Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Lee Mason despatched a disputed penalty shortly before half time which gave Ashington their first win over Seaham Red Star at the Independent Utility Advice Arena for six seasons.

The Colliers have always found Seaham a tough place to go and on Saturday, it was just the same with little to separate the sides in testing conditions.

Indeed the first period – where the Wansbeck side kicked into the teeth of a strong wind – contained only two key incidents.

On the quarter hour, Robbie Dale found the overlapping Jordan Summerly down the left. His cross was recycled by Dean Briggs and when he played the ball in low for Mason, the striker’s shot on the turn was smartly saved by home ‘keeper Andrew Jennison.

Then what led to the decisive goal came in the 42^nd minute when Dale slipped Maguire through the middle. The forward was clipped in the area and referee Charlie Ford pointed to the spot.

Seaham contested the award but when the dust finally settled, Mason clinically tucked the ball home sending Jennison the wrong way.

The second half faired little better with plenty of endeavour and effort in what was a competitive match but with few chances on goal.

On the hour, Ashington skipper Ben Harmison met a cross by Dale but his header clipped the post and was cleared.

Seaham’s best opportunity came midway through when Bradley Chisholm met a free kick from the right and powered a header which was superbly tipped around the upright by visitors ‘keeper Karl Dryden.