By Brian Bennett

Andrew Cartwright fronted up to deliver the postmatch assessment from the Ashington camp following their 4-1 defeat against Sheffield FC at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

Charlie Exley scored what turned out to be a mere consolation goal for the Colliers with an honest and frank Cartwright saying that the visitors wanted it more than Ashington and labelled the performance by the Wansbeck side as ‘not good enough.’

“In football, people have played for long enough without somebody standing telling them whether their performance was good enough or not and I think the boys will all walk away from tonight knowing that it wasn’t good enough,” said Cartwright, “However you can’t sulk about it and we’ve just got to go again when we got to Consett on Saturday which for us now is our biggest game – the next game is always your biggest.”

Cartwright – who was in the dugout – continued: “In the first half, I thought we were passive. From our point of view, the first goal for Sheffield was sloppy but these things happen and its not one thing that defines the performance. I didn’t think we were aggressive enough in the times where we had to compete and in fairness to Sheffield who had had a long travel, it just looked like they wanted it more than we did which for me is something which can never be an excuse – that can never be the case. You can talk about us having no manager or about players who are injured but I think when you get beat because a team look they want it more, that nullifies everything else because that’s not good enough. For the boys I think that should dent any footballers’ pride. We are here because we love playing football but to go home after the game thinking that the other team have wanted it more, that’s something which has hurt me and I’m sure the boys will be hurting as well but listen, the top and bottom of it is you’ve got to go again. If you sulk about it, it’s not going to be productive at all so we’ve just got to dust ourselves down, train on Thursday and go to Consett on Saturday and we’ve got to perform. There’s got to be a reaction.”

Trailing 3-0, Ashington reduced the arrears through Exley and Cartwright added: “When Charlie netted from a set piece, momentum shifts are a big thing in any sport but did we really look like a threat? We had a couple of half chances and then they (Sheffield) scored a fourth on the break. They got the ball forward quickly and that wasn’t because they lumped it – they got the ball in good areas and hurt us and you can’t expect to win a game after conceding four goals. Probably everyone in our changing room knows that they weren’t good enough. If that happens you’ve got to pull your mate out and perform to get back into the game – and we just didn’t do that so we’ve got to be upset and I hope it puts fire into our bellies for Saturday.”

The interim management team of Gary Ormston, Paul Robinson and Cartwright have been in charge for five matches and the latter went on: “We started well after the departure of the joint coaches (Andy Coyles and Richie Hill) and I said recently that you can’t get too high when you do well or too low when you don’t. The last time I did a postmatch interview was a high point – this time it is a low point. However, we will turn up at Consett ready to play at 0-0 so we have got every opportunity to put something right and I’m hopeful that we will do that. We’ve got a top, top squad but we were so below par tonight. Fair play to Sheffield – they came up here and battered us really.”

The interim management team has performed exceptionally well since their appointment, with the positive performances and results, allowing the club the necessary time to conduct a thorough recruitment process involving applications, shortlisting, and discussions. Their professionalism and commitment have been instrumental during this transitional period.

On Tuesday, the interim management team met with the club and expressed their desire to return to their playing roles as opposed to continuing in their current interim management roles. As a result, the club has decided to accelerate the managerial appointment process. We are confident that a new manager will be appointed within the next 7 days, which will allow them a full week to prepare ahead of their first game in charge.

In the meantime, it’s business as usual, with two important games this week, both of which will be overseen by the current interim management team.

We thank the interim management team for their continued hard work and dedication and look forward to announcing the new managerial appointment soon.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ben Williams says he is delighted to be back at Ashington – after signing for the Colliers at the end of last week on loan from Gateshead until January.

The 19 year old was a big hit with supporters at Woodhorn Lane last season which was confirmed when they named him as their ‘Player of the year’ at the awards ceremony and he was rewarded in the summer when the Vanarama National League side offered him a professional contract.

Newcastle-born Williams said: “I was in the 19’s programme with Gateshead last year whilst obviously playing here at Ashington where I thought I did quite well so to get the contract was a pleasing thing for me. I got the supporters player of the year (at Ashington) and was really pleased because it was my first season in proper men’s football. The award gave me the knowledge that I did have a good season and that I wanted to keep going and kick on.”

He continued: “I was told that I would spent the first half of pre season with Gateshead but with the depth of the squad they have got then probably go out on loan. It means I should get 90 minutes into my legs every week and develop that way whilst obviously still training every day with Gateshead.”

Williams – who is based in Bedlington – initially went out on loan to Northern Premier League Premier Division side Workington and he said: “I wanted to see what it was like to play in the league above Ashington’s – I had to give it a go. When the loan finished a couple of clubs came in for me in the NPL East Division but I said if I was going to come back into this league I wanted to return to Ashington where I had enjoyed my football last season. I thought it was only right – and I’m delighted to be back. They have got a top set of lads at the club and it feels as if I’ve never been away because I’ve fitted in really well again.”

Williams was in the starting line up for Ashington’s home match against Sherwood Colliery on Saturday which the Colliers lost 1-0: “The result obviously wasn’t the one we wanted today,” added the central defender, “I thought there were some good things in the game today and things which we could have done better. We’ve got to finish chances especially when you are only getting beat 1-0 and you feel as though you have done well defensively. I know it is putting the emphasis on the strikers and the attacking players to grab the goals that will win us the game – and that didn’t materialise today – but hopefully we can put it right on Tuesday night when we are at home against Sheffield.”

By Brian Bennett

Paul Robinson has urged the hierarchy at Ashington to ‘act sharp’ and install a new manager in the wake of Saturday’s woeful display and 1-0 defeat against East Division newcomers Sherwood Colliery at Woodhorn Lane.

Robinson, Gary Ormston and Andrew Cartwright were appointed by the club as the interim management team following the departure of Andy Coyles and Richie Hill at the beginning of September.

Robinson commented: “I have said to the lads that the performance today looked like it came from a team that needed a manager – not just one of the lads on the sidelines doing it – and I think the club need to act sharp and get someone in before the season kind of tails off.”

After a low-key contest against the Nottinghamshire-based outfit, Robinson reflecting on the game added: “I thought the first half was really flat and lack-lustre and nothing really happened. I thought they (Sherwood) were marginally better than us. I said to the lads at half time that they had to liven up and that the game was passing to many people by. We changed a few things tactically on how we got out from the goalkeeper which worked to be fair but ultimately we haven’t done enough in the final third and we only really looked threatening when we put Eddie Thomas on and started going a bit more direct.”

He continued: “It was a close game that looked like it was heading for a 0-0 draw to be fair and although they probably had the better of the chances, we’re disappointed to come out on the wrong end of it. After they scored their goal, I thought we huffed and puffed but ultimately a lack of quality in the final third has cost us. We chucked balls into the box and looked as if we might score but before that there was no real spark possibly until AJ (Andrew Johnson) and Cam Gascoigne came on.”

Michael Ndiweni had a couple of chances and Robinson said: “The header he had near the end was after a good passage of play and a really good ball in from Craig Spooner. Michael got across but the ball has just landed the wrong side of the post. Did we deserve to win today? Probably not. A point might have been fair but they (Sherwood Colliery) will probably say they deserved it so I’ve got no issue with that.”

Ashington move onto Tuesday night’s NPL East Division home match against Sheffield FC with Robinson setting the players a challenge: “I’ve just said to the lads that I don’t think our home record this season is particularly good – so that is something that needs to change because for a club that wants to get into the play offs and possibly even higher you need to start winning your home games.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Andrew Johnson has had quite a mixed bag since he re-joined Ashington last week.

The midfielder who played for the Colliers as a teenager, left his hometown club nine years ago and went on to have highly successful four year spells with both Spennymoor Town and Morpeth Town – two clubs higher up the footballing pyramid – before coming back to Woodhorn Lane.

He came on as a substitute in the 1-0 home victory over Bradford Park Avenue before being named in the starting eleven to face Grimsby Borough at the Lane. He scored in the second half to put his side 2-0 ahead against “The Wilderness Boys” but the visitors staged a late comeback to claim a 2-2 draw and a share of the spoils.

It was a case of so far so good for Johnson – who celebrated his 37^th birthday last month – until he limped off just before the half hour mark in Wednesday’s 4-1 win against North Shields in the first round of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup.

With time to reflect, Johnson – an area development manager at the Newcastle United Foundation – spoke about his return to the club: “It’s good to be back and it was also good to get a win and be a part of it against Bradford. The game was open a little bit because they were pushing forward so it suited me and I thought we looked threatening going forward. I haven’t had any pre season but I got in a couple of times down the left and felt okay when I came on. I think I’ve started two games all season and probably played a combined total on 150 minutes overall so it’s not a lot of football.”

After his goal against Grimsby, he said: “I thought it was a good team performance bar the last five to ten minutes. They were a decent side but I thought we were really dangerous going forward and always looked like scoring. On a personal note, I felt good and sharp and I was delighted to get a goal because I’ve always tried to pride myself on goals and assists. Wilson Kneeshaw did brilliantly to dance past a couple of players and he’s put it on a plate for me. I thought that the defender was going to cut the ball out and my first shot was blocked but thankfully I put the rebound in.”

On the down side, Johnson was forced off against North Shields at the Daren Persson Stadium and says Ashington’s ten day break without a game is perfect timing: “To start two games in five days was probably a bit too much for me at this stage,” he said, “I picked up a leg injury when I had a shot – so the rest will do me the world of good.”

He concluded: “I’ve always wanted Ashington to be successful so I’m no different to anyone else – I just want to represent myself well, try my best and put on some performances.”

By Brian Bennett

Paul Robinson – who alongside Gary Ormston and Andrew Cartwright form the interim management team at Ashington – said the trio were ‘really pleased’ after the Colliers had advanced into the next round of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup following a 4-1 win over North Shields on Wednesday night.

Robinson commented: “It’s a cup competition so winning is the priority and we have done that – but I also thought we played well. North Shields were good in spells and we rode our luck a little bit at times but overall Gary, Andrew and myself were really happy and we’re through to the next round.”

Casting an eye over the first 45 minutes, Robinson added: “It was pretty even but I thought we had that quality with the run by Wilson Kneeshaw which led to a top, top finish for the goal by Michael Ndiweni. Having that little bit of quality which we had sometimes makes a difference in a game so it was good to go in ahead at half time.”

After second half strikes from Kneeshaw and Jay Errington, ex Colliers skipper Ben Harmison reduced the deficit to make it 3-1 and Robinson said: “There were a few nervous jitters when Ben netted. North Shields were getting up a little bit and fancied their chances and they are dangerous. They have got some really good players – and some really dangerous ones as well – so we had to sit in and soak up a little bit of pressure. However, our lads scored the goals at good times and when Craig Spooner got the fourth it certainly took the wind out of the home sides’ sails. Overall though, I thought our lads were fantastic.”

Ashington now have a ten day break before they host Sherwood Colliery on Saturday week (September 28) and Robinson stressed: “Some of the lads need the rest because there are a few of them carrying and nursing injuries so we’ll give the players the weekend off and go again next week.”

He continued: “Hopefully the club will appoint a new manager – but whoever takes over the reins are going to get an outstanding group of lads and a group who are in form. We have got threats all over the pitch which is brilliant.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Paul Robinson expressed his disappointment after Ashington – who were leading 2-0 – conceded two goals in the closing stages against Grimsby Borough with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

Robinson – who along with Gary Ormston and Andrew Cartwright are forming the interim management team until the appointment of new boss – said afterwards: “It was a disappointment with the way it happened. I didn’t think we threatened the goal massively either but we managed to score two really well worked goals. I thought we were quite comfortable as we limited them to corners and they’ve scored two goals at the end which was really disappointing. However, I can’t fault the lads for their efforts throughout and I give credit to Grimsby for finding a way back.”

Reflecting on the first period, Robinson said: “I thought we could have played better. It was a bit scrappy but the goal we scored was excellent. I said to the lads in the dressing room that we needed to get Wilson (Kneeshaw), Cyril (Giraud) and Andrew Johnson on the ball as often as we could. The goal was so well worked with a little ball into Wilson (Kneeshaw) who has turned and slipped Jay (Errington) in and it was another brilliant finish by him and probably the only bit of quality in the first half.

He continued: “I was relatively happy at half time and we knew that they (Grimsby Borough) would come out and have a go. I thought we controlled it really well – certainly for the first half an hour and we managed to get a second goal and were looking relatively comfortable. The lads were excellent and probably deserved a little bit more but it wasn’t to be – but credit to them (Grimsby Borough) for coming back as they showed a bit of spirit.”

For the goal by Andrew Johnson who was making his first full start after signing last week, Robinson said: “Wilson (Kneeshaw) has gone past two players as if they weren’t there and AJ did what AJ does at the back post and got himself on the score sheet which was brilliant to see.”

After Wednesday night’s trip to face North Shields in the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup (September 18), Ashington’s next league fixture is on September 28 at home against newcomers Sherwood Colliery and Robinson said: “With our injury list, the ten day break will be beneficial to us. Ideally today I would have liked to have brought a midfield player on but we only had strikers and myself on the bench. If we had been able to bring a midfielder on for one of the attackers it probably would have helped us to shore things up a little bit more but we didn’t have that option available to us.”

By Brian Bennett

Andrew Cartwright – who alongside Gary Ormston and Paul Robinson form the interim management team at Ashington whilst news of a new appointment at the helm continues – hailed the players after they had recorded a slender 1-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue on a bitterly cold night at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday.

Striker Jay Errington netted the all important goal in the 68^th minute which lifted the Colliers – who only a week ago were on the bottom of the league – into 12^th place in the NPL East Division table.

Cartwright who led by example with an excellent display at full back, said afterwards: “Bradford started quickly – but I thought we dug in when it got tough. Then we had a couple of bits of quality in the second half where we carved them open and I think that’s the sign of a really good team because you don’t have to batter the opposition and have huge amounts of possession to win a match. The boys dug in; we scored the goal; defended really well and that’s what we needed to do to win the game.”

Cartwright reflected on the events over the past seven days at Woodhorn Lane including his new role alongside Gary Ormston and Paul Robinson as the interim management team: “Gaz Ormston was in the background when he was at Newcastle Blue Star supporting the guys,” he said, “whilst last year I supported Liam McIvor at Whitley Bay, so the two of us have been in and around supporting people but never where the team has been without a manager.”

The 29 year old said the players were ‘sad’ to see the departure of the management team and he took time out to applaud them: “It’s been a busy week,” he added, “Obviously there’s got to be a big thank you and well done handed out to Richie Hill, Andy Coyles, Jamie Tunstall and Lee Barrass because the boys really loved the staff and were obviously sad to see them go. However, although these things happen, it doesn’t mean you can sit around and not perform. It’s a new chapter at the club and you’ve still got to come and do your best. That’s what we’ve tried to do this week as the interim management team – and we certainly can’t fault the effort from the lads tonight. We are short on numbers and a few players are playing through injury – but we got three points and that’s all that matters. One win is great – but one win is not enough. I’m looking forward to whatever is to come because we’ll never get too high or too low. We’ll aim to go again on Saturday (at home to Grimsby Borough) when another win will be top of the agenda.”

Newcastle-born Cartwright – who runs his own football coaching business – continued: “We are due to train on Thursday but we’ll be checking on the boys first because there are quite a few of them carrying knocks and we would prefer to protect them a little bit until we get a few numbers back in the squad. We’ll reassess the situation but it’s important that we don’t rest up. We’ve got such a good squad but even allowing for the fact that players are injured it doesn’t soften the team up.” Midfielder Paul Van-Zandvliet has joined Hebburn Town in the NPL Premier Division whilst the Colliers have welcomed Andrew Johnson back into the fold and Cartwright said: “Paul (Van-Zandvliet) started the season really well and we wish him all the best because he’s going into a higher league. We all loved Paul as a person so we’re really proud of him. We’ve brought Andrew Johnson into the squad to strengthen us and I think he’s a really good signing for us. He’s someone who has got a lot of history with the club and he’s a top, top player. It’s good to have him back – but we need to get him back up to match speed.”

By Brian Bennett

Andrew Johnson says he is ‘really happy’ to return to Ashington – after the news of him putting pen to paper for the Colliers was announced yesterday.

Johnson was with the Woodhorn Lane outfit as a teenager before he left nine years ago: “I’m really happy to come back to the club,” he said on Monday night, “It’s a nice thing to come full circle. I thought the time was right for me to return to the club and hopefully we’ll be trying to have a successful season.”

Following the departure of joint head coaches Andy Coyles and Richie Hill at Ashington last Wednesday, Gary Ormston – who along with fellow senior players Andrew Cartwright and Paul Robinson have been placed in charge as an interim management team – said: “We got wind of Andrew falling out of love with football and we got in touch with him. He was interested and said he fancied giving it a go especially with it being his hometown club where he grew up as a footballer. We looked at our forward line and thought we needed a bit of experience – so to it was a no brainer to try and get him in. We have got AJ onboard and although he’s probably not match fit, he will be in the squad and up for selection for tonight’s NPL East Division home game against Bradford Park Avenue.”

Ormston added: “Football turns around quite quickly. We were asked to look after this squad of players because we are quite close to them. It was also to help the club out so they can get the right manager in.”

Kick-off tonight is 7.45pm.

Ashington Football Club is delighted to announce the return of Andrew Johnson to his hometown club. After successful spells with West Allotment Celtic, Spennymoor Town, Morpeth, and most recently a brief stint at Newcastle Blue Star, Andrew brings a wealth of experience and quality to the squad. We are excited to welcome him back and look forward to seeing his impact on the pitch as we continue to build for the future. Andrew will be available for Tuesday nights home fixture when we welcome Bradford Park Avenue to Woodhorn Lane.

The signing of Andrew (AJ) provides evidence that the Club’s Interim Management Team have been granted full autonomy to strengthen the squad in response to ongoing injuries and player availability issues. This decision ensures that the team can remain competitive on the pitch while the club continues its search for a new permanent manager. The interim team has the full support of the board to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that Ashington can navigate this challenging period effectively and continue to perform at a high level.