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

By Brian Bennett

It’s probably a rare occasion – if ever at all – that the manager of a winning team will look sombre when he conducts his postmatch press conference – but Ashington FC joint head coach Richie Hill unfortunately did following his sides 3-2 win over neighbours Morpeth Town at Craik Park on Tuesday night.

After Wilson Kneeshaw’s early opener for the Colliers, the Highwaymen went into the interval 2-1 ahead with a trialist striker on the mark twice.

But in the second period, a brace from substitute Eddie Thomas secured a 3-2 for the Woodhorn Lane outfit.

However, Hill said afterwards: “I’ve got mixed emotions really. We did a lot of good things tonight but it’s all been tarnished with a knee injury to Connor Thomson whom we expected big things from this season. He is a big part of what we are all about and it was just one of those freak injuries where he fell. We don’t know the full extent (of the injury) as yet but he was taken to hospital and was having an X-ray.”

Of the workout, Hill said: “The game was everything we wanted it to be. It was tough and very competitive and I thought we got off to a really good start by scoring a merited goal through Wilson Kneeshaw. Morpeth then equalised and very much dominated the rest of the first half and asked lots of questions of us without the ball and about our general shape and they deservedly went 2-1 in front in stoppage time.”

He continued: “At half time we regrouped and talked about what we needed to do to be able to deal with their threats but more importantly to have a stamp on the game ourselves. I thought the players who came on for us in the second half were excellent and we had a lot more success – and were rewarded with two fantastic goals from Eddie Thomas who is new to the club. After that I thought we managed the game well and saw it out quite comfortably. However right now, I’m thinking about one person – Connor Thomson – and our thoughts go out to him and his family and I just hope his injury is not as serious as we thought.”

Ashington AFC would like to welcome their newest and final member of the 2024/25 management team: Emily Robertson.

Emily has been appointed as the team’s new Sports Therapist and will be working closely with Andy and Richie on improving the teams overall sports injury and rehabilitation side of things.

Emily will lead the way providing on pitch treatment to injured players both on match days and in training, and she will also be responsible for putting methods and interventions in place to aid with injury diagnosis and overall, player rehabilitation.

Emily is a graduate of Northumbria University and has a degree in Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation. She also has a wealth of additional qualifications in her field that make her a perfect fit for the football club.

Emily has previous sports therapy experience working with clubs in the Northern League, Northern Premier East and Northern Premier league Premier Division.

Joint Head Coach Andy Coyles said: ‘We are delighted to bring in an individual of Emily’s qualities and expertise. She has an array of qualifications and experiences that will certainly improve the teams overall sports performance department. Over the last two seasons that i have been here, the team have experienced a number of injuries that i feel have hindered us in being able to put a consistent squad together on a week by week basis. Consistency is key if wanting to do well in the league this season, so we are delighted to bring Emily to the club, who has a fantastic reputation in sports injury and rehabilitation. I have spoke to a number of players who have worked with Emily over the last few seasons and every single player praised and applauded her for the level of professionalism that she brings and the enthusiasm and passion she has towards the game’.

Emily will join up with the team tonight away to Morpeth Town.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC joint head coach Richie Hill deviated from his usual practice when he took a glance at the Northern Premier League East Division fixtures which were released last week.

The Colliers start the season proper with an Emirates FA Cup tie away to Shildon on August 3 but the following week on August 10, they will again be on their travels when the curtain goes up for the league programme which has pitched them against Ossett United.

Ashington’s home games begin the following midweek (Tuesday August 13), when league newcomers Bishop Auckland visit Woodhorn Lane then it’s a trip to Garforth Town.

Hill gave his reaction when he said: “There was a bit of a buzz about the place at training last week and a little bit of excitement as to who we are going to play. To be honest, I never read too much into fixtures – I never look too far away from the next one and I think this league is not going to be any different this season to what it was last term. It doesn’t really matter who you play because every match is potentially a tough one and if you’re not on your game, you’ll get beat.”

He continued: “We played Ossett towards the back end of last season when they had just changed their management team. We won 2-1 but their league position didn’t really mirror their actual performance because I thought they were very good on the day. They were a very hard team to play against and I’m not expecting anything different this term. We’ll naturally do what we need to do and do our homework by getting a couple of reports on them. It’s a tough place to go. I’ve been there three or four times in the last three seasons and every game is a tough one. They tend have a team full of hard working honest players and they make it very difficult for you to have your own way so I’m not expecting anything different. I’ve got one eye on our midweek friendly at Morpeth because that’s important but my main focus is on Shildon in the FA Cup because that’s not going to be an easy game and we need to make sure our lads are really prepared for that.”

He went on: “Beyond Ossett we have an exciting clash in prospect at home against Bishop Auckland on the Tuesday and then another away game at Garforth – a new team that have just recently been promoted. I don’t think there will be any easy games in the league home or away and its all about how we prepare and how we play on the day. What I do know is that we’ll be as thoroughly prepared as we possibly can be.”

On August Bank Holiday Monday, Ashington travel to face Dunston UTS whilst they visit Heaton Stannington on Boxing Day.

On New Year’s Day, the Colliers entertain Dunston UTS then host Heaton Stannington on Easter Monday.