By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC’s assistant manager Andy Coyles made it back to back promotions on Saturday when the Colliers brushed aside Northern Premier League West Division side Glossop North End 3-0 in the Inter step play off final.

At the same stage a year ago, Coyles who was manager of Ebac Northern League outfit Consett, successfully masterminded the Steelmen’s victory over Histon in Cambridgeshire.

Coyles said on Saturday night: “There’s something unbelievable about getting promoted via the play offs – it’s a totally different feeling to winning the league. Leading up to today, we made it hard for ourselves but at the end of the day, the objective at the start of the season for Ashington was to get promoted. So whether we won it outright or did it via the play offs doesn’t matter. However after travelling three hours from Ashington to play the game in Derbyshire, there’s no better feeling.”

As for the players, Coyles added: “They had a job to do and they did it in full. We said to them before the game ‘come back into the dressing rooms after the final whistle with no regrets – and not one of them had any (regrets) and that’s all you can ask for. We did what we needed to do. We managed the game from minute one to minute 93 and the lads were exceptional.”

Coyles described the away support as being outstanding: “You’d have thought that we were at home,” he said, “The support was outstanding. The fans were loud throughout; they sang for the entire 90 minutes and when we scored, the noise just gave the lads a bit of a buzz. They were incredible and were our 12^th, 13^th, 14^th and 15^th man today – 1000 per cent.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC midfielder Craig Spooner took his goals tally to a round dozen for the season on Saturday when he scored in the 3-0 win over Glossop North End in the Inter step play off contest in Derbyshire.

And afterwards, the 24 year old said that promotion to the Northern Premier League East Division – was the biggest achievement of his career.

Speaking minutes after the game, Spooner commented: “This is an unbelievable feat for the club – and especially the fans that have been absolutely brilliant so hats off to every single one of them who have supported us.”

Ben Harmison gave the Colliers the lead on the 26 minutes mark – but Ashington-born Spooner said: “I thought we dominated the first ten to 15 minutes and to be fair, we could have had two or three even before Ben put us in front. We knew they (Glossop) were going to come out fighting after the break so we wanted to get another goal and try and kill the game off.”

Harmison got the second – with Spooner quickly adding a third when he gobbled up a rebound: “Andrew Cartwright told me to be ready for any rebound,” he said, “He struck a great free-kick and when the ‘keeper spilled it, I was standing to right of the goal and put the ball into the near side. It was a surreal moment to be able to celebrate with all of the fans. It was then a case of game management and keeping things tight.”

Cramlington-based Spooner also described Karl Dryden’s save ten minutes from time as being the save of the season: “It was unbelievable,” he said, “But our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has been fantastic all season.”

Dryden’s superlative effort came in the middle of a torrential downpour and Spooner admitted: “If the rain had started 15 minutes earlier, I think the game would have been in danger of being called off – but thankfully we got through it. Promotion was our aim and we have done that. The cup run was an amazing bonus but this has been one of the best seasons I’ve had in football. It’s my biggest achievement and it’s a great feeling.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC boss Ian Skinner has exclusively revealed a message which was said to the players in the dressing room at half time of their prestigious Inter step play off final against Glossop North End on Saturday.

The Colliers bossed the game from start to finish and were worthy 3-0 winners with skipper Ben Harmison scoring a brace plus one from Craig Spooner.

The Wansbeck side led 1-0 at the interval and Skinner said afterwards: “We said to the lads at half time ‘Listen you have got an opportunity here to make life long memories which you can talk about for the rest of your life. You will go down in history in getting the football club out of the Northern League for the first time in 55 years so if you get the job done, embrace it and enjoy it – but I think the only person who hasn’t done that so far is myself!”

For the match preparations, Ashington were informed on Wednesday of their Derbyshire-based opponents Glossop North End and Skinner said: “It wasn’t about being able to watch them (Glossop) or tactics or about how they played – it was about our group of players going out there on the pitch and achieving what we set out to achieve on the first day of the season. They take the biggest credit and they should be lauded for what they have achieved.”

Since Brian Shotton took over the reins as chairman at Woodhorn Lane four years ago there has been an amazing transformation at the club and Skinner said: “I remember Brian Shotton giving me a ring and asking if I could help out – and I ended up in the dugout somehow! We can now look back to when we went into the last days of the season maybes looking for points to finish fourth bottom and staying the first division – to coming to Glossop today for our last game of the campaign knowing that if we got a positive result then we would be promoted! Where this club were four years ago when the chairman (Brian Shotton) took over and where the club is now, the turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Skinner also had a word to say to the club’s supporters: “If I had a little message for them it would be: “We’ll need equally as many and more of them next season because it’ll be tough. Obviously we are stepping up a league and I’m not wanting to dampen spirits so soon after the final whistle today (at Glossop) but we’ll need the fans to stick with us and keep coming in their numbers to help the club move forward – and I’m sure they will do that.”

He concluded: “I’m going to enjoy a rest now – but no doubt I’ll wake up and the hard work will start again!” *Meanwhile just before the Ashington team coach set off on their homeward journey, there was a nice touch when Glossop chairman Dave Atkinson stepped onboard and wished the Colliers ‘all the best’ for the future.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC skipper – delighted after seeing the Colliers clinch promotion to the Northern Premier League’s East Division after a 3-0 victory over Glossop North End on Saturday, said afterwards that the players at the club had successfully delivered what they set out to do.

Harmison – who took his tally of goals for the season to 24 with a brace in the showdown – commented: “We said at the start of the season promotion was our aim – and we’ve done that – and with the team and the talent we have got at the club, we had to get over the line. Personally, I’m over the moon but I’m pleased for everyone else and it’s a brilliant achievement. I have just seen our chairman Brian Shotton and manager Ian Skinner who put a good team together – and the players have delivered but I’ve watched the supporter’s coaches leaving the ground and the fans are absolutely ecstatic. In big games the lads have been brilliant and we have given the fans something to cheer about all season and they have been right behind us. It’s more for them to be fair and it’s quite emotional.”

Harmison scored the opener – and said: “It had been coming for about 20 minutes. On numerous occasions we got down that left hand side and Paul Robinson and Jordan Summerly love playing together. Their passing and movement is excellent and they just know everything about each other’s games. One good ball by Jordan beat the defender and the ‘keeper and I just got on the end of it. The goal settled us down a little bit and we needed a second – but we didn’t hide the fact or sit back. We knew we were going to try and kill the game off. We did by scoring twice in the space of a few minutes and to be honest we could have added more.”

It was midway through the second half when Harmison notched his second which was quickly followed by one from Craig Spooner and the skipper added: “I think the rain helped a little bit because the ball sort of skidded through. They (Glossop) stepped up and I was hanging around for anything which came back in and when Ben Sampson slotted the ball through, I put it in the bottom corner. For the third goal, it was a great free kick from Andrew Cartwright because he struck the ball so hard and I’m pleased for Craig Spooner because he has been brilliant all year.”

Harmison also praised ‘keeper Karl Dryden: “It’s gone under the radar how good Karl is,” he said, “He came for everything and caught it and that save he made ten minutes from time was breathtaking and took the pressure off us. Glossop were quite good from set pieces but Karl (Dryden) was brilliant and we defended well. I thought we showed again that we can play against opposition in the Northern Premier League quite comfortably and they (Glossop) couldn’t handle us at all.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that promotion to the Northern Premier League ‘hadn’t sunk in yet’ – following his sides emphatic 3-0 win over Glossop North End in the Inter step play off contest at Surrey Street on Saturday.

“The players have got this club out of the Northern League today,” he said, “Its 55 years since Ashington were last in the NPL and I’m delighted for everybody. A few people said to me this week about the nerves going into the play offs whilst others commented that its sometimes the best way because its the occasion of a one-off game and you know at the end of it what the outcome is.”

He continued: “First and foremost, credit has got to go to the players because they have done the job which I challenged them to do. The aim at the start of the season was to get promotion. I seriously thought we could achieve that and we’ve done it – but I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet! Each and every one of the players deserves a massive pat on the back. Without being disrespectful, our lads were comfortable and convincing winners today and the only disappointing thing was that we were only 1-0 up at half time for all of our good play.”

He added: “Second half it’s a little bit of a stick or twist situation. We wanted to stay on the front foot and we talked about the quality we had showed in the first half. We wanted to score a second and make things a bit more comfortable for ourselves whilst they (Glossop) were always going to have a go. They did so for five to ten minutes but our second goal settled us down followed by the third and then I’m thinking ‘we should get the job done.”

On the eve of the game, England and Durham’s Ashington-born pace bowler Mark Wood sent a good luck message to the club via a video link whilst on the day, Tommy Charlton, brother of Bobby and the late Jackie, travelled to cheer the Colliers on.

Skinner said: “I’ve got to mention our supporters. We have averaged attendances of over 500 at Woodhorn Lane – which is phenomenal. They have backed us all the way (including our run in the FA Cup) as well as on our travels plus here again today. I’m just delighted for everybody – the town; the club plus individuals and volunteers who give up numerous hours like Gav Perry, Brian Robson and Alan Brown. I’d also like to give a special mention to Neil Cooper and Lee Anderson – people who didn’t quite end the journey with us. They were both part of it (the journey) but unfortunately for various reasons didn’t see it through – but they helped us to almost the half way point so they can be proud that they were part of this.”

Poignantly he concluded: “We have lost some really key people and big supporters this year which is always sad. I’ll not name them all individually in fear of missing one or two but for all those who we have lost – and it seems to have been a tough season with probably five that I can think of – hopefully they will have been looking down on us and have helped to carry us through.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner has said that the pressure is on opponents Glossop North End when the two sides meet in the inter step play off clash in Derbyshire on Saturday.

Glossop finished third from bottom of the Northern Premier League West Division and Skinner said: “It’ll be a decent drive down on the coach in what is a one off game where anything can happen. We’ll prepare properly; we’ll go down there and hopefully give a good account of ourselves. However, it’s a one of those situations where the pressure is on them. They play at a higher level than us but we will look at the fact that we’ve won a lot of football matches this season whilst they will not have won too many – that’s why they are in the position they are in – and we’ll try and use that to our advantage.”

He continued: “As for my group of players – I question them; I challenge them; I sometimes get after them and it’s just because I personally feel that we are the best team in the league. However, I also believe that at the end of the season the table doesn’t lie and it says we are the second best team in the league to Newton Aycliffe. They went on a fantastic run and won 20, drew one and lost one of their last 22 games so fair play to them and they were are worthy champions.”

He went on: “I’m delighted that we’ve still got a shot at promotion. The players have rested up a little bit this week – but we’ll be doing some homework on our opponents with one game of our season to go.”

Meanwhile Ashington’s Paul Robinson and Kyle Hayes have already faced Glossop. Robinson was in the triumphant Whitley Bay side that beat the Peakites 2-0 in the 2009 FA Vase final at Wembley. The midfielder also played in a pre season friendly for the coast outfit against Glossop three years later – on the same day as goalkeeper Hayes played as an outfield player!

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC boss Ian Skinner, caught up in the emotions after watching his side reach the play off final following their 1-1 draw against Bishop Auckland on Saturday, lauded his squad of players – but also gave the highest praise to the club’s supporters: “The players were excellent and I’ve rightly given all of them pats on the back,” he said, “but as for our supporters – I thought they were brilliant once again. Listen I can mention them (the supporters) every single day of every single week because they are tremendous. They came down here (Bishop Auckland) in their numbers and made loads of noise again today and I’m delighted that the lads made sure that they went across to see them after the final whistle. I also made a point of going to see them myself and I tried to shake as many hands and high-five as many of them as I could just to say thank you. Their support is really appreciated and it really does make a difference.”

The boss has called on the fans for one last push in the play off final on Saturday (April 29). He added: “My message to the supporters would be: ‘there’s one game to go – if you can get on the road and follow us again and if we can get over the line, we’ll have one heck of a party on the way home.”

Tickets for the club coaches to Glossop North End can be purchased on the following link:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/asn2223ispo/coach-travel-inter-step-playoff-match

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Skipper Ben Harmison said the Ashington players were always confident they would score in their crunch match against Bishop Auckland on Saturday which finished 1-1.

Craig Gott scored with a penalty for the two blues on the half hour mark before Andrew Cartwright levelled matters in the 62^nd minute when he was also on target from a spot kick: “We just had to get the ball down and play and we knew that the goal would come,” said Harmison, “We knew we needed to score but we had to be patient and Carty (Andrew Cartwright) has got us back on terms.”

Ashington led Bishops by two points before the game and knew a draw would cement their place in the play off: “Our aim was to come to Bishops and make sure we had another game next week in the play off,” he said, “We didn’t come here just for a point – but we were happy to take one! I thought both teams probably got a bit nervous. The first half was a little scrappy but after the break, I thought we absolutely destroyed them and on another day could have scored four or five. We’ve had loads of chances but the Bishops ‘keeper (Ryan Catterick) has had a great game.”

Harmison – Ashington’s top scorer with 22 in all competitions – missed two glorious opportunities himself to add to his tally in the second period and said: “For the first, it was a great ball in from Jordan (Summerly) and I just wanted to make contact for the header and go back across goal but the ‘keeper got it. The second one, Scott Heslop has put me in and I should have taken a touch really.”

Harmison thought three games in a week took its toll on the players: “I was really, really tired,” he said, “We showed heavy legs on a heavy pitch and the way we finished was probably because we had had a game on the Tuesday and a bit of fatigue had set in – but we got over the line and we’re all delighted.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Andrew Cartwright confidently stroked home a penalty which booked Ashington their place in the play off final this coming Saturday – then the 28 year old defender said he’s a stranger to taking spot kicks!

Trailing to a first half penalty converted by Bishop Auckland skipper Craig Gott, Ashington simply had to get back on level terms as a minimum requirement if they wanted to keep their promotion hopes alive and Cartwright’s right foot did the trick.

“I don’t normally take them (penalties) but we’ve had a few takers this season and when we got the award, I stepped forward and was delighted when the ball hit the back of the net,” said the Newcastle-born defender, “We couldn’t believe it when the penalty was given against us in the first half but we’ve got a group of players who have got character and we know that if we go behind in a game, we can come back.”

Gosforth-based Cartwright – who runs his own football coaching company – could have added a second near the end with a free-kick: “The ball was going in but the ‘keeper (Ryan Catterick) made a great save,” he said, “To be honest I thought we deserved to win comfortably in the end because we played really well and had loads of chances in the second half to put the game to bed. They (Bishop Auckland) dug in to be fair but I just think we have got so much quality and when our attitude and desire is right then nobody should beat us. Second half we were fantastic and some of our football and some of the little link up play on the edge of the box to get people ‘in’ was excellent.”

Cartwright said getting to the play off final is amazing: “We are looking forward to the game,” He said, “It means everything to the players, the club and the community so hopefully we can kick on and take the club out of this division.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner was ecstatic on Saturday after his side had secured a 1-1 draw against Bishop Auckland.

The result saw the Colliers march into a one-off play off place this Saturday – and what’s more they thoroughly deserved it.

Skinner said afterwards: “I’m delighted because we achieved our objective. That was to make sure we had another game left this season (play off) in a match which could potentially see us promoted and move out of the Northern League. However I’m disappointed that we haven’t won today’s match to be honest when you look at the chances we had. Their goalkeeper (Ryan Catterick) has made three brilliant saves and on top of that we have missed three gilt edged chances.”

The boss was aggrieved after a penalty was given against his outfit on the half hour: “I didn’t we started particularly well,” he said, “We played a little bit too direct in the first 10-15 minutes but when you come away from home, you just want to play your way into the game. It was a bit of a nothing clash although I thought Paul Robinson had a great little chance where they (Bishop Auckland) got a block on. Then we went a goal down to a penalty and I thought it was a poor decision but it’s a one of them which you see in the modern game. Robbie Dale has stood with his hands above his head as if to say I’m not touching him (the player) and not going anywhere and I’ll be honest, when the referee blew his whistle, the first thought in my head was that the player – who had already been booked – could be sent off. When the referee gave a penalty I couldn’t quite believe it to be fair and then when Andrew Cartwright was sin binned for remonstrating about the decision, I just thought ‘here we go again.”

Skinner was happy with how his side played during Cartwright’s absence: “For that ten minutes period when we were down to ten men, we actually played our best football in the first half because we knew we had to be patient in the build up and had to play and move the ball,” he said, “The first half petered out although they (Bishop Auckland) had a spell at the end where they looked threatening.”

The boss thought his side were the better outfit after the break: “We didn’t say an awful lot at half time other than that we had 45 minutes to right the wrongs,” he said, “We wanted our build up to be more patient and actually to get back to doing what we’ve done all season – which is to get the ball down; move it and pass it and maybes not fall into the trap of going too long too early. I thought second half we were the better team. We controlled possession better than they (Bishop Auckland) did; we created numerous chances and on another day they couldn’t have argued if we had ran out three, four or 5-1 winners.”

He added: “Obviously for the last five minutes of normal time – plus the five which the referee said were going to be added on – things are going to become a little bit hairy and scary because they (Bishop Auckland) knew any goal would have seen them go into the play off whilst we knew that as long as we didn’t concede then we were through. It was hands to the pump really in terms of making sure we defended because they were always going to throw the ball forward in the hope that something would drop and they had a half chance which flashed just wide. We got Dan Maguire ‘in’ and the ‘keeper has made a great save again but we were just hoping to hold out – and we have done that.”

Meanwhile defensive lynchpin Darren Lough was forced to leave the field in stoppage time with a facial injury and Skinner said: “I’ll need to check on him for next Saturday and we wish him all the best in his recovery.”