By Brian Bennett | Photo: Rachel McDonald

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner lauded praise on Darren Lough after the defender turned in a sublime performance on his return to the side – and also scored his first goal of the season – in the 3-0 win over Redcar Athletic on Saturday.

Lough had been sidelined for the past six weeks after he broke two toes in the away match at Pickering Town at the start of February.

But on Saturday Lough came back into the starting eleven: “I trained on Tuesday and Thursday and with Ryan McKinnon not available, I was told that I may be needed,” he said, “I had no reaction from the sessions and it was a sink or swim situation. I gave it a go and everything turned out okay with my foot – the only problem I had was that I got a bit of a dead leg in the first half but I managed to get through it and played for 80 minutes so I was happy.”

The 33 year old lynchpin was equally pleased to open his goalscoring account: “Ben (Harmison) flicked the ball on from Andrew Cartwright’s corner and I was caught in two minds so I just went to head it and I was delighted when it hit the net,” he said, “At the end of the day, we got the win and a clean sheet which is just what we needed going into Saturday’s clash against Newton Aycliffe.”

Lough – one of a plethora of signings by manager Ian Skinner in the close season – is delighted he put pen to paper for his hometown club: “I’m enjoying it,” he said, “The lads are spot on – and we play some nice football at times. We can change it up and we’ve got some great players that know exactly what they are doing on a football pitch.”

Boss Skinner said: “Darren would have played the last five games for us with a couple of broken toes if he could – but we just needed to manage him. He’s probably done two and a half to three training sessions and for today’s trip to Redcar, we knew Ryan McKinnon was unavailable so we had earmarked this as a game where we potentially would like to get him back on the pitch. Darren being Darren, after training on Thursday when I said to him ‘let me know what you are like’ – his response was ‘if you need me I’m ready and I’ll play.’ He may not thank me for saying this but he’s what I class as an ‘old school’ player at this level in terms of he never wants to come off the pitch and wants to win every game in training. What you see is what you get with him and he gives you everything he’s got – and he even chipped in with a goal today!”

He continued: “Darren also played with a bit of a ‘dead leg’ after he took a whack in the first half. We had to keep him moving at half time so when we got that second goal, with two strikers on the bench (Lee Mason and Scott Heslop), it was an opportunity to freshen the front up a little bit. We managed to get Dan Maguire off to protect him a little bit and asked Ben Harmison to drop into centre back which we know he can do. We put the two fresh forwards on to try and chase down a few more goals and I was pleased for Lee (Mason) who took his goal very, very well. He has had limited game time of late but we know if he gets the ball in the box that he is a very good finisher.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner was delighted on Saturday night after his side had picked up another three points following a 3-0 victory over Redcar Athletic at Green Lane.

However the boss – who is always looking for the complete performance – expressed a tinge of disappointment after his side did not go on to make the score line even more emphatic!

Skinner said: “Our second goal – scored by Darren Lough – gave us breathing space and after that we really put our foot on the gas. We ended up scoring three but I was a little bit disappointed that we didn’t go on to make it five or six. However we’ll take a 3-0 win at a tough place like Redcar because they are a good side and not many teams will come here and win.”

Dan Maguire fired Ashington into an early lead with Darren Lough and substitute Lee Mason adding the others: “I just thought from the first whistle that we looked like we were going to be at it,” he added, “We started really brightly and within the first minute we got Jordan Summerly in wide left and he put a great ball across the face of the goal. We then scored a fantastic first goal with Dan Maguire doing what he does best, twisting and turning and cutting inside before he’s bent the ball into the far corner. For the first 20-25 minutes I thought we were in complete control then we lost our way a little bit. Sometimes in games you have too much of the ball in good areas and instead of players continuing to do what’s working, they decide that they will try to over complicate things and for 15 minutes it became a bit of a game whereby we didn’t play as well as we had started.”

He continued: “To be fair, we didn’t have a lot to say to the lads in the dressing room and second half we pretty much dominated the game – apart from one pivotal moment when our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made a double save. Obviously they (Redcar Athletic) have had a player red carded which is always difficult – but it’s equally as difficult to play against ten men as sometimes the dismissal can galvanise a team. However, after the sending off, I thought for about five minutes that we were very good in what we did. We kept the ball for long periods and took the sting out of the game and made Redcar have to move from side to side and made them have to chase it (the ball) and basically what you are psychologically doing is telling the opposition that it’s going to be a long second half!”

He went on: “Now we’ll dust ourselves down, train this week and prepare properly for our home game against Newton Aycliffe on Saturday (March 25). Fingers crossed we should be looking at having a full compliment of players including Ryan McKinnon and Adam Johnson who were both unavailable at Redcar.”

Kick off on Saturday is 3pm.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison scored his 18th goal of the season which gave his side a last-gasp win over Guisborough Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

And afterwards, Harmison – who netted with a header – was full of praise for his team mates: “We’ve got great character in the group,” he said, “We pushed and pushed and didn’t give up or think about taking a draw – and eventually we got the goal and the three points which we deserved.”

Harmison thought his side played some good football – but he was also left frustrated: “I was disappointed with our quality in the final third and the lads will be brutally honest and admit that it was very poor,” he said, “We just rushed things and lacked composure but in the last ten minutes we kept going and started putting some good balls into the box. We put pressure on and won the penalty and after stepping up to take it, Damo (Damen Mullen) was unlucky that the ‘keeper has parried it.”

However Ashington recycled the ball which led to Harmison’s winner: “Craig Spooner has put a great ball over to the far post because he had his back to us,” he said, “I’d like to think I’m quite hard to handle when I’ve got a run on the defenders – so I was pleased. Guisborough are a good team and they will beat a lot of teams but I thought we played some good football and moved the ball around. It was just in the final third where we were poor – and if we had been a bit better we could have scored a few more. It wasn’t until Paul Robinson came on and changed the game as he gave us width down the left hand side. Paul and Jordan Summerly were brilliant – they love linking up together – and they caused Guisborough loads of problems with two versus ones.”

He concluded: “We’ve got some tough fixtures coming up and we’ll continue to tick them off one by one.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that his side had left it late before they claimed their 21st league win of the season with a 1-0 verdict over Guisborough Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

The Colliers consolidated their second from top placing in the first division of the Ebac Northern League thanks to a brilliant header by skipper Ben Harmison in the final minute of the 90 and a delighted Skinner said afterwards: “We left it late at home again but we got the three points and that’s all I asked for before the game. We now have eight games remaining and know what we have got to do to achieve what we want to achieve.”

Skinner added that his side took time to get into the contest against a resolute Guisborough side “I didn’t think we started the game particularly well,” he said, “Guisborough were brighter than us – and they had two really big chances. Michael McGee was clean through and our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made a good save then Jack Blackford has hit the crossbar. It took us a while to get going but from the 18-20 minutes mark we came into our own, moved the ball a bit better and the theme of the game was that we got into some great wide areas but our final ball was below par. We scored a very good goal following a deep cross when Dan Maguire heads it back across and it comes off a Guisborough hand and Ben Harmison fires it into the roof of the net then for some reason, the referee has ruled that Maguire has handled it and disallowed the goal. However, although we came in level at the interval, we finished the half strongly.”
Skinner was happier with his side after the break: “Second half I thought we dominated large parts of the game,” he said, “Guisborough have sat really, really deep and tried to see if they could play a bit on the counter attack if I’m honest despite offering very little – and I can’t think of a save Karl (Dryden) had to make. We did really well in terms of managing possession. I thought we moved the ball and got into some key wide areas but that final ball let us down and as the clock ticks down you think ‘lady luck is not quite shining on us at the moment.’ Then we get a penalty and miss it and the amount of spot kicks we have spurned this season (five) is frightening to be fair. However there was a long, long delay from it (the penalty) being given to it actually being taken and that’s difficult to deal with physiologically. To our credit, we’ve kept the ball alive after the save by the goalkeeper and managed to hang a decent ball up to the back post – and If you want anybody to meet a ball hanging in the air from about three yards out at the back post, it’s Ben Harmison!”

Ashington now prepare for a trip to face Tow Law on Tuesday night (March 14) with the game potentially coming too soon for Scott Heslop and Darren Lough who are on their way back from injury.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC’s use of a Veo camera came up trumps last week when a panel reviewed the red card issued to Ben Harmison and overturned the decision.

The Colliers skipper was sent off after only quarter of an hour of his sides top of the table clash against Ebac Northern League first division leaders Newton Aycliffe at Moore Lane – a decision which left supporters flabbergasted and manager Ian Skinner ‘in shock.’

Woodhorn Lane secretary Gav Perry said: “On the Sunday following the match against Newton Aycliffe, we reviewed the footage and felt that the referee had made a clear and obvious error in sending Ben off. That evening we submitted the initial intention to appeal the decision to the Northumberland Football Association (NFA) and then forwarded the video evidence on the Monday. A hearing was set for Wednesday evening and at 6pm I received the outcome whereby the appeal was successful and the red card had been expunged from Ben’s record.”

Skinner was naturally delighted – but unhappy that video footage is the only way to contest a dismissal: “Ben Harmison should never ever have missed a game of football because of the red card and it was overturned – rightly so – and he was available to play for us on Saturday (against Guisborough Town). As a club we have invested thousands of pounds in equipment and subscriptions for our benefit to review performances, and we shouldn’t need to use this to be able to overturn a poor decision. If we hadn’t had a Veo camera last week, Ben would have been suspended.”

He continued: “My view on the incident hasn’t changed. I said on the day that it wasn’t a red card and the reason why I didn’t comment or make any noise was because I was in shock that the referee has even considered producing the red card. We are not a club that would appeal just for the sake of it but having reviewed the video footage, it only confirmed what I thought I saw in live play – that Ben has genuinely cleared the ball. I’m still disappointed that it was a decision made in what was quite an important fixture – first v second – and we‘ve ended up playing the best part of 30 minutes longer than they have (Aycliffe) with ten men and that probably showed in the end when they scored two goals in the last ten minutes.”

He went on: “I would like to thank the panel who took the time to look at it – and I thank our secretary Gav Perry for taking the time to clip the footage and make sure the case was put together and I’m just pleased that we have still got Ben for the remainder (of the season) and will not lose him for any games.”

Harmison said: “When I saw the red card go up, I was frustrated but you cannot say anything otherwise you risk getting yourself into more trouble so you’ve just got to accept it. I was shocked (by the red card) as no one was asking for it but I knew I would get off if there was footage available and the camera showed it wasn’t a red card.

I’m happy the club appealed – I would like to thank the panel – and I’m over the moon.”

Ashington AFC are pleased to offer a ticket deal for the final four home games of the 2022/23 season.

Backed by an amazing 488 average league crowd so far and 3,408 supporters through the door across five Cup fixtures, our supporters are leading the way in the Northern League this season.

With four big home fixtures to come we would appreciate all the support we can get as the lads look to keep in the promotion hunt. The first of those games is upcoming on Saturday against Guisborough Town (3pm Kick Off).

Ticket prices are £21 for Adults, £9.00 for Senior Citizens / Students and £3.00 for Under 16. That offers a saving of a full game across all categories.

You can buy your four game tickets online at the following link:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/package/asn4game2223/final-4-ticket

A poster for the final four games can also be downloaded here if you are able to print and display anywhere.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner could not hide his disappointment on Saturday night after his side had gone down by a 4-1 score line against Newton Aycliffe – the leaders of the Ebac Northern League’s first division.

Victory for Skinner’s outfit would have seen them leapfrog over their County Durham opponents on goal difference – but the Newtonians came out on top to go six points clear although the Colliers have two games in hand.

Ashington were forced to make a reshuffle before kick off when Andrew Cartwright pulled out through injury. Craig Spooner reverted to full back and Dean Briggs slotted into the midfield.

Both sides finished the first half with ten men. Ashington skipper Ben Harmison saw red after quarter of an hour and Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth followed shortly before the break.

Skinner said afterwards: “Obviously my initial reaction is one of disappointment. I was disappointed with all four goals which we conceded but if we look at it logically, what I did say before the game regardless of the result was that nothing would be won today and all we have lost is three points. People will be looking at it (the result) and thinking in terms of the final league table – but I can stand here now and say that if we win every game between now and the end of the season, nobody can finish above us – so it’s still all to play for.”

Reflecting on the match from kick-off, Skinner said: “I thought we started the game quite well and moved the ball quite well but then we have conceded a really poor goal where they (Aycliffe) worked a little three versus two in the wide area and the cross came in too early and it’s a free header at the back post so that was really, really disappointing. The second goal is totally avoidable after we gave the ball away which allows them to break and he (Liam Adamson) finishes it. We are 2-0 down and have ten men and you think ‘it’s going to take a big effort’ – but we’ve done it before this season ironically against Aycliffe in the FA Cup where we came back to win it 3-2 – albeit when we had 11 players on the park. Then we score after a good little quick movement where Dan Maguire has taken on his shot early to make it 2-1. We dominated for the final few minutes and didn’t want the half to end because we were right on top and had another couple of half chances to come in level.”

He continued: “Then half time becomes a little bit chaotic. Aycliffe have just gone down to ten men and haven’t had time to really re-adjust and from our point of view, we’re not sure how they are going to set up – so all we could do was to focus on ourselves. We talked about how we could cause them some problems – and being really brave going man for man almost out of possession and we would see how the game developed. We started really brightly and certainly dominated the ball although they had a couple of minutes early on where they tried to slow things down. We had lots of the ball and probed but never really threatened the goal enough and I think the big moment was where Dan Maguire has wriggled free and his cross-cum-shot has rolled along the line and hit Dean Briggs’s heel – and I don’t know how the ball hasn’t gone in. If we had scored then to level at 2-2, I think we would have go on to win it.”

He went on: “As the game draws on you are looking and thinking ‘we are going to have to start taking one or two risks to see if we can nick a point.’ Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Would I change anything? I probably wouldn’t make four subs all in one go like I did. If you think we’ve only got ten players on the pitch, I’ve changed 40% of the team so that was a big change to expect the subs to get straight up to game speed and be able to play and I probably should have split it into two twos. That said, after we made the changes, we did lose our way a little bit. I don’t know whether it was how we were trying to play but I was also disappointed with one or two players in how we ended the game. Towards the end – bearing in mind we were only a goal away from being in the game – we were certainly very poor in the two goals which we conceded late on. People might look at it and think it was because we were pushing forward to try and get an equaliser but that doesn’t wash with me – those two goals were massively avoidable and with the second half being ten versus ten, Aycliffe have beat us 2-0 and that’s not acceptable.”

On Saturday (March 11), Ashington are at home to Guisborough Town (3pm). Skinner will await a fitness report from Andrew Cartwright whilst Darren Lough and Scott Heslop are still likely to be sidelined.

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC midfielder Dean Briggs came off the bench to score the vital goal which gave the Colliers a 1-0 victory over a resolute Carlisle City side at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

And afterwards, the 26 year old said: “It’s about time. The last time I scored was at the end of August so I was buzzing to get the winner tonight to be fair. Paul Robinson has made the run and the ball has dropped to me and it was probably a good thing that I didn’t have any time to think about it – I just tried to hit the target and luckily it went in the bottom corner.”

Newcastle-born Briggs continued: “It’s been a pretty frustrating season for me with injuries and not getting a good run of games so I’d like to get a few more goals before the end of the season. We have a tough game on Saturday (at Newton Aycliffe) and it was important to get the win tonight.”

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner thought his side were full value for Tuesday night’s 1-0 win against Carlisle City at Woodhorn Lane.

From the midway point of the second half, the boss made changes as the Colliers could not find a way through a disciplined Cumbria rearguard.

And it was two of those substitutes Paul Robinson and Dean Briggs who combined – the former the provider and Briggs the scorer – to administer the knockout punch.

“We had to work hard – but to be fair we’ll have to work hard between now and the end of the season,” said Skinner afterwards, “Obviously we are in a good run of form so Carlisle City have come here tonight with a game plan to sit in and try to defend for their lives. They defended really deep; defended the edge of their box; tried to deny us space but let us have the ball whilst seeing if they could grab something on the counter attack. It’s not the first time we have seen that this season – it’s the first time in a little while – but it shows that people are taking notice of our recent form.”

Looking back on the first half he said: “I thought we moved the ball around our shape relatively well but it was just a little bit too slow and it allowed them (Carlisle) to get set behind the ball. We just needed to do things a little bit quicker and be a little bit braver – and our combination play in and around the penalty area, we just needed to take one or two more risks because I thought we played a bit safe.”

Skinner felt more at ease after the interval: “From the start of the second half, I thought we looked a little bit more bright and inventive,” he commented, “We did look to combine in and around the box and within the first couple of minutes we got in behind them (Carlisle); won a corner and built on it from there really. But as the game goes on, you start to think ‘is it going to be one of those nights?’ Then after a great ball across the box, the ball has dropped to Dan Maguire who has tried a little back flick and with everybody rooted, you are just waiting for the ball to roll into the bottom corner of the net – but instead it goes the wrong side of the post. We’ve also hit the crossbar but kept plugging away and then a little bit of Paul Robinson magic out wide, where he twists and turns; jinks one way then the other and gets that famous ‘chop’ and he rolls the ball to Dean Briggs who finished excellently into the bottom corner.”

He continued: “On performance I thought we deserved it; we had the lion’s share of possession and our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made only one save in the first half which you would expect him to make. Karl had to be alert and handle balls into the box or balls bouncing through to him – and he’s done that.”

He added: “I’m delighted with another three points; delighted with another clean sheet and we’ll look forward to training on Thursday and then travel to play Newton Aycliffe away on Saturday.”

*The meeting between the two sides at Moore Lane is without doubt a top of the table clash in every sense – leaders Aycliffe against the Colliers who are in second place.

However Skinner said his outfit will be treating it like any other game: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just another game of football,” he said, “We’ll do what we always do and approach it like any other match.” Striker Scott Heslop is ruled out with a foot injury but Skinner said apart from that, he will have almost a full compliment of players to select from for the 3pm kick-off.

By Brian Bennett

When Ashington midfielder Craig Spooner scored a brace in the resounding 4-0 victory over West Auckland last week, it was the first time the midfielder had found the net since the beginning of November when the Colliers won 4-1 at home against Whickham.

Now after being on target in Friday’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle Benfield, the 24 year old has notched three in two games– and says he is ‘loving’ his time at Woodhorn Lane:

“Friday saw another one for my tally – but the most important thing was the three points,” he commented afterwards, “I thought we made it hard for ourselves in the second half especially the last ten minutes or so when they (Newcastle Benfield) pulled a goal back but I’m delighted we clinched the win.”

He continued: “I’ll just take things game by game but I reckon I’ll get more goals as long as I keep getting into the right positions. That’s my target – to score as many goals as I can from midfield and to make sure we are definitely battling for the league but I’m absolutely loving my time here.”