By Brian Bennett

Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup Quarter final:

Ashington v Newcastle Blue Star – Tuesday November 19

Ashington manager Nick Gray says supporters are in for a ‘test of nerves’ when his side come face to face with Newcastle Blue Star on Tuesday night (November 19).

The two teams clash in the quarter final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup at Woodhorn Lane – a tournament which is close to Gray’s heart: “It’s a great cup competition,” he said, “I’ve been lucky enough to have won it before and been involved in three finals and what makes it even more special is that the showpiece is held at Newcastle United’s St James Park ground which is great for the players as well as the fans. Newcastle Blue Star are having a good season and I know that they will also be up for the game. They include a few of my ex players in their squad in Chris Reid, Liam Henderson and goalkeeper Dan Lister and I reckon for supporters it’ll be a test of nerves on the night.”

He continued: “We’re on home territory and I’d like to think that we’ll go into the clash with confidence and give our all to try and progress into the last four. The league is our bread and butter – however supporters like cup competitions. We may be in the Northern Premier League East Division which is one above Blue Star but that will mean nothing on the night as we know it’s going to be a tough game.”

He went on: “The game should attract a big crowd and our fans can help us without a doubt. They’ve been great since I came – attendances have been excellent – and they are backing us because they are seeing the effort which the lads are putting in. I have also spoken to some of them (the fans) who say that although results haven’t been great, we are making progress and I back those comments up 100 per cent.” Kick off is 7.30pm.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s latest signing, Bailey Geliher says it’s important that the Colliers bounce back after Saturday’ 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cleethorpes Town.

The Durham-born 19 year old signed during the week from Ebac Northern League first division side Whickham and said of the move: “I was excited when Nick Gray (Ashington manager) spoke to me about joining but with having a new born baby, my mind has been on other things! However I’m really happy to be here and happy to get started.”

Consett-based Geliher, who works as a stonemason, came on for his debut 12 minutes into the second half of Saturday’s clash against the league leaders and got a taste of football at Northern Premier League level for the first time: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he added, “It wasn’t a good start today but we’ve just got to bounce back on Tuesday against Newcastle Blue Star in the quarter final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray apologised unreservedly for the performance from his side which culminated in a 2-0 defeat against Cleethorpes Town on Saturday.

Connor Smythe’s header coupled to an effort from an acute angle by Bradley Dockerty wrapped up all three points for the visitors.

Gray said afterwards: “You cannot expect to win games of football after a performance like we gave in the first half because that is probably the worst 45 minutes since I came here. Reflecting on it, what we did well on Tuesday against Newton Aycliffe to the first half today was chalk and cheese and I think the players knew that at half time. Personally I’d like to apologise to our supporters who were great. I’ve said to the players in the dressing room that i didn’t think they deserved any applause today. The minimum you give is effort and in the first half there was none of that evident from us as we were second best all over the pitch. Not one of our players could say that they got the better of their opponent.”

He continued: “Let’s be honest, the second half couldn’t have been any worse than the first. Trailing 2-0 you’ve got a mountain to climb against a team who are top of the league – and they are there for a reason. You could say the lads gave a little bit (effort) after the break – but how many times did their goalkeeper make a save? The goals we gave away were poor and it’s about getting the basics right. From a throw in which was ours, we’ve given it back to them (Cleethorpes) and then we’ve given a cheap free kick away and their lad (Connor Smythe) has won a header to score. It’s not rocket science. For the second goal, no disrespect to under 8’s but i’d be disappointed if an under 8 team defended like we did. That’s the brutal and honest truth. We had two players against one and then two more covering and consequently you’ve got to be disappointed if you don’t stop the ball from going into the net..”

Gray then focussed on visiting skipper Bradley Abbott: “The captain for Cleethorpes (Bradley Abbott) led by example,” he added, “He was at his players all game and if they weren’t up to the standards, he was at them. They knew what their standards were and they made sure that if they weren’t up to scratch on the first occasion, there wasn’t going to be a second time – and we have got to learn that quickly. We had some disappointing performances out of the park today. The players know that and it was so disappointing that we put in that first half showing after Tuesday night. Cleethorpes showed why they are up there whilst we are where we are due to a lack of consistency.”

He went on: “There were things said in the dressing room which will stay in the dressing room but there were no excuses today and I’ll take the responsibility. Now we’ve got a sharp turnaround as we go again on Tuesday in the quarter final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup against Newcastle Blue Star at home. If the lads are not up for it, then they’re in the wrong team that I and my assistant Liam McIvor pick – that’s for sure.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor is hoping that the Colliers’ 3-2 victory over Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday night will be the first in a positive run of results as they look to escape from the clutches of the bottom four in the East Division of the Northern Premier League.

The Colliers secured the win in a five goal thriller in County Durham – with resolute defending ensuring that they brought all three points back to Wansbeck.

A delighted McIvor said: “We know we have got a good team but it’s just trying to give them the confidence to perform. Sometimes when you are in the kind of rut which we have been on, you’ve got to find a way of winning. We’ve done that tonight with every one of the players getting in the trenches – and we’ve got a great result on what was a fantastic away day.”

Ashington went 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes through skipper Wilson Kneeshaw and Michael Ndiweni before Josh Gilchrist added a third on the stroke of half time.

McIvor added: “We told Michael (Ndiweni) to play on the centre half because the pace of the ball on the zippy pitch was always going to take it away from the defender’s toes. With the little bit of pace which Michael has got, it was trying to get him to anticipate that – and it worked because it led to Aycliffe making mistakes. After Wilson had scored early for us, the second goal was a gift and the third – after a crossfield ball had been worked between Josh (Gilchrist) and Archie (Small) – came at a great time.”

He continued: “In the second half it was one way traffic but I thought we defended very well. We were disappointed to give away the two goals because we should be doing better in those situations. However, we couldn’t have asked any more from the lads tonight and now we need to start climbing up the league table.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray handed a debut to teenager Archie Small in Saturday’s Northern Premier League East Division away clash at Belper Town.

Gray has brought in the left sided player on a loan deal from Vanarama National League North outfit Darlington to give his team a bit more balance – and Durham-born Small is looking forward to his time at Woodhorn Lane.

“I was at Newcastle as a youngster then went to Hartlepool for two years and just signed for Darlington in the summer,” said the 18 year old, “I had a setback with a big injury at the start at Darlington but they’ve got a great group of lads there and manager Steve Watson and his assistant Terry Mitchell are brilliant.”

Small played for the 77 minutes at the Raygar Stadium on Saturday and said afterwards: “I’m really excited about coming to Ashington because I think it is a really good opportunity for me and I’m desperate to get a chance to play. I was happy with my performance at Belper today because it’s been a long time since I started a game.”

On first viewing, Small believes the Colliers – who are third from bottom – will climb the table: “I thought we played really well today and it’s just about putting those pieces together and clicking in the final third,” he said, “It’ll take time but I think it will come 100 per cent.”

Manager Gray said: “Charlie Exley has moved on and although Kyle Errington has done well since he came in, he’s right footed so we’ve looked to balance things up and I thought Archie did well. We’ve got him for a month and we’ll see where we go from there. It was his first game for us today and maybes he had a few nerves but I thought he did smashing.”

He continued: “It was difficult for Archie because he’s only had one training session to meet the lads. You could see that he tired a little bit and I took him off as I did with Harrison Clark and Jay Errington but the three of them hadn’t done anything wrong – it was just about putting fresh legs on.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Before Ashington’s match against Bridlington Town at Woodhorn Lane, Ben Williams presented Colliers supporter Kathleen Kelly with a bouquet of flowers.

Kathleen assists the club with selling the half time 50-50 tickets before every home game and always has a smile on her face.

However in the fixture against Pontefract Collieries ten days earlier a clearance by Williams inadvertently struck Kathleen which knocked her off her feet and she ended up with a grazed chin and two broken fingers.

Williams said: “I cleared the ball and didn’t think anything of it and just got back into position as normal, and then obviously I found out after the game that I had unfortunately hit someone in the crowd which was wasn’t nice to hear. It was on my mind for a few days but I didn’t get a chance to say anything because we didn’t have a home match and Kathleen doesn’t travel to the away games.”

He continued: “I thought the only thing I could do to make it right – as obviously I couldn’t undo what I had done – was to get Kathleen some flowers to show my appreciation in some way and that it was an honest mistake.”

Kathleen said: “It was a lovely gesture and so thoughtful of him. Ben’s my favourite player now!”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray was naturally disappointed following his sides 1-0 defeat against Belper Town in Derbyshire on Saturday.

A 63^rd minute penalty converted by Curtis Burrows decided the outcome of a closely fought contest but Gray firmly believes that the tide will eventually turn.

Speaking afterwards he said: “The players have put a lot of effort into the game today but to be honest they’ve done that in all the matches since Liam (McIvor) and myself took over. However the most important thing is what it says the next day (1-0 defeat). Again we haven’t worked their goalkeeper and if you don’t do that then you are going to struggle to win games of football. Apart from Craig Spooner, who had shots at their keeper? We had loads of entries into the final third but didn’t make enough of them. There were lots of positives but things are not just going to happen for people – they have got to make them happen and how you do that is by hard graft and hard work – its not rocket science. Confidence is a massive part in football. However you have got to earn the right to gain confidence in a game.”

He continued: “At half time I was happy. We went in 0-0 and had a conversation which we’ve had before about not switching off; don’t give them opportunities; don’t give them chances – and on the whole in the second half we didn’t. The longer the match goes on and we are still in the game then we’ve still got a chance of even sneaking a win. A draw wouldn’t have been a bad result – but its fine margins. The game changes on the penalty but listen you can’t speak to referees so I’m not going to talk about them. We are third bottom whilst after this result Belper have gone joint top yet looking at today’s game I didn’t think there was much difference between both sides. Credit to them (Belper) because they play to their strengths but I thought we handled it and dealt with it very well.”

He went on: “The seven games we have been involved in, the players have competed in every single one but we’ve only got four points so we‘ve lost 17 points out of 21. However, we’re working hard to get things right and I’m confident that we are going in the right way. Everybody is getting an opportunity to stake their claim and that’s all you can ask of the players whilst as a club you’ve just got to improve. Craig Spooner has played in two or three positions and for me he’s a live spark for us but he’s going to have dips. Admittedly we’ve got to be better in the final third but the only thing which disappointed me today was the result.”

Ashington now head to The Ashcourt Group Stadium on Tuesday night (November 12) to play Newton Aycliffe but skipper Karl Ross and Cam Gascoigne will again miss out: “Both Karl and Cam trained during the week but the Newton Aycliffe game will come too early for them,” added Gray, “It will be great to have them back fit because it will help us.”

Join us for an evening Q&A session with our Football Manager, Nick Gray! This is your chance to dive deep into the challenges and future plans of our beloved team.

Friday, 29th November
Arrival from: 6.30pm | Questions start: 7:00pm
Ashington AFC, Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, NE63 9FW

Whether you have burning questions about player transfers, game tactics, or our vision for the season ahead, this is your opportunity to get the inside info!

Submit your questions below, and we’ll do our best to ensure they are put to Nick on the night. Let’s rally together and show our support for the team!

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray secured the loan signing of Ryan Wombwell from neighbours Morpeth Town last week – and the defender made his debut in the midweek 0-0 draw against Carlton Town in Nottingham.

The 23 year old commented: “I’ve known Nick for a while and have worked with him over the last two years at the Morpeth Academy. As soon as he said he wanted me to come to Ashington I was keen to get started. I know a few of the lads already, I’m good mates with Josh Gilchrist who joined Ashington recently and I’ve enjoyed settling in.”

Newcastle-born Wombwell was impressed with the Colliers when they defeated Morpeth 3-2 at Craik Park in a pre season friendly: “I thought they were a really good side on the night so it was surprise when I noticed that they were so far down the table,” he said, “I know they were on a poor run but after two good results from their last two games, they need to build on it.”

Wombwell – who set up the first of Gilchrist’s hat trick on Saturday in the 3-2 win over Bridlington Town – added: “Its no good just winning one game then going on another losing run so we need to back it up next week and get another three points to kick start the season. It wasn’t the prettiest game against Bridlington but I thought we deserved to win.”

Manager Gray said: “I’ve known Ryan for years. I played football with his dad Bobby – a 100 per cent player on the pitch who gave his all – and Ryan has obviously taken a leaf out of his book. He has got the right mentality and is an honest, hard working lad who you can trust. He was not featuring for Morpeth Town and just wants to play games of football. He’s a diamond of a kid.”

By Brian Bennett

Kyle Errington said he is delighted to rejoin Ashington – after he signed for the Woodhorn Lane club from Ebac Northern League side Whickham at the start of last week.

South Shields-born Errington – a student at University who also works as a strength and conditioning coach – made his second debut as the Colliers secured a 0-0 draw against Carlton Town then featured in the 3-2 win over Bridlington Town on Saturday.

“Coming back to Ashington was something which I wanted to do,” said the 22 year old, “I know Nick (Gray) and Liam (McIvor) well and I wanted to get back to enjoying my football. I did that at Ashington last year and my plan is to enjoy playing for Nick and Liam. I get on with all the lads, it’s a good changing room and I’m delighted and happy to be back. On Saturday against Bridlington we conceded two sloppy goals but Josh Gilchrist did really well scoring a hat-trick. I thought we played well as a team – especially in the second half where we grinded it out.”

Manager Gray said: “I had Kyle at Park View Academy and he’s another honest hard working lad who gives his all. He’s a good defender who comes from a great background.”