Photo: Ian Brodie

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s Lewis Suddick netted the winner against his former club Bishop Auckland on Saturday as the Colliers wrapped up a 2-1 victory at The dwmedia Stadium.

It was Suddick’s third goal in five matches since he put pen to paper for Ian Skinner’s side and significantly was the first which resulted in the Wansbeck side picking up points after his previous strikes came in the 2-1 defeats – and consecutive matches – against Sunderland Ryhope CW (on his debut) and North Shields.

But whilst he was delighted to score what proved to be the decisive goal midway through the second half, North Shields-born Suddick, who lives in the town, declared that the only thing which mattered was the result: “It was a really good feeling to score and especially the winning goal – but the most important thing was for us to get back to winning ways,” he said, “everyone in the dressing room knows the quality we have got even though some of our recent results haven’t really reflected that.”

The 24 year old – a PE teacher – described his strike: “I caught the ball lovely and as soon as it left my foot I knew it was going in,” he added, “I had a few chances today so I’m really glad that one of them went into the back of the net – and luckily for me it was the winner!”

Suddick was impressed with the display from Ashington after Matty Waters had opened the scoring for Bishop Auckland with an outrageous strike: “They (Bishop Auckland) scored a really good goal and sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up, and to be fair to the lad (Matty Waters) he’s hit an absolute worldy,” said Suddick, “but what our supporters saw from us today was a more disciplined performance without the ball and I thought we did really well in terms of being harder to break down and finding the right balance between staying tight and keeping their chances down to a minimum whilst we played some really expanse football at times which culminated in two really good goals.”

Suddick also believes Ashington have learned quickly: “The previous week at Whickham, we were 3-2 up and should have seen the game out,” he said, “I think we have learned from that with the way we ‘managed’ the game today in the last 10-15 minutes. We really killed the game off and made it hard for them (Bishop Auckland) to get back into it so it was a more mature performance from everybody.” Ashington FC boss Ian Skinner said: “Lewis (Suddick) has been great since he came to the club. I knew he would want to do really well against his former club and he’s popped up with what turned out to be the winner. Lewis has got real quality and is technically very, very good. He’s chipped in with goals – that’s three in five matches – so you can’t argue with his goals per game ratio. I was pleased he scored today and I think he was too – judging by his celebration! Lewis is somebody who we’ll be looking to try and pin down long term – because he’s also the type of player that we’ll be looking to try and build the side around.”

Photo: Ian Brodie

By Brian Bennett

Thomas Kalthoeber played a significant role on Saturday as he was involved in both goals as Ashington came from behind to win 2-1 win against Bishop Auckland at Woodhorn Lane.

And afterwards, the 20 year old defender – who slotted in on the right hand side of the back four – revealed that although he was delighted to earn a recall to the side, it nevertheless came completely out of the blue.

“I was pleased to get back into the team – but I wasn’t expecting to return at full back,” said Kalthoeber who had a spell with Percy Main Amateurs – members of the Northern Alliance League – earlier in the season, “I hadn’t played in that position (full back) since I was at Ashington last term and to be honest I thought I would be on the bench.”

Newcastle-born Kalthoeber was heavily involved in the action and described his involvement in the two goals: “They (Bishop Auckland) kept utilising the other flank which allowed me to have a lot of space on my side – so I kept driving forward to try and beat my marker and to create things,” he said, “For the equaliser, I took a throw in which went over the head of the centre half and Adam Johnson has spun his marker and crossed for Bobby (Taylor) to nip in and score. A few minutes later, I got the ball out wide. I drove forward against the left back, cut inside and played it (the ball) with the outside of the boot to Lewis (Suddick) who applied a really good finish for what turned out to be the winner. I was really happy with the result especially after we lost when we should have won at Whickham the previous week in horrible conditions.”

Kalthoeber – who is based in Longbenton – is hoping to get the nod for the away game against Newcastle Benfield at Sam Smiths Park on Saturday (February 26) but knows there is competition for places: “I got my opportunity and hope I did enough to keep the shirt – but I’ll just have to wait and see,” he added. Ashington FC boss Ian Skinner said: “Thomas (Kalthoeber) played really well today. The only reason we took him off with 20 minutes to go was because he was getting into great positions and covering a lot of ground down the right hand side but he took a couple of heavy knocks and just seemed to be tiring a little bit. We were getting lots of space and lots of opportunities to attack Bishop Auckland down that side and we thought a fresh pair of legs might help. As it happened when we changed, they (Bishop Auckland) altered their shape a little bit and ended up with two players in the wide area because they tried to play 3-5-2 which meant we could play two versus one against them (in wide areas). Then they changed to a 4-3-3 so they had two players in the wide areas which made it a bit more difficult for Liam Doyle (who had replaced Thomas) to get out. However, Thomas should be really, really pleased with his performance. He played a couple of games at centre back for us after coming back from Percy Main and performed really well and was probably a bit unlucky to drop out of the side when Curtis Coppen came back in. Today I asked him (Thomas) to play right back which he’s no stranger too as he’s played a number of games there before.”

The EBAC Northern League Management Committee has decided to run two separate cup competitions for Division One and Division Two.

Previously the plan was to run the Brooks Mileson League Cup which is for teams in both divisions, along with the Ernest Armstrong Cup which is just for Division Two clubs.

However, the two competitions were suspended before the first round matches due to uncertainty over the pandemic and the weather affecting the league fixture programme. The League Cup will now be replaced by a cup competition just for Division One clubs.  This is due to the pressure of fitting all the ties for a competition for teams in both divisions alongside league matches, which are the priority.

The draw for this has been made, and Ashington will travel to Thornaby in a Second Round match on Wednesday 9th March.

The full draw is as follows

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner said after the 2-1 victory over Bishop Auckland at The dwmedia Stadium on Saturday that he was looking forward to watching the video footage of the game – after revealing that he missing his sides equaliser scored by Bobby Taylor!

The boss – wearing a broad smile – commented: “The most pleasing thing was that we bounced back from a disappointing reverse at Whickham last week – with a win. The players have done that on a number of the occasions this season – except the 2-1 defeat at home to North Shields – where they have hit back with a positive result following a defeat so fair play to them. I thought we played really well in spells today but another aspect which left me happy was that after having a bit of a discussion about being a bit more difficult and a little bit more solid to play against and trying not to give away as many avoidable goals as we have done in recent weeks, the players took that on board. However, what we have got to bear in mind is there is a trade off which comes with that. So today we may not have been as fast flowing and as slick as we have been in previous home games – although in the first half I thought we played some lovely sweeping moves and one touch play where we have switched the ball from right to left – and that’s because we need to get the balance right. If we are going to be a little bit more solid and a little bit more difficult to play against then obviously that will come at the expense of us being as expansive and free flowing as we have been.”

He continued: “I thought Bishop Auckland – who came to us unbeaten in their last four games – scored with probably their only shot on target and again it was an error that wasn’t avoidable but to be honest, that’s sometimes the way it goes against us. It happened at Whickham where Curtis Coppen cleared the ball and it bounced off the Whickham player and into the net. At 1-0 behind today I didn’t panic too much. Obviously the goal came really early into the half – but we still had a lot of time to get back into it. And to be fair we did, turning the game around by scoring two good goals. I have to be honest and say that I was contemplating changes and scribbling notes in my notepad when the equaliser went in so I actually didn’t see it – so I’m delighted that I can watch the game back! When Bobby (Taylor) scored to bring us level, from a managerial point of view, it changes things a little bit but not completely – whilst the second goal is a good move which was finished off really, really well by Lewis Suddick.”

He went on: “Another pleasing thing was that they (Bishop Auckland) had one chance where there has been a bit of a scramble and our ‘keeper Adam McHugh has made a fantastic save to be fair really close to him and we’ve managed to scramble it clear. Other than that, we limited Bishop Auckland to very little and near the end when the board went up to show there was to be four additional minutes, I thought we managed the game really well. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea to keep possession deep into their half and in and around the corner but the way things have been going for us of late where we had only won one in four – albeit that performances in a couple of those defeats were really good – we just needed to make sure we won the game. The lads showed great character to come from behind to win at home in front of another noisy crowd and send our supporters home happy.”

He concluded: “Overall I was really pleased that we got back to winning ways but we now need to go on a mini run starting at Newcastle Benfield on Saturday. We will be looking to go there and be equally as difficult to play against and see if we can get a positive result. I say to the players ‘enjoy it when you win – go away and enjoy the rest of your weekend knowing that you have picked up three points.’ So we’ll come back in for training on Tuesday and Thursday ready to work hard as we prepare for Saturday’s trip.” Midfielder Paul Robinson should be available to return to the squad but Tom Bramley and Max Emmerson remain sidelined.

Photo: Keith Saint

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s Tom Bramley could be excused for not knowing which way to turn after picking up a freak injury which has left him on the sidelines – almost six months later!

The 24 year old defender revealed that the ankle knock which he sustained in a friendly for the Colliers against Durham University is the first injury he has ever picked up in his footballing career: “I snapped the ligaments in my ankle,” said Wallsend-born Bramley, who is also based in the town, “It’s been an up and down kind of road for me so far because just when I thought I was making progress I’ve had setbacks so to be honest things have been very frustrating. I’d never been injured before so it was a shock to my system.”

Bramley – who is training to be a teacher – continued: “As a club, we had had a decent start to the season and it was going well. Then I did the injury inside the first 20 minutes of the friendly – without anyone near me. I went up for a header and landed awkwardly when I came back down, putting all of my weight on my ankle. It’s disappointing but just one of those things which happen in football.”

Bramley was initially on crutches but has returned to the fold – although he hasn’t set any date on a comeback: “I would like to be back in the swing of things – but there again I could be out for the rest of the season,” he added, “I did my first full training session which was full of intensity and completed the whole programme although still unable to do a full sprint – but I’m definitely getting there. I’ve got to keep chipping away and see what the club say but the manager (Ian Skinner) and the team have really looked after me and have given me a chance.”

He concluded: “I don’t think I’ve played a full season in the Northern League and was hoping to put the record straight this campaign – but now I’ve got to look to do that next year!” Ashington boss Ian Skinner said: “The incident happened in September and at the time looked like an innocuous injury where Tom landed badly with nobody near him – and he’s now been out for over 20 weeks. It’s frustrating for both the player and the club but it would be remise of us to rush him back – so we’ll be patient and wait for as long as it takes for him to heal properly.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington manager Ian Skinner emerged from the dressing room following his sides 5-3 away defeat at Whickham on Saturday and revealed: “I’m still in shock.”

The Colliers went ahead in the contest on no fewer than three occasions but gave an abject second half performance, capitulating in the final ten minutes and Skinner said: “To be honest I’m still in shock that we have lost the game 5-3 despite being really poor and below par. We were 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 up and when you go 3-2 ahead with only 14 minutes remaining you should never lose the game – the very least you should come away with is a point. If someone beforehand had stated those statistics to me and that we were going to lose 5-3, I wouldn’t have believed them – but it’s happened and it needs to be addressed quickly. The fifth goal you take because defender Ben Harmison has gone up front and stayed up there and we are all over the shop a little bit. It’s one of those situations where you are losing 4-3 and you take a risk to try to make it 4-4 – but the chances are you might also concede and then the game has gone from you.”

Reflecting on a first period which saw the Colliers go in at the break holding a slender 1-0 advantage, Skinner said: “It was a game of contrasting styles (of play) to be honest. We knew it would be. We know that Whickham look to get the ball forward as quickly as they can and we know they are big and physical so it’s something we always challenge our players about. We have got some technically excellent footballers who want to get the ball down and play but I just thought today we were way below par both in and out of possession. Out of possession we didn’t work hard enough to make it difficult for them (Whickham) and in possession we were really sloppy. We didn’t play to the levels we are capable of – that said we found ourselves 1-0 up at half time after a good header by Ben (Harmison) and you hope that that is going to be the catalyst to kick on in the second half. But after the break I just thought we were miles off and were really, really poor. Again out of possession as a team we didn’t seem to defend. We didn’t defend the box well; we allowed them (Whickham) to get into the area too easily and the goals we conceded were really poor – and I think that is three or four times now this season where we have been away from home and have shipped four of five goals – and that’s not good enough.”

He continued: “Collectively you defend as a team and it was too easy to expose our penalty area and then we didn’t defend the box well enough. There were some individual mistakes in there as well which you can’t legislate for but we’ve got to be more difficult to play against because otherwise the flashes of brilliance that we show like for the second goal to go 2-1 up and the third goal to go 3-2 up, count for nothing and leave me frustrated. In short spells, two of the three goals are great moves, great football, great play and a great finish but again they count for nothing because we haven’t rolled our sleeves up and haven’t made it difficult for them and that’s the disappointing thing. We will dust ourselves down as we always do, we’ll reflect on it ahead of training this week but the lads who haven’t played today as well as those who weren’t in the squad have to come into contention for Saturday’s home game against Bishop Auckland otherwise they’ll come and knock on my door and ask ‘when do I get my chance?’ – and it’s only fair that we look at freshening things up.”

He concluded: “To be honest, I didn’t see eight goals being in the contest today and when they (Whickham) drew level at 1-1 from a free kick which went straight in which admittedly was a great strike, I thought ‘we’ve got a game on here.’ I just felt that they (Whickham) worked harder than us; were stronger and more physical than us whereas we didn’t quite look up for it today – for whatever reason and we need to get back to winning ways.” For Saturday’s 3pm kick off – against a Bishop Auckland side who lifted themselves out of the bottom three following a 2-0 win at Sunderland RCA at the weekend – midfielder Paul Robinson is unavailable.

Photo: Ian Brodie

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison said after the 4-2 victory over West Allotment Celtic on Saturday that the players at the Woodhorn Lane club are still harbouring thoughts of promotion come the end of the season.

Following consecutive yet narrow 2-1 defeats against both Sunderland Ryhope and North Shields, the Colliers returned to winning ways in awful conditions at The dwmedia Stadium against West Allotment. Ashington currently sit fifth top of the Ebac Northern League’s first division with 11 matches remaining.

Harmison said: “We have a belief amongst the squad in the dressing room and the way we are playing, we think we can put some points on the board and be amongst those promotion spots. It’s game by game I know but we have got some great fixtures coming up and I don’t see why we can’t be up there challenging. The players are still talking about it and with the squad we’ve got it’s still feasible. We want to be promoted and until it’s mathematically impossible we’ll keep trying.” The 36 year old added: “This is definitely one of the best Ashington sides I have been part of. It is a different style of playing and from my point of view, I’m now in the defence whereas in the past I’ve been up top as a striker. The team spirit is brilliant but the way we pass and move the ball is excellent. Today for example (against West Allotment Celtic), we got on the ball and did what we wanted really.”

Photo: Ian Brodie

By Brian Bennett

For Ashington FC’s Craig Spooner, his second goal in the 4-2 win over West Allotment Celtic at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday was just another to add to a rapidly growing collection of outstanding finishes!

The midfielder took his tally for the season to seven after scoring a peach of an effort from 22 yards – and reckons it’s one of his best ever!

“I turned and had no-one around me and I hit it – and as soon as I did, I knew it was going in,” he said, “The goal had wind assist on it with the wind blowing downhill but I’ve struck the ball cleanly and its gone straight into the top corner – with my weak foot to be honest so it’s got to be one of my best.”

The 23 year old – a joiner – may have nailed his second goal but admitted there was an element of good fortune with his first – even though it finished off a sweeping move which put his side 2-1 ahead: “I glanced at it (the ball) and I was lucky when it went in to be honest – but I’ll happily take those chances,” he added.

Spooner was delighted that the Colliers had returned to winning ways: “The conditions were terrible and hard to play in but when we got the ball down I thought we did really well,” he said, “It was a bit scrappy at times – but it was nevertheless good to come away with the three points.” Cramlington-based Spooner added: “I’m loving my time here at Ashington. I’m scoring goals and all the lads as well as the gaffer (Ian Skinner) are brilliant – plus the team are playing well.”

Photo: Ian Brodie

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC skipper Ben Harmison broke new ground on Saturday in the 4-2 victory over West Allotment Celtic at Woodhorn Lane.

For the former striker revealed afterwards that it is the first time in his career that he has scored twice in a match – since switching to the role as a defender!

“I was just happy to get into the box,” he said, “But as a centre half, I had never scored twice in a game before. For the first goal, I just stayed up and with the turnover, we won the ball back so it was a bit of a gamble (to stay up). It was a great ball in by Liam Doyle which held up in the wind and once I had a run on the West Allotment back line, I knew I would beat them and it was good to see the ball go in.”

He continued: “I didn’t know much about the second one (goal) to be fair. It was a bit of a ricochet in the box, I just stuck a leg out and the ball went into the net.”

Harmison was delighted with the way his side not only adapted to the awful conditions – but also served up some scintillating soccer: “The team are playing brilliantly,” he added, “I thought we played some unbelievable football especially in the first half against the wind and driving rain but after going into a 3-1 lead we switched off and conceded a second straight away. We were disappointed that the lead wasn’t 3-0 at half time because the goals we conceded were poor – but when you looked at the conditions at kick off, for us to come in 3-2 up after playing against the elements was still an outstanding team effort.”

He went on: “At half time we said we had played some good football yet we were disappointed. Even reflecting on the first goal, for a spell of about ten minutes we were giving away silly free kicks around the box against the wind which we couldn’t afford to do. We didn’t defend the header from the first ball in which hit our ‘keeper Karl Dryden and we didn’t gamble to get the rebound.”

The 36 year old was pleased as Ashington ‘managed’ the game after the break: “We could have had more,” he said, “Dean (Briggs) has hit the ‘keeper a few times from great positions but in the end we just managed the game. We didn’t push on to score; we didn’t have too as we were winning 4-2 and we just kept the ball – and it was good to get the win.” Harmison admitted that the conditions were ‘horrible’ but added: “The rain helped because it livened the pitch up so we could move the ball quickly,” he said, “If it had been dry and windy it would have been a nightmare. Against that wind was horrible but the lads showed great character.”

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner admitted that it was nice to get back to winning ways following his sides 4-2 success over West Allotment Celtic on Saturday: “After back to back defeats then losing the game at Northallerton due to the weather conditions, it was nice to get back out there and play – albeit in very tough conditions firstly with the wind then the driving rain throughout the first half. We had both elements in our faces so I can only give credit to the players for the first half performance. We are a team who like to get the ball down and play anyway but obviously against the driving rain and the gale force wind it forced us to really play. However, the pleasing thing was some of the things we have asked the players to do in terms of shortening our game even more and play five and ten yard passes, they did – and to be fair in spells in the half we played some fantastic football. The second goal we scored was great where we have worked it from left to right and when the ball has come in, Craig Spooner has got across the front post and put it (the ball) in at the far post. It’s bits and pieces that we work on so again credit to them (the players) because since Christmas our training levels have been high; our quality has been good and although we lost two games against Sunderland Ryhope CW and North Shields recently, nobody could have complained if we have won both of those fixtures. We talked about how we had lost two games – although performances were good – and how we needed to keep at that level.”

He continued: “First half today we went a goal behind – after a bit of an untidy play but it was a typical ‘difficult weather’ goal if I’m honest. However, we showed fantastic character to come back and equalise immediately. It was a great delivery from Liam Doyle and Ben Harmison – in the opposition’s box – has planted a superb header into the net and it is nice for him to get into those areas. The third goal was a good move but a bit of a scrappy finish after Ben Harmison’s presence caused problems in the box.”

Skinner had mixed feelings at the interval: “I was really disappointed with the second goal we conceded – it was poor,” he added, “Matthew Hayton went straight through the middle of the pitch and scored – but having said that if somebody had offered me a 3-2 lead at half time after having seen the conditions, I would have accepted it.”

He went on: “I thought we managed the second half really, really well. I think our ‘keeper Karl Dryden has made one save which you would expect him stop where he was a little bit wrong footed at the near post and he’s had to make sure. Other than that he’s almost been like a sweeper for us. We moved the ball really well – and again when we came out for the second half the pitch was really slippy underfoot. The players got the ball down and Craig Spooner has scored a fantastic goal to make it 4-2 which makes our task a little bit easier. Then I just thought we had a little spell where – and I’m always looking for the perfect performance – we just turned possession over a little bit cheaply and more than we should have but throughout the whole period I thought we were comfortable without being disrespectful to West Allotment Celtic. We probably could and should have scored more but I was really, really pleased and it was nice to get back to winning ways. Sometimes our group of players get questioned about playing in conditions like today because we’ve got a talented bunch – a technically good group – and I’ve heard people say ‘I’m not sure if they can roll their sleeves up and play in the mud’ – well they’ve shown today that that is not a problem!” He added: “We have had to leave players out of the squad today and that’s the part of the job that nobody likes. It’s always difficult to tell lads they are not in the squad let alone not play but that’s the competition we need because that keeps those who are in the squad and the team on their toes knowing that there is somebody waiting to take their place. You don’t expect them (who are not in the 16) to be happy but I told them ‘we are playing really well at the minute and you may have to be a little bit patient.’ We want everybody to stay because they are a fantastic group – I think I’ve already gone on record as saying this is the best group of players I have worked with in terms of the way they get on with each other and the way the mood is in the dressing room. We are a club who want to progress and go places and the players want to be part of that which is fantastic.”