By Brian Bennett | Photo: MJT Photos (Shildon AFC)

Former striker Jon Shaw said that he’s had a long career in football but can’t recall

scoring a goal like the one he notched in Ashington’s fabulous 4-2 win over Shildon in the Emirates FA Cup.

Shaw has played for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Burton Albion as well as in non league circles with Gateshead and Blyth Spartans.

However, on Saturday the 40 year old was at the heart of the Colliers defence – and marked his debut with a goal which oozed class.

Sheffield-born Shaw said afterwards: “I’ve had a long career and spent a long time as a forward netting different types of goals but to be honest, I genuinely can’t remember scoring that type of goal – a left foot chip into the far corner.”

The icing on the cake came when Shaw revealed his moment of glory came in front of his family: “It’s nice because my little boy asked me before the game ‘are you going to score today dad’ and I replied ‘I’m not sure.’ He then said ‘you might score a header from a corner’ which is what I used to do quite a lot – but to get a goal like that today with my wife, my kids and my dad all watching was quite special.”

Shaw stressed that the win was of paramount importance: “Obviously the result was the most important thing,” he said, “We were a little bit disappointed with the way we were playing in the first half because we weren’t hurting Shildon enough even though we were getting into good areas. We then gave a sloppy goal away but the reaction was good. I’ve been with Ashington for around a month now and I’m loving it. The character in the changing room, the lads, the coaching staff and the togetherness of the group – it wasn’t a surprise to me that we’ve come out on the right side of the result today.”

Ashington will now tackle Bishop Auckland on Saturday August 17 – a matter of days after the two teams clash in their NPL East Division clash: “The next round is just mouth watering,” added Shaw, “You know with these early rounds that it’s going to be localised and playing against lads you’ve played against before. The league game is important to us because points are what we want but a cup run is always nice!”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: MJT Photos (Shildon AFC)

Ashington FC’s Cyril Giraud got an extra birthday present on Saturday when he scored the goal which put his side 2-1 ahead against Shildon in the Emirates FA Cup clash at Shildon.

The Colliers eventually won the game 4-2 and will face Bishop Auckland in the preliminary round on Saturday August 17.

However a few days earlier, the midfielder had ironically netted the second goal in Ashington’s 4-0 win over Spennymoor in their last friendly encounter – on his 24^th birthday: “The strike against The Moors was my birthday present,” he said afterwards, “today I looked on my goal as being an extra bonus!”

Describing the goal at Shildon, he said, “I thought the ball didn’t go as well as I wanted it to but it went the right way and ended up in the back of the net so I was happy! First of all, I was thrilled to bits with the result as we were 1-0 down at half time which was a tricky situation. We came out on top and did really well in the second half after changing the formation. The players who came off didn’t do anything wrong at all but as Richie (Hill) said in the changing room, we needed different types of players.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: MJT Photos (Shildon AFC)

Ashington FC striker Wilson Kneeshaw grabbed a brace as his side fought back from a 1-0 deficit before they secured a 4-2 win over Shildon in Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie in County Durham.

And afterwards Kneeshaw stressed that the Colliers have got to look to continue in the same vein on Saturday when they travel for Saturday’s Northern Premier League East Division curtain raiser against Ossett Town in West Yorkshire: “Now it’s about us backing this result up,” said the 30 year old, “We will have a good week of training then really look to kick on and start our league programme like we have done in the cup today.”

Looking back at the Shildon encounter, Kneeshaw said: “It was a hard fought game. We played some good football in the first half but went in 1-0 down and it was a case of how we would react. It’s a completely different team this season but we’ve got some bigger characters and more experienced heads in the squad so to be fair I thought we proved a lot to ourselves which is good. Not everything is going to be easy in the season but we know that we have got the resilience to come back.”

Of his two goals, Kneeshaw said: “For the first, as soon as the ball dropped in between, I knew I was going to get there first because pace is basically my main strength. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the ‘keeper coming and I knew if I took a big enough touch then there was no way he was going to recover. For the second, to be fair the defender cut off the angle quite well because I was looking to cut back onto my right foot and then open up the goal. However the lad got a really good angle so I had to do a little shimmy which paused him for a little bit. Then as soon as I knew that the ‘keeper was going to commit, it was a case of getting enough height on the ball to dink it over him.”

The Darlington-born striker could so easily have started the campaign with a hat-trick – but was nevertheless happy with the two he bagged: “I had three one on ones including one where I hit my shot straight at the ‘keeper instead of going across him – but obviously it was our first game and it was a case of getting up to speed. It would have been lovely to score a hat trick but the main thing was that we started off with a win.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: MJT Photos (Shildon AFC)

Ashington FC’s joint head coach Andy Coyles said the win was all that mattered after his side had advanced in the Emirates FA Cup following their 4-2 win over Shildon at Dean Street on Saturday.

Coyles did add however that the substitutes contributed significantly to the result.

Cyril Giraud and Eddie Thomas were introduced for the start of the second half followed later by Matty Slocombe, Jay Errington and Paul Robinson.

“First of all we are delighted to get through,” said Coyles, “At the end of the day in cup competitions it’s not about the performance it’s about the result. First half we didn’t have the strongest of performances but we certainly put on a much improved second half display. In the first half, we were just a little bit sluggish in possession on a really dry sticky pitch and the grass being a little longer than what we are normally used to. In brief, we just didn’t move the ball quick enough – certainly to the standards the lads usually set themselves. We were a bit poor in our decision making at times and at half time we decided to change the formation and personnel. However we reiterated in the changing rooms that the changes weren’t down to poor performances by any means – it was simply down to changing the dynamics of how we wanted to set up – and we thought that the substitutes contributed significantly to us winning the game,”

He continued: “It was an extremely tough decision in terms of leaving some players out and asking some to start the game on the sidelines but everyone has conducted themselves as we wanted them to do. We were a little bit sloppy at the end of the game where we’ve conceded the second goal and are disappointed about that but overall, we are pleased that we are not only through to the next round but that we will now have a home tie in front of our supporters.” Ashington’s reward is to face Bishop Auckland – who beat rivals West Auckland 2-0 – at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday August 17. 

As it has panned out, it means the two sides will have a dress rehearsal for the cup tie a few days beforehand as they meet in their NPL East Division clash on Tuesday August 13 – also at Woodhorn Lane.

Coyles is undaunted at the prospect of the double header: “Playing Bishops twice in five days will be games of cat and mouse,” he added, “but at the end of the day we will pick our strongest squad available for the first encounter and we’ll do exactly the same a few days later. Whether it’s the cup or league we are there to win the game.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Karl Ross said that the squad at Woodhorn Lane are really looking forward the start of the new season at Shildon on Saturday.

The teams clash in the curtain raiser to the campaign in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup and Ross said: “To be honest as far as I know every player dislikes pre season for what it is but now it’s getting to the point where we are just buzzing for the start. Personally I can’t wait – I don’t think I’m alone either – and Saturday can’t come quick enough.”

Ashington’s opening two fixtures in the East Division of the Northern Premier League has pitched them away to Ossett Town and at home to Bishop Auckland and Ross added: “The fixtures are what they are. From our perspective they will be two tough games but we’ll be going into them looking to take three points from both.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC joint head coach Andy Coyles spoke enthusiastically about the whole playing unit pulling in the same direction after his squad had comprehensively defeated Spennymoor Town 4-0 at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

The Colliers led 1-0 at the break through Andrew Cartwright then Cyril Giraud, Eddie Thomas – from the penalty spot – and Jay Errington added second half goals.

“It was a really nice way to finish our pre season programme,” said Coyles afterwards, “All four goals tonight were fantastic and well taken. Two things we ask of the players are to keep a clean sheet and to put the ball into the back of the net – and they’ve achieved both tonight. However, I think that pre season has gone according to plan – albeit we have had two games cancelled due to the weather – and we’ve made use of the time with matches being called off by training instead.”

He continued: “I just think that where we are now physically, mentally, technically and tactically we are in a good place. Inside the changing room, everybody is tight-knit, everybody is together and they are all pulling in the same direction because they all want to achieve the same thing.”

He went on: “It does go to show that from Saturday when we had three or four lads missing against Workington, what a big difference it was tonight when they all returned and the team was a lot stronger and healthier. We said we wanted the players to cause us headaches for when the team selection comes around – but I’ll be open and honest and say they have caused us monster headaches because we have some really tough decisions to make for Saturday!”

He added: “We have got a squad of roughly around 22 players and you can only play 16 in a league game so that means that not everybody is going to get in. So what we have said in the changing room is if they really want to do well this year and they really want to achieve something special, again what that special is will only come in time, then they’ve got to stick together as a group – and I think they will do that.”

Ashington now turn their attentions to Saturday’s away clash against Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup (August 3) and Coyles said: “Everyone is looking forward to it – particularly myself because I only live 15 minutes away from the ground so it’ll be like a home game! However, any match that is competitive and means something is far better than a pre season game. Tonight against Spennymoor Town, there was a little bit of an edge from the lads because obviously they had to up their game against National League North opposition but again when it actually means something on Saturday, I think we will pose another threat as well.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC travel to face Ebac Northern League first division outfit Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (August 3) with coach Jamie Tunstall admitting that he was left speechless when the draw was originally announced.

The Railwaymen are one of Tunstall’s former clubs and he said “I couldn’t believe it. My initial reaction when I heard about the tie was ‘you couldn’t make it up!’

However Tunstall is looking forward to returning to Dean Street and believes it will be a fascinating clash: “Over the past few years Shildon have made lots of improvements to the ground and it’s a nice place to play football,” he said, “The management did really well last season and the team finished second in the Ebac Northern League’s first division. They gave champions Bishop Auckland a good run for their money but didn’t get promoted as they lost out in the play offs. Consequently they’ll be looking to fight at the top end of the table again so we’re under no illusions what a tough game it’s going to be on Saturday. They are a good side; they are at home so they will be fancying their chances. However, we’ve got a group of lads who are looking pretty strong and we’ll go there confident that we can get a result.”

If a replay is required, it will be staged at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (August 6) with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The prize for the victors is a home tie against the winners of the Auckland derby with West taking on Bishops.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Emily Robertson has spoken of her ‘delight’ after joining Ashington FC as their new sports therapist.

Emily said: “I’m delighted to have been offered the role and I’m really excited to be here. I see the club going far and from what I’ve seen after a couple of friendlies, I do see us thriving for the play offs – the desire is incredible. When I visited the ground (Woodhorn Lane) last season, the first word that came to mind was ‘professionalism’ and that’s what I’m here for. The community Ashington have is second to none – you can sense that from all aspects.”

Emily continued: “Most importantly I’ve been welcomed into the team with open arms by all of the players and management and I couldn’t ask for anything more. The stereotype around women being in the men’s game can be frustrating sometimes and it’s not often spoke about enough but those boys in that changing room are absolutely brilliant.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Andy Coyles was upbeat on Saturday night despite the 1-0 defeat against Workington at Woodhorn Lane.

The Colliers were not overawed by their higher status opponents but conceded ten minutes from the end.

Joint head coach Coyles commented afterwards: “We said to the lads after the game ‘don’t let the result camouflage the performance’ because we were quite pleased for the majority of the game in terms of how we conducted ourselves and how we operated as a group. We had quite a few players missing but I thought we put on a really good display and for an opening game of the season – albeit a friendly – in front of our supporters, I would think the majority of them left quite pleased and quite enthusiastic about what potentially we can do this season.”

He continued: “I thought the game was quite evenly split throughout and in the second half at 0-0 we had three or four really good clear cut chances and were just unlucky not to convert any of them. If we had scored I think it would have been a completely different game but we were getting minutes into the players to make sure they are going to be ready for next Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie at Shildon.”

Following on from the statement three weeks ago relating to the interim club structure implemented when Brian Shotton stepped down as Chairperson; the club have reviewed these arrangements with the season quickly approaching.

The Chairperson and Secretary roles are both pivotal and demanding at the club playing in the National League System; therefore to ensure that we continue to strive and progress in all aspects of the management of the club, Gav Perry will once again return his focus 100% to the role of Club Secretary with Nicola Sanders-Cooper continuing in the role of interim Chairperson.

The board of directors will continue to support both individuals in their roles