By Brian Bennett

Ashington skipper Karl Ross has said that the players at Woodhorn Lane will not just go through the motions when the Colliers host Lincoln United in their final game of the season on Saturday.

Last weekend, the Colliers booked their place in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League next season when goals from Josh Gilchrist and Chris Reid wrapped up a 2-0 win over Brighouse Town in West Yorkshire.

With the Wansbeck side finally safe from the drop and Lincoln in mid table, the clash could be classed as being a ‘dead rubber’ with nothing at stake – but Ross refuted those suggestions: “Yes we are now safe from the drop – but we want to go out on a high,” he said, “There’ll be a good crowd watching so we can’t just sack the game off. It’s been a long old season so now that we are 100 per cent clear of the relegation zone, we can go out; relax a little bit and play some good football with the fans behind us on hopefully a nice sunny day. We can certainly enjoy it a bit more rather than having the pressure on us of what the consequences would be if we were to win or lose.”

By Brian Bennett

Central defender Chris Reid popped up to score a precious goal in Ashington’s 2-0 win over Brighouse Town in West Yorkshire on Saturday.

Reid’s calm and assured finish – which any striker would have been proud of – came midway through the second half with the final outcome confirming the Colliers their place in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League next season.

The Woodhorn Lane outfit have been in and around the relegation drop zone and the 36 year old said afterwards: “The first feeling is one of relief. We all had belief that we would stay up but to get over the line is sometimes easier said than done. I actually thought we played some really good football in the first half and we created seven glorious opportunities. But what happens is, the further into the game it goes and they keep bobbling wide, you start thinking ‘maybes it isn’t our day.’

Reid – who was born and who is based in North Shields – described his goal as being ‘really important:’ “When I saw the ‘keeper coming towards me, my thoughts were ‘just don’t miss,’ he said, “I always open up but the ‘keeper had closed that angle down so the only thing I could do in my head was to take the ball around him and he gave me the opportunity to tap it in and I did. I’ve scored some good goals in my career but in terms of the time and what it meant in the context of the game, it was a really important goal. I was delighted. When I came to the club, the one thing we all had on our agendas was to make sure we stayed in the league and everyone to a man deserved that – that’s not just the players – that’s everyone behind the scenes as well.”

Reid was happy with a clean sheet: “We have all defended properly,” he added, “The basis of a good team is clean sheets. It wasn’t pretty at times when we drew a couple of games 0-0 and we weren’t clinical in front of goal – and it started to feel like that today. However, I thought everyone was brilliant. We didn’t know what was happening elsewhere – we just had to focus on ourselves and win the game – and we did that.”

By Brian Bennett

Josh Gilchrist scored the first goal and claimed an assist with the second as Ashington claimed a 2-0 victory over Brighouse Town on Saturday.

The three points banished relegation fears once and for all and Gilchrist said afterwards: “It’s a great feeling. It’s been a long hard season – we’ve had some good times and some poor times and we know we probably haven’t been where we would like to be. But credit to the lads because we’ve stuck in and dug deep. We didn’t really want it to go to the last game to secure our place in the division for next season. We had a chance and a great opportunity to do it today (at Brighouse) and we took it.”

Craig Spooner saw a penalty saved midway through the first half by home ‘keeper Michael Acquah and Gilchrist said: “A penalty miss can deflate you at times but the good thing was that it was nice and early in the contest. I told Craig not to worry about it because we had the rest of the game to put it right.”

For his goal, Gilchrist said: “Ollie Thompson has put the ball across the box. I tried to take a touch as the pitch was lively and it bobbled and it was just about getting a good contact on the ball. Fortunately, I hit it well and it has gone in the top corner.”

Five minutes later the striker played the ball through for Chris Reid to double the lead and Gilchrist said: “I think it’s important that after going 1-0 up you get the next goal because if they end up pinching one, you’re on the back foot straight away. We kept doing the basics right. The message at half time was ‘let’s not start to rush things and keep things right’ – and that’s what we did.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington skipper Karl Ross reached a notable milestone in his long serving playing career when he made his 250^th appearance for the Colliers in their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash against Brighouse Town on Saturday – and is hoping to chalk up many more!

Afterwards, the joint interim manager as well as midfielder revealed he was aware of the stats – but admitted he should have reached it earlier!

“To be fair, it would have come earlier against Dunston if I hadn’t been sent off,” he commented, “I’ve had a couple of red cards this season which is poor on my part but it’s a great achievement. Ashington is a great club and it has got a great set of people and volunteers behind the scenes. I’ve loved the club ever since I joined in 2018, so to get to 250, I’m immensely proud and hope I can get many more.”

Ross helped to steer his side over the line on Saturday – the Wansbeck club preserving their status in the league after they finally shrugged off the threat of relegation. He added: “It was a tough one because you just wanted to play another game but your mind is elsewhere. We knew it was in our hands which was the main thing and that if we won or drew the game it was going to be enough to keep us in the league. We said beforehand that we couldn’t have had a much better opportunity than today (at Brighouse) to nail safety. Staying up is nothing we should be celebrating but after the season we have had, it’s a good achievement.”

Ross paid tribute to the Ashington fans – around 100 – who travelled on Saturday: “They gave us a lift during the game,” he said, “They have not only been magnificent all season, they have been magnificent in the whole of the eight years I have been with the club. Honestly we (the players and management) cannot thank them enough for coming down in their numbers today. They pay their hard earned money to come and watch us play and the least we can do is to work hard and put a performance in for them to celebrate.”

He continued: “We started the campaign with high expectations of reaching the play offs which is your ambition to get to but it didn’t pan out that way. We went through a very tough spell where we only won seven games up to Christmas but after then we’ve turned things around.”

He continued: “Apart from the fans, I want to say a big thank you to all the volunteers and to everyone else connected with the club. It hasn’t been the kind of season everyone has wanted but at the end of the day we’ve achieved the job of keeping the club in the league which when Marc (Ellison) and I took over on an interim basis, was the target. From that moment I think we have played some good football; got some good results and deserve to stay in the league.”

By Brian Bennett

It was an ecstatic Marc Ellison who punched the air with delight at the final whistle on Saturday after his side had won 2-0 against Brighouse Town in West Yorkshire.

The victory finally blew the relegation clouds away which had hovered menacingly over the Woodhorn Lane outfit for several months.

The interim boss congratulated every one of his players and staff before heading towards the magnificent support which his side had received on the day from the Ashington fans.

“We got there in the end!” said Ellison, “That was a proper professional performance, especially in the second half. We played some really good football on what wasn’t an easy pitch. First half, we controlled the game but it just felt like we had the handbrake on a little bit – like there was another level we hadn’t quite hit yet. Then you hear the other results coming in, we miss the penalty, and you start thinking… is it going to be one of those days again? At half-time, the message was simple: a bit more purpose, a bit more intensity, just be more aggressive in what we’re doing. And to be fair to them, the response in the second half was outstanding. I thought we were really, really good. The two goals that got ruled out for offside – honestly, they were probably the two best team goals we’ve scored all season. Both were brilliant moves and everything you want to see in how we play.”

He continued: “But it’s not just about today. When we came in after Christmas (myself and Karl Ross as interim managers), the brief was clear – stay in the league. And we’ve done that. I’m absolutely delighted for everyone at the club, the staff behind the scenes, and the supporters”

Ellison praised the squad: “Ultimately, it’s all down to the players. We’ve pretty much torn up what was there before and completely changed the style of play and every single one of them (the players) has bought into it. They’ve been brilliant – on the pitch, around the place, and with me as well, which isn’t always easy given I was in the dressing room with them not too long ago. They’ve picked up big points and delivered some outstanding performances along the way.”

Ellison concluded: “Whatever happens next, they (the players) should be really proud of themselves. And hopefully, this gives everyone associated with the club a big lift going into next season so they can push on and keep improving.”

It’s now your time to vote for your player of the season (who is still at the club) and goal of the season.

For goal of the season, we’ve done a shortlist for you to choose from…..

Supporters Player of the Season

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Supporters Player of the Season 2025/26

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Supporters Goal of the Season

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By Brian Bennett

Ashington interim manager Marc Ellison – whilst knowing the importance of Saturday’s away clash against Brighouse – stressed that the players and management at the Woodhorn Lane club are trying to treat the contest as ‘just another game.’

The Colliers will secure their status in the Northern Premier League’s East Division if they collect three points at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium and ahead of a final training session last night, Ellison said: “It’s hard to come away from the fact that it’s our biggest 90 minutes of the season. We know that if we get the win then we’re mathematically safe but to be honest, we’re trying to treat it as just another game. It’s in our hands.”

Ashington will be spurred on by around 100 supporters who are making the trip to West Yorkshire by various modes of transport and Ellison is convinced they can play a vital role: “Having a good representation from the fans will make a difference that’s for sure,” he added, “Since Karl Ross and I came in as interim managers, the team have been a lot better at home than we have away – and that’s probably down to the encouragement from the supporters. At this level you don’t often see a really healthy away backing so fair play to them. I’m sure the lads will be buzzing when they see the support and the more volume our fans can give them, the better.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington skipper Karl Ross has said that the mood in the camp is good and that the players know the importance of Saturday’s penultimate league game of the season away to Brighouse Town.

The Colliers travel knowing that a win in West Yorkshire will preserve their status in the Northern Premier League’s East Division.

Ross said: “Obviously it is a massive game for the club with a lot riding on it. The players had a good training session on Monday and will go again on Thursday but the mood in the camp is good and we can hopefully get over the line on Saturday. I’ve heard that there is going to be a great representation of fans making the trip and turning out in fancy dress outfits so we’re looking to give them a good day out. A lot of them are going down as a kind of remembrance day in respect of supporter Craig Dickinson – they’ll be wanting to celebrate his life and I hope we are all celebrating after the final whistle.”

Ross added that the players have accepted the 5-0 defeat by Matlock last weekend came against a side who are a ‘step ahead.’ He said: “It was a bit of a free hit for us as Matlock are a step ahead of us but we need to move on. Brighouse are bottom of the league and have been relegated but that doesn’t alter anything on Saturday as their players will still be fighting and looking to play for their places next season – so we know we need to be at our best.”

By Brian Bennett

Ian Reid, chairman of Ashington Football Supporters Club has described Saturday’s away match at Brighouse Town as being ‘our cup final.’

Mr Reid, in the post for over ten years, is delighted that the fans have responded for the travel to West Yorkshire with a following approaching the hundred mark: “We have a coach going down then there are around another 20 who are making the journey by train as well as others,” he said, “It’s a very important game for the club – it’s our cup final. We know if we can win at Brighouse then we’ve got another season in the Northern Premier League. What we don’t want is to be going into the final match of the campaign at home to Lincoln United the week after with something hinging on it.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s interim manager Marc Ellison didn’t beat about the bush when he delivered his postmatch verdict following the Colliers 5-0 defeat against promotion chasing Matlock Town in Derbyshire on Saturday.

“We knew coming into today we were up against a really good side,” he said, “In an ideal world you’re thinking maybe you nick a draw, or if every one of our lads turns in a nine out of 10 performance then you’ve got a chance. However, fair play to Matlock. They could’ve easily thought that the play offs are sorted and taken their foot off the gas but they’ve put us to the sword this afternoon and they were better than us in every department. That’s not a dig at our lads at all, it just shows where we are as a club and where they (Matlock) are right now, and it makes it tough to compete at times.”

He continued: “The lads are obviously disappointed, and rightly so. But we’ve said in there, coming away to a place like this isn’t going to define our season. I haven’t checked, but I’d imagine not many teams around us have come here and taken points anyway and the big thing now is that we park this, move on quickly, and focus on next week. It’s the biggest game of our season (away to Brighouse on Saturday). We know if we win, we are safe. It’s all about us — preparing right and making sure we’re ready.”