By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said his squad of players take maximum credit following the crushing 4-0 win over Hebburn Town at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday.

After Wilson Kneeshaw had opened the scoring, striker Connor Thomson provided the knockout punch on Boxing Day with a hat-trick as the Colliers ran riot and they could have inflicted an even heaver defeat on The Hornets who lie second from top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League’s East Division.

On the day of the contest, Skinner had said: “With our group of players, I always look forward to playing the teams who are in and around the promotion and play off spots. Nine times out of ten we play particularly well against them and a look at our results this season shows that we have had very positive results.”

Ashington didn’t only play ‘particularly well’ which led to a positive result – they were magnificent and got the three points they so richly deserved.

Consequently a delighted Skinner said afterwards: “All credit to the players really – they are the ones who go out onto the pitch and do it. We the management team just try and set them up and give them some advice as to how we think we can cause the opposition problems. I even said to them (the players) before the game that I back them every time we play against teams who are in and around the top of the table who are talking about promotion and play offs simply because this group of players at Ashington are equally as good as everybody in the division. Maybes the one aspect where we can improve is that level of consistency but from the first whistle today I thought we looked ‘at it’ and busy. We looked to play quick and move the ball – we got it down and we’ve gone 1-0 up with a good goal then added another with a fantastic move.”

Skinner touched on the dismissal of Hebburn’s former Ashington player Dean Briggs in the 24^th minute: “It was as clear a red card as you’ll probably ever see,” he said, “I’ll not be too quick to forget what Dean Briggs did when he was at this football club – but that was as poor a tackle that I’ve seen in a long, long time – and on a mate (Craig Spooner) as well – and he was rightly sent off.”

The boss continued: “I just thought our game management after that was really good apart from the final couple of minutes of the half where we gave away a couple of needless corners and free kicks. Obviously when they went down to ten men, they sort of played a 4-4-1 formation and sat in a little bit to try and stay in the game and probably looked to see if they could pinch something on the counter attack or from a set play. I thought we moved the ball really well and got to a certain point where we slowed the game right down and invited them to come out and try and pinch it (the ball) off us so we could then play in behind. That was very much the game plan second half. Again we’ve played as well as we can against ten men because it’s not always easy and I thought we controlled large periods of the second half and always looked a threat going forward. They (Hebburn) had to try and condense the space and they’ve tried to drop in and let us have the ball to a point and defended with a little bit of a high line – and that’s dangerous when you have got the strike force and the pace we have.”

He added: “If we wanted to be really greedy we could and should have scored more as we created numerous chances but if you’d offered me a 4-0 win before kick off I’m pretty confident I would have accepted it! Listen – Hebburn are a good side by the way. They have got good players and they will be right up there come the end of the season – make no mistake about that. But I was just delighted with our performance; the result; and for everybody involved who came out on a Boxing Day, gave up their time and supported us. Before our game, there were one or two grumblings from disappointed Newcastle United fans following their 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest who asked us not to let them down further and thankfully we’ve managed to turn it around with a good result! It was a nice little Christmas present for the staff; the volunteers; the players themselves and for all of the supporters.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – having seen his side end a run of three consecutive defeats with a 3-3 draw against Brighouse on Saturday – is eyeing up a potential Christmas cracker when his side host Hebburn Town this afternoon.

The Hornets are currently second top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League’s East Division with Ashington in mid table and Skinner said: “With our group of players, I always look forward to playing the teams who are in and around the promotion and play off spots because nine times out of ten, we play particularly well against them. A look at our results this season shows that we have had very positive results although people might look and say ‘you have let yourselves down by probably not having as many positive results against the teams around or below you’ – and stats don’t lie. However, I back this group of players and on our day they are equally as good as anything in this league.”

He continued: “I just think we need to find that little bit more level of consistency. We went on that great run recently and had some really positive results but then we just seemed to slip into a little bit of a lull whereby we couldn’t buy a win. We’ve stopped it with a draw today but we need to pick up three points as soon as possible.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said he was ‘slightly disappointed’ that his side had only picked up one point following their 3-3 draw against Brighouse Town on Saturday.

On a rain-soaked afternoon in West Yorkshire, the Colliers brought a run of three consecutive defeats to an end as they fought back on three occasions with Oli Thompson on the mark twice and Paul Van-Zandvliet scoring a last ditch equaliser.

The Woodhorn Lane boss said afterwards: “When you are losing 3-2 with 30 seconds left on the clock you take a point – but on another day I think it should have been three so in that respect, I’m slightly disappointed. The result stopped a run of disappointing results that we have been on and I thought there were lots to be pleased about with our performance today in what were very difficult conditions. There were contrasting styles and we had to adapt and change slightly due to the conditions and the pitch. Brighouse set up to press us really high and defended the half way line in the first half and similar to Tuesday night at Sheffield, we fashioned two or three fantastic chances which we failed to convert. Leading up to the opening goal, there was a little bit of sloppy play from us around our own box and Gary Ormston has tried to clear the ball – it’s gone up in the air – and their striker has got it and it led to a penalty which I thought was very harsh. I actually thought it was a foul on our goalkeeper (Karl Dryden) and I thought the referee has given it for the noise which he heard – but the noise he heard was their forward kicking Karl. Karl has come out and got the ball and then made himself ‘big’ and their striker has followed through and kicked him. The referee has heard the noise and the striker has screamed knowing that he kicked the goalkeeper and thinking he was in trouble. The referee has bought it and given a penalty and we find ourselves 1-0 down again.”

He continued: “At half time we made a couple of little tweaks about ways in which we thought we could cause them (Brighouse) even more problems and I thought we started the second half really brightly and scored a good equaliser. Then their second goal was quite fortuitous in terms of the ball takes a big deflection which puts the lad clean through and he finishes it. When teams are in a little bit of poor form like we are, little things like that go against you whilst when we were on our good run, those things went for us. However 2-1 down, we showed good character to come back and scored an almost identical second goal. After that, the only thing which disappointed me a little bit was we stopped doing the things that had caused them problems and led to us scoring two goals and we were really defensively poor with the third goal which we conceded. Consequently we gave ourselves another tough task but to the lads’ credit they kept going until the end and we’ve scored right at the death from a corner with Gary (Ormston) flicking the ball on and Paul Van-Zandvliet has managed to stab it in and we end 3-3.”

He went on: “A couple of big things for me – and I’ve probably said this numerous times – is if we had taken our chances and been a bit more clinical in front of goal earlier in the game – and nobody misses on purpose – it could have led to us having a more comfortable afternoon with a more positive result. We’ve got to look at once we got back into the game allowing them to get in front again on two occasions and also the fact that we have conceded 11 goals in three games. I take some of the responsibility for that in terms of how I set us up to play. We are playing in a very attacking formation and in a very attacking shape and going through our 1-11 today there were probably only two recognised defenders in the team and that’s my choice. But what we have also got to remember is that we’ve got Nathan Buddle who has been out now for six weeks plus; Si Jakab who is not available who has been one of our best defenders of late plus Jordan Summerly and Charlie Exley who are both unavailable. That’s four defenders we are currently having to reckon without so that plays a part in things as well.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner slammed his sides’ defending and delivered a blunt message following their 4-0 defeat against Sheffield FC on Tuesday night.

The reverse in Dronfield at the Home of Football Stadium saw the Colliers slide to a third consecutive defeat whilst also conceding eight goals in two matches and the boss didn’t hold back in his postmatch thoughts: “The simple fact is we will not win games of football if we defend like we have done in the last two – end of.”

He continued: “It was a similar theme to Saturday’s defeat against Newton Ayclffe in terms of we defended really poorly as a team. The game started really bright and quite open to be honest. They (Sheffield) looked quite dangerous and we looked very dangerous going forward but then we conceded a really poor first goal to go behind against a team who haven’t been ahead in games too often this season and it gave them a little bit of confidence and something to hang onto. I just thought we looked really good getting into the final third with Wilson Kneeshaw and Connor Thomson running at them and Oli Thompson getting in high, wide and left but again we were just a little bit wasteful in and around the final third. Then we conceded a really poor second goal.”

He added: “Even at half time, I still thought we would score in the game because of the amount of entries we had into the attacking third and if Connor Thomson’s shot had gone in to make it 2-1 instead of hitting the post, it would have changed the game. We got a warning for the third goal where the corner was headed off the line by Karl Ross then the resulting corner was identical only this time they scored. You know things aren’t quite going your way when they get a fourth with an own goal.”

By Brian Bennett

Will Constantin made his debut for Ashington on Saturday – but the 20 year old wasn’t smiling after the final whistle as his side went down 4-2 to Newton Aycliffe in their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash.

The Surrey-born youngster – who is also registered with Gateshead – has been left kicking his heels since joining the Woodhorn Lane based outfit recently from Ebac Northern League first division outfit West Auckland.

He said afterwards: “I came to the club a few weeks ago but although I’ve been training, the first couple of games have been cancelled. Obviously I know the manager Ian Skinner from Gateshead and that’s how the move came about.”

Constantin who is based in Blyth continued: “They are a great group of lads at Ashington; I get on really well with them – and it was a shame about the result today. I felt I performed okay but conditions didn’t allow for any sort of football to be played.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted after the 4-2 defeat against Newton Aycliffe that he got ‘one or two calls wrong’ – but he also spoke about being disappointed with the performance from his players which fell short of what he expects from them.

It’s only a month ago that the Colliers turned in an outstanding display as they blew North Ferriby away 5-0 – but on Saturday they plunged to the other end of the scale with an abject showing against the Newtonians.

Skinner said: “I’m bitterly disappointed. The lads are a great group who I like to spend time with but today they fell short of what I expect of them and it’s a little bit of an achilles heel that we appear to have. We seem to hit heights of a good run – which we have been on – but when it comes to an end, we seem to feel sorry for ourselves a little bit and I thought across the 90 minutes today, we were poor. I’ve got no complaints about the outcome – Newton Aycliffe were the better side and deserved to win the game. They dealt with the wind better than we did; they worked harder and a game like today with the conditions the way they were, it was very much going to be about work rate first and then little bits of brilliance or good play second. I thought Newton Aycliffe outscored us on all of that and even some of their play was better than ours at times.”

Skinner reflected on a first half where his team went into the break with the scores level at 1-1 after they had battled against the strong wind: “I thought we were poor in the first half,” he added, “I gave the lads the benefit of the doubt in terms of how difficult the conditions were – but I did say to them that I thought they made it look harder than it was and that we needed to be much better in the second half. We looked like a team who thought ‘we’ve done the hard bit of dealing with playing against the wind and maybes it’s just going to happen for us’ – although I’d like to think this wasn’t the case. However the really frustrating thing is if we are going to defend like we did in the first 15-20 minutes of the second half – and by that I mean from goalkeeper Karl Dryden all the way through to the two centre forwards because we defend collectively as a unit – we will not win many games of football this season because the defending in the space and the reaction to the goals we have conceded is very, very frustrating. I almost wish I had access to the footage now because having watched them live, they were very, very poor goals to concede. After Aycliffe went 3-1 up, we just seemed to lose our way and we were very negative in our passing, wanting to go back.”

Skinner believed his players weren’t ‘at it’ throughout: “I think we had a half chance in the opening minutes where we got in,” he said, “Then other than that it was very much where the play was in our half, with us trying to play out against the wind and Newton Aycliffe obviously trying to win the ball back and attack our goal. We did get out with a great little move when we got the ball to Oli Thompson – who I thought looked a threat all the way through the first half. He picked up possession and did what he does well – whereby he’s got that great ability to shift his weight from one side to the other! Oli has gone on a good run and he’s played the ball down the side for Wilson Kneeshaw who was in and who has broke into the box. It looked like a shot by Wilson and it was probably just going wide of the far post but Connor (Thomson) has tapped it in. You then think ‘brilliant because when we go 1-0 up this team have a tendency to go on and win games of football – but what you can’t do is to concede within a minute. Every goal you can strip it back to being a mistake and it’s interesting that statistically conceding a goal so quickly after scoring one has more of an impact on you than actually scoring the first goal in a game. However, overall, I just thought we weren’t ‘at it’ this afternoon.”

He went on: “Obviously after a defeat like today everybody has to take a look at themselves – myself included – and I think there were one or two decisions that I possibly got wrong. I’ll take that onboard and go away and reflect as well – just like we ask the players to go away and reflect on their performances. All in all it was a bad day at the office with lots of things that didn’t quite go our way but I think the key headline for me is ‘disappointed and I expect better.’

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s assistant manager Andy Coyles – speaking ahead of the Colliers’ home clash against Newton Aycliffe in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division on Saturday (December 16), said the players are ‘chomping at the bit’ to return to competitive action.

Following a cold snap, the rain – which has resulted in a glut of fixtures being called off over the past week due to waterlogged pitches – continued to fall on the Woodhorn Lane surface on Tuesday night. However looking forward and clinging to the hope that the game against the Newtonians will get the go ahead on Saturday, Coyles said: “Newton Aycliffe will be a difficult side to face. In fact if I was a neutral looking at the fixtures, I would probably go to this game because I would say it will arguably be a meeting between two of the best footballing sides in the league. I imagine there’ll be a lot of good football on display and played in the right way too – and fingers crossed I think the weather is looking good so that’s certainly encouraging news. To finally get a match on will be just the tonic because the lads are chomping at the bit to get back out onto the pitch.”

He continued: “Training has been good. Sometimes it’s difficult when you are anticipating games being either on or off – but the players have stuck at it and their attitudes have been brilliant. It’s certainly worth noting that even the lads who have been out injured for a long time have shown there support towards their team mates who were out there training and it just shows the togetherness of the group. There is a really good feeling and atmosphere around the camp and a lot of that has to do with our recent results where we went on a five game unbeaten run, prior to the loss to Liversedge in our last match.”

Meanwhile Coyles gave an encouraging update on the injury front with Cam Gascoigne, Nathan Buddle and Darren Lough all back in training and eligible for selection on Saturday whilst Charlie Exley is to start light running next week. Coyles said of Exley: “It’s a positive because we thought he was going to be out for a while.”

Meanwhile the assistant boss added that Jordan Summerly has more of a long term injury and that the management are monitoring the injury to Dan Maguire on a “week to week” basis.

“The majority of the players are back from knocks and that’s only good news for the team – but on the management front it’s going to cause a number of selection headaches!” added Coyles, “We gained the good results of late despite having all of these players sidelined and it just goes to show how well the lads have done who have actually been selected, started games and who have been out there on the pitch.”

Saturday’s kick-off against Newton Aycliffe is 3pm then the Colliers travel to face Sheffield FC for a 7.45pm start on Tuesday (December 19).

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s vice captain Karl Ross admitted that his team mates have endured a ‘frustrating’ couple of weeks due to inclement weather conditions but with the forecast set to improve are hoping to begin another positive run of results in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division.

If the Colliers home clash against Newton Aycliffe goes ahead on Saturday (December 16), it will not only be their first competitive game since the 2-0 defeat against Liversedge three weeks ago but also the start of a run of nine games in the space of 29 days!

Ross who is based in Cramlington said: “It’s been a frustrating time training and then having no game. The lads were on a good run before the loss to Liversedge and we were eager for games to be played so as to continue the momentum and hopefully bounce back and return to winning ways.”

The 25 year old continued: “There are a lot of matches in a short space of time especially over the Christmas period but it is what it is. The lads enjoy getting together and playing football and hopefully we can put smiles on the faces of our supporters.”

He went on: “We are certainly looking forward to the challenge and just want to go on another good run.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Gary Ormston not only made his debut for Ashington in Saturday’s match against Liversedge at Woodhorn Lane – but also made his bow at Northern Premier League level.

An FA Vase winner with Whitley Bay and a league winner with North Shields, Ormston admitted that it is those ‘buzzes’ which drive him on.

Last week he signed for the Colliers from Newcastle Blue Star – a move which he says was a ‘no brainer’ and one which left him excited: “When I spoke to manager Ian Skinner, it was a no brainer,” he said, “Ashington are a top club with top people around. I’m really excited to be honest and now that I’m 40, to get excited again is quite a good thing!”

Benwell-born Ormston was named in the starting line up and he gave his reaction: “You are always trying to prove yourself in football but especially when you get a little bit older,” he added, “All I wanted to do today was to hit the ground running and do myself justice – and I thought I did that. The lads took to me quite well – I know most of them after playing against them for years – and I thought I fitted in quite well. I enjoyed it and hopefully my experience will help the team.”

Ashington lost the game 2-0 and Ormston said: “We huffed and puffed but Liversedge are a big strong side We played some football which was half decent and made some good chances and openings and I thought we were quite unlucky.”

Ormston – a builder – reflected on his successes beginning with Whitley Bay’s 3-2 triumph over Coalville Town in the 2011 FA Vase final at Wembley “Whitley had already won the competition the previous two years and we went on this unbelievable run,” he said, “We had lads in the side like Paul Chow, Lee Kerr and Paul Robinson and I literally just shored everything up. To win it was a dream and a fantastic experience.”

He continued: “To lift the Ebac Northern League first division title with North Shields at the end of the 2021/22 season was a memorable occasion too – and that’s why I’m still playing now – for those little buzzes. My best game of football was also for North Shields in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup at St James’ Park in 2016 when we beat Blyth Spartans 4-3. I scored the opening goal with a curler from the outside of the box at the Gallowgate End and we clinched victory in the last minute.”

Ashington boss Ian Skinner said: “Obviously Gary is someone who I have known a long long time. We were preparing for the game against Liversedge and knew we potentially had nine players unavailable – four of which were central midfielders. We heard the news that things had changed at Gary’s club and we went through the formal procedures – and I thank Newcastle Blue Star for their co-operation in waiving the seven days notice. We spoke to Gary and joining us was something which he was keen to do -certainly in the short term to come and help us out on Saturday. We are having some discussions about potentially getting him to stay until the end of the season and hopefully we can come to an arrangement which will suit both parties. He arrives with a wealth of experience and also adds some height to the squad but I love the fact that he just keeps the game so simple and retains the ball – and I think he’ll be a fantastic addition for us.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner – after seeing his sides’ unbeaten run of five matches ended by Liversedge on Saturday – has thrown down a new challenge to his playing squad.

Goals by Joe Walton and Alex Wollerton gave the visitors a 2-0 victory in Wansbeck but the boss said afterwards: “Obviously I’m disappointed that our good run has come to an end. It was going to end at some point but we didn’t want it to be today especially with us being at home and after having had such a good performance on the road last week (at North Ferriby). It would have been nice to have put on a good showing but it wasn’t to be. We’ve been fantastic but now my challenge to the lads is to get back on the horse and start a new run – and see if we can extend it beyond five matches this time.”

Skinner thought there was nothing between the sides in the first half on Saturday: “I thought it was pretty even,” he said, “They (Liversedge) had a couple of opportunities to take the lead including when out ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made a little bit of an error with a poor clearance but we have defended brilliantly to get back on the line – and then we’ve had a couple of chances ourselves. The goalkeeper (Jordan Porter) has made a comfortable save at his near post from Connor Thomson then we’ve had a great little move where Wilson Kneeshaw has hit the crossbar.”

Ashington conceded in stoppage time and Skinner said: “I was really disappointed with the goal we conceded because I thought it was avoidable,” he said, “It came in the fifth minute of three minutes minimum to be added on. I thought as the ball is dropping out of the sky maybes if Ben (Williams) and Karl (Dryden) had communicated, I think we could have played it back to Karl. Ben sliced the clearance for a throw in which I thought we defended really well but we put it out for a corner. Karl has come to catch the corner and not quite got there and after a header by Walton, the assistant judges that the ball has gone over the line. So to go in 1-0 down right on half time was disappointing.”

Skinner was mystified as to why Wilson Kneeshaw had an effort ruled out ten minutes after the break: “I thought we started the second half quite brightly and had a couple of good opportunities,” he added, “For me, we’ve scored a perfectly good goal which I think has been ruled out for offside – and if was, I can’t explain why. I’ll watch it back on the veo but I’ll be gobsmacked if Wilson Kneeshaw (who netted) is offside. It was a big turning point in the game because if the goal had stood it would have made it 1-1.”

He continued: “We pushed bodies forward to try and get back into the game and we‘ve been caught again with a bit of a poor goal of the counter attack – but I take responsibility for that because I asked lads to push forward in their numbers. We need to keep playing the way we play and to stick to our principals as well as processes and our philosophy of when we go behind in a game because what is happening at the moment is becoming a little bit of an achilles heel for us. I know it’s difficult. Liversedge executed a classic away performance where they went 1-0 up and sat a little bit deeper. They let us have the ball and invited us to come onto them and see if they could hit us on the counter attack which they have done. They will say they had a plan and it was ‘job done’ and that’s fair enough. I just think that sometimes when the game runs into the latter stages when we are behind, we sacrifice a little bit of our short sharp incisive passing and our combination play in and around the penalty area and whether we get nervous or try and force things a little bit it doesn’t quite suit us. However, we’ll train hard this week and prepare for our away trip to face Grimsby Borough on Saturday.”