By Brian Bennett

Ashington have started to make a habit of it at Woodhorn Lane – only it’s something which manager Ian Skinner hopes his side will quickly eradicate!

For the second time in a few weeks, home supporters went into raptures after their team – who trailed by two goals – staged a magnificent fight back to win the contest 3-2.

The first occasion was the curtain raiser to the season which saw the Colliers lift the JR Cleator. On Saturday it happened again – this time in their Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round clash against Newton Aycliffe.

It’s pulsating viewing for the Ashington fans – but whilst Skinner was naturally delighted with the final outcome, he was also concerned that his side found themselves in that situation: “Cup football is all about the result,” he said afterwards, “We’ve won so the supporters go home happy; the players are happy and the club makes a few quid so all in all it’s a good day. Credit to the players for turning it around again – but it’s something that we need to be aware of and something which doesn’t become a regular occurrence.”

He continued: “I thought we started the game a little bit sloppy and a little bit slow which is unlike us because we’ve began the previous two games really positively. Credit to Newton Aycliffe – they came – they pressed up high, they ran hard, they harried us and tried to stop us playing and maybes they knocked us out of our rhythm a little bit. Yet we still had the better of the chances and ‘their ‘keeper Adam McHugh has made a couple of good saves. After that Aycliffe scored a fortuitous first goal which was a cross and it sort of hung in the wind and hit the back post, cannoned in off a defender and into the net. A little bit of sloppy play by us presented them with an opportunity and all of a sudden we found ourselves 2-0 down. Then we sort of came into the game a little bit – whether Aycliffe suddenly thought ‘we’re 2-0 up’ and maybes were a little bit more cautious or whether we thought ‘we’re 2-0 down’ we need to up our game – or maybes it was a combination of both. We started to move the ball and I just felt every time we went forward we looked dangerous and looked like we’ll create chances and that’s not just today – that’s in every game we’ve played so far.”

He went on: “We scored a good goal through Lee Mason then we had a couple of opportunities to draw level. We went in at the interval 2-1 down and really we didn’t say too much at half time. It was a case of playing on the front foot; playing to our strengths second half and we knew we would get chances so we had to stay patient. Those chances came and Lewis Suddick and Dean Briggs have scored with good finishes – so we go 3-2 up. Then for the last 15 minutes it turned into a proper cup tie. Aycliffe had the one really big chance where they have hit the post, the ball has come out to the forward and he has blazed it over the bar. But Paul Robinson has come on for us and had two brilliant opportunities – and McHugh has made two brilliant saves – and in the end it became a classic end to end cup tie between two good teams who have started the season well. It was always going to be a good competitive game and thankfully for us we’ve come out on the right end of the scoreline and we’ll see where we go next. Our opponents in the next round – away to Tadcaster or Tow Law – have drawn 1-1 today and will replay so we’ll have to wait a little bit longer.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC take a break from League action on Saturday (August 6) when they tackle Newton Aycliffe at Woodhorn Lane in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Colliers manager Ian Skinner adopted a cautious approach to the clash – purely and simply because of his philosophy of taking one game at time – with his outfit hosting Northallerton Town in their second encounter in the Ebac Northern League’s first division tonight.

Nevertheless, Skinner described the Aycliffe match as being a potential ‘rip roaring cup tie’ when he said: “Newton Aycliffe have got a very good squad and I think they’ll be in and around the competitive end of the league table so it’ll be a tough one for us – but equally it’ll be a tough one for them! Obviously we have got home advantage but first and foremost we’ll be looking to build on the good work from Saturday, take it into tonight’s game and hopefully have the same momentum for the weekend.”

He continued: “It’s an important game away from the league programme and I reckon it will be a rip roaring cup tie. It means a lot to the players to be able to say that they have played in the FA Cup this season – the same competition which one team will win at Wembley. If you throw into the pot that it’s also worth a few quid to the club in terms of prize money, that’s why you get the excitement of the FA Cup.”

He went on: “We’ll obviously be looking to get a positive result and have a good crowd in attendance who I’d like to think got value for money from Saturday’s 6-0 win over Seaham Red Star. Hopefully they will have gone away from the ground and told their friends and colleagues about it and I’d like to think we will continue to put in performances like that – only we aren’t going to score six goals every week! If we can play the type of football we played on Saturday, I’m pretty sure we’ll become an attractive proposition but you’ve got to bear in mind a few things like the Premier League starting and Newcastle United are at home; the cost of living crisis that we are all going through and the multitude of home matches we have got.  For a non season ticket holder, it’ll be difficult and we’ll need to take that into consideration as well. But that aside, it’s another game which we’ll look forward too.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that his side had to work hard before collecting all three points against Northallerton Town at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night – but said it was a ‘pleasing result.’

Robbie Dale’s first goal for the club put the hosts ahead but Northallerton levelled five minutes before the break through John Howard.

However Karl Ross put the Colliers back in front before Craig Spooner scored for the second consecutive game in a 3-1 win.

Skinner said afterwards: “All in all there were lots to be pleased with. Some of our play was excellent but we’ll need to reinforce and remind the players about making sure when we lose the ball that we get into a good shape out of possession to make it difficult for the opposition. We aren’t going to play every week like we did on Saturday; we aren’t going to score six goals every week and we’ll have more games like tonight than we had against Seaham. It was a pleasing result. We had to work hard – but there again you’ve got to work hard in every game in this league. However, we are two games in with six points on the board; have nine goals for and one against and if anyone had offered me that seven days ago, I would have taken it.”

He continued: “I thought we started the game really brightly again and scored which makes it that little bit easier. Northallerton didn’t spring too many surprises coming with a back five and trying to make it difficult for us so to break them down so early in the game as we did (sixth minute) was good. Then we probably had a 15-20 minutes period where we were camped in their half and created numerous chances. Their ‘keeper (Thomas Dawson) has made a couple of good saves and they have defended really well and put their bodies on the line. We then became sloppy and lost our shape a little bit and players wanted that extra touch and extra split second before letting the shot go which allowed Northallerton to get a little bit closer to be able to block it. We then started to almost overplay to try and score and they (Northallerton) came into the game a little bit towards the end of the first half. There were one or two warning signs for us because we were committing too many players forward and not working hard enough to get back. It was disappointing to concede that type goal because we were caught which was a little bit of our achilles heel last year.”

He went on: “We came in at half time and we knew if we kept playing to the levels which we are capable of, that we stood a good chance of winning the game. We just needed to be a little bit more patient and play within our shape; limit the touches and move the ball quicker. In spells we did that in the second half and we scored at a vital time when we were probably on top again. It was a good move; a good goal to be fair and a good finish from Karl Ross. They (Northallerton) haven’t offered too much after the break – obviously they were coming down the bank a little bit with the wind on their backs so they went quite direct and lots of things ran out of play or through to our ‘keeper Karl Dryden. Obviously we got a third goal and it was a good move and finish from Craig Spooner but again similar to Saturday against Seaham, Northallerton have gone right until the end. They made a couple of subs – the winger came on and caused us one or two problems but we saw the game out and I was delighted. Now we’ll look forward to Saturday’s clash against Newton Aycliffe in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC chairman Brian Shotton said he was delighted after the club had secured Lynx Precast as their major home and away kit sponsors.

The company – who are based at Lynefield Park near Ashington – are specialists in the design, manufacture and installation of precast concrete flooring systems.

The agreement was reached between the two parties with Ashington having to beaver away to get their new kit sponsors name emblazoned on their shirts in time for Saturday’s opening match in the Ebac Northern League’s first division against Seaham Red Star at Woodhorn Lane which the Colliers emphatically won by 6-0.

Mr Shotton said: “I’m really delighted to get Lynx Precast on board. It was the prime aim of the summer to get a major sponsor and that’s no disrespect to anyone who have been a sponsor in the past. However, the major sponsors do make the real difference when it comes to what you can do both on and off the field as a club. I look forward to working with Lynx Precast this season and hopefully a long term relationship will ensue. Wearing our home and away kits, the name will be on the front of our shirts and it’s really good.”

Mr Shotton poured praise onto club official Mark Ramsden when he added: “To be honest all of the credit has to go to Mark Ramsden, our physio, who got the deal over the line. He’s done a really good job and is carrying out a lot of duties on the commercial side for us. As a non league football club, roles come with many different facets – and Mark has taken it upon himself to do this work so I’m absolutely delighted.”

Brent Hall, Commercial Manager at Lynx Precast said: “Lynx Precast are proud to sponsor Ashington AFC for the forthcoming 2022/2023 season. We are thrilled to be this year’s shirt sponsor and to help further the club’s progress and we look forward to working with Ashington AFC and the wider community over the coming season.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Lee Mason, one of manager Ian Skinner’s summer signings at Ashington, said he was delighted to open his goal scoring account in the 6-0 hammering of Seaham Red Star on Saturday – but added that it was a great start to the new season for the club.

In the build up to the curtain raiser, Newcastle-born Mason – signed from Dunston UTS – was a doubt and he commented: “I’ve been struggling with my achilles. I’ve got a bit of tendonitis with the hard grounds but it’s manageable – so I was lucky to start and play a big part today. I was glad to get off the mark, especially being a striker. To score twice, it obviously gives you confidence and relieves you of that little bit of pressure of not scoring and it was the same for Dan Maguire – it was good to see him on the score sheet as well.”

After the Colliers had knocked on the Seaham door, Mason broke the deadlock in the ninth minute and added a second at a similar time after the interval. However he complimented two of his team mates: “For the first goal, it was a great cross by Andrew Cartwright on the right hand side. I just nipped in front of the centre back and got the faintest of flicks – and it was good to see the ball go in off the post at the back stick. For the second, it was a superb delivery from Dean Briggs from a free kick and I was unmarked at the back post. It was an easy kind of opportunity to score and I was glad I took it.”

Shortly afterwards, the 31 year old was substituted – but was not too bothered about missing out on a potential hat trick: “My achilles had been hurting so when the manager took me off I wasn’t disappointed at all,” he said, “It was more about giving it (my ankle) rest as we have another home game against Northallerton Town on Tuesday.”

Mason – who lives in Blyth and works for the Council – revealed he is settling into his new surroundings: “Today it was a great start to the season – not just for myself – but for the lads who scored for the club in general and also for the fans to see that score line. I can’t speak highly enough about the club – you’ve just got to look at the ground and facilities and the players we have got here.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – after watching his side reach top gear on the opening day of the campaign where they won 6-0 against Seaham Red Star at Woodhorn Lane – believes the first division of the Ebac Northern League will be ‘very competitive.’

Skinner said: “I think we’ll see a Northern League this season where lot of teams will beat each other – and I don’t think anyone will run away with it not by any stretch of the imagination. I think it will be a very competitive league. Before Saturday’s match against Seaham Red Star, I was quietly confident on several aspects – with the squad we have put together; the fact that we were at home on our patch and with a good crowd who always get behind us. I thought we could take the game to Seaham and give them a really good game and make it a tough afternoon for them which we did. Scoring early helps but I sensed the players were going to be bang on today – and everything turned out to be just fine.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Skipper Dean Briggs described Ashington’s performance as ‘brilliant’ – after they had demolished Seaham Red Star 6-0 at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

Briggs said afterwards: “We know we are going to have a bit of a target on our back this year. We have signed some good players and have got the players to do it but it’s about applying it right and we did that from start to finish. I thought we were dominant throughout and kept the ball really well. We were sharp and played it (the ball) around really well. We worked hard off the ball and that’s all we need to do this year because I think our quality will come through.”

The 26 year old continued: “Seaham are usually a hard team to play against and I thought it would have been a physical battle – but we were a level ahead today. They (Seaham) are a big strong side but we didn’t even give them a chance in the air – we just kept the ball on the deck, played it around them and nobody could complain about our performance today as I thought we were brilliant. Robbie Dale did really well for us but Yannick Aziakonou was outstanding in defence. Yannick doesn’t really like dropping in there (defence) but he was my man of the match.”

Briggs – born in Wideopen – had several chances to get on the score sheet himself – including an opportunity which came his way after only 70 seconds: “I could have had three or four goals today,” he added, “However, I set a few up – and I think we will share the goals around this season with quality players up front. The players the manager (Ian Skinner) has brought in have been quality and with a lot of experience – and that’s what we needed from last year. We had a good side last season but we just needed that little bit of experience and the lads who the boss has brought in have been brilliant. It’s a great dressing room to be part of and the new lads have helped the younger ones. They have come in and have hit the ground running and a couple of them got goals today.” Ashington face back to back games at Woodhorn Lane this week.

On Tuesday (August 2), Northallerton Town make the trip to Wansbeck for a League clash then Newton Aycliffe are the visitors on Saturday (August 6) in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup: “The crowd got behind us today and it was a great win – but it’s about taking one game at a time,” said Briggs.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner described his sides performance as ‘first class’ after they had demolished Seaham Red Star 6-0 in their opening Ebac Northern League first division fixture of the season at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

The goals flowed in each half with Lee Mason and Lewis Suddick both notching braces with one apiece for Dan Maguire and Craig Spooner.

Skinner – who admits that he never gets too high after a win or too low after a defeat – emerged from the dressing room afterwards with a broad smile on his face and said: “It was a good start to the season. We’ve tried to work them (the players) as hard as we could pre season and we asked them to start with a positive performance for the first league game – and to be fair, I don’t think anyone from an Ashington perspective can be disappointed with what they (the players) served up. Similar to last week in the Cleator Cup final against North Shields, I think we had a really good chance in the first couple of minutes to go ahead and from then onwards – and without being disrespectful – we’ve dominated the ball and have created numerous opportunities and scored some very, very good goals so credit to the players who have taken on board what we have tried to do today. We’ve looked at a couple of different ways of playing in pre season and we set up with the ability to be able to play either of those systems today knowing we could change it during the game if we needed too. It was a first class performance really. They (the players) have set the standards so it’s up to them now to go on. We’ve brought some really good players to the club; we expect to be in and around the business end of the division but that doesn’t come easy – that comes with hard work and making sure we apply ourselves properly – and all of those things the players did today, They’ve won the game so if we can continue to do that on a regular basis starting on Tuesday night against Northallerton Town when we are at home again, then we’ll do okay.”

He continued: “On today’s showing, the players are where we want them to be – but Tuesday night will be a different game. We try to tailor pre season in a certain way; we put a little bit of detail into how the fixtures fell and if you look at the last three games (of pre season), we played against teams higher up in the pyramid. We were disappointed with some of the things we did in those games but we knew it would stand us in good stead for our first league match of the season when again – without being disrespectful – the competition, the opposition and the level of which they play at drops a little bit from facing South Shields, North Shields and Blyth Spartans. It was about making sure we could assert ourselves on the game and I thought we did that. Scoring early always helps but the difference being that we scored early and stayed on the front foot and kept creating chances whilst the difference between last week and this week was that we were more ruthless in the first half and we found ourselves three goals to the good.”

He went on: “Again it’s about keeping standards high and managing the game state making sure you do things correctly and we did all of those things in the second half. We also scored really early which really puts the contest to bed. It would have been easy to take our foot off the gas and just knock the ball about but we didn’t – we stayed on the front foot. We didn’t need to chase the game but if opportunities presented themselves we wanted to be ruthless and take them. All in all credit to Seaham – they stuck at it and came into it a little bit when we made three and four changes so fair play to them for keep going. It’s always difficult – and I have been there myself last season when we ourselves were on the wrong end of a 6-1 score line at home to Guisborough Town.”

Short in the defensive department due to injuries, Skinner paired Robbie Dale with Yannick Aziakonou and was also delighted with a clean sheet: “That was probably the focal point of the discussions at half time – to keep a clean sheet,” he said, “Our goalkeeper Karl Dryden had little to do – I don’t think he was called into what you would call a full length save – but what he needed to do, he did well; Jordan Summerly played really well at left back; Robbie Dale just loves football and can play anywhere and looked comfortable at centre back which he has done pre season against higher opposition so that was never going to be an issue whilst Yannick Aziakonou never put a foot wrong. Andrew Cartwright is different class at right back so it probably helped Yannick (Aziakonou) a little bit today whereas last season when we maybes were in a similar situation and we asked him to play there, he was playing with different types of players. But with Dale one side of you and Cartwright the other, it is going to make your task a little bit easier. Even the subs who came on showed up – Adam Johnson was lively and forced a great save from the Seaham ‘keeper; Jordan Lashley has had a couple of opportunities; Paul Robinson did what Paul Robinson does, sending defenders one way then the other whilst Danny Anderson got on the ball which we asked him to do. Overall, the players need all of the credit today – they’ve gone out there and they’ve done the talking on the pitch. Everybody says we are a good side – but today my players have showed that we are a good side.”

By Brian Bennett

With Ashington ready to embark on a new season in the Ebac Northern League first division tomorrow at home to Seaham Red Star, manager Ian Skinner reflected on his sides concluding game against Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night which ended in a 3-0 defeat.

“At Blyth, we mixed it up a little bit first half because there were some players who were slightly behind on minutes compared to everybody else so we’ve tried to do almost two balanced sides in either halves. I was disappointed with the goals we conceded because they were all avoidable and all three of them came about from us losing possession but the second one – right on half time – came at a bad time although it was a little bit fortuitous. The lad has taken a shot; it’s bounced off somebody else and dropped to Michael Liddle in the box who has scored. The third was a great strike by Danny Barlow – but we’ve got to get out to the ball quicker.”

“The difference between the two sides was that Blyth play higher up the pyramid than us and they do everything a little bit quicker where they make good decisions in terms of the number of touches they take. Some of the chances we fashioned, we wanted that extra touch and that split second longer before taking a shot on – and they are the fine margins really – but it was still a good work out. There are still one or two things which we still need to work on but I think overall that pre season has gone quite well.”

Skinner revealed that for tomorrow’s 3pm kick-off, he will run checks on several players who have injury concerns before naming his side – but added that it’s part and parcel of the game.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s Lewis Suddick scored the winner on Saturday as the Colliers won the JR Cleator Cup after a thrilling 3-2 result over North Shields – and the midfielder admitted afterwards that he knew he had put his side ahead in the contest before the ball had hit the back of the net.

Suddick’s headed goal arrived with quarter of an hour remaining and stemmed from a precision free-kick floated into the penalty area by Dean Briggs: “As soon as the ball left Dean’s foot I knew I could get on the end of it,” said the 24 year old, “It was a great delivery; I got up well and as soon as the ball hit my head, I knew it was going into the bottom corner. I haven’t scored many headed goals in my career so it was nice to get one today – and especially as it was the winner.”

North Shields-born Suddick who also lives in the town, came on as a substitute and within five minutes had popped up with the goal: “To be 2-0 down and to come back and win the game 3-2 shows that we have a lot of character as well as quality in the dressing room,” he added, “Towards the end there was only one way the result was going to go – and if we had played another 10, 20 or 30 minutes I reckon we would have scored even more.”

Suddick continued: “We are more than building a solid base. The new lads who have come into the group as well as the players who have been here for a while, compliment each other and it shows the strength we have got. Ever since we reported back for pre season training we have spoke about the league’s opening day and to make sure we are ready for it. Today it was great to win the cup and the whole squad are buzzing. I think we’re fit; tactically we’ve all gelled together and everyone is raring to go for Saturday against Seaham Red Star.”

Kick-off is 3pm.