By Brian Bennett | Photo: Keith Saint

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison said he was confident that the Colliers would win their Emirates FA Cup replay against Stocksbridge Park Steels – even before a ball was kicked on Tuesday night.

Early goals from Yannick Azikonou and Paul Robinson put the home side in command before Ben Sampson added a third in the second period: “I knew if we turned up in the right frame of mind and with the right attitude that there would only be one winner – and we did just that,” he said, “It was a brilliant result. We were absolutely fantastic in the first 20 minutes especially with the conditions because we knew we could pass the ball better than we had done on Saturday. Stocksbridge couldn’t live with us – and the start we made where we scored twice in the opening eight minutes was exactly what we wanted.”

He continued: “We knew there was going to be a big crowd and the lads were pumped up for it from when they got to the ground. The messages on our group chat were flying around during the afternoon with excitement and when we saw the crowd, we knew we wanted to give them something to shout about and I thought we did that. The team spirit is absolutely brilliant and win, lose or draw, there is good banter amongst us. We wanted to be the ones to play King’s Lynn in the next round – and we knew we could do it. After the first 20 minutes they (Stocksbridge) changed their shape then for the 25 minutes leading into half time, we got sloppy and were giving the ball away in stupid areas instead of just realising we were 2-0 up and just spinning and turning them.”

He went on: “We spoke about that at half time and we knew they (Stocksbridge) were going to come out hard – a bit like the last 20 minutes at their place. They had to go for it and the substitute they introduced on the left hand side (Lewis Macaskill) is a good player but we never thought we were going to concede no matter how many players they put up top because we were solid at the back. Then to score a third definitely helps because if the game goes to 2-1 you start thinking you are tired and start doubting yourself – but Ben Sampson’s goal came at the right time.”

Harmison was delighted for the whole club: “I’m over the moon for manager Ian Skinner who couldn’t be here tonight and for the whole club in general,” he said, “The fans were absolutely fantastic and to get 1,424 on a Tuesday night applauding every tackle and every throw in we made was quite special.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Keith Saint

Ashington FC’s Ben Sampson notched his first goal of the season in the Colliers 3-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels in their Emirates FA Cup replay – and the midfielder could not have opened his account at a better time!

After a sensational start when Yannick Aziakonou and Paul Robinson both scored inside the opening eight minutes, the Sheffield based visitors – who play in the Northern Premier League East Division, one above the Colliers – had made a positive start to the second half.

However in the 55^th minute, their hopes received a severe setback when Sampson seized on a rebound to blast home after Steels ‘keeper Harrison Davison-Hale had spilled a free kick by Dean Briggs: “I don’t score many,” said Sampson, “It was my first goal of the campaign and it was a bit of a blur really. I just drove the ball into the back of the net then celebrated.”

The attendance at Woodhorn Lane – a record breaking 1,424 – was probably the biggest crowd Sampson had played in front of: “The game was tough,” he said, “but the pitch and the conditions were good. It was hard work but apart from when they (Stocksbridge) had a spell in the first half, I thought we controlled the game.  I think it was the biggest crowd I have played in front of and the encouragement from the fans does make a massive difference. They never stopped chanting and encouraging us down at Stocksbridge to get us into this replay and it’s brilliant playing in front of them. The support has gone to another level because when I first started coming here the crowd was never like this but its built up. The people behind the scenes have done loads of work to get the club up to this point and they deserve a lot of credit as do the lads on the pitch who are entertaining the fans who in turn want to come back.”

He added: “We are a good team and the defeat against Billingham Town in the Isuzu FA Vase was a huge disappointment because with the team the manager has put together, I’m sure we could have gone far in the competition. However, I think this run in the FA Cup is sort of making up for it. The crowds are massive and the occasions are huge.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC midfielder Paul Robinson revealed after the Colliers had advanced into the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with victory in their replay against Stocksbridge Park Steels that the players had gone into the rematch in buoyant mood.

Robinson, scorer of the second goal in a 3-0 win, said afterwards: “First of all, it was a brilliant result for the club but to be honest, we went into the clash fancying our chances. Obviously I didn’t play on Saturday but I thought we should have won down in Sheffield because we were by far the better team. Consequently you could tell by the way we started really well, that we really thought we could finish the job off.”

Newcastle-born Robinson – a football coach for Pro:Direct academy – continued: “After we got off to a great start with two goals inside the first ten minutes, it got a bit scrappy after that but I thought the third goal after 55 minutes came at the right time because it killed the game and it was then a case of us trying to see it through. We could have got a couple of goals near the end from breaks when the fresh legs from substitutions, made a difference for us but all in all it was a fantastic night with a brilliant crowd and was tremendous for the club.”

The midfield maestro was on the mark – with a header: “All I thought about when the ball came to me was to get a half decent connection and keep it (the ball) high – and it looped into the roof of the net. It was a nice feeling. I’m 38 now and these moments might not come around much longer so it was a case of enjoying the moment.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC midfielder Yannick Aziakonou said it was ‘unbelievable’ to play in such a red hot atmosphere on Tuesday night at Woodhorn Lane as the Colliers brushed aside a higher status club for the third time this season in the Emirates FA Cup when they completed a 3-0 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Ian Skinner’s side have now knocked out Ashton United, Bradford Park Avenue and Stocksbridge Park Steels in consecutive rounds on their way to a fourth qualifying round tie against King’s Lynn on Saturday week (October 8).

Aziakonou said afterwards: “Playing in front of that record crowd of 1,424 was unbelievable. As soon as we heard about what the numbers could be attendance wise, it was just a case of us making sure we could perform for them. The fans were our 12^th man because they pushed us on from the start. It was great and I’d like to thank them so much for that because their support is massive.”

The 23 year old got the ball rolling for the Colliers when he smashed home a half volley from 30 yards in the fourth minute and he said: “The ball was in the air for quite a while and it was a case of watching it (the ball) all the way. I got a good connection on the half volley and the ‘keeper was rooted to the spot. I was delighted when the ball hit the back of the net.”

Four minutes later, Paul Robinson headed home to double the lead and Aziakonou – who is based in Fenham – was also pleased when Ben Sampson put Ashington 3-0 up, ten minutes into the second half: “The third goal came at a good time for us,” he said, “The boys kept pushing and we thought we could have scored more especially with the quality we have got up front but we’re happy with a 3-0 win.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC coach Neil Cooper was full of praise for the vocal fans at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night following the Wansbeck outfit’s 3-0 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels in their Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round replay.

Cooper said that ‘without a doubt’ the Colliers supporters were their ‘12^th man.

Cooper said: “The night itself was unbelievable. The atmosphere on the touchline was absolutely fantastic and the crowd were our 12^th man without a doubt. The place was jumping especially after the start we got and I’d like to thank everyone who turned up and supported us.”

The Colliers will now travel down to Norfolk to face King’s Lynn on Saturday week (October 15) and Cooper added: “It’s just a shame that we couldn’t have got a home draw in the next round.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC coach Neil Cooper was naturally ecstatic after the Colliers had marched into the fourth qualifying round of this season Emirates FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Northern Premier League East Division outfit Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday night.

Two goals in the first eight minutes from Yannick Aziakonou and Paul Robinson gave the Wansbeck side – playing in front of a record attendance of 1424 at Woodhorn Lane – a great start with Ben Sampson adding a third ten minutes into the second half.

With manager Ian Skinner unavailable, Cooper, Lee Anderson and Robbie Dale were in charge of the side.

Cooper said afterwards: “We thoroughly deserved it and I’m thrilled to bits. All of the players including those lads on the bench were a credit to the club – they were absolutely class. To be 2-0 up after ten minutes was unbelievable. I thought for the first 20-25 minutes that we were the better team but we sat back a bit too much and allowed them (Stocksbridge) to get into the game. Since our shock exit against Billingham Town in the Isuzu FA Vase, we have only shipped a few goals and tonight, the lads got in the way of shots and blocked crosses as we had asked them to do before the start. We knew we conceded from crosses in the first game at Stocksbridge so we had to get out to them – and we did that.”

He continued: “At half time, we asked the players to get back to controlling the game but for some reason at the start of the second half we came out slowly. My first thought is to play forward but we were going sideways too much which allowed them (Stocksbridge) to come onto us. To be fair, our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made a couple of brilliant saves at 2-0 then Ben Sampson’s goal came at the right time for us.”

Cooper could hardly conceal his overall emotions: “I’m not wanting to appear to be greedy but we could have scored a fourth or fifth goal especially through Dean Briggs who near the end, made a brilliant run and his shot was just off target. However, we’re through and that’s all that matters. Would we have even thought about being in the fourth qualifying round let alone be planning to go down and face Kings’s Lynn – no! It’ll be a very hard and tough game but we’ll look forward to it and why not! From a different angle, we are one game away from reaching the first round proper and that’s an unbelievable thought for this club. Everyone starting from the chairman has played their part and are pulling in the right direction. That’s brilliant – but tonight was class.”

Cooper added: “Lee Anderson and Robbie Dale (who was ruled out through injury but who stepped up into a coaching role) were spot on too with Robbie saying things on the touchline at the right times and I can’t praise him enough.”

Meanwhile fellow coach Lee Anderson said: “I’d just like to thank all the fans for coming out and backing the team. Also thanks to Neil Cooper and Robbie Dale and all the players for their efforts. Their attitudes were absolutely first class and it was a great night for everybody involved with the club following what was a good and well deserved win.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC chairman Brian Shotton spoke about being overawed and quite emotional after the Colliers had progressed to the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-0 win in their replay against Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday evening.

Mr Shotton said afterwards: “I’m actually quite speechless about the whole night to be honest. I’m also a bit overawed by it and emotional because after being on such a long journey, it feels like the club are well and truly on the right road now. To see 1,424 people from Ashington at a game at Woodhorn Lane and then to progress after a blood and thunder FA Cup tie, I’m more than touched by it all. Yes I’m delighted but really I’m a bit of a softie so I’ll probably have a few tears later on tonight. As people know, I absolutely love this football club and I can’t say anything more positive about the team; the lads that are in that team; the people who help and the people who come along and watch us. We are a special club and one who are really on the up.”

Mr Shotton – who started supporting the club as a 12 year old on the terraces at the former Portland Park ground – continued: “When I took over as chairman four years ago, I said I didn’t want the club to stand still. We did have a period of regression but you have to have the hard days to have the good days and these are certainly good days at the moment. We’ve still got our league games to play – we are back on duty on Saturday (at home to Tow Law) – and I’d like to think that a percentage of the crowd will come back and watch us because what is happening here is special. It’s unbelievable to see the town of Ashington get behind the club; we deserve it; the players deserve it and the people who work hard here deserve it too.”

Mr Shotton, 38, gave a special mention to manager Ian Skinner: “I’m delighted for Ian Skinner who wasn’t able to be here tonight and I’d like to pay tribute to him because he’s done a really unbelievable job at this football club. Again along with myself and others, Ian faced a lot of tough moments and he deserves to enjoy the good times as well.”

Ashington now have a trip to face King’s Lynn in the next round of the competition on Saturday week (October 15) and Mr Shotton added: “It is obviously going to be really tough. The lads have come through adversity against higher level opposition in the last three rounds but it’s a cup game and anything can happen on the day.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that there were some ‘fine margins’ in Saturday’s 2-2 draw in their Emirates FA Cup clash against Stocksbridge Park Steels at Bracken Moor: “I’m not sure how I feel because it was a bit of a strange performance and if I’m honest, I thought it was a bit of a ‘nothing game’ for 70 minutes and then it burst into life,” he said afterwards, “It was like a home game to be fair with the travelling contingent as they were vocal – as we knew they would be – and were first class. Obviously we went behind from a set play and we knew that they (Stocksbridge) were strong in that department. It was a header at the back post back across goal into the top corner for their goal but we showed real good character to come back – and it galvanised us into playing some of the football we know we can and what we showed earlier in the season. For the equaliser, we worked a good move and found Lee Mason free at the back post and he’s smashed the ball into the top corner for what was a great finish. Then from a set play ourselves, it was a great ball in from Dean Briggs and Ben Harmison’s extra long leg seemed to come out and get on the end of it and we found ourselves 2-1 up.”

He continued: “Obviously Stocksbridge had a spell because they have got to come at us and set plays were always going to be their biggest danger. I thought we defended really well all day and then there’s a one late on in the game whereby the ball has bobbled and bounced about in our box and unfortunately for us it’s dropped to their player (Mitch Langton) about three yards out with the goal at his mercy and he’s tapped it in and it becomes 2-2.”

He went on: “However there were some fine margins in the game. At 2-1, Dan Maguire flicks Lee Mason clean through who lifts the ball over the goalkeeper and you’re just praying for it to drop quick enough – but it doesn’t quite do that but comes back off the bar straight into the keepers hands. However, they (Stocksbridge) will mention a shot which they had from the edge of the box which rattled the post.”

He added: “A draw’s a draw and we are in the hat and we’ll have the incentive of when we go into Tuesday’s replay knowing who we could potentially face only we can’t – and won’t – look at that situation. First of all we’ll have to focus on how we can overcome Stocksbridge but then if you look at when we got through the last round, I said that I would be happy with a home tie against ‘anybody at home’ – and we are now at ‘home’ (in the replay). We’ll certainly attack the game and see if we can take it to them (Stocksbridge) and also see if we can get a positive result.”

Skinner will check on the fitness of his players – including Adam Johnson who missed out on Saturday through injury – ahead of Tuesday’s 7.45pm kick-off and added that Andrew Cartwright should be available to return to the squad.

Meanwhile the boss is hoping for ‘more of the same’ from the Ashington supporters: “I’m sure the fans will come out in their numbers again and generate another great atmosphere – and hopefully we can give them something else to shout about,” he added.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC striker Lee Mason was delighted to fire home his sides first goal against Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday in their third qualifying round clash in the Emirates FA Cup – and admitted that had he scored with another opportunity later on, the Colliers would ‘probably not have been facing a replay’ which takes place at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (October 4).

The Wansbeck side – enjoying a glorious run the competition – were trailing to a header by home skipper Ross Goodwin when Mason lashed home two minutes later to restore parity.

The forward said: “The ball came to me and I just instinctively first timed it so that the ‘keeper couldn’t get set – and it was good to see it hit the back of the net.”

Ashington skipper Ben Harmison then put his side 2-1 ahead following a free-kick – before both sides hit the woodwork.

Alex O’Connor struck the post for the hosts then Mason hit the bar with ten minutes of normal time remaining which had he netted would have made it 3-1: “The ‘‘keeper was miles out,” he added, “I probably had a bit more time to take a touch but I’ve got the ball over him which was a bit wind assisted and unfortunately it’s landed on the bar and hasn’t gone in. Chances change games and it was a massive opportunity and if we score, then I probably wouldn’t be standing here saying the game has finished 2-2 and we’re going to a replay. It was disappointing that it didn’t drop in but it’s one of those things.”

Meanwhile Mason is looking forward to Tuesday night’s second instalment against the Pitching in Northern Premier League East outfit who are based in Sheffield: “At 2-1 up I thought we were very unlucky to concede the equaliser in the matter we did,” he said, “But having been 1-0 down, if someone had said they would give us a draw and a replay on Tuesday, we would have snapped their hands off. Overall it was a good performance from the lads but I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t win.”