightly disappointed with just a point’ – after his side had fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Stocksbridge Park Steels at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

Jack Watson put the visitors ahead in an uneventful first period before Darren Lough equalised just short of the midway point in the second period.

Skinner said afterwards: “I’m probably slightly disappointed with just a point because of some of the chances that we created plus the amount of possession we had in and around their box second half but we haven’t been able to score that elusive winner.”

The boss reflected on the first 45 minutes: “I thought we played too slow and didn’t move the ball quick enough,” he said, “To their credit Stocksbridge obviously recognised the way we were playing and they flooded the centre of the pitch and it was really congested in that area. We were trying to get messages on for players to make runs from inside to out and to stretch the pitch a little bit but in truth there wasn’t really much between the two teams in the first half. Obviously they took the lead with a bit of a bizarre goal. Our ‘keeper Ross Coombe has made a decent save but he’s pushed it (the ball) back out and Andrew Cartwright and their number 11 (Jack Watson) have gone to tackle each other for the loose ball. It seems to have just squirmed up and the ball has hardly crossed the line – it just trickled into the goal and it’ll be interesting to watch it back. Consequently we found ourselves 1-0 down and it gives them (Stocksbridge) something to really dig in for and hold onto.”

Skinner was happier with his side after the break: “Similar to Saturday at Grimsby, I thought we started the second half really brightly,” he said, “We looked to play forward quickly, we fashioned one or two chances and I thought we went on to dominate pretty much the majority of the half. We had a couple of big chances – their goalkeeper (Harry Garman) has pushed a shot out and Connor Thomson was clean through after a great move. However, just like Saturday, we are missing gilt edged chances at the minute and that would have brought us level. We then scored a really, really good goal to be fair and the move leading up to it going from right to left was good. Darren Lough put it away at the back post and after that we were in the ascendancy without really stretching their goalkeeper too much.”

He continued: “Ashington like to make things interesting and in the last couple of minutes they (Stocksbridge) had a flurry of corners and we couldn’t seem to clear our lines a little bit. Then right at the death when I think there were five minutes added, in the third minute, two players, Karl Ross and their player (Alex O’Connor) just seemed to have a hold of each other and ended up rolling down. However, a fantastic ball up the line has released Wilson Kneeshaw who is clean through just inside their half with not a Stocksbridge player near him – and the referee pulls it back. He sends their man off and books Karl (Ross) which doesn’t help us because we were clean through on goal – but listen it is what it is. Stocksbridge have dug in and they’ll go back home tonight having come up here on a Tuesday and been pleased with a point after the work they put in to get one.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ben Sampson admitted that his eyes ‘lit up’ when the chance came for to him to score his first goal of the season in Ashington’s 2-1 win over Grimsby Borough on Saturday.

The Colliers had gone behind to an opener from Caine Winfarrah but three minutes later Sampson pounced on an opportunity to level: “We played a little bit different today which allowed me to get forward more than normal,” said the 25 year old afterwards, “After running into the box, Karl Ross got in behind their defence to reach the by-line and cross and seeing the ball come towards me, my eyes lit up. When you haven’t scored all season and its February, you’re a bit nervous – but it was an open goal really and I just tucked it away.”

After being out for a number of weeks through injury, Ashington-born Sampson was handed a start in midfield: “It was tough but I was fine,” he added, “I was cramping up a bit towards the end but to be fair, considering the time of year, it was a pretty good surface. It was one of those games where you dig in and get the result and sometimes they are the best. I thought we deserved it. Ross Coombe has pulled off a great save from a penalty but the game should have been out of sight.”

Sampson – a civil servant who is based in Pegswood – is hoping the side can kick on: “I love it at Ashington both on and off the pitch and the lads are great,” he said, “To be honest over the course of this season, we sometimes haven’t had the results we deserve but hopefully we can kick on and reach a league position which reflects the performances we have put in.”

Ashington manager Ian Skinner said: “Ben has missed quite a few games with a little bit of an injury so we eased him back in gently. We didn’t take any risks with him at Dunston but we managed to get him on the pitch at home to West Allotment Celtic and he did well when he came on. Ben offers us energy; he covers ground well; he’s got a good range of passing; can break the play up and drive and carry the ball. He got a start today with a bit of a change of shape from us and I thought he did really, really well and should be pleased with his overall performance.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC goalkeeper Ross Coombe has said he will savour what was a dramatic five days in his footballing career.

Coombe – who has competed with Karl Dryden for the number one jersey – made his first appearance for the club in the 5-1 win over Newcastle University in the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup back in September. He was again included in the Ashington side which reached the semi finals of the competition last week following a 1-0 win over West Allotment Celtic.

Coombe – who is based in Consett – made crucial saves in the closing minutes of the cup tie and was handed his league debut in Saturday’s NPL East Division away clash at Grimsby Borough.

The Colliers were ahead 2-1 when the Durham-born ‘keeper saved a penalty with just over quarter of an hour remaining before the Colliers saw out the game: “If anybody had asked me to write down what would be my ideal week in football – this past week would have been it!” said a delighted Coombe, “It was a too good to be true kind of few days and I was delighted.”

Coombe kept out Harvey Tomlinson’s right footed spot kick and added: “You go with your instincts and luckily I went the right way. The penalty save was important because if they had scored it would have made it 2-2 and the game would have been different.”

The 24 year old – a ground worker – continued: “It’s mentally draining working all week then travelling on a Saturday and midweek but that’s the commitment you make in football. Now my target is to stay in the side.”

Ashington boss Ian Skinner said: “Ross is a great character around the place. If I’m being uber-critical, the one thing which we have spoken to him about is to take his football a little bit more seriously. I don’t mean that in a bad way – it’s just his character is lively and bubbly. Ross has been really, really patient – he’s played two cup games and then today made his first league start since joining the club in the summer. I thought he was excellent. He got his opportunity on Tuesday night and didn’t put a foot wrong and made a fantastic save late in the game to see us through the tie and again today he has replicated his performance and made a great save from a penalty.”

He continued: “We have two slightly different goalkeepers at the club in terms of Karl Dryden who has got experience and comes and takes crosses and whose reflexes are good whereas Ross is a little bit more comfortable with the ball at his feet and his reflexes are really, really good too. He’s had two fantastic games and long may that continue because it’s a vital and critical position in a game of football (Goalkeeper). For Ashington to have two goalkeepers as good as we have got fighting and supporting each other for the jersey is great to see. Ross has bided his time and come to games and warmed Karl up – now its Karl’s turn to look after Ross and make sure he prepares pre-game properly. They are both good lads who support each other and are pleased for each other and we are just blessed to have two first class goalkeepers.”

Skinner admitted that he was faced with having to make a difficult decision in Lincolnshire on Saturday: “We looked to give Ross a game in the cup match (against West Allotment Celtic) which we had done earlier in the season when we played Newcastle University,” he said, “However because of his performance level, it would have been really difficult to turn to Ross on Saturday and say ‘I’m leaving you out’ – but then its really difficult to turn to Karl Dryden and say ‘we took you out on Tuesday without any fault and because Ross has done so well, you’ve suffered in terms of it would be difficult to take him back out.’ We are just fortunate to have two lads who I reckon are probably the best goalkeeping department in the league.”