By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner was ecstatic at the final whistle after his side had swept Newcastle Benfield away to win the Ebac Northern League’s Division One Cup on Bank Holiday Monday.

The game was staged at the Daren Persson Stadium – the home of newly crowned ENL champions North Shields who have consequently been promoted – and saw the Colliers stroll to a 4-1 victory with goals from Paul Robinson (2), Lewis Suddick (penalty) and Dean Briggs whilst Aiden Haley replied for the Lions.

And afterwards Skinner said: “First and foremost, I’m really, really delighted for the players. I think the way we have played and the way we have attacked games this season, warranted us getting something to show for it. The amount of goals we have scored – and conceded – plus the entertainment we have served up along the way, I’m chuffed that the lads have got their just rewards. I’m also delighted for the people (supporters) who have turned out, and it was no surprise that they have come out in their hundreds today because they’ve done it all season and it’s really nice that they have got something to be proud of and something to shout about with a little bit of bragging rights too.”

He continued: “To be honest, I’m also delighted for the town as well. Ashington is a place which gets lots of bad press – sometimes rightly so – sometimes not so rightly so – but it’s a tight knit place. Two days ago, I was at Ashington Cricket Club watching my local cricket team get a fantastic win against Lanchester – and the cricket club lads have been here today supporting the football team. Obviously it helps with our skipper Ben Harmison – who plays for them hitting an unbeaten 94 off 51 balls – then he’s lifted the cup for us today and it’s great because Ashington is a real sporting town. Obviously everybody knows about all these fantastic footballers and sportsmen who have come out of the town and it’s nice that at the level at which we operate, we have been able to put a trophy in the cabinet. It’s a really pleasing way to end the season and somebody has mentioned today that not only do we end the season with a cup final but we potentially start next season with one in terms of we will play the Cleator Cup against North Shields – so that’ll be something to look forward too but that’s a long way off.”

He went on: “What we will do is to enjoy today for a little while and we’ll have an end of season presentation and get together – then the vicious circle which is football, we’ll all start planning again and looking ahead to next year and seeing if we can go one better. We have finished eighth in the league and have won the cup, doing it the hard way after beating Thornaby, Guisborough and Consett along the way before Benfield in the final and the players deserve massive credit.” He concluded: “I’m delighted for the club with the amount of work which goes on behind the scenes by all the volunteers that nobody sees – and overall it was a great day for everybody.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison said at the weekend that if the Colliers were to win the Ebac Northern League Division One Cup it would be just rewards for the effort put in by the squad over the season.

Harmison will lead his hometown club out against Newcastle Benfield on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2) at North Shields’ Daren Persson Stadium – with the game having an 11am kick-off.

The two sides are logged at two wins each from four clashes during the season – the Colliers claiming two victories in the League whilst the Lions delivered knockout blows in the Emirates FA Cup and Buildbase FA Vase – and Harmison is under no illusions that their fifth meeting will be anything other than a tough clash: “We’ll be approaching the final just like any other game to be fair,” said the 36 year old, “We’ve played well against Newcastle Benfield a few times this year but it didn’t really matter who our opponents were going to be because whoever you play in a final you know it’s going to be a hard match. We’ll be training twice this week and prepare as normal. We’ll go into the match really confident – we’ve won a couple of games against them and they have got the better of us on a couple of occasions but it’s always a good game when we play them and the lads are all looking forward to it.”

The venue for the match brings back happy memories for Harmison – who is one of a handful of ex North Shields players in the Ashington squad: “I loved my time at North Shields,” he added, “Obviously we will not be playing in front of the home crowd – but I’m sure the Colliers fans will come out in their droves to support us and do what they have all season by giving us a lot of backing. If they do that, then it’ll probably feel like a home game especially on a bank holiday and hopefully we can give them something to be happy about.”

Harmison said it will be a ‘massive’ day for the Woodhorn Lane outfit: “It doesn’t matter what cup it is, to get to the final and have the chance of getting some silverware would be massive for the club and the players who have worked so hard this year,” he commented, “We’ve played some good football and even though we let ourselves down over the last few weeks of the season we picked up again and to be honest I think we deserve something for the way we have played. When you get to this stage of the season and people say the final is nothing, they don’t see the work which goes on pre season as well as the training sessions and long trips away midweek in the middle of winter. You are doing all of that to get to cup finals.”

The versatile Harmison – who can operate either at the heart of the defence or as a striker up front – will not find out until just before kick off what role he will be handed: “I’d go in goal if I was asked to,” he added, “I love playing for Ashington and if we can win on Monday, it would be a great way to end the season.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner takes his side into the final of the Ebac Northern League Division One Cup against Newcastle Benfield at North Shields’ Daren Persson Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday (May 2) with an 11am kick-off, hoping they can reproduce some of their early season form.

The two sides have already met on no fewer than four occasions this season – both winning two apiece – but Skinner believes Mondays contest will be all about ‘who turns up on the day’: “I’ve said it before that the semi final is an awful place to lose – but the final is not a great place to be for losers either,” he commented, “So we will be going to win and will prepare the same as we do for every other game. We’ll train twice this week, potentially three times in terms of we may have a practice match on Saturday having not played since our away game at Consett. Cup finals are very much about who turns up on the day but the one thing I can guarantee – and obviously I watched the other semi final on Saturday between Sunderland Ryhope CW and Newcastle Benfield – is that we’ll have a game plan.”

He continued: “We’ve played Benfield four times already and I can’t recall a season where we have met the same opponents five times. It’s 2-2 – they have the upper hand in cup competitions knocking us out of the Emirates FA Cup and Buildbase FA Vase whilst we beat them both home and away in the league. However those previous meetings will have zero bearing on Monday’s encounter – they will count for nothing at all because it will be a different game. People may think it’s no big deal – but players are used to playing at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon so kicking off at 11am, the whole routine changes because we will be meeting at 9.30am so that will have to be factored into preparations. It’s two teams who know each other almost inside out. We know Benfield have one or two threats and we’ll have to be aware of them but the plan will be very much about us and if we go and play to the levels which we are capable of, and reproduce some of the football which have done during the season then we’ll stand a very good chance of winning. Will it be easy? No – it’ll be a difficult competitive game.”

He went on: “To reach a cup final is not a straight forward feat so I want the players to enjoy it and to embrace it – but they’ll enjoy it a whole lot more if we are successful and come home with the trophy to show everybody.”

Skinner already had to reckon without Luke Salmon and Max Emmerson through suspension and injury respectively but he added: “We think Bobby Taylor will be ruled out as well whilst the game will probably come too soon for Adam Johnson and Jamie Hanson who are desperate to prove themselves in training this week but neither have stepped onto the training pitch since picking up their injuries. Thomas Kalthoeber is a possibility but again remains highly doubtful.” Skinner is banking on the clubs fans to provide noisy encouragement from the terraces: “Ashington haven’t been to too many cup finals in recent years so it’ll be a fantastic day out for them – and nothing will surprise me in terms of how many supporters make the journey and get behind us,” he added.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted after Saturday’s thrilling encounter against Consett had ended all square at 4-4 that a draw was a fair result – but the boss could not conceal his overall disappointment.

Skinner said afterwards: “My initial reaction is one of disappointment if I’m honest because on two occasions in the game we were two goals ahead. To be fair to Consett started the game brighter than we did and we probably scored slightly against the run of play and then we scored another one quickly. But for whatever reason as a team we don’t defend well enough and make it difficult enough for the opposition. There were two attacking minded teams out there today and we conceded a really poor goal allowing Scott Heslop a free header to make it 2-1 followed by an equaliser from Dale Pearson. But by hook or by crook we go 3-2 ahead after Dean Briggs scores an outrageous goal in added on time at the end of the first half, where he takes a fantastic first touch from just inside the Consett half then turns and puts the ball over the ‘keepers head.”

He continued: “At half time we talked about how we can play and what we do when we have got the ball and what we do when we haven’t got the ball. We went 4-2 up after a brilliant move and goal then for a period of 10-15 minutes, the game had a lull which suited us because it wasn’t really going anywhere. Then all of a sudden we couldn’t put two passes together and we kept turning the ball over to Consett who moved it really well and passed it well – and when a team does that, if you keep giving them the ball, you’ve got to do an awful lot of running. We started giving needless free kicks away; too many corners away, bearing in mind that we talked about their delivery into the box which is real quality. Then it becomes 4-3 and we need to be braver at the front post. We talked about we had to be big and brave but it looked as if we turned our backs on the ball at the near post and Calvin Smith didn’t know a lot about it – the ball just hit him and goes in.”

He went on: “Consett kept coming and I thought it was a soft free kick which led to the equaliser but again we have made the referee make a decision and fair play to Jake Orrell who has stepped up and bent the ball into the top corner. We talked about limiting set plays but we should have won it late on with three brilliant chances. Kyle Hayes has made two really good saves and then we’ve broke two versus one. Jordan Lashley has done brilliantly, drawn the defender and passed to Craig Spooner on the edge of the box who with just the ‘keeper to beat has fallen over the ball.”

He went on: “I thought a draw was a fair result today but we’ve had three unbelievable games across the season with Consett and have won 11-10 on aggregate! The clashes have been between two teams that want to go forward and score goals and probably both teams achilles heel for the season is conceding too many goals!”

Skinner reflected on the campaign: “When we analyse the season as a whole, if anyone had said we would finish eighth and get to a cup final then most players would say ‘where do I sign?’ It’s been a fantastic season and the players have done really well but a little part of me is pondering about what could have been especially our form towards the end of the season and three or four of our away games where we were on the wrong end of some big score lines which was quite surprising. However, I’m a firm believer at the end of the campaign – and it’s a bit of cliché – that you end up in the league table where you deserve too and next year we need to look to be better. Meanwhile cup competitions tell us all that on our day we can beat anybody because we have managed to progress to a cup final. We’ve had a tough route to get there beating Thornaby, Guisborough and Consett – and now we’ll start to plan towards the game which will be against Sunderland Ryhope CW or Newcastle Benfield.”

By Brian Bennett || Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – understandably euphoric after his outfit had won a titanic contest to go through to the final of the Ebac Northern League Division One Cup after a 4-3 margin over Consett at The dwmedia Stadium on Tuesday night – has expressed his overall delight for the supporters and behind the scenes volunteers connected with the Woodhorn Lane outfit.

Dean Briggs scored a brace for the Colliers whose other goals came from skipper Ben Harmison and Jordan Summerly. Carl Lawson, Scott Heslop and Colin Larkin (penalty) were on target for Consett who played the final half hour with ten men after Calvin Smith had been red carded.

However the Colliers will have to wait patiently for the outcome of the other semi final between Sunderland Ryhope CW v Newcastle Benfield – due to be staged on Saturday week (April 23) – before knowing who they will face in the final.

Skinner said: “As well as being delighted for the players, I am also delighted for the supporters. They have come out in their numbers all season and backed the team with fantastic vocal support throughout and even in recent weeks when we haven’t quite played to the levels we had earlier in the season, they have stuck with us and hopefully they can enjoy a day out at the final.”

He continued: “In addition I am also delighted for the chairman (Brian Shotton) who invests massive amounts of his time carrying out all sorts of duties above and beyond his role plus all the volunteers behind the scenes who keep the club operational on a daily basis. This is as much for them and their hard work as it is for the players and supporters. However we will all only enjoy our day if we can go on and lift the cup – and that is what the aim will be.”

By Brian Bennett || Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC defender Yannick Aziakonou said he was ‘absolutely buzzing’ after helping the Colliers to reach the final of the Ebac Northern League Division One Cup following a pulsating 4-3 win over Consett at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

The 22 year old was heavily involved at both ends of the pitch midway through the first half. His searching pass from right to left found the overlapping Jordan Summerly down the flank who scored then minutes later, Aziakonou was at the heart of the action, clearing the ball off the line to deny Carl Lawson what would have been a second equaliser for the Steelmen.

He said afterwards: “I thought I had a mixed game. I did some really good things but then I was disappointed with other aspects where I could have done a lot better. For the one I set up for the goal, I saw the space behind and had to make sure I didn’t hit the pass too hard. I was happy I executed it well and it’s just gone over the full back’s head and Jordan (Summerly) has done really well to finish it off. For the goal-line clearance, it’s all about instincts really. Playing in defence is a number one priority for me about whether I can protect the goal; can I protect that space to cover my ‘keeper – and fortunately I was on hand to deal with it tonight.”

As for reaching the final, Aziakonou, a football coach who is based in Fenham, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. All the time I’ve known about Ashington it has been a case where they have struggled in the league – but it’s been a wonderful season and there’s no better club I’d rather be with. The staff here is tremendous with the amount of effort they put in such as analysing the opposition and that level of detail is phenomenal.”

Aziakonou paid tribute to the Ashington supporters: “Obviously they have played their part tonight,” he added, “They were massive for us and I don’t think they realise how big a difference they make when you hear the drums and the chants – it’s just brilliant. After we conceded the equaliser at 3-3, they cheered us on straight away – and we scored what proved to be the winner within ten seconds of kicking off so the fans showed their worth. Again at 3-3, I had mixed emotions. Were we going to throw it away; was it going to go to penalties and did we really have an extra man but it was a magnificent feeling when Dean (Briggs) put us 4-3 up – and I’m thrilled to bits for him. He’s come back from Dubai , done well for the team by helping us out massively and he really showed up tonight.”

Ashington conclude their league programme on Saturday when they travel to face Consett and Aziakonou said: “I think bouncing back – which we do very well – has been the story of our season. I’ve been really happy and from my point of view, it’s a case of working hard and proving to the manager and the staff what I can do and what I can add to the team. I got myself a chance just before Christmas where I played nine games in a row and thought I was playing really well by turning in some good performances and feeling sharp. I was rested for the Newcastle Benfield game then I’ve been in and out of the side – but I’m happy to play my part and do my best.”

By Brian Bennett || Photo: Ian Brodie

Dean Briggs recaptured his early season form on Tuesday night as he scored twice in Ashington’s fabulous and dramatic 4-3 victory over Consett in the semi final of the Ebac Northern League Division One Cup at The dwmedia Stadium.

Briggs ran from almost halfway in the first half to score a cracking goal which put his side 3-1 up and after the Steelmen – who had been reduced to ten men following the sending off of Calvin Smith – had fought to draw level with two strikes in a ten minutes spell, it was an ‘instinctive’ Briggs whose sweetly struck volley came straight from the kick off to take his side through.

The 26 year old – handed a role up front – said afterwards: “When it went to 3-3, I thought ‘here we go again – typical Ashington’ but even after that with at least seven minutes plus stoppage time remaining, I could still see one side going onto win it to be honest. It was just one of those games which could have gone either way – it went in our favour – and I thought we deserved it. It’s good to get to a final. The last time the club won silverware was nine years ago when my dad (Perry) was assistant manager to Gary Middleton. Now hopefully I can help us to bridge that gap.”

He continued: “I thought we set up really, really well defensively. They (Consett) had a lot of the ball but didn’t really hurt us too much. Obviously we got three goals in the first half which gave us even more to sit back on and defend and I thought we really dug in. In the past when we have conceded late on we usually fold so the lads showed a bit of character to bounce back.”

Wideopen-born Briggs admitted to feeling ‘relief’ after his first goal: “I picked up the loose ball and just thought I’d go for it, knocking the ball past a defender. I probably could have squared it in all honesty but I thought ‘if I’m going to get one, l’m going to get one now.’ And it was a relief to finally score because I’ve been on a bit of a drought.”

As for the dramatic winner which arrived within seconds of the game restarting after Consett had equalised at 3-3, Briggs said: “I think Craig Spooner would like to say that he meant to play the through ball but I wasn’t expecting it myself to be honest. I didn’t know where the ‘keeper was; I didn’t know if there was anyone around me. It was pure instinct. I hit the target and luckily it went in.”

By Brian Bennett || Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner could not have been more proud of his squad of players than on Tuesday night when they won an epic cup tie 4-3 at Woodhorn Lane against Consett to reach the final of the Ebac Northern League Division One Cup.

And afterwards, the delighted boss said: “I’m going through a rollercoaster of emotions at the moment. As usual, Ashington have to do things the hard way but by hook or by crook, we have got through which is all that matters. However, if I’m honest, I’m delighted for this group of players.we’ve worked them hard all season; we’ve never given them time off; we’ve had them in twice a week and even if we’ve had a midweek game, we’ve still trained leading into the Saturday. We’ve really demanded high levels of performance, attitude and commitment off them and they have given that and it showed in the early part of the season when we played some fantastic free flowing football and scored goals freely. Yes we conceded more than we should but that led to the entertainment.”

He continued: “Tonight’s win wasn’t about me – it was about them (the players) getting something to show for the hard work they have put in throughout the season. It’s for each and every one of them because they have all played their part and it will be nice to take them to a final – but it’ll only be a good occasion if they take that extra step and come out winners.”

Reflecting on the seven goal encounter Skinner added: “The supporters who have come through the turnstiles have certainly seen a typical Ashington cup tie. Everybody knew what was at stake but we didn’t want to over-egg things – we wanted to treat it as just another game. We asked the players to give everything they had, to leave nothing out on the pitch, to have no regrets – and only they could go and get what they deserved. We started the game really well and went 1-0 up where the ‘keeper. (Kyle Hayes) has made a decent save but Ben (Harmison) has followed up and managed to scoop the ball home. Then we’ve conceded a typical Ashington goal where we didn’t close the ball down and Carl Lawson has struck it lovely from just outside the box. You think ‘okay settle down a bit’ and they’ve had lots of possession which we expected but we always felt that if we got our pressing traps right we could pinch something high up. It was a great move for Jordan Summerly’s goal which put us 2-1 ahead as we switched the ball from right to left.Jordan has cut inside brilliantly and finished it well then Dean Briggs has managed to press the centre half and pinch it off him and has had the legs on the two defenders. To be fair Dean has missed a few lately so I was delighted when I saw the ball roll into the bottom corner for 3-1. I then thought we managed the game but whilst they (Consett) had periods of possession they didn’t really threaten the goal.”

He went on: “Second half, we just wanted to be nice and solid and use the ball and take the opportunity if it came. They went down to ten men – from my viewpoint I thought it was a little bit harsh then for about a ten minutes spell, I thought we controlled the game quite well and moved the ball quite well. But whether it was nerves or tiredness, we seemed to surrender possession awfully cheaply and allowed them (Consett) to build. They brought two good forwards on in Scott Heslop and Dale Pearson and looked to play forward a little bit quicker with some quality down the sides.we conceded a poor goal a,lowing a free header from a corner then we conceded a penalty with seven minutes to go. Again it was possibly harsh but there was no need to make the challenge. Adam (McHugh) has got a good record on saving penalties. He’s a big imposing goalkeeper but Colin Larkin has scored to equalise. At 3-3 with around five minutes to go and us looking a little bit jaded, I wondered if that would really knock the stuffing out of us and are we almost going to hold out for penalties? But fair play to the lads because we’ve kicked off, have been really positive and drove at the heart of them. The ball has gone to Craig Spooner who has taken a wild swing at it but he’s sliced it straight to Briggs who has scored with a great finish across the goalkeeper and we’ve been due a bit of luck. Then Adam (McHugh) has made a save with 20 seconds left and when the final whistle went you just think “relief.”

On Saturday (April 16), Ashington play their final league game of the season when they travel to face Consett. Thomas Kalthoeber, Tom Bramley and Max Emmerson are all ruled out with injuries whilst Luke Salmon is suspended and ‘keeper Karl Dryden is unavailable.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington will go into Tuesday night’s showdown in the semi final if the Ebac Northern League Division One cup against Consett with a blunt message from manager Ian Skinner ringing in their ears.

He said: “I’ve experienced a few semi finals and it is the worst game possible to lose. It’s horrible as you have got so far yet fallen so near. I hear people say that being losing finalists is awful – but at least you get the day and the build up of getting to the final and playing in it.”

He continued: “We know what’s at stake and we need to make sure that we play better than we did against Thornaby. We certainly didn’t perform to the levels which we did against Guisborough last midweek in the quarter final so we will need to be better. The players will be up for the game which is on our own pitch with the chance to get to the final and as I mentioned last week, our season hinges on the outcome.”

Skinner also believes the noisy backing from the home crowd can be a significant factor: “Hopefully the fans will come out in their numbers again after they gave us fantastic vocal support against Guisborough,” he said, “It’s great because their enthusiasm and passion from the terraces filters down to the pitch and certainly helps us and we’ll see if they can help drive us on to reach a cup final.”

On the team news front, Skinner said: “We’ll have to monitor and assess the injuries sustained by Jordan Lashley and Thomas Kalthoeber. At this stage, I think both players will be ruled out of the equation. Lashley has got a really bad cut and is struggling to feel his leg so I think he will have to get it X-rayed and the same applies to Thomas who has damaged his shoulder.”

Max Emmerson and Adam Johnson are already out for the season through injury whilst Luke Salmon is suspended after his red card in the latter stages against Guisborough. Tom Bramley and Jamie Hanson also face a race against the clock to be fit – all of which means Skinner will leave announcing his line up until the last possible minute.

Kick-off is 7.30pm

Tickets can be purchased online at:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/afcvcafcdcsf/ashington-afc-v-consett-afc-divisional-cup-semi-final

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Thornaby wasn’t a game for the footballing purists – and highlighted that the deciding goal had materialised with his side ‘a bit disjointed.’

There was nothing to choose between the sides particularly in the second period of a mundane encounter until Ashington’s rhythm received a setback when defender Thomas Kalthoeber – who had received treatment in the first half for a shoulder injury- went down again which forced him off: “Obviously I’m disappointed that we have lost the game,” said Skinner afterwards, “It wasn’t much of a contest if I’m honest. It had a bit of an end of season/pre-season friendly about it for 60-65 minutes with both teams happy to have the ball and pass it without ever threatening the goal and I don’t think either goalkeeper has had a save to make in the first half.”

He continued: “After the break, obviously Thomas Kalthoeber has had to come off injured and as playing Ben Harmison as centre forward helps us to stretch the opposition, we’ve tried to not instantly drop him (Harmison) back in. We have asked Yannick Aziakonou to slot in at centre back and we probably became a bit disjointed which contributed towards the only goal of the game which I think was the only shot on target throughout. Thornaby have scored – and then for some reason the game burst into life for the last 20 minutes with flailing arms, horrible tackles, scuffles, a red card, yellow cards – and I don’t know how it all came about. Certainly I didn’t see it turning out that way but in the end, we probably haven’t threatened the Thornaby goal anywhere near enough whilst they’ve had one opportunity which they have taken. All in all it was not a great spectacle and not a game I’ll watch back too many times – and in a nutshell, it was a drab end of season game to be honest.”