By Brian Bennett

In many ways, Ashington’s 5-0 demolition over North Ferriby on Saturday was reminiscent of their majestic performance against Glossop North End in the Inter Step play off victory which earned them promotion to the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Also at the end of April, the volume which the travelling band of supporters generated down in Derbyshire was unbelievable – and the fifty or more fans that made the trip down to North Ferriby gave their side noisy backing throughout the 90 minutes.

In reply, the players gave the supporters plenty to shout about especially in the second half. After a goalless first period, Wilson Kneeshaw and Conor Thompson both netted twice and in the closing stages Craig Spooner also got his name on the score sheet.

Ashington manager Ian Skinner was obviously jubilant with the crushing win but when he emerged from the dressing room, he immediately deflected all of the praise onto his players: “Listen, the boys deserve all of the credit,” said the boss, “we are on this run of form whereby everybody is buying into what we are trying to do and everybody is together. When we’re on our game, it’ll take a lot to beat us – but we just need to make sure that we’re ‘on it’ week in week out because it’s a tough league. However, little tiny things really please me and late in the second half we may have been 3-0 up at the time when their number ten (Josh Whitley) – who I thought was excellent – went clean through. Our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has come rushing out; the number ten has gone around Karl but Kyle Errington has busted a gut to get back and block the ball on the line. Five or six players of our lads have then run over and patted Kyle on the back – and that’s what this group of players are about.”

He continued: “We only trained once during the week due to the amount of injuries we had plus unavailability and we travelled down today knowing that it was going to be a good footballing game. Hats off to North Ferriby who try and play similar to us and I think that showed in the first half because it was pretty even if the truth be known. We had a great chance very early in the game where Conor Thomson has gone clean through and the ‘keeper (Jordan Douglas) has done really well to save. North Ferriby had a couple of chances and I remember one lad has skipped past one or two challenges and gone around Karl (Dryden) but we’ve blocked it on the line.”

He added: “At half time we got in and said to the players that we couldn’t ask for much more really in terms of the performance and we always thought we would be a threat going forward because of the pace and power which we had. I thought we started the second half really brightly. There were a couple of good quick incisive passing moves and we managed to get runners in behind – and we scored within two minutes of the restart. Then when we get in front, this group of players are really difficult to play against because they know that the opposition have to come out and try and have a go at us. When teams do that, it leaves space for us and with our forward players, we know we will hurt anybody – and today we’ve been clinical and got through the back line maybes up to six times and ended up scoring five goals. The other pleasing side of that was how when we were even 4-0 up, the lads were still throwing their bodies in the way and defending the box manfully. I’m delighted because they are an unbelievable group of players who I enjoy spending time with and they can achieve whatever they want to achieve – only I don’t tell them that very often because if I did they may take their eyes off the ball. At times we are our own worst enemy – and that’s why we always keep on their backs to be the best they can be.”

He went on: “We lost Karl Ross late in the first half and I keep saying that injuries are part and parcel of the game but we travelled down today without eight players – hence why we could only name three substitutes including Morgan Dart, a young lad who we have signed. In the last two weeks, when the players are on their game and ‘at it’ – we are as good a side as anybody in this division.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC defender Si Jakab lauded his team mates with praise following their 4-0 victory over Nottinghamshire-based opponents Carlton Town on Saturday.

The Colliers went through an unprecedented first half where despite holding a 2-0 lead, they sustained a succession of injuries which forced them to use their maximum allocation of three substitutes with almost an hour of the game remaining: “It’s always difficult when you get injuries early in the game but there were three in a row within ten minutes,” said Jakab, who is based in Sunderland, “On the pitch, you keep swapping positions and changing formation and it’s not easy to adapt to it. However I thought we did fantastically well and the subs that came on did themselves proud because sometimes it’s difficult to get into a game especially early on but credit to them and the whole squad.”

Jakab – who was born in Budapest in Hungary – believed that despite the changes, Ashington were comfortable: “Carlton posed some threats but as a back four – or a back five when we needed to depending on injuries – I thought we dealt with everything and having the midfield lads in front of us made us a bit more comfortable at the back,” he said. The 23 year old is enjoying his football with the Colliers and took time out to appreciate the whole set up at Woodhorn Lane: “It’s difficult to get into a team where you have got good people on and off the pitch,” he said, “But absolute credit to the management – they have put things together really well. I love it here – whether it’s at training; being in the changing rooms or spending time after the games. I feel we’ve got a squad who on our day can beat anyone because we stick together.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Karl Ross – honoured to lead the Ashington side out in the absence of injured skipper Nathan Buddle – thought the Colliers were tremendous as they blew away visitors Carlton Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday after a convincing 4-0 victory.

The 25 year old said afterwards: “Obviously it was a big occasion with it being Remembrance Day. We started well and went 2-0 up then the injuries started to hit us towards the middle of the half – and it did disrupt us. If they (Carlton) had got one back, 2-1 is a tricky score line and it could have turned into a difficult game. However, the third goal shortly after half time calmed all our nerves and the result was never in doubt. We just dominated – and I thought the lads were tremendous today.”

Cramlington-based Ross believes Ashington – who were promoted from the Ebac Northern League’s first division at the end of last season to the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division – are ‘finding their feet’ following the step up: “Adapting to a new league takes time,” he said, “We are coming up against a different type of football but in the last few games we have started to find our feet and are coming on strong.” Ross is delighted to wear the captain’s armband for his home town club: “It’s my fifth year here and I love it,” he added, “We’ve got a great dressing room and whilst Nathan (Buddle) is out, it’s a great honour to lead the lads out in my role as vice skipper.”

By Brian Bennett

A delighted Ian Skinner emerged from a happy Ashington dressing room on Saturday night after his outfit had demolished Carlton Town by a 4-0 score line at Woodhorn Lane.

And the boss – who labelled his sides display as being ‘magnificent’ – added that the performance was one of the best of the season.

Skinner’s team were rampant from the off and sailed into an early two goals lead through Connor Thomson and Dan Maguire. At the start of the second period, substitute Oli Thompson and Connor Thomson were both on target and the Colliers should have added more to their tally.

“The lads deserve full credit – each and every one of them including the couple of lads who didn’t get onto the pitch today,” said Skinner afterwards, “We knew beforehand that it was going to be a tough game. However, from the information we had gathered on Carlton, we had a plan which we thought could cause them some problems – and all credit to the players who I just thought were ‘at it’ and brilliant from the first whistle. We talked about how we have made a couple of long journeys this season including last week when we went down to Grantham and how difficult it can be regardless of how early you arrive at the ground and how vigorous the warm up is to get the journey out of your system. So we spoke about being at home; being on the front foot; starting really positively and playing at pace – and I think we did all of those things and raced into a 2-0 lead, with two very good goals to be honest.”

Skinner then bumped into an unusual on-field situation – one which he reckons he has never had to face before: “There was a crazy little period in the game where we lost three players to injury,” he added, “I’ve lost a left centre back (Darren Lough) and a left back (Jordan Summerly) so we’ve had to shuffle the pack then one of the subs we brought on (Cam Gascoigne) has also gone off injured and I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a game where I’ve had to make three substitutions in the first half hour. But again credit to the lads because it meant two or three reshuffles and slight tweaks to how we had originally lined up and I thought we dominated the game if the truth be known. Carlton had a couple of threats from set plays; long throws; a couple of corners and free-kicks where our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has either claimed the ball or we have defended the box really well but I thought we looked a constant threat on the break.”

He continued: “To be honest, it was nice to get in at half time so we could just settle on a few things and get some real clarity into what shape we were playing. We managed to do that and we talked about looking to keep the ball and make them (Carlton) have to chase and come towards us. We thought we could really hurt them on the counter attack – and we scored two brilliant counter-attacking goals at the start of the second half. Carlton just couldn’t cope with the pace; the movement and the power we had up front today. We’ve won 4-0 and scored four very good goals and should had a few more but listen, the players were magnificent – every single one of them. I think it’s up there as being one of our best performances of the season and I told the lads in the dressing room to go and enjoy the rest of the weekend because they deserve it.”

On Saturday (November 18), Ashington go to North Ferriby and Skinner concluded: “They are a good footballing side – so it should be a cracking game.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner spoke of his frustration and disappointment after his side drew 2-2 against Grantham Town on Saturday.

The boss said: “My initial reaction is one of frustration and disappointment if I’m honest. I thought we started the game really bright and really quick. We moved the ball really well and could have scored in the opening minute then we got a penalty on five minutes to go 1-0 up. I’ll watch the veo recording back but I don’t think Grantham touched the ball many times in the opening five minutes prior to that goal and I thought we were really going to be ‘at it’ today. However sometimes we’ve got this little knack whereby if things are working really well for us, we start and over complicate matters. We try and make it more difficult for ourselves – and we allowed Grantham to come back into the game a little bit.”

He continued: “There were two teams on the park today with contrasting styles but there’s more than one way to play football. In Sam Muggleton, Grantham had a very potent weapon in their side. His long throws from the half way line were reaching the back post but I thought first half we defended it really, really well. We had a massive chance to go 2-0 up with again a fantastic move and fantastic football, Wilson Kneeshaw got in down the side and cut it (the ball) back to Connor Thomson six yards out and he just had to put the ball in the net. I don’t know if Connor has tried to hit it too hard but he’s put it over the bar and I think if we’d scored that would have been game over. We came in holding a 1-0 lead and if I had been in the opposition dugout, I would have been delighted to get in only a single goal behind.”

He went on: “Second half we started super bright and within the first minute we put together a great move. Connor Thomson got in behind and Wilson Kneeshaw has played it to Craig Spooner who cuts inside and hits the post. The goalkeeper is looking to see if the ball has gone in the net and it lands in his hands! If we score to go 2-0 up, I think we make it a comfortable afternoon. Then we concede from a long throw – albeit we’ve defended them really, really well. Jordan Summerly has chested the ball at the back post – I’m not sure what else he could have done – then turned into their player who has smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. But what a reaction as we scored direct from kick off. It was another good move featuring good passing out wide, a cross into the box and they (Grantham) have turned the ball into their own net although we had two or three players waiting to tap it in.”

He added: “Grantham’s threat was set plays and throw ins and again I just thought we could have been a little bit better with the ball. We put one and two passes together but I thought we went too long too early at times. Albeit we were having a little bit of joy with the ball in behind because of the pace we had upfront. Then the game changes a little bit on a tackle on the edge of the box and I’m not sure for me if it was a red. That was my initial reaction but it’s a challenge which Paul Van-Zandvliet didn’t need to make. Having said that, it was a tackle that was no different to two or three other challenges in the game.”

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Skinner applauded the efforts from his players: “I was disappointed with the second goal we conceded because we haven’t cleared our lines on the edge of the box,” he said, “but despite being down to ten (players) we went for it. I left two up top because I thought if we could continue to string passes together we would cause them all sorts of problems – and we did. To be fair there were a couple of little scrambles in the box but if you had walked into the stadium and been told one side were playing with ten men, you wouldn’t have picked us. In injury time we probably had two or three good half chances, so on reflection it was quite an eventful afternoon. Some of our play today was excellent where we have created chances but missed them at the crucial time to go 2-0 up. We hit the post which would probably have killed the game off but I’ve got to give the lads great credit for the resilience which they showed after Paul Van-Zandvliet had been sent off. I would have hated to be in our back four today to be honest having to deal with the long throws for 90 minutes but the lads defended manfully except for two little lapses in concentration with half mistakes which have cost us goals.”

He concluded: “Nevertheless the result keeps our little unbeaten run going which is good. We’ll train twice this week and look towards a tough game on Saturday at home against Carlton Town who are doing really well.”

By Brian Bennett

On the upstairs wall inside the clubhouse at Ashington Football Club, a mural depicting three all time greats from the area – Jackie Milburn, Jackie Charlton and his brother Sir Bobby Charlton – is prominently displayed.

After hearing of the passing of Sir Bobby, Ashington chairman Brian Shotton opened the doors at Woodhorn Lane and stood poignantly viewing the mural.

“Three years ago when we had the mural installed, one of them (Jackie Milburn) had already passed,” said Brian “Now sadly, all three have left us – but the mural will serve as a lasting legacy and I’m proud to acknowledge that we do pay tribute to ‘football icons’ at this football club.”

Ahead of Ashington’s clash against Pontefract Collieries on Saturday, a book of condolence was opened for Sir Bobby; a minute’s applause was held before kick-off and apart from asking supporters to wear something red, the Ashington team played in red tops.

Secretary and programme editor Gav Perry collated a superb Sir Bobby tribute programme with a cover photo of the great man himself kicking a football in the back streets of Ashington whilst their were tributes from Brian Shotton, manager Ian Skinner and former England and Durham cricketer Steve Harmison.

“Sir Bobby was from Ashington and everyone knows the area which we live in,” added Brian, “Even though I never actually met him (Sir Bobby), it was an emotional week. On Sunday we discussed a few things including how we were going to pay tribute to Sir Bobby and to be fair it was an idea by Ian Skinner that we should change our strips. Then we had to try and get our hands on a red kit so it was all hands to the pump to get things sorted out in time for the game.”

Brian said the week in general had been a busy one: “Personally I’ve just taken on a new job and have been training which is my priority but I had a lot of work to do with the football club especially in the evenings,” he said, “My wife Nicola knows how much time I spent last week – not just for Sir Bobby but generally on the club itself as we find our feet in a new league.”

Ashington won Saturday’s contest 2-1 but Brian said: “I didn’t see a lot of the game to be honest and I missed our second goal because there is always a lot going on off the pitch. However from the bit of action which I did see, Pontefract are clearly a good outfit and there was nothing between the sides. It looked like it was a blood and thunder game of football which is what people like to see and it was a good win for us.”

By Brian Bennett

On a day when Ashington FC paid tribute to the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton, defender Si Jakab firmly believed that he and his team mates did the town proud following their 2-1 win over Pontefract Collieries.

The 23 year old – who linked up with the Colliers from North Shields – revealed that the players were given a special message. He said: “Before the match, the management team told us that the best thing we could do for the memory of Sir Bobby Charlton was to win the game and to make not just the team but also the town of Ashington proud – and I thought we did that.”

He continued: “The game against Winterton where we won 4-0 was quite helpful and it was a shame that our clash at Sheffield FC was called off. When I woke up this morning (Saturday) there were already a lot of games off in the region and although our surface was really heavy I felt our game only went ahead because we’ve got a lovely ground and people who look after the pitch.”

Jakab – who was born in Budapest in Hungary – began to play senior men’s football with Consett where he spent two years and was on the substitute’s bench for the Steelmen in the final of the 2019-20 FA Vase at Wembley when they finished runners up to Hebburn Town. He then signed for Sunderland RCA before moving along to North Shields: “Whilst I was with Shields last season I picked up an injury – ironically against Pontefract – and was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign before I came to Ashington,” he added.

Sunderland-based Jakab is enjoying his football at Woodhorn Lane: “I love the team and everyone is quite welcoming to me which is always nice,” he said, “I was playing on the right when I got into the side but now I’ve moved a little bit more towards the centre. Because of the unfortunate injury to Nathan Buddle today I had to switch into the middle – but that’s a positive for myself knowing that the management team trust me in whatever position they ask me to play.”

Saturday’s win propelled Ashington into a mid table position and Jakab added: “It’s always tough when you go up a league and we need to get used to it. We’ve got loads of new players including myself in the squad but I feel we have built team morale and have got some momentum going. Basically on our day I believe we are capable of beating anyone – we just need to be ‘at it’ from the start.”

He concluded: “We’ve got some tough games and long travels coming up – but I’m looking forward to them.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Ian Skinner admitted that the departure of Damen Mullen from the club is a ‘part of the job in football management which isn’t very nice.’

Mullen left the Woodhorn Lane club at the end of last week and Skinner was quick to praise the midfielder: “Damen is someone who I have known personally for a very long time,” he said, “I coached him as a young player and I consider him to be a personal friend. Whenever he played for us this season he never let us down and one performance which sticks out was when we went to Cleethorpes at the end of September. We had all of those suspensions and Damen played in a back three. However he has found minutes difficult to come by and he’d probably argue that on those occasions when he played well, that he should have stayed in the side. We decided to go with alternative teams which we thought on the day would stand us in better stead to get a result.”

He continued: “Damen was getting frustrated with his lack of game time and wants to play as much as he can. We had a couple of conversations and it probably came to the point whereby it was in his best interests to look elsewhere to play more regular. It’s the part of the job in football management which isn’t very nice – sitting down and having those conversations – but the interests of Ashington FC have got to come first and friendships put to one side. Damen will be a big miss because he was the ultimate professional if you like. He never caused any problems; he was always on time; he was a great trainer; he was good in the dressing room and he’s as fit as he’s ever been.”

Meanwhile on Sunday it was announced that Declan Bisset has left the club to try and gain regular first team football elsewhere with the club “wishing him the best of luck for the future.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – delighted with his sides 2-1 result over Pontefract Collieries at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday – has dedicated the win to the memory of the late Sir Bobby Charlton.

Skinner – a relative of the family – said afterwards: “Sir Bobby was a real humble and no fuss gentleman and wouldn’t have wanted us to wear red or to have a minute’s applause for him today but I thought it was right – and I’d also like to dedicate our victory to him.”

He continued: “For me, it’s a well done to Ashington Football Club and a thank you to them for asking supporters to wear red; to hold a minute’s applause and arrange a book of condolence. All of those were nice little touches and it was good to see the town turn out in his memory.”