By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles was full of praise for his squad on Tuesday night after they registered their first win in the Northern Premier League East Division with a fabulous 2-1 result over previously unbeaten Garforth Town.

A beaming Coyles said afterwards: “It was our first league victory after four games but we’ve had an extremely bad case of luck regarding injuries. They haven’t been excuses but have been mentioned just to make the supporters aware of just how tough it has been. Over the last two to three games it has been physically and mentally challenging for the players but they have come here tonight, away from home and have put on a fantastic performance. Every game so far this season we have drawn reference to good spells but then we have let ourselves down – but not at any point in tonight’s game did the lads let themselves down. They were immense and thoroughly deserved their win.”

He continued: “We were again dominant in possession in spells in the first half where we had a lot of the ball but we just didn’t get our shots off – and that’s been a common theme over the last few weeks. The team talk at half time was quite an easy one – to maintain possession; to keep manipulating the ball but to get shots off on goal. We set numerous players targets in terms of how many shots we expected from them throughout the second half and it just goes to show what happens when you shoot and you let loose.”

The result lifted Ashington off the bottom of the table but Coyles said: “I deliberately haven’t looked at the league table. I may do that 10-12 games in. Garforth hadn’t lost in the league before tonight and they have played some really difficult teams. They had won two and drawn two so the fact that we’ve come away from home, lads have ‘knocked the pan in’ through the day from 9-5pm then travelled down here a couple of hours and put on that type of performance all I can say is a huge, huge well done to them.”

The Colliers are without a game on Saturday and Coyles added: “We’ll be training on Thursday and Saturday preparing for our home game against Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday (September 10). Again we have got to manage the load because people have got to appreciate what the lads are putting their bodies through. There are lads who are playing through quite significant injuries. That’s just because of where we are at – but it also shows how much respect these lads have got for the football club.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles said that a combination of missed chances and errors had proved pivotal as his side went out of the Emirates FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Crook Town on Saturday.

Paul Van-Zandvliet had given the Colliers the lead on the half hour mark but Crook levelled with quarter of an hour to go through Corey Nicholson before experienced striker Sonni Coleman headed a winner in stoppage time.

A clearly disappointed Coyles said afterwards: “Missing chances seems to be the common theme with us over the last two to three weeks. Today we were in front but squandered a couple of chances which have come back to haunt us. We had a game plan and take nothing away from Crook – they had a very dangerous set piece from a throw in – but I thought we defended and managed it really well for the majority of the game.”

He continued: “When they (Crook) equalised through an individual error they’ve then got the upper hand and where we are at the moment – having picked up two losses against Congleton Town and Dunston UTS last weekend – confidence is lacking a little bit. I thought we needed to manage the game better during the spells in which Crook had a bit of possession. We were a minute away from a replay and then unfortunately for us, we have made a second mistake deciding to play out in an area where it was tight and congested. Crook have got their tails up at this stage and are pressing with intent and purpose and at that point, we just needed to stick together and see the game out.”

He added: “Take nothing away from Crook – they were a difficult opponent for us today and made it hard for us at times, more so in the second half and in the end, they got their just rewards. I thought we controlled and managed the first half exceptionally well in terms of how we dominated the ball but second half we just couldn’t find our rhythm. We didn’t execute what we had done well in the first half and Crook, in the final stages of the game were better than us.”

He went on: “We really feel for the lads today – similar to when we were at Dunston, as we are having to select a few who are nursing minor injuries and a number of the lads on the bench are also suffering numerous injuries and niggles. It’s a tough one to take when we were in control for the majority of the game and so close to seeing the game out – I thought the lads played some really good football at times – but in the end we were beaten fair and square and hats off to Crook for progressing into the next round.”

He concluded: “A special thanks needs to go out to our supporters who have travelled down today and cheered on the lads right through until the end. As always they were loud and contributed to a good atmosphere.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill has said that the Woodhorn Lane outfit face a ‘really hard game’ when they travel to the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield ground to meet Crook Town in their Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round clash on Saturday.

Previewing the game, Hill said: “It’s a big game for our club against a side who are in the first division of the Ebac Northern League and who have started the season very, very well. We’re expecting a really hard game but we’ll certainly not be taking things lightly and will give Crook the respect they deserve.”

He continued: “The match is one which all of the players and management are looking forward to and I hope our fans will support us in large numbers like they always do and be that 12^th man for us. It’s a game where we will have to be really ‘at it’ if we want to have a chance of progressing into the next round.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill remained upbeat despite back to back defeats for his side in the Northern Premier League East Division.

The Wansbeck side went down 2-1 against Bishop Auckland in their first home game of the new campaign then after a run of three encounters in the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy, suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Dunston UTS on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dunston’s marksmen were Sado Djalo and ex Colliers striker Dale Pearson.

However Hill was very impressed with Ashington’s second half showing at the UTS Stadium and predicted that his outfit will be ‘absolutely fine’ over the course of the season and ‘win more points than they won’t.’

“I thought first half against Dunston we were disappointing with and without the ball,” he said afterwards, “I didn’t think we laid a glove on them to be fair and their ‘keeper hasn’t had anything to do. I’m not one for making excuses but at the moment we are suffering with quite a few injuries and today we had three or four players who wouldn’t normally have played because they were nursing knocks so credit to them.”

He continued: “We had a chat at half time and didn’t think we were doing what we are good at – like getting on the ball and getting certain people on the half turn  – and I thought second half we were excellent up to the final third. People were missing chances to shoot and we just weren’t clinical enough when we got into some good situations. Whilst the score was 1-0, I thought we got the upper hand and we had a chance – then they (Dunston) counter attacked us which led to their second goal which basically killed us and from there on it was always going to be difficult to get back into the game.”

For the start of the second period, Ashington introduced Paul Van-Zandvliet and Hill added: “Paul was involved in a very, very hard boxing match the previous night but I thought he showed some great character when he came on and made a big difference. Overall we’ve got to be competitive; improve on our first half display today and match our second half performance as well as being a little more clinical in the final third. If we continue to play like we did in the second 45 minutes we’ll be absolutely fine and we’ll win more points than we won’t.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington announced the signing of striker Michael Ndiweni last week with the former Newcastle United Academy player making his debut in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in the Isuzu FA Trophy against Congleton in Cheshire.

The 20 year old – who made his first team debut for the Magpies in November last year appearing as a second half substitute in a 4-1 win against Chelsea at St James’ Park in the Premier League – was with the club for eight years before being released at the end of last season.

On joining the Colliers, Ndiweni – a central striker – said: “I wanted to restart my career and go somewhere where I knew I would get good game time and show what I can do. After my first training session at Ashington, I wanted to sign for them. They are a good squad and the coaching is really, really good and I feel for me personally, it will be the best solution to my development to get better and to improve as a player.”

Being ineligible for the Emirates FA Cup tie against Bishop Auckland, Ndiweni – who was born in Leeds – carried out a watching brief. He took in the 1-1 draw at Woodhorn Lane followed by the Colliers’ 2-1 win in extra time in the replay at Heritage Park: “I was impressed by what I saw,” he said, “I know people will say that I’ve come from a top, top club and that its hard to find something similar – but I do really believe that the way the training sessions are conducted plus the way the team tries to play good football that I’ve made the right decision. The one thing I’ve missed is playing on a regular basis and we have plenty of games coming up. I just want to get into the rhythm and help the team as much as I can and hopefully show the fans and everyone else what I can do.”

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill said: “Michael’s name was mentioned to me about eight weeks ago but he rightly so tried his skills at other clubs and all I wanted him to do was to come to our ground and be part of the training session because I know with the set up and changing room that we’ve got, and the level of training we offer the lads, it would tempt anyone to sign for us. I went to watch him once and he just looked an Ashington player. Technically he’s very good; he’s silky smooth and basically having spoken to his dad, the boy just wants to enjoy his football.”

Hill continued: “His dad said it was very important that he went to a club that would appreciate him; look after him and help develop him – and I keep telling Michael that at 20 years of age, the dream of him being a professional footballer hasn’t ended. As we move forward with him, I’m expecting him to be a big performer for us and to score goals. I’ve told him to go out onto the park and smile, enjoy himself and be himself and I thought at times today against Congleton he showed real class and real quality. I think his fitness levels are where they need to be but he just lacked that match sharpness at times today. I believe he will be a brilliant footballer for Ashington and I can’t wait to work with him.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles said that elementary mistakes had proved costly after his side went out of the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday following a 4-1 defeat away at Congleton Town.

Coyles commented afterwards: “We’re extremely frustrated with our performance today. We had some good spells of football both in the first and second half but the four goals that we conceded are really from our own doing. That’s the unfortunate thing where we fought and worked hard to try and get back in the game and we’ve just made some elementary mistakes which have cost us.”

Ashington had shouts for two penalties in the second period and Coyles added: “We were extremely disappointed with the officiating today. When we were close to getting back in the game we’ve had two clear cut penalties not even considered then for the fourth goal the Congleton players have said that the ball was a yard out and we have conceded as a result. I thought we were knocking on the door at the right time and a couple of decisions have gone against us and I think frustration and anger have set in with maybes emotions at times getting the better of us today.”

He continued: “You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth and I thought the lads were fantastic against Bishop Auckland on Tuesday in the cup replay and gave a really good account of themselves. However we did think there were some tired legs out there having played 120 minutes on Tuesday then being on a coach journey for four hours today – but that’s football. If you want to do well in these competitions you’ve got to get on with it. Also we continue to pick up injuries with another couple today. Cam Gascoigne has pulled up with his hamstring and Charlie Exley has taken a real severe blow and it looks like a serious one to the eye – as well as a couple who are nursing niggles but who are playing through.”

He went on: “I was actually quite happy at times with the first half but in patches I just thought we were quite wasteful in possession and needed to move the ball a lot quicker – but we also needed to be more positive and play forwards more. We started the second half really well and knocked on the door and I certainly thought the final scoreline flattered Congleton. Football is a strange game. We were by far the better footballing side but our own doing has gifted them (Congleton) some goals today.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Cam Gascoigne’s long range winner five minutes from the end of extra time – and after another pulsating encounter against Bishop Auckland – sent Ashington through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday night.

And the 22 year old midfielder revealed afterwards that he ran straight to Andy Coyles to celebrate after he had scored – following an earlier exchange of messages between the pair earlier in the day!

“Andy sent me a similar type of goal scored by Frank Lampard for England in the Euros from a few years back and said: ‘I want you to score one like this tonight’ so when I did I thought ‘he’s called it!” It was a good strike and I was proud of it. After I scored I can’t remember what was going through my head. I didn’t know what to do so I just turned and headed for the bench! It’s definitely one of the best goals of my career what with the occasion and coming so late in extra time and after a tough first game on Saturday. We were away from home and desperate to get through into the next round but yes, it’s definitely up there as being one of my best!”

Gateshead-born Gascoigne continued: “I had had a few efforts in the game which didn’t quite come off so i thought for this one, concentrate and pick my spot and just try and get as good a connection as possible. I saw a gap on the left side and I’ve hit the ball with my right foot towards that direction and it went in.”

He went on: “To be honest, I thought we were heading towards penalties. The lads have grafted non stop for the last eight days after three very tough games – Bishop Auckland are a very good side and know how to play the game well –  and we’ve had to work very, very hard for everything we got. But I must say aside from the goal, during the last five minutes we had Jon Shaw and Si Jakab winning every header and those are things which go unnoticed but win you games and I thought every single player on our team was outstanding tonight.

Ashington are away to Congleton in the FA Trophy on Saturday and Gascoigne says he will be back down to earth from cloud nine: “We move onto our next game because we want to get through in the FA Trophy and it’s the old cliche of taking one game at a time,” he added, “After that, we have a quick turnover with a league game against Dunston on Bank Holiday Monday. We’ll savour tonight then it’s back to training on Thursday.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington joint head coach Andy Coyles was naturally delighted after his side had knocked out Bishop Auckland in their Emirates FA Cup replay at Heritage Park on Tuesday night.

The Colliers won 2-1 after extra time in another pulsating game.

After Jay Errington had fired the Wansbeck side in front, substitute Brandon Holdsworth equalised for Bishop Auckland with 20 minutes of normal time remaining.

The game went to an additional period of 30 minutes and a special effort from Cam Gascoigne shortly before the end sent Ashington through.

Coyles said afterwards: “First of all, we’re delighted for the lads because it’s been three really gruelling games against Bishop Auckland. I think there was only a period of about 40 minutes where we let ourselves down – other than that, we have been the better team. Tonight for the duration of the game including extra time, we were the better side and deserved to go through. I thought we were resilient when we needed to be and although a few things went against us our attitude remained the same. We also scored two great goals. Young Jay Errington is only 20 but he netted one of the best goals I’ve seen in the last few years and then Cam Gascoigne has backed that up with another beauty.”

He continued: “It was a huge team effort tonight and it needs to be documented about how many players we have had unavailable over the past eight days. Seven have been out through injury or absence – so it shows the strength and depth of the squad and if we can get everyone back fit, then it’s going to cause the management team plenty of headaches! When they (Bishop Auckland) equalised at 1-1, I thought ‘here we go again’ – but we’ve learned from our mistakes and having been in front for so long, our attitude and determination to not fold under pressure was excellent. We just kept going and the boys need applauding for their fitness levels. At this moment in time in the season they are exceptional and you can see that when we are finishing games the stronger team. It certainly shows and it allowed us to go in front tonight with the last couple of minutes remaining.”

He concluded: “Cam (Gascoigne) will get all of the plaudits but you’ve got to take into account that there was some serious last ditch defending in those final minutes and the back line, including the goalkeeper have got to take a lot of credit.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

He netted in the 4-2 win over Shildon in the last round of the Emirates FA Cup – now Cyril Giraud has done it again after pulling a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday which means Ashington will play Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park on Tuesday night in their preliminary round replay.

The old phrase ‘cometh the hour cometh the man’ sprung to mind as with his side trailing to a strike by Two Blues striker Louis Johnson, it was on the hour when master craftsman Giraud got to work. He equalised with a goal of pure genius, as he wriggled his way through a cluster of defenders before slotting home inside the post.

Afterwards, the 24 year old year said: “I had a couple of players around me but once I got into the one on one situation, I knew I was going to score and I was very happy with the goal.”

Reflecting on the two matches in quick succession against the County Durham side, Giraud who was born in France added: “It’s a bit frustrating because on Tuesday in our league match against them (Bishop Auckland) when we went down 2-1, I thought we played extremely well and didn’t deserve to lose. In the second half, they scored a screamer to equalise and there’s nothing you can do about that then right after, we conceded what proved to be the winner which was a shame.”

He continued: “Today we wanted to make things right. First half we conceded again and didn’t play our best. However in the second half we managed to get back on track, win more headers and second balls and drove forward a lot more. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the win because we had the chances and deserved to go through – but that’s football.”

The Newcastle-based midfielder went on: “We go again on Tuesday for our third clash against Bishop Auckland in eight days. We lost the league game and have drawn the second – so surely it is our turn to win the third clash.”

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By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington joint head coach Richie Hill said he had mixed emotions after his side had clawed their way back against Bishop Auckland in a pulsating tie which finished 1-1 in their Emirates FA Cup clash against Bishop Auckland at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

After Louis Johnson had nudged the visitors’ ahead midway through the first half, a brilliant goal by Cyril Giraud levelled things up. However, despite having chances, the Colliers were unable to force home their advantage with the game going to a replay on Tuesday night.

“Wow just wow,” he said after he had regained his breath, “Where do I start. I’ve got mixed emotions really. I thought the first half performance was unacceptable – it was well below par and it was so disappointing because I thought they (Bishop Auckland) were better all over the field. They were stronger and more aggressive; they controlled the game and I thought coming in 1-0 down at half time was exactly what we deserved. We just had a few words with the lads – not in an aggressive fashion, just in an honest open way – and asked everyone to be the best version of themselves because in the first half I could look at maybes two or three of them that were hitting the heights that we are used to whilst the others were below par. So we just asked them to go out and be full of energy and use the crowds’ energy and to be on the front foot.”

For the start of the second period, Ashington introduced Jay Errington for Matty Slocombe and Hill added: “We made one change and it was nothing to do with Matty’s performance. We just felt we needed something different up top, we wanted something to happen to spark something off and within minutes of Jay’s entry into the game, he was flicking things on and linking the play – and I thought second half we were excellent. On another day our performance after the break was worthy of two, three or even four goals – and that’s probably the only disappointing thing that we are not through to the next round. Their ‘keeper (Ryan Catterick) has pulled off two or three wonderful saves and we know that no matter where we have got possession on the field, Bishop Auckland provide a threat. However, I thought we shut the back door up well and I don’t think our ‘keeper Dan Staples has had a great deal to do – whilst at the other end, we caused them lots of problems.”

He continued: “We now have to go and play them for a third time in eight days and we’re not under any illusions that the replay will be anything other that a very, very tough game – just like the other two have been but I thought the reaction of the players was excellent. The wind was quite strong as per normal at Woodhorn Lane which requires you to look to play and I thought in the first half, we resulted in Dan Staples ‘going long’ which played into Bishop Auckland’s hands. We just asked players to be a little bit braver and to get on the ball and build the play up gradually through the thirds. At times we did go long but it was the right time to do it especially when you have got players like Wilson Kneeshaw up top where you can miss out the midfield provided it’s delivered in a good way. However, I was really pleased that we gave that second 45 minutes performance because there was a good crowd today including some who will have watched us for the first time this season and it was important that they enjoyed it.”

The game was beamed out live by the BBC via iPlayer, Red Button and online and Hill said: “There was a lot made of the publicity surrounding it and rightly so because it’s brilliant for Ashington Football Club. However sometimes you’ve got to manage that hype and make sure the players understand that it was just another game of football and it’s what they do on the field over the 90 plus minutes that is important. Perhaps the reason behind our first half showing were the cameras being in attendance – but we don’t expect that level of performance. That first 45 minutes was disappointing – but all I’m going to look at is the second half improvements.”

The replay is at Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park ground on Tuesday (August 20) where kick off is 7.45pm.