Category: First Team

MICHAEL ANNANG-COLQUHOUN: “I’M BUZZING”

By Brian Bennett

Michael Annang-Colquhoun says he is ‘buzzing’ after signing on the dotted line for Ashington.

The 24-year-old who was born in London, scored one of the goals in Monday night’s 3-2 win over his former club Newcastle Benfield and he said: “Obviously, I’ve been to a couple of teams in the Northern League now and I might be known for jumping about a little bit – but I’m looking to make the step up and being committed, properly testing myself. I really want a hard challenge – which I think it will be – but I think I can live up to it and I’m buzzing about joining Ashington.”

Sunderland-based Colquhoun continued: “Pre-season has gone well – although results haven’t been what we wanted. We’ve had a lot of younger lads and trialists in the side plus people away on holiday, so it’s been difficult. I’m looking forward to it – 100 per cent. I reckon the whole team will be pretty strong and everyone seems really close in the changing room – so I think it will be good craic especially the away days and we’ll have good togetherness.”

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor said: “Michael has trained with us all pre-season and has looked very good. He did well in the friendlies against North Shields and AFC Newbiggin and I thought tonight against Newcastle Benfield, he changed the game when he came on and did really well. He’s a powerful player and a good runner with the ball who will stretch defences and he’ll be a big asset for us. He’s been on our radar and is another who has joined us after playing for a club a league below us in the pyramid.”

ANDREW ANDERSON “IT’S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME”

By Brian Bennett

Andrew Anderson says he is looking forward to the start of the new season with Ashington.

The 26-year-old has joined the Colliers after a long serving spell with Cramlington United and said: “It’s a great opportunity for me and a great step up. Obviously after being with Cramlington United, I’ve come from the Northern Alliance and jumped past the Northern League into the Pitching In Northern Premier League – and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve enjoyed pre-season and have got a few friends here already which has obviously helped me to settle in the changing room. I’ve got to work hard and see where I can get to – and my aim is to stay in the team.”

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor said: “Andrew is a player who has been at Cramlington United for most of his career. He has made the decision to join us and I think he’s more than capable of doing well and has already impressed in his short time with us. I’ve known Andrew for a long time and when manager Nick Gray mentioned him recently, we got him in to play in our first friendly against North Shields. Andrew was good when he came on and followed that up with another eye-catching performance against AFC Newbiggin last week and he’s been brilliant in training.”

McIvor continued: “I think Andrew will become a fans favourite – he’s got that aura about him and wears his heart on his sleeve on the pitch. He is a holding midfielder who can play box to box or anywhere in the midfield. He’s exactly the type of player we want, and the squad is starting to come together now.”

LIAM McIVOR: “IT WAS A GREAT WORK OUT FOR THE LADS”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s assistant manager Liam McIvor was delighted on Monday night after his side scored a late winner from the penalty spot to clinch a 3-2 result over Ebac Northern League first division outfit Newcastle Benfield at Woodhorn Lane.

In an entertaining contest which was goal-less at half time, Ashington went two goals ahead through a Liam Henderson header and a close-range effort from Michael Annan-Colquhoun before the Lions roared back to equalise with two fantastic strikes in as many minutes from Harrison Minto and Kyle Fryatt.

However, with time running out the Colliers were awarded a penalty for a foul and new signing Sam Davison remained as cool as a cucumber to confidently fire home from the spot.

McIvor said afterwards: “Personally I don’t think there’s any such thing as a friendly. For me you start the way you mean to go on. It was a great work out for the lads tonight. I’ve watched Benfield a couple of times in pre-season, and they are a very good side who I think will do really well in their league.”

McIvor, reflecting on the game, added: “I thought we were a bit sloppy first half and didn’t keep the ball very well in good areas. Second half I thought we started off really well and it was a great ball in by Jay Hornsby for Liam Henderson’s goal and similarly it was another good delivery in which saw Michael Annan-Colquhoun on target. To be honest after that we could have scored another couple and what we need to learn – and it’s a bit of a similar story to last season – is that it doesn’t matter at what level of football you are playing, when you are 2-0 up you should be boxing games off and not allowing the opposition to come back into the contest. To be fair to Benfield, the two goals which brought them back level at 2-2 were brilliant strikes and the two players won’t hit the ball any better than they did. However, I was happy for young Sam Davison – another good young lad who we have signed – who got the penalty and converted from the spot in great style.”

Ashington play their final warm up game on Saturday (July 26) against Surrey-based Horley Town and McIvor said: “It’ll be another tough contest which is exactly what we need. We also need minutes off all of the players and because we started two weeks later than the Northern League we are playing catch up. I’ve spoken to the lads, and they have got to get out and do some road running ahead of Thursday when we train again before Saturday’s clash.”

NICK GRAY: “IT’S A CHALLENGING START”

By Brian Bennett

Manager Nick Gray has described Ashington’s opening sequence of fixtures in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League as presenting his players with ‘a challenging start.’

The Colliers begin the season on Saturday week (August 2) when they meet Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup – which throws up a repeat of last season’s curtain raiser at the same stage of the competition when the Wansbeck side came from behind to secure a 4-1 win.

However, with the Durham club undergoing work on a new 3G pitch, the match will be played at Consett’s Belle View Stadium.

The NPL programme gets underway on Saturday August 9 with Nick Gray’s side making the journey along the east coast to face Bridlington Town before they play their first game at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (August 12) against Bishop Auckland.

However, supporters are sure to have looked at when the two derby games against Blyth Spartans are to take place – with the match at Croft Park on August Bank Holiday Monday and the return at Woodhorn Lane on Boxing Day.

Gray – speaking from Ibiza where he was enjoying a mini break – said: “It’s a challenging start and I’m looking forward to it. In the league, we’ve got three local teams in the first five games – Bishop Auckland, Dunston and Blyth Spartans. We realised last year that there are no easy games and the first month is all about getting points on the table. Your first point; your first win – and the quicker you can get them the easier it gets.”

Gray is eager for his side – which admittedly includes new players – to learn from last season’s disappointing defeat at Bridlington: “We go to Bridlington first game of the season which still sticks in my mind from last season,” he said, “If we had got a result down there we would have been safe – but we didn’t losing 3-1 – and on the day Bridlington were far better than us and we need to remember that and learn from it. However, the lads have been training hard, and they’ll be chomping at the bit. We’ve still got a small squad and need to add to it which we will do, but the players we have got are good quality and any new additions who we bring in have got to meet the criteria that we want.”

He continued: “Like I have already said on record, the worst time is the close season followed by pre-season and you just want to get the campaign started. The games come thick and fast during the first month with Saturdays, Tuesdays and Bank Holidays and every team is up for it.”

NORTH SHIELDS FRIENDLY – MANAGER REACTION

By Brian Bennett

North Shields FC 1 Ashington AFC 1

Ashington manager Nick Gray said he was ‘relatively happy’ after his side drew 1-1 against Ebac Northern League first division side North Shields at the Daren Persoon Stadium in their first workout of pre-season.

Regan Paterson’s excellent opener in the 70th minute was cancelled out ten minutes later by an Ashington trialist and Gray said afterwards: “It was our first friendly of the campaign as opposed to Shields’s fourth game and it was a great work out. They (North Shields) have played together a bit longer than us whilst we had new personnel and looked at playing a different shape. We don’t want to lose games and I keep saying that pre-season results don’t really matter but I thought overall a draw was a fair result and I’m relatively happy. There wasn’t a lot in the game with handling by both ‘keepers’ excellent and what little they had to do they did it really well.”

He continued: “We gave the goal away after we lost possession in a poor area and it was a fantastic finish by the kid Paterson but to be fair we kept going and got our just rewards. We got an equaliser, but they (North Shields) could have nicked it in the end with our goalkeeper Matty Alexander making a couple of great saves which will do his confidence the world of good.”

He added: “We had players missing and we were still looking at other personnel and I thought the trialists did well. The players who were playing out of position gave their all so it was a worthwhile exercise. Pre-season is only as good as what you get out of it and I thought we got a lot out of it tonight.”

Meanwhile all of the Ashington players wore black armbands as a mark of respect for former Collier Curtis Coppen who sadly passed away recently. “It’s obviously a sad time for Curtis’s family and friends,” added Gray, “Curtis played for Ashington and was with me as a player when I was manager at Morpeth Town. He was also a cult hero here at North Shields and his passing brings things back to reality. I spoke to Shields’ manager Brian Smith about it during the week and said we wanted to do something. Shields’ have already had previous friendlies where they have held minutes silences for Curtis, so we opted to wear black armbands.”

LIAM McIVOR GIVES HIS REACTION TO ASHINGTON’S DRAWS IN THE EARLY ROUNDS OF THE FA CUP & FA TROPHY: “WE FACE HARD TRICKY GAMES”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington could potentially clock up the miles if they make progress in the early stages of the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy.

The draws were made last week and for the opening two rounds in both competitions, the Colliers were pulled out of the hat as the away team on each occasion.

In the Cup, Nick Gray’s side will travel to meet Ebac Northern League first division outfit Shildon in the extra preliminary round which will bring about a repeat of last season’s contest at the same stage which the Woodhorn Lane side won 4-2. If they overcome the Railwaymen, the Wansbeck side will then face the winners of the Birtley Town v Beverley Town clash.

Meanwhile in the Trophy, Ashington will take on Garforth Town in West Yorkshire and if they are successful will travel to Cheshire to face Runcorn Linnets.

Colliers’ assistant manager Liam McIvor said: “I know the first two rounds are drawn but to be honest it’s one game at a time as far as we are concerned. It would have been nice for our fans to have had a game at home but it is what it is. Shildon’s campaign starts earlier than us and it’ll be a hard tricky game because they will have commenced their pre-season training programme probably two weeks before us. We’ll be looking to hit the ground running, but we’ll also be trying to have a look at them (Shildon) or gather some information about them that’s for sure.”

McIvor said about the Garforth clash: “They (Garforth) are in the same league as us – but it’s another tough fixture on our travels.”

Ahead of Ashington’s first warm up game away to North Shields on Friday (July 11) McIvor said: “Things are going well with our pre-season workouts and the lads have had a good week with a fourth session in eight days. It’s been Intense and hard for them with plenty of running but also a lot of ball work and we’ll continue that this week ahead of our first friendly away on Friday. North Shields have had a couple of games already and it’ll be a very good test. We played them last season, they are a very good side and we’ll know what to expect. Brian Smith is a very good manager and he’ll have a team who are well organised, well drilled and whose fitness levels are high. They have a lot of talented players so it’ll be a great test for us. However, it’s all about fitness for the lads and although friendlies are friendlies, you obviously want to win the games. For manager Nick Gray and myself it’ll be good to see a couple of our new lads in action and see how they react to playing a high-quality team.”

NICK GRAY: “YOU’VE GOT TO ENJOY FOOTBALL AND LAST YEAR AS A GROUP WE DIDN’T DO THAT”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Nick Gray has admitted that after a season he wished to forget, he considered his own future as boss of the Woodhorn Lane based outfit.

The Colliers secured their status in the East Division of the Northern Premier League on their own merit when they won 1-0 at Bradford Park Avenue in the final game of the last campaign.

However, Gray said that in a season which he didn’t enjoy and which was the most challenging in all of his years in management, he contemplated about his next move: “I have always loved football,” he said, “But last year was the hardest and toughest campaign I have experienced and I had to think personally about myself as to where I was mentally. My late father and family have always been my biggest supporters. I’ve never been a quitter, and it was one of those situations whereby I felt I hadn’t done myself or the team justice for the club. The supporters were unbelievable and the people behind the scenes were fantastic even in tough times, but I’ve got to be honest and say that I didn’t enjoy it. You’ve got to enjoy football and last year as a group we didn’t do that – although I learned from it.”

He continued: “This year we’ve got to be on the front foot and look forward to the beginning of the season. I want players who are going to be hungry and who want to be here. Where we are as a club, we’ve always got a lot of competition at this level with teams along the doors and where we are financially as a club, we’re down the pecking order. So players come here and see what the ambition of the club is and how we are going forward. Those are the positives and we’ll be a close tight knit group this term where the standards will be far better.”

He went on: “We certainly do not want to dwell on things from last year – you can’t live in the past, but you can change the future. The biggest challenge to the players is that it we have got to learn (from last year). People who know me know that I give my all and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I still think I’ve got a lot to offer in football, but I’m pleased to get the last six weeks out of the way because the close season is certainly not my favourite time.”

He added: “People have seen a lot of teams declaring signings and friendlies and you’ve just got to trust people – that’s a big thing. My message to supporters is that I’ve always had teams that play attractive football, but we are not going to sign someone for the sake of it – any newcomer has got to improve the squad. They have also got to be the right people – not just ability wise – but have the right attitude.”

He concluded: “In management, I’ve never relegated a team. Even at Seaton Delaval and Whitley Bay as well as in my ten years with Morpeth we improved every season. People can tell if I’ve won or lost a game and that’s what I want to instil into my players – it’s got to hurt them to get beat. I can accept defeat but it’s how you get beat and giving of your all.”

ORRELL SIGNS FROM CONSETT

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Jake Orrell said at the weekend that he is looking for a fresh start and is ‘buzzing’ about signing for Ashington.

The midfielder – who will turn 28 later this month – put pen to paper last week after joining the Woodhorn Lane set up following a spell of five years with fellow Northern Premier League East Division side Consett.

Orrell – who lists Blyth Spartans, Spennymoor Town, Hartlepool and Chesterfield amongst his former clubs – said: “Ashington have always looked like a good club from the outside so I’m excited about the start of the season – in fact I’m buzzing to be fair. I’ve had a couple of seasons now where to be honest I haven’t really enjoyed my football as much so it’s a case of pressing the reset button. Consett weren’t getting the best out of me and I wasn’t performing as well as what I could which was frustrating. Consequently, I’m looking for a fresh start. I’ve worked with the manager Nick Gray before when I was on-loan at Morpeth Town from Spennymoor and he’s a good bloke. He showed plenty of interest in wanting to sign me and that was good enough.”

For non-league players, the opportunity of playing on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium would rank as being the distinct highlight of their career. Orrell was no different after Consett reached the final of the FA Vase in the 2019/20 campaign.

The showpiece was against Hebburn Town but was deferred until May 2021 due to COVID.

Gateshead-born Orrell was hoping to savour the occasion – but unfortunately things didn’t quite pan out the way he had dreamt about as he recalls: “We were winning the game but 20 minutes into the contest, I went up for a header, got an elbow to the head and was knocked out. I was stretchered off – it was the first time I had ever been knocked out and of all places it was at Wembley!” Hebburn went on to win the game 3-2.

However, Washington-based Orrell – who runs his own barber shop- added: “The occasion itself was mint from driving in then going into the changing rooms where the Consett logo was on the floor. We also had our names on the back of our tops – it was class. However, the worst thing about it all was that because it was during COVID, there were no fans allowed and my wife and all of my family were watching it at home.”

Ashington manager Nick Gray said: “The squad is slowly and surely coming together and I’m really happy with the signings. I knew a couple of weeks ago that there was a possibility that we could get Jake onboard. I pursued it and Consett – through their chairman Frank Bell – were very good about it. Once I met Jake, we were both on the same page and he was looking to recharge his batteries and looking for a fresh start.”

He continued: “I had Jake on loan at Morpeth when he was at Spennymoor. He’s a very creative midfield player with the ability of making that final pass in the final third and has an eye for goal. I think we lacked a bit of creativity in midfield last season, and he’ll certainly add that. He wants to get on the ball and be brave and I know he will become a crowd favourite.”

JAY HORNSBY ON HIS RETURN: “I THINK I’VE GOT A BIT OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Jay Hornsby is delighted about returning to Ashington – stating that he has got a bit of unfinished business to conduct.

The 26-year-old defender was first to arrive through the doors for the start of pre-season training on Friday and said: “I’ve changed a bit but I’m over the moon to be back. If I’m being totally honest, I think I’ve got a bit of unfinished business. When I left six years ago, no-one knew what was going on at the club but I was always looking forward to coming back if I got the opportunity so I’m delighted to start again. I spoke with manager Nick (Gray) on a few occasions and I knew that I wanted to come back to Woodhorn Lane. Now I’m itching to get going.”

He continued: “When I left Ashington – my home town club – I always followed their results because I wanted the club to do well. When I was with Heaton Stannington last season, I knew what the stakes were when near the end of the season the Stan had to draw the game to stay in the East Division of the Northern Premier League. In that match I had just returned from injury. I came on with about 30 minutes to go and in the first five minutes I got another knock and ended up doing a stint up front! The Stan won the game but I saw the other results and was over the moon when Ashington stayed up as well.”

The injury ruled Hornsby out of the final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup against Morpeth Town at St James Park – which the Stan won after a penalty shoot-out: “I had played in the previous rounds but was not involved in the squad so I didn’t pick up a winner’s medal,” said Stakeford-based Hornsby who is a facilities manager for a property management company, “Nevertheless it was great to be amongst the group and a good experience at SJP – even though I’m a Sunderland fan! I did the warm-up and was knocking the ball around during the half time interval then afterwards celebrating the win with the rest of the lads.”

Nick Gray said: “Jay is a player who I have admired for five or six years – in fact since he was at Ashington the first time. I’ve always kept a record of what he has been doing and I’m delighted he has come back to the club. He’s the type of player who I know what I’ll get from him. He’s hungry; he’s a winner; he’s good in the dressing room and on top of all that he’s also a good player so I’m really pleased to get him on board.”

BOSS GRAY LOOKS FOR IMPROVEMENT

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Nick Gray has pinpointed ‘commitment’ as being a major ingredient ahead of the upcoming new campaign in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Speaking minutes before his squad reported back for pre season training, Gray said: “I’m really pleased with the way things are going because I’ve kept the players at the club who I wanted to stay. I think the key thing from last year is the commitment. We know what the league is about, we know what the travelling is and we know there are going to be local games. We have to got be 100 per cent committed because last year was a learning curve for all of us – it was disappointing for everyone, the club, the players and the supporters and we want to make this year a memorable one. People who know me know what I’m all about. I’ll always back my players and they will know what I need from them and if they do that, then we’ll be fine.”

He continued: “Squad wise it’s all about being patient. I’m looking to bring new players in before the start of the season and we are having a look at some promising young lads – but they have got to deliver in the training sessions and the friendlies. From a manager’s perspective, pre-season is the second worst time of the year – and it’s getting even worse with what’s gone from the end of last season until now. You can speak to over 20 players; you do a lot of miles and what gets done behind the scenes by a lot of management is hard work. Now it’s about the individuals – the players – as to what they get out of pre-season. It’s about fitness and players getting to know each other – and the lads will be under no illusion as to what I want from them. We’ve got friendlies lined up which obviously you’d like to win – but its not the be all and end all. At this time of the year some players have holidays, so you’ve got to mix and match but it gives you the chance to have a good look at the squad.”