By Brian Bennett

If you mention the town of Brighouse, a vast majority of people would immediately think of the World famous Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. Their famous rendition of ‘The Floral Dance’ which dates back to 1977, was a huge hit in the UK record charts – but on Saturday, it’s Ashington who will be hoping to hit all the right notes and play a happy tune.

After clinching promotion in the Inter step play off final against Glossop North End at the end of April, the Colliers are champing at the bit as they make a return to the Northern Premier League when they take on Brighouse Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday at (3pm kick-off).

Ashington manager Ian Skinner – delighted with his outfit after a 4-0 triumph against North Shields last weekend in the Emirates FA Cup – said this week: “We’re all looking forward to it. People keep asking me and it’s over 50 years since the club were last in the Northern Premier League so it’ll be nice to start the campaign at home (against Brighouse Town.) We’ll put the FA Cup to one side and we’ll obviously gather as much information as we can on Brighouse. We’ll train twice this week as we prepare for the game knowing that we want to get off to a positive start in our league programme.”

By Brian Bennett

Newly signed striker Wilson Kneeshaw couldn’t have painted much of a better picture on
his Ashington debut after scoring twice and claiming an assist – as the Colliers brushed
North Shields aside following a 4-0 win in their Emirates FA Cup clash on Saturday.

However the Darlington-born forward – an artist – also revealed that it was only after
speaking to a group of people – including some of his former Blyth Spartans mates who
are now in the Ashington ranks – that he decided to give things a ‘go’ after he fell out of
love with the game last season: “I hadn’t really played to be honest,” said Kneeshaw, “I
was at Shildon at the start of last year and fell out of love with football and it was only
after talking to Nathan Buddle, Dan Maguire and Damen Mullen – plus the gaffer
(Ashington manager Ian Skinner) – that I got back into it after they had sold the club to
me. I had a couple of training sessions but was surprised that I was starting this
afternoon (against North Shields) and it was a dream debut with two goals and an assist

• and a 4-0 win.”

So after a sparkling first appearance for the Colliers, has the success rekindled
Kneeshaw’s love for the sport? “After a performance like today you can’t not,” said the
29 year old, “I loved my debut. I’m happy to be here to try and help the squad and for us
to have a big push this season. For my first goal it was a natural finish and that’s why I’m
on the pitch – to score goals. However, my first touch wasn’t that good in training
because I was a bit rusty and when I scored today I was joking with the lads saying it’s
just bounced off me and gone into the net! For the second goal – it was just instinct and
it’s lovely to find the net.”

Kneeshaw made the fourth goal for Spooner and he added: “I’ve know Craig for a
number of years. We are good pals and I was happy that I could set him up for his goal.
Now it’s just a case of getting back into the swing of things. They are a really good group
of lads at Ashington and I’m excited to get going.”

Boss Ian Skinner said: “Wilson was somebody we were aware of. I’ve tried to sign him
before and it was one of those where we met with him and had a chat with him. He
wasn’t sure what he wanted to do because as he has said himself, he did drift a little bit
(away from football.) He went to Shildon and did well – then he drifted again and went to
play with his pals in the Alliance League and was scoring lots of goals. We spoke to him
earlier in pre season and he indicated that maybes it wasn’t for him and he wasn’t really
interested in coming back and playing at this level.”

He continued: “A few of the ex Blyth Spartans lads – Nathan Buddle, Dan Maguire and
Damen Mullen – also spoke to him and he said he’d come down and do a couple of
training sessions. You can see Wilson has got quality – and he said he’d give it a go. We
threw him in today and it’s a one of them where it’s sink or swim a little bit – and he
certainly swam and rode the waves! So we’re delighted for him and hopefully his
performance today is the first of many.”

By Brian Bennett

Cameron Gascoigne and Craig Spooner were both on the score sheet in Ashington’s
comprehensive 4-0 victory over North Shields on Saturday.

The duo opened their accounts in this season’s FA Cup extra preliminary round clash
against the Shieldsmen at Woodhorn Lane with Wilson Kneeshaw adding a brace.

But afterwards, Gascoigne and Spooner – whilst pleased to get off the mark – stressed
that the bigger picture was Ashington making progress in a competition which was
memorable for them last season.

That’s when the Colliers came close to a place in the first round proper only going out at
the last qualifying round stage to National League North outfit King’s Lynn.

It was a superb start on his debut for Gateshead-born Gascoigne. He joined the club in
the close season from Newcastle Benfield and netted in the 11 th minute: “It’s always nice
to score – but the main thing is about the team getting through,” said the 21 year old
afterwards, “The goal gave us the lead early on which settled us down in what was a big
game – the FA Cup – because there are no second chances. After I scored, I thought
we played to our game plan and I don’t really think they (North Shields) could handle us.
Wilson Kneeshaw’s first appearance was brilliant today and I think we did really well in
what was a good performance.”

Gascoigne described his goal which came from a cross by Spooner: “Your mind goes
into slow motion really because you can see the ball coming across and all you think
about is hitting the target,” he said, “I managed to do that and it’s brilliant scoring in front
of a big crowd. It’s a dream start to get off the mark especially when you are an
attacking player because it calms you down a bit and then you can just go and play your
game. Now hopefully I can continue to do that week in week out. I’m buzzing ahead of
our opening league game against Brighouse on Saturday and I think all of the lads are
as well. It’s a new challenge for quite a lot of us – but I think we are going to try and grab
the opportunity by the scruff of the neck and give it a real good go.”

Meanwhile Spooner, born in Ashington, put the icing on the cake with the fourth goal
and he said afterwards: “Getting through to the next round was the most important thing
but it’s always nice to score a goal. It was good to see the new lads come in and get off
the mark (with goals) which is always a massive bonus moving forward.”

The 24 year old described his goal as being the finish of a striker: “Dan Maguire played
Wilson (Kneeshaw) down the line and he kindly cut the ball back,” he said, “It took a bit
of a deflection but I’d like to think that with me being in the box and knowing where the
ball was going to come, that it was the finish of a striker!”

He continued: “It was a great start for us and hopefully we can take it into the season.
It’s always nice to kick off with a win no matter what the score but I think 4-0 is a pretty
good way to begin. It’s been a good pre season – we know the way we want to play –
and I can’t wait for next Saturday when we play our first game in the new league.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner was delighted on Saturday night after his side had
made a great start to the new season.

Skinner’s outfit were convincing in their 4-0 win over North Shields in the Emirates FA
Cup extra preliminary round clash at Woodhorn Lane with goals coming from Cameron
Gascoigne, Craig Spooner and two from Wilson Kneeshaw.

The boss wore a broad smile afterwards and said: “It was a really pleasing performance.
There’s always a little bit of trepidation when you go into the actual first competitive
game of the season and as North Shields had played a competitive game the previous
week, they were slightly ahead of us. However, I feel as if our pre season has gone
really well to be honest. Playing Morpeth and Workington in recent weeks were two
really good tests then we managed to play a bit of an in-house game on Tuesday night
just to top up everybody’s minutes and get us raring to go.”

Skinner revealed that he thought things ‘clicked’ even ahead of the kick off: “My
assistant Andy Coyles said it was the best warm up he had seen in his time here and it
just felt as if we were ready to go,” he added, “Our start to the game was really bright
and from the first whistle we looked to dominate the ball and create chances and I
thought for the first 10-15 minutes we were the better side. One or two people had been
making some noises – not necessarily within the squad – but from outside that we hadn’t
scored in the last couple of pre season friendlies so to get an early goal – which always
helps – settled everybody down a little bit.”

He continued: “However following the goal, I thought we lost our way a little bit and after
everything we had done really well to get a foothold in the game, we just dropped off a
little bit and probably started playing a little bit more direct than I would have liked. We
allowed Shields to have a little sneak and a sniff but then we got back on the front foot
and the second goal was a big plus. It was a great ball from Dan Maguire and I was
thrilled to bits for Wilson (Kneeshaw) who has come in at the 11 th hour. Scott Heslop
wasn’t available today and Wilson – who trained with us last week – was thrown straight
in. He hadn’t played a lot of football recently but I thought he took his goal really well and
that was probably a little flashback to the partnership which he had a few years ago with
Dan (Maguire) at Blyth Spartans – Maguire playing in Wilson to score.”

He went on: “We came in 2-0 up and it’s one of those score lines where the next goal is
huge because if North Shields get it and it goes to 2-1 its game on – whereas if we get it
then you’d like to think that at 3-0 we would see the game through. I thought we started
the second half brilliantly with some of our one and two touch play fantastic and it led to
us scoring a goal within the first 90 seconds. Then you think ‘let’s just manage the game
and look after the ball’ – and we did that. We added a fourth (goal) and made
substitutions and we’ve also asked one or two players to play in different positions that
are not really natural to them but if I’m being super critical of the lads I thought we got
really sloppy towards the end of the game. That’s something we’ll need to look at
because the level we are going into, if we get sloppy certainly in and around our own
defensive third with under hit passes, on another day we will not get away with it.
Therefore we need to brush up on it and make sure that we keep our standards right
throughout the 90 minutes.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington started the season with a bang on Saturday when they delivered a knockout
blow to local rivals North Shields after an emphatic 4-0 victory in their Emirates FA Cup
extra preliminary round match at Woodhorn Lane.

New signings Cameron Gascoigne and Wilson Kneeshaw featured prominently. The
former broke the deadlock early in the clash before Kneeshaw netted either side of the
interval before Craig Spooner added a fourth goal with half an hour remaining.

Colliers manager Ian Skinner had said before the game that he was anticipating a tough
match but Gascoigne’s opener on 11 minutes – strangely to be the first of only three
highlights in the first half – completely changed the dynamics.

Darren Lough clipped the ball down the left flank to Spooner who crossed into the
middle of the area to the unmarked Gascoigne who slotted home from eight yards wide
of ‘keeper Jonny Ball.

It was a dream start – and the goal certainly gave the Wansbeck outfit a boost to spray
the ball around with confidence and dominate proceedings.

Ashington’s second arrived in the 35 th minute when Dan Maguire played an intelligent
pass which released Kneeshaw through on goal and the striker made no mistake,
driving the ball past the advancing Ball.

Then with half time imminent, Ashington were awarded a free kick 30 yards out.
Spooner took it and whipped a delightful right footer which smacked against the inside of
the post and bounced clear.

However, the home side did not have to wait long before they added a third.

Just two minutes into the second period, Spooner raided down the left and when his
cross was smashed against the bar by Gascoigne, the rebound fell to Kneeshaw who
calmly stroked the ball inside the bottom corner.

Then just past the hour mark, Spooner made it four.

Maguire found Kneeshaw on the right and when the newcomer cut the ball back,
Spooner nonchalantly side footed into the net.

Midway through Thomas Potter fired over for the Robins whilst Ashington had
opportunities to go nap at the other end.

Ben Sampson and substitute Mason Hardy combined to set up Maguire whose shot was
blocked and when the ball broke to Hardy, he curled a low left footer narrowly wide.

In the final quarter hour, Ashington’s play turned sloppy yet five minutes from time, sub
Damen Mullen stroked past the post after being set up by Spooner.

*The Colliers will now travel to play Stockton Town in the preliminary round on Saturday
August 19.

*Ashington commence their programme in the Pitching In Northern Premier League on
Saturday (August 12). The Wansbeck side are at home to Brighouse Town (3pm kick-
off) then on Tuesday (August 15) make the trip to face Newton Aycliffe.

Ashington: Dryden, Dopson, Summerly, Ross, Buddle, Lough, Gascoigne (Hardy 62
minutes), Sampson, Maguire (Mullen 83 minutes), Spooner, Kneeshaw (Aziakonou 77
minutes). Subs not used: Exley, Coombe (gk)

Referee: Michael Moore

The first time the sides met was way back in the 1906-07 season in the first qualifying round of the cup. After a 2-2 draw at Ashington the sides met at what was then known as the Old Cycling Grounds, Hawkey’s Lane and this time Shields won by the odd goal in three.

In the wake of World War II on Saturday 16th November 1946, an estimated 2,000 Ashington fans made the short journey to Appleby Park by specially arranged trains and were part of a 7,600 strong crowd. The game was drawn 1-1 with the Colliers taking a 1-0 lead into half time after Homer headed a Farrington cross home with “the speed of a bullet”. Conway got an equaliser for Shields in the 57^th minute and was the best goal the journalist had ever seen setting up a replay at Portland Park.

That game played at 2.15pm on a Monday afternoon was watched by 4,000 and also ended 1-1 with goals from Fenwick (Ashington) and Fergusson (Shields). There was some controversy at the end of the game as the referee abandoned it due to failing light and poor conditions in extra time. The Colliers claimed, as it had said it should be finished that day, the replay should again be at Portland Park, Shields argued for a neutral venue. In the end the replay took place at St James Park in Newcastle. Poxton opened the scoring for the Colliers but the Robins ran out 3-1 victors with a hat trick from Tommy McGarry that sent them to Hartlepool in Round 1.

In the 1954-55 season the Colliers disposed of both Newburn and Heaton Stannington by six goals to one at Portland Park before drawing the Robbns. Ashington started the game in lively fashion with right winger Dowson causing Shields trouble. At 0-0 the Colliers full back Laws cleared two off the line with keeper Myers beaten. The Colliers broke the deadlock with an unexpected goal when Allen sent a fierce rising drive into the net. Turnbull made it two heading a  Dowson cross past the Shields keeper. The game ended 2-0 and the Colliers went on to defeat West Sleekburn Welfare 2-1 at Portland Park before losing at home to Scarborough 3-2.

North Shields got revenge the following season winning 3-1 at Appleby Park in the 2^nd Qualifying Round. Goals from Corrall (2) and Charlton made it 3-0 before Ashington got a late consolation through Turnbull. Shields again drew the Colliers at Appleby Park in the 1956-57 season and again ran out winners this time 1-0.

In 1957-58 the sides were again matched and after a 0-0 draw at Appleby Park the sides fought out a replay in Ashington. A crowd of 3,750 were present on a Wednesday afternoon in October to see Glendinning put Shields ahead after 7 minutes. Bobby Cummings drew the Colliers level on 51 minutes putting a half volley under the bar. On 65 minutes Crosbie gave the Colliers the lead and a third was added late on as Shields chased an equaliser.

After four consecutive seasons had seen the sides drawn together there was a nine year break before their next cup encounter. In the 1966-67 after a 2-2 draw at PP the Colliers traveled to the Coast for the replay. Shields opened the scoring on 10 minutes through Thompson but Linnigan had the Colliers level 20. Sproates put the Colliers ahead on 53 minutes before Thompson leveled with his second of the game. An own goal from Oakley had the Colliers back in the lead before Carr wrapped it up on 87 minutes when he slammed home.

The next tussle between the sides came in the 1979-80 season as they were drawn together at Appleby Park. North Shields under the watchful eye of John Tudor went ahead in the eighth minute through Lilley. They doubled their lead just before half time after an excellent three man move involving Rafferty, Lilley and Barker with the latter hitting a low shot past Jobey. The Colliers grabbed what would be a consolation in the 84^th minute through Brian Pringle.

The next and last time the sides met in the FA Cup was in the 2004-05 Season when North Shields had just been promoted to the Northern League second division and the Colliers the first. Ashington won the tie 1-0 with a goal from Mark Campell.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington go into Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie against local rivals North Shields at
Woodhorn Lane with manager Ian Skinner warning his squad that they face a tough
opponent.

However the boss said at the weekend that the prolonged run which his side enjoyed
last season – where they reached the last qualifying round before exiting the competition
away to National League North side King’s Lynn – will have no bearing this time round:
“The run we had was fantastic but we have almost a completely different squad this
season so it will have no bearing this time round,” said Skinner, “We have got a tough
draw – albeit we are pleased that we are at home – and we’ll be making sure that we are
prepared and ready to go. We have got one or two players unavailable but make no
mistake about it, the lads will know the importance of the game and come Saturday we’ll
make sure that we pick what we believe to be the best squad and best side which can
hopefully get us a positive result.”

Kick off is 3pm.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner, reflecting on the 3-0 defeat by Workington in his sides final warm up game ahead of Saturday’s curtain raiser in the Emirates FA Cup against North Shields, said he believed “there were lots of things to be pleased about.”

Skinner commented: “In the early part of the game, I thought we caused Workington one or two problems where they hadn’t really managed to get to grips with how we were trying to play and set up. We started quite brightly and were taking the ball in tight areas and looked comfortable to move it but probably the story of the game was our playing out and build up play which was really good. However, I just thought we got into some great areas beyond their midfield and in front and behind their defence but we were a little bit loose and a little bit slack in the final third. For all the good play that we did have, my criticism or downside is that we didn’t threaten the goal anywhere near enough as we should have done.”

He continued: “We came in at half time 2-0 down and both goals were really poor to concede. The first is a long range effort where we haven’t got out and closed the ball – but it actually came from us giving the ball away in a really good position in their half. The second is an individual mistake as was the third – and I take some of the responsibility for that because of what I am asking the players to do and the way they are trying to do it and I’d far rather they made mistakes today and learn from them if they were to be in the same situation this Saturday.”

He went on: “The three goals were avoidable – other than that I don’t think our goalkeepers have had to make what you would label as brilliant saves. Ross Coombe made a stop in the first half where he saved the ball with his legs whilst at the other end we haven’t worked their goalkeeper anywhere near enough. Second half when they (Workington) got to grips a little bit with how we were playing, they’ve probably been a little bit stronger than us and then a whole host of changes from both teams really disrupted the flow and I thought we just got a little bit loose towards the end. Even some of the good build up and approach play we had seen in the first half started to become a bit sloppy and in the end the game petered out a little bit and it became about managing minutes – but overall it was a really good work out.” He concluded: “I’ve got to say a big thank you to Workington for making the travel across and giving us the game and hopefully it was beneficial for them as well. I thought there were lots of things to be pleased about in our performance whilst there were also things to work on – like our creating and finishing in the opposition’s final third and cutting out or minimising those little mistakes which have cost us goals today.”

By Brian Bennett

Top FIFA, UEFA and Premier League referee Michael Oliver has been in charge of prestige matches over the years – but on Friday August 4, he will be the man in the middle at his hometown football club.

Ashington FC host ‘An evening with Michael Oliver’ in their clubhouse and tickets – priced at £17 which includes a pie and peas supper – are selling well.

Oliver is looking forward to the event and said: “It was nice to see Ashington have such a successful season last year and hopefully the club can kick on again but it is also pleasing to see how well they have developed under the leadership of chairman Brian Shotton, manager Ian Skinner and all of the volunteers.”

He continued: “Obviously it’s nice to come back to Ashington and hopefully the evening will help to raise funds. I’m looking forward to it”

Anyone interested in buying a ticket can purchase from:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/2324aewmo/an-evening-with-michael-oliver

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said he was ‘most definitely delighted and overall thoroughly pleased’ with the performance from his players after the 0-0 draw against Morpeth Town at Craik Park on Saturday.

Skinner commented: “Obviously it’s the first pre season game we’ve had against higher ranked opposition, It was good that the lads still stuck to the process; the system and the style in which we are trying to play and what today will do subconsciously is that it will show that the way we are trying to play works regardless of the opposition. I thought we dominated the ball for spells; I certainly thought we created the better opportunities and the only slight disappointment is that we haven’t taken some of them – and on another day if we had, we probably would have won the game.”

He continued: “I don’t get carried away with pre season results and what I’m pleased with is the minutes we have got into people. We have pushed players through 70, 75, and 80 minutes today which we needed to do. I also thought the way in which we looked after the ball and moved the ball and rotated position to cause the opposition problems worked really well. I was most definitely delighted with the performance – and overall, I was thoroughly pleased.”