By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray said his outfit face ‘a huge nine days’ after they went out of the Isuzu FA Trophy following a 3-0 defeat against Garforth Town on Saturday.

Goals from Mutty Al-Jahadhmy, Rinor Ejupi and sub George Harrison wrapped victory for ‘The Miners’ in Leeds and ended the Colliers interest in the competition.

Gray’s side now face a quick turnaround with the derby clash against Blyth Spartans tomorrow followed by home games against Blyth Town (Saturday August 30) and Hallam (Tuesday September 2).

Although the Woodhorn Lane boss doesn’t like to look too far ahead, he broke with tradition when he said: “For me we’ve had five games and although some players have had more minutes than others, they know if they’ve done well in the five games. Fans want to see cup runs and I understand that but we are never going to win the FA Cup or FA Trophy. But I tell you what – we’ve got a huge three games in nine days now starting on Monday – and they are all defining matches for me. We have two local derbies (against Blyth Spartans and Blyth Town) then Hallam and there’s a lot of unanswered questions for me which we have got to try and put right.”

Gray – who was still perplexed after the defeat against Garforth – added: “There are worse things and harder things that go on in life and football is an enjoyment for people and is also a relief for them – but if that (the performance against Garforth) is an enjoyment and relief then for me its soul searching and I’ve got to ask questions of myself and of the players. Listen I’ve always said that I don’t mind getting beat although I don’t like getting beat – but it’s the manner of it and I’m a bit speechless to be honest.”

He continued: “For the first goal we switched off from a set piece. It was too easy and too acceptable – then we’ve had a great chance to equalise but haven’t taken it. I ask the players to pull the trigger and they don’t – and guess what the lad for Garforth did for the second goal? He pulled the trigger and the ball has gone into the top corner. I’m sick of saying it – if you don’t shoot you don’’t score. At 2-0 we had another great chance then it was just before the final whistle when the third goal went in.”

Gray says that things have got to improve: “The three games in nine days will define a lot for the players and myself whereby we need to learn and change quickly. However there are some good players in there (the dressing room), only they haven’t clicked yet and we are still a new group. I’m confident that things will change but it’s got to be quick and the players have got to realise that. The players know who need to step up to the mark but the good thing is they are good players who have got a lot of experience. Now is the time for them to deliver because in ten days, if they haven’t, I could be gone; they could be gone and that’s me being brutally honest.”

Ashington were left numb after learning of the tragic passing of lifelong supporter Craig Dickinson and Gray said: “It’s been a sad week for the club and for some supporters and I feel for Craig Dickinson’s family. It was really appreciated that some of them (the Dickinson family) came down today under difficult circumstances along with other fans and I’m really sorry for them that we didn’t get the win which we wanted to for Craig. My thoughts plus those of the management team and the players are with Craig and his family.”

In a poignant moment, as Ashington’s players came off the pitch they applauded and acknowledged the supporters (including some of the Dickinson family) who were in the stand.

Photograph: Newcastle United Football Club

Newcastle United under-18s goalkeeper Tyler Jones has joined us on a short-term deal.

Jones, a second-year scholar, put pen to paper on a full-time scholarship with Newcastle United in the summer of 2024.

He will link up with as a short-term basis to gain some senior experience.

Tyler was registered with Ashington AFC earlier today ahead of the registration deadline for our Isuzu FA Trophy tie at Garforth and is eligible for selection in the tie.

Everyone at the club wishes to thank Newcastle United for their support and co-operation with this short-term deal.

Welcome to Woodhorn Lane Tyler.

By Brian Bennett

Reflecting on the 2-0 defeat against Dunston on Tuesday night, Ashington manager Nick Gray said the home sides’ quality was the difference.

Dunston skipper Michael Pearson fired his side in front after 13 minutes and midway through he second half, Harvey Neary added a second. Ashington couldn’t break through and even when they were awarded a late penalty, Craig Spooner’s effort was saved by ‘keeper Dan Lowson.

Gray said: “First half we matched Dunston for effort but the difference was their quality in possession. We gave the ball away so much – what’s the point in working hard if you’re going to give the ball back to the opposition? At half time, I was quite pleased that we were only 1-0 down even though they didn’t cut us open. For the goal we had plenty of bodies in the box but no-one took responsibility for picking people up. Space doesn’t score goals – players do. The kid has had a shot and if you don’t shoot you don’t score – its as simple as that.”

He continued: “Second half I thought we were the better side until we conceded. But after winning a 50-50 challenge on the half way line, Harvey Neary has run 50 yards, advanced and guess what he’s done? He’s pulled the trigger and deflected it over the goalkeeper so he’s earned his luck.”

He went on: “It was a slick greasy pitch tonight and I thought it was lovely. We had opportunities to score goals at the end. We got the penalty but Craig Spooner’s effort was hit at a good height for the ‘keeper which was disappointing. I’ve known Dan Lowson for years at Morpeth and for me he’s the best goalkeeper in the league. Sam Davison has come on and had a couple of chances. He made the penalty and hit one just past the post. If we had scored, who knows because Lowson has made a great save at the end from a corner.”

He added: “My concern is that we did well against Bishop Auckland but you’ve got to be consistent. It’s still early days and as a group we need to have more belief. I cannot fault the lads’ work ethic – they kept going until the end but imagine if we had looked after the ball better? Dunston are a good side and they have aspirations of trying to go up (promotion) but it was a game where their quality showed against ours at the important times and that was the difference.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington have appointed Kev Chapman as their new physiotherapist.

Manager Nick Gray is delighted to have “signed” Kev – and likewise the newcomer says it is a ‘privilege and an honour’ to join the management team at Woodhorn Lane.

However, Chapman did admit that because of a string of other commitments, he delayed his decision – until he received what he described as being ‘a little bit of gentle persuasion from Nick (Gray).’

North-Shields born Kev tells the tale: “I’ve worked with Nick before and I was a bit apprehensive at first because I don’t like letting people down. I’ve got my own MSK clinic in Blyth but I’m also finishing up a Masters in physiotherapy and I’m currently on a placement at NSECH (Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital) as a respiratory physio.”

He continued: “My main concern was the amount of travelling in the league but after analysing it, it wasn’t as bad as I initially thought. Nick simply wouldn’t let go either, ringing me time and again so I came up to the club, had a bit crack with him and accepted the job. Ashington are such a well known club and it is an honour and a privilege to come onboard.”

Gray said: “Obviously we were told just before the season that we were losing our physio which wasn’t ideal and I’m delighted to get Kev in. I know what he brings to the table not just as a physio but as a person and with the players I think that is key. I was fortunate to work with him when I was in charge at Whitley Bay and the players will see how good he is. It’s not just about you’re job – its about how you interact with the players off the pitch just as well as on the pitch. He’s proactive, is the ultimate professional and I’m thrilled to bits that he has agreed to join us.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

The look on his face said it all! Nick Gray was delighted on Tuesday night after his side had salvaged a draw with a goal by Harry Powell in stoppage time against Bishop Auckland.

And afterwards, the Woodhorn Lane boss said: “When you’re 1-0 down after 92 minutes, you’re happy to take a point – and I thought it was the least we deserved. We had a disappointing result at Bridlington on Saturday but tonight I thought we started the game on the front foot. We asked questions of them (Bishop Auckland) and did really well and could have been one or two nil up. They have scored early doors and I was disappointed with how we conceded the goal. However our reaction was spot on – it was first class by the lads and they got their just rewards in the end.”

He continued: “The message to the lads at half time was to keep going – that was the hardest part. We thought there would be a reaction from them (Bishop Auckland) but our lads were proactive the whole time and I think it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t equalised to be honest. We were always hoping to get a bit of luck and we did in the end. The cross by Craig Spooner made the goal but the performance was really positive. If we had lost 1-0 it would have been no points out of six and the lads would have been dejected. You talk about getting your first points and the key word is consistency because the teams who do well in this league are those who play consistently. We have got it in our locker – we’ve just got to do it more often and have a bit more belief in ourselves.”

He added: “We have got a young squad  – with some senior players mixed in – and there is still a bit of naivety but I thought the lads gave their all tonight and the fans showed their appreciation at the end. Speaking to some of the Bishop Auckland players coming off the pitch they said that we were by far the better side – and that’s credit to our lads against a very good outfit by the way.”

Ashington are without a game on Saturday and Gray said: “We’ll train on Thursday. There’s a lot of games coming up and I always try to balance home time, recovery, training time and game time and when they are here so long as they work hard they will get their rewards. We have got a big match away to Dunston next Tuesday (August 19) which we know will not be easy but if we play like we did tonight then we have got nothing to fear -and that’s not being disrespectful. We have still got lots to work on and as long as we keep believing about what we can do and what we need to do we’ll be alright but if you can’t take any belief out of that performance tonight then you shouldn’t be in football.” After Saturday’s defeat at Bridlington Town, Gray had looked for a reaction from his players and he added: “I thought the response the lads gave tonight was first class. I couldn’t have asked for any more. But what I ask of them now is to do it again and again.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: TCF Photography

Ashington manager Nick Gray expressed his ‘disappointment’ on Saturday following his sides’ 2-0 defeat against Bridlington Town at the Mounting Systems Stadium.

Two goals inside a ten minutes period during the second half from Ahmed Salam proved to be decisive and Gray said: “I was disappointed because I thought it was a game where we could pick up points. In the first half there was nothing in it at all. I was quite content and encouraged because the longer the game went on, the more I believed we could get a result.”

He continued: “I was happy at half time and the message was to be tight and compact for the first 15 minutes of the second half. I thought we had enough capabilities to get something out of the game. Bridlington had been no threat and our goalkeeper Matty Alexander had nothing to do except collect crosses into the box. They (Bridlington) play a certain way of football and I thought we dealt with it well. Second half we came out and gave cheap possession away. We didn’t help ourselves – for the goals we gave the lad (Ahmed Salam) time and space to have shots. We tweaked the shape a little bit but formations don’t win games of football – players do – and we went route one too often.”

He added: “We started to play when we were 2-0 down but its easy then because they sit off you a little bit. We’ve got to have a bit more conviction, desire and belief. We’ve got some young players in the squad but they’ve got to help each other and communicate. I’m the loudest person and that cannot be right. I’m trying to say things from the sidelines but the players have got to make decisions for themselves. Credit to Bridlington in the second half because they were better than us in the right areas. At 0-0 Josh Gilchrist has had a shot and if that had gone in, we might have been looking at a different game. However, we have got to learn very quickly because it’s an unforgiving league.”

He went on: “Good players have a reaction after a defeat and I’ll be looking for one on Tuesday night against Bishop Auckland. We haven’t got a game on Saturday so its important that we get something out of Tuesday’s contest.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray has challenged his squad ‘to be better than last season’ – ahead of Saturday’s curtain raiser in the Pitching In Northern Premier League when the Colliers travel to face Bridlington Town.

Gray said: “This is our bread and butter and we’ve got to learn from last year because there are things which we need to do a lot better. We are still in the process of putting a squad together and apart from bringing some players in, we’ve got the nucleus from last year. However, we’ve still got people away on holiday and others still finding their fitness and although August isn’t a pretty month – it’s an important one. We have got to get some points on the board during this period – and against some good sides that’s for sure – but we are well capable of doing it.”

The Woodhorn Lane boss says his squad will head down the East coast “in a positive frame of mind” – and emphasised the importance of being ‘up for it’ come 3pm on Saturday: “Our away game at Bridlington last year sticks in my mind because if we had got a good result, we could have enjoyed the end of the season more than we did,” he said, “It’s like every team in this league, if you’re not ‘at it,’ you can get battered and that day, we didn’t perform at all. The pitch is big, and we will go there in a positive frame of mind and with confidence. It’s the start of 42 league games – and if you’re not up for it you shouldn’t be involved in football.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington tasted a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough U21s at Woodhorn Lane on Wednesday night – but manager Nick Gray was in a much happier frame of mind than at 4.45pm on Saturday.

Last weekend, Gray’s side exited the Emirates FA Cup following a 3-1 reverse against Shildon who compete in the first division of the Ebac Northern League.

The Colliers gave a flat, sub-standard showing – something which Gray duly acknowledged as he later apologised to the club and its supporters.

However, after the Boro workout Gray said: “It was the end of our pre-season games, and we got out of the clash what we needed to. I thought the lads were terrific tonight and it was definitely a worthwhile exercise – and I’d like to thank Middlesbrough FC for coming up here. Beforehand we spoke about the Shildon defeat and things which needed to be addressed after the performance on Saturday and tonight, there was a good reaction. Of course, it’s disappointing to be knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup but we’re looking forward to the start of our league programme, and although there are still things to work on, we got a lot of positives out of the game tonight.”

He continued: “We took an early lead and that resulted from a bit of pressure. We talked about not giving good players time and space on the ball – and we did that – but we’re still learning how we want to play and with that we are going to make mistakes. We’ve just got to be brave and positive.”

Gray spoke about the enormous amount of help which has gone on behind the scenes at the Woodhorn Lane-based club which he and his coaching staff appreciated: “To be honest, I’m just pleased that pre-season is over – but I’d just like to go on record to thank the committee and people who have helped us out,” he added, “I’ve been involved in non-league football for a long time and I’ve never known people behind the scenes help the staff like I have here – it shows what the club means to them and Liam McIvor, Tom Read (assistant manager and goalkeeping coach respectively) and I are very thankful for it.”

On a pleasant evening and in front of a good crowd, Michael Annang-Colquhoun gave the Colliers a ninth minute lead, but Middlesbrough hit back early in the second half to edge in front 2-1. Rio Patterson Powell equalised with a stunning right foot drive from 30 yards then Hazeem Bakre fired home what turned out to be the winner on the hour mark.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington manager Nick Gray was apologetic on Saturday after his side had tumbled out of the Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle.

Indeed, Gray’s outfit were licking sore wounds after Shildon – who play in the Ebac Northern League’s first division – defeated them 3-1 in their extra preliminary round clash.

With Shildon having a new 3G pitch laid, the contest was staged at Consett’s Belle View Stadium. It’s a venue which over many years, has not been one of Ashington’s happy hunting grounds. And at around 4.45pm the Colliers were heading for the exit door as goals from Jon Weirs, Andrei-Vasile Ardelean and Luke Spalding put the Railwaymen on track for victory before Craig Spooner scored a late consolation from the penalty spot.

Afterwards a seething Gray pulled no punches when he said: “As a squad we have let the club and the supporters down today. A week is a long time in football – this time last week I was in a lot more positive mood. I thought in the first half we had the lion’s share of the possession – just Shildon were more effective, and they scored a goal which defensively was disappointing from our point of view. We had a few words at half time but if I’m being honest the second half was worse than the first.”

Gray didn’t hold back with his tirade and was keen to emphasise that there were no excuses: “It’s got nothing to do with pre-season, and it’s got nothing to do with the fact that Shildon had played two more competitive games than us – I’m not having that as an excuse. Overall, on the day they were the better side – and it (the scoreline) could have been worse. We have got to learn quickly. I thought too many players weren’t ‘at it’ – and you cannot go through games like that. Shildon had more desire than us; they had more hunger than us and that for me is not acceptable. I don’t mind getting beat by a better team or if the commitment is there but if I was to ask my players from one to eleven who had a better game than their opponent, apart from the respective ‘keepers, I reckon they would struggle to say ‘I came out on top’  – and that’s nothing against their goalkeeper because he didn’t have a shot to save until the penalty towards the end.”

He continued: “Shildon had a lot of changes in their back four and we didn’t utilise that. We spoke about things and didn’t do them. You can say what you want but once they go over the white line, then it’s down to the players who play. You can talk about tactics; you can talk about desire, and you can talk about it being the FA Cup – but it’s so disappointing to get beat. We’ve got a good friendly on Wednesday against Middlesbrough U21’s and our work ethic has got to be much better than it was today.”

He added: “Listen, as a group you take the plaudits and the criticism and today is a day to learn from things because we weren’t at it at all. There were a few other things which we spoke about, but they will stay in the dressing room. We got the ball into wide areas but didn’t utilise it. Especially in the first half we got the ball into good areas but they had a new goalkeeper and three new defenders, and you look at their forwards and what we did in the final third and its chalk and cheese. You can’t just turn it on like a tap. Good players are the ones who are the most consistent and although we’ve got a young group, we’re altogether. If we learn from it, then okay but I know what today means to the club and the supporters especially when you want to boost the profile of the club and to get beat – and the manner of it – was disappointing. There are things we need to work on, and we have got to do things a lot better – but it’s the first game of a long season and the result today is not going to define our season.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray admitted that his side face a ‘difficult challenge’ on Saturday (August 2) when they meet Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The clash is to be staged at Consett’s Belle View Stadium as Shildon are currently having a new 3G pitch laid at their Dean Street ground.

Gray said at the weekend: “Obviously with the number of teams entering the FA Cup, our season starts earlier.  Shildon are not playing on their home pitch which may help us slightly, but they are a good side who have been very unlucky over the last two years not to gain promotion to the Northern Premier League. The play offs didn’t help them but over the campaigns, they have deserved to go up – not once but twice.”

He continued: “It’ll be a tough difficult game for us but equally it’ll be the same for them. I’m sure they will come strong again this season and we know it’s going to be a challenging contest because they have got some good players; a good management team and they’ll be organised. We’ve had them watched in pre-season, so we know a little bit about them and how they played last year but they’ve obviously got a few more personnel. However, we’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we put a good game together.”

Gray added that several players will be assessed ahead of the 3pm kick-off: “We’ll be looking at our squad to prepare for the game. We’ll have a strong side out and it should be a good entertaining game,” he said.

Ashington will go into the game with a week of training behind them after they finished their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Surrey-based Horley Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday with goals from Michael Annang-Colquhoun and Marc Ellison.

Gray said: “Pre-season is all about fitness and finding out about players. We have certainly found some positives and it’s an opportunity to try things out for what works for you or vice versa. Results wise, Ashington fans would have been disappointed at the result against AFC Newbiggin, but the Newcastle Benfield match was a good workout where we came out of the traps much better the second half whilst we also spotted things which we need to work on.”

He went on: “We’ve had good preparation, and we are raring to go on Saturday. Apart from the FA Cup tie against Shildon, the first five league games including Matlock Town will hit us hard. However, we are slowly getting there.”

If Saturday’s game ends in a draw, the replay will be played at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (August 5).