Match Report

By Brian Bennett

A spectacular goal by Wilson Kneeshaw proved to be the match winner for Ashington as they accounted for Belper Town on a bitterly cold night at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday.

Kneeshaw’s piece of individual brilliance arrived just past the half hour mark.

The forward cut inside from the left before unleashing a right footer from 20 yards which curled around ‘keeper Daniel Moore with the ball nestling perfectly inside the stanchion between post and crossbar.

The goal shone as bright as a beacon as being the distinct highlight from a match contested between two teams who gave it their all albeit on a heavy pitch.

In many respects it was the proverbial game of two halves – Ashington were the better side in the first period whilst Belper had a lot of the ball after the interval.

The Colliers were the first to show in the 12^th minute when Kneeshaw found Connor Thomson but he was thwarted when his shot was blocked.

Chances were few and far between and it was midway through the half before the next one arrived with Ben Sampson blasting wide following a corner on the left by Craig Spooner.

Belper’s first opportunity saw a shot by Kevin Bastos touched around by ‘keeper Karl Dryden then when play switched, Darren Lough and Spooner combined to set up Thomson but he fired over the bar.

In the 32^nd minute, Spooner was fouled in the middle of the park but referee Givi Todua played a brilliant advantage which led to a cracking opening goal from Kneeshaw.

As half time approached, Thomson was again off target before a free kick by Curtis Burrows went straight down Dryden’s throat and Bastos had a tame effort which was fielded by the home stopper.

Early doors in the second half, Kneeshaw cut inside from the right but his effort hit the side netting then Sidik Atcha headed wide from a Mason Warren free kick.

Karl Demidh fired over then when Ashignton retaliated, substitute Cam Gascoigne slotted the ball through to Kneeshaw and his low shot drew an excellent save out of Moore who dived full stretch to his right.

In the 77^th minute, a cross by Warren led to a scramble inside the Ashington box before the Colliers cleared.

Belper introduced substitute Keiran Walker whose long throws into the danger zone posed a serious threat but to their credit, the home side defended well.

Moore saved a shot from Gascoigne with his legs then seconds from the final whistle, Kneeshaw broke from inside his own half and looked a certain scorer until his effort was somehow pushed wide by Moore.