By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison described the Colliers’ win over Bradford Park Avenue in the Emirates FA Cup at Woodhorn Lane as being a ‘day to remember.’

Harmison went into the contest with an extra spring in his step after helping Ashington Cricket Club to win promotion to the Premier Division of the North East Premier League.

And the 36 year old not only led from the front at Woodhorn Lane with a colossal display but also netted what proved to be a crucial second goal for the black and whites with quarter of an hour of the clash remaining.

Harmison said afterwards: “The result was brilliant – and we deserved to win. We knew about Bradford and that they were struggling in their league – whilst we were confident. Our manager Ian Skinner had been to watch them and reported back to us that there was no reason why we couldn’t win – and that’s the message which we took into the game. We had nothing to fear and had that belief that we could beat them and it didn’t matter to us that they were three levels above us because we’ve got players in our side that can easily play at that standard.”

He continued: “The early goal helped us and then for a period of ten minutes, we made them look ordinary. However, for some reason we took our foot off the gas and let them come into it with the wind. They had some quality on the left, putting balls into the box but we defended well as a team.”

Harmison was pleased to get his name on the score sheet with a looping header: “I looked to get a good contact on the ball and let the wind take it in,” he said, “Naturally I was delighted when the ball hit the back of the net because it put us 2-0 up and gave us a bit of a cushion. I thought we were getting tired and it showed in the last ten minutes which was understandable for a club at our level.”

He went on: “We are in the hat for the next round and with the exposure the club will get, it was a fantastic day. To get this far in the competition is not just brilliant for lads but for the fans and the club in general.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner has praised the ‘fantastic’ support his side received before, during and after their 2-1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue in their FA Cup clash on Saturday.

He said: “The supporters have excelled themselves again. With all the local football which was on in the area, they came out in their numbers and were fantastic. I’d like to thank them and also to those who came along for the first time from the town and cheered us on – let’s hope we get them all back again.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner revealed he had to make a ‘big’ decision ahead of his sides second qualifying round clash in the Emirates FA Cup against Bradford Park Avenue at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday which the Colliers won 2-1.

Skinner brought skipper Ben Harmison back into the team with Thomas Kalthoeber named amongst the substitutes – but the boss explained: “To be fair, I had a big decision to make – and Thomas Kalthoeber was unlucky today. Thomas dropped out at training on Thursday night with a little bit of an injury on his ankle. He reported this morning (Saturday) and said he felt fine – but I just felt that I couldn’t take the risk of playing him in a game of this size and potentially having to make a substitution early in the game.”

He continued: “With Ben Harmison available, I plumped for putting him into the side and to be honest I thought he was our man of the match today with his defending if I’m honest whilst he’s also popped up with a goal at the other end. It’ll be a little bit easier for Thomas to take knowing that we didn’t want to take the risk with him and that Ben (Harmison) has come in and done really, really well for us.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner certainly did his homework on opponents Bradford Park Avenue in preparation for Saturday’s second qualifying round tie in the Emirates FA Cup which the Colliers won 2-1 at Woodhorn Lane.

And after the final whistle, Skinner’s immediate thoughts were one of delight – for so may people connected with the club.

Skinner speaking within minutes of the win against the National League North side said: “I’m obviously delighted – for the players, for the club, for the fans and for all the hard work which goes into preparing for these types of games. Personally I’m not looking for any plaudits but the chairman (Brian Shotton) and myself drove down to Bradford on Monday evening to watch them in action against Darlington. I also managed to get a copy of every game in which they had played this season. I must have sat watching hours and hours of footage of them (Bradford) to work out how we could look at playing against them. Then you read comments about how it will be a great day for their strikers to boost their confidence because they haven’t scored many goals and I just thought ‘I’ll stick that piece of news on our dressing room wall!’

He continued: “One thing was uppermost in my mind – a way of how we wanted to try and play because we set up purely and simply to win the game – nothing else. I said to the lads ‘I think we can win it and I expect us to win to be honest.’ They (the players) were fantastic in training on Thursday. They showed some real quality in the final third around how we were going to play – so full credit to them because they have taken the information which they were provided with on board.”

On the first half, Skinner said: “For the early exchanges I thought we were the better side and deserved to go ahead. We had them rattled a little bit in the first 20 minutes then we just seemed to drop off a touch and invited them to have the ball. We knew their danger was big diagonal balls into their striker Jacob Blyth and then looking to get Brad Dockerty and others around him and playing off seconds – and they grew into the game and had a couple of chances. They had a goal ruled off in the first half but our ‘keeper Karl Dryden hasn’t really had a save to make and we’ve come in at half time ahead.”

He added: “We talked about one or two things at the interval in terms of being a little bit braver and staying on the ball a bit more in the way we usually play and combining and putting passes together. We knew there was a bit of a wind so when they (Bradford) tried to play a little bit more direct it (the ball) would hang up in the air. Again we fashioned some chances; Lee Mason was clean through and it was a good save from their ‘keeper (George Sykes-Kenworthy) then Mason has had a fantastic and technically brilliant strike which has hit the bar.”

With quarter of an hour remaining, skipper Ben Harmison added Ashington’s second with a header – and Skinner said: “I was right behind the effort and it was one of them where it was looping and you think ‘it’s in, it’s in’ – only it took an age for the ball to drop into the net! At 2-0, you think ‘let’s see if we can manage the game out’ but to Bradford’s credit – and it was a cup tie where they had to go for it – they started to cause us problems. The left back had real quality and started to get little three versus twos down our right hand side and they got balls into the box and from one which was half cleared, they’ve pulled one back. It wouldn’t be Ashington if we didn’t make things a little bit exciting! They had another goal disallowed for offside but then after that we managed to see the game out relatively comfortably and we’re in the hat for the next round.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said within minutes of his side knocking Bradford Park Avenue out of this season Emirates FA Cup after a merited 2-1 victory, that when the draw for the third qualifying round is made on Tuesday, that no team will fancy a trip to face his side at Woodhorn Lane.

An upbeat Skinner said: “Our club have got a group of players who play in the Ebac Northern League but without being disrespectful lots of them already have – and others could – play at a higher standard – and they’ve shown that.”

He continued: “People can say we beat Ashton United who are two divisions above us and that in the FA Cup things like that happen and it goes down as being a bit of a shock – well Bradford Park Avenue, who play three leagues above us, came to our ground on Saturday and we beat them as well.”

He went on: “I have already said that I’m hoping for another home tie in the next round because nobody will want to come here – we’ll be the team that others will be saying ‘I don’t fancy going up there!’

By Brian Bennett | Photo: Rachel McDonald

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner says he would ‘love’ another home draw in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The boss was speaking minutes after his side had produced another cup upset at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday when a crowd of 711 – which bettered the attendance in their previous round replay win over Ashton United – witnessed another piece of giant killing when the Colliers knocked out Bradford Park Avenue who operate three divisions higher in the National League North.

Skinner’s side got off to a flying start when Bradford defender Reece Staunton put through his own goal after only five minutes then with quarter of an hour to go, skipper Ben Harmison added a second. When Bradford substitute Will Longbottom pulled one back with eight minutes to go, it made for a nervous finale but apart from Eddie Church having an effort disallowed for offside for the visitors, the Ashington goal was never troubled.

Now the Wansbeck outfit eagerly await the next round draw which will be released on Tuesday afternoon. Traditionally it is conducted on the Monday after the cup ties but has been put back 24 hours with the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II taking place.

Skinner said: “I’d love it if we can get another home draw. I mentioned during the week leading up to the Bradford game that I fancied our chances against anybody on home soil and after claiming the scalps of higher league opposition in Ashton United and now Bradford Park Avenue at Woodhorn Lane, that’s what I’ll be hoping for.”

We very much look forward to welcoming one of our Football League rivals from the 1920s to Woodhorn Lane in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 17th September.

We will add various information about the tie and our history against each other to this page throughout the course of this week.

PREVIEW – BY BRIAN BENNETT

Ashington will bridge an 11 year gap on Saturday (September 17) when they host Bradford Park Avenue in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

However following the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II whose state funeral is on Monday (September 19), the club have asked supporters to keep in touch via their social media channels in case the date of the match is changed by any government or FA decision.

It was at the same stage of the competition in the 2011/12 season when Jamie Clarke headed a dramatic late equaliser to force a 3-3 draw against Vauxhall Motors at Woodhorn Lane.

The Colliers then won the rematch on Merseyside with a single goal by Andrew Johnson.

After seeing off Guiseley 1-0 at home, Ashington bowed out at the fourth qualifying round at Grimsby.

The first few weeks of this campaign have seen the Colliers progress after wins against Newton Aycliffe, Tow Law Town and Ashton United and the run has brought a buzz around Wansbeck.

After knocking out Ashton – who operate two divisions higher in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League – in the last round, Ashington meet higher opposition again with Bradford Park Avenue in the National League North, the same league as Blyth Spartans.

However, the Colliers were spurred on to a 3-0 victory in their replay against Ashton by a superb attendance of 671 and the Woodhorn Lane outfit will be hoping to beat that figure on Saturday where kick-off is 3pm.

If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will then go to a replay.

The club have confirmed that admission prices will be the same as in the last round and that supporters will save £1 if they book online in advance at the following link:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/bpafacup/ashington-afc-vs-bradford-park-avenue-afc-fa-cup

SKINNER: “WE FANCY OUR CHANCES AGAINST ANYBODY AT HOME” – By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner is looking for his side to make home advantage count when they take on Bradford Park Avenue in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday (3pm).

With all football postponed last weekend following the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, there was a doubt as to whether the cup tie would be played. However, earlier in the week Colliers secretary Gav Perry received notification from the Football Association that it will go ahead – with a one minutes silence being observed before kick-off.

Ashington boss Skinner said: “It’s an important game for us and one which we are very much looking forward too. Obviously we’ve done reasonably well to get this far in the competition and it’s another step forward from Ashton because Bradford are another division higher (than Ashton) – three above us. Its tough opposition but we’re at home and to be honest, we fancy our chances against anybody at Woodhorn Lane regardless of the level which they play at.”

He continued: “We’ve done due diligence on Bradford like we do with anybody we play so we know lots and lots about them – and no doubt they will have done a little bit of homework on us. So what I can guarantee is that we will be prepared; we’ll have a way in which we think we can play that will give us the best chance of getting a positive result. Certainly being at home and on our own patch, we’ll be looking to try and get the job done on Saturday.”

Skinner needs to check on the fitness of one or two of his players but Lewis Suddick, Max Emmerson and goalkeeper Kyle Hayes are all ruled out.

If the scores are level after 90 minutes then the game will go to a replay which will be held at Bradford’s Horsfall Community Stadium on Wednesday (September 21) with a 7.45pm kick-off.

CARTWRIGHT: “WE HAVE GOT A BIT OF A FREE HIT TO GO OUT AND SHOW WHAT WE CAN DO” – By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC defender Andrew Cartwright says he is ‘really excited’ about Saturday’s home tie against Bradford Park Avenue in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

It will be the Colliers biggest match in the competition for 11 years and apart from describing the contest as being a ‘free hit’ Cartwright reckons it is an ideal opportunity for the Wansbeck side to showcase their skills.

“I’m really excited,” said the 28 year old, “I think it’s a massive opportunity for the club, and the boys and I don’t think its one that’s unreasonable to ask us to go out there and give it a good go. I think we’ve got a good chance and why not? We’ve got a good team so bring it on. We’re at home which always helps and the last thing they (Bradford) will want is to travel up here and play against us. They are a team who are three leagues above us so all the pressure is on them whilst we have got a bit of a free hit to go out and show what we can do – and hopefully get through.”

Newcastle-born Cartwright continued: “We’ve got a lot of players who have played at the same level as where Bradford are so it doesn’t faze us at all to be honest. If anything it’s just a game that you look forward to and you relish because it’s an opportunity to prove what you can do.”

The Gosforth-based full back – a football coach – added that he would like to see a bumper attendance from the people of Wansbeck as the noise generated from supporters spurs the team on: “We’d love a good turn out,” he said, “It’s a great occasion for their local team and in the last game when we played against Ashton United in the FA Cup replay, they really got behind us. When the highlights go out and our goals go in, you can see and hear their celebrations which are class and it really makes a difference. Also knowing that people are paying money to come in and watch us play as a team, pushes us on.”

THE FIRST FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETING

Saturday 14th April 1923

Football League – Division Three (North)

Portland Park, Ashington

ASHINGTON AFC 2	BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 1
Billy Relph (2)	Gerry Fell
Manager: Committee	Manager: Tom Maley
1. Alex Davidson	1. Ernie Scattergood
2. Harry Featherstone	2. Tom Brandon
3. James Collier	3. Harold Hodgson
4. Albert Tubb	4. Harold Taylor
5. Jimmy Price	5. David Howie
6. Ridley Burton	6. Gerry Fell
7. James Soulsby	7. Ernie Thompson
8. Norman Hunter	8. George McLean
9. Tom Robertson	9. Bobby Turnbull
10. Billy Relph	10. Hugh Hubbert
11. Jackie Foster	11. Harold Peel

Report (The Blyth News – Monday 16th April 1923)

“COLLIERS” WORTHY WIN OVER BRADFORD – An Important Match

Ashington rose splendidly to the occasion on Saturday when they had Bradford as visitors to Portland Park in a Northern Section League game fraught with much consequence to both sides. The Yorkshire side aspire to return to the Second Division from which circumstances compelled their departure twelve months ago, which the Colliers are making every endeavour to avoid being the wooden spoonists of their combination. The position was therefore of the upmost importance to both clubs, and the result goes to show how little difference there is in the calibre of the sides representing the higher and lower rungs of the league ladder. The northern club is to be congratulated on the whole-hearted display they gave from start to finish, and the average supporter of the team can only sigh and wish that the methods adopted against Bradford had only been oftener in evidence. Swinging the leather about with refreshing vigour, the value of this method was shown to be much more productive than had been seen in many of Ashington’s previous games this season.

GOOD OPENING

The Yorkshireman fielded the same side that had been so signally successful in recent weeks but the home side had two changes. Colling coming in at the left-back again after his recent injury, while Tubb filled the right-half position. The local side opened in a reassuring way with the sun and breeze at their backs for Scattergood had to run out and clear several times in the opening minutes, while a good situation was spoilt when Robertson got offside. This advantage was only momentary however for Turnbull soon got his wings together and he was only inches wide with a fast ground shot. He came nearer when he struck the crossbar with a capital attempt from a freekick just outside the penalty area, the game settling down to a stern contest with both defences frequently under pressure. McLean shot high over the bar when in a good position, and Scattergood had to go full length to a freekick taken by Price, but he got the leather round the post for an abortive corner. He also saved splendidly by smothering a shot from Robertson’s toe, this corner also being of no advantage to the locals.

VIM BEFORE GOAL

The opening half had been well and evenly contested, but Turnbull made some excellent attempts to get through on restarting, two ground drives in as many minutes being safely dealt with by Davidson and the custodian made another great save from the visiting centre in the next few minutes. However the home quintette soon got settled down again, Robertson finding the firm footing to his liking. He beat the backs, but Scattergood came out and stopped his drive, the leather going to Relph who scored into a tenantless goal in six minutes. three minutes later the home centre again got through, but he struck the upright in attempting to place the leather out of Scattergood’s reach and Relph scored from the rebound. The visitors did not take these reverses lying down and for some time it was only fine defensive work the kept them out. Fetherstone unnecessarily handled at the end of fifteen minutes and from the freekick on the penalty line Fell headed the ball past Davidson. This success spurred Bradford to greater efforts and Davidson had several fine shots to handle, but the home attack developed fine form in the closing quarter of an hour and were the better side in this period.

HALF TIME: ASHINGTON AFC 0 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 0

FULL TIME: ASHINGTON AFC 2 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 1

IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE – HEAD TO HEAD

Between 1922-23 and 1927-28 Ashington AFC faced Bradford (Park Avenue) twelve times in Division 3 (North) of the Football League.

Overall the record stood at three wins for Ashington (all coming at home), two draws (both at home) and seven defeats.

Bradford (Park Avenue) had their only win in NE63 in their very last visit at the end of the 1927-28 season.

All of the Football League results are below:

Season	Date	Match
1922-23	14-Apr-1923	Ashington 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue
1922-23	21-Apr-1923	Bradford Park Avenue  3-0 Ashington
1923-24	12-Apr-1924	Ashington 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue
1923-24	19-Apr-1924	Bradford Park Avenue  3-1 Ashington
1924-25	17-Dec-1924	Bradford Park Avenue  7-1 Ashington
1924-25	18-Apr-1925	Ashington 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue
1925-26	14-Nov-1925	Bradford Park Avenue  1-0 Ashington
1925-26	27-Mar-1926	Ashington 1-1 Bradford Park Avenue
1926-27	09-Oct-1926	Bradford Park Avenue  2-0 Ashington
1926-27	26-Feb-1927	Ashington 2-2 Bradford Park Avenue
1927-28	22-Oct-1927	Bradford Park Avenue  5-0 Ashington
1927-28	03-Mar-1928	Ashington 0-3 Bradford Park Avenue

THE LAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETING

Saturday 3rd March 1928

Football League – Division Three (North)

Portland Park, Ashington

Attendance: 4,052

ASHINGTON AFC 0	BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE) AFC 3
	Bert Davis Ken McDonald (2)
Manager: Committee	Manager: Claude Ingram
1. Ralph Ridley	1. Jack Clough
2. Ted Ferguson	2. Bertie Manderson
3. George Hamilton	3. Tommy Llody
4. Joe Coombs	4. Harold Taylor
5. Jimmy Price	5. Billy Matthews
6. Frank Chipperfield	6. Don Duckett
7. Robert Robinson	7. Bert Davis
8. George Johnson	8. George McLean
9. Samuel Ball	9. Ken McDonald
10. Bill Watson	10. Arthur Hawes
11. Jimmy Randall	11. Alf Quantrill

LAST TIME WE MET – HOW THE WORLD LOOKED

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Tickets for the match can be bought in advance via our online ticket site which offers a discount of £1 compared to on the day entry prices. Of course, those wishing to wait until the day, can pay by cash and card at the turnstiles.

Online Sales

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/bpafacup/ashington-afc-vs-bradford-park-avenue-afc-fa-cup

Next Saturday (17th September) we welcome Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC to Woodhorn Lane in the Emirates FA Cup – Second Round Qualifying.

This will be the first time in eleven seasons that the club has reached the Second Round Qualifying of the competition and it would be great to see as many local people as possible get behind the team on the day.

The last time Ashington faced Bradford (Park Avenue AFC (with the exception of their reserve side) was back in March 1928 when both clubs competed in Division 3 North of the English Football League.

The first meeting of the clubs in the Football League was actually in April 1923, when Bradford (Park Avenue) visited Portland Park, the score on that first meeting was a 2-1 home win.

How can you help us?

To help us advertise this match, we have produced a poster which can be download and printed if you are able to display this anywhere. A PDF and JPEG (Image) format of the poster are available to download on the below links:

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets for the match can be purchased online via our Ticketing site which also offers a £1 discount compared to our standard matchday entry prices. Of course, you can still purchase your entry at the turnstile on the day if you prefer and our turnstiles accept cash and card. If you do want to buy in advance to speed up your entry, out ticketing site can be found at:

https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/bpafacup/ashington-afc-vs-bradford-park-avenue-afc-fa-cup

By Brian Bennett

Adam Johnson was delighted to get off the mark – after the striker netted his first goal of the season for Ashington in their 3-0 win over Ashton United in the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round replay at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

The 25 year old – who came off the bench just past the midway point in the second period – scored in the 82^nd minute. Yannick Aziakonou won possession and when Craig Spooner hit a long ball forward, it was back headed by an Ashton defender. Johnson – after running from well inside his own half – latched onto it before unleashing a brilliant left foot strike which flew into the net.

Ashington-born Johnson said afterwards: “I’ve had no luck so far as I’ve hit the woodwork and had near misses and as a forward it’s all about confidence. Once one (goal) goes into the net it seems as if all the pressure comes off your shoulders and you can play freely – and that’s how I feel tonight. I reckon I’m quicker than probably any centre half we’ll ever play against so if I can get half a yard, it’s just a case of taking my time, picking my spot and hitting the ball.”

Johnson admitted that once he struck the shot, he knew it was going to find the net: “When the ball came through to me, the defender almost caught me up so it was all about getting away from him. To be fair with the ‘keeper in the middle of the goal, the near post was vacant and it was one of those where as soon as the ball left my foot I knew it was going in.”

Johnson also applauded the fanatical Ashington supporters who encouraged their team throughout the contest: “They were our 12^th man,” he said, “They always are – and tonight they definitely played their part and made a difference.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner took time out from celebrating Tuesday night’s 3-0 replay victory over Ashton United in the Emirates FA Cup – to heap praise on the outfit who are based in Greater Manchester.

Ashton were blown away on the night by a sensational performance from Skinner’s side but the Colliers boss said afterwards: “I’d like to give a little mention to the players and staff of Ashton because across the two games, they’ve been fantastic. We’ve had some really good and honest discussions and they are a fabulous set of people who take the role seriously which is great. They (Ashton) want the best for their club – and are where we aspire to be. Obviously they are two steps above us in the pyramid and hopefully our lads can see from the two games we’ve played against them, that we are good enough to be at that level.”

He continued: “I’d also like to thank Ashton United for their kind words at the end of the game and wish them all the best for the rest of their season.”