Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington slipped to their first defeat in five matches on Saturday after an abject display.

Sheffield FC deservedly took all three points from this contest at Woodhorn Lane to complete a seasons double over the Colliers.

Ironically Ashington’s last reverse came shortly before Christmas – at Sheffield when they lost 4-0 – but home supporters were left stunned by a lethargic performance which also lacked cohesion.

Once Benni Ndlovu had added to Cameron Johnson’s opener shortly before the midway point in the second period, the game looked comfortable for the visitors.

Skipper Alfie Smith’s headed goal gave Sheffield a three goals cushion before Wilson Kneeshaw pulled one back just before the final whistle.

For the opening half hour, it was a fairly even game – albeit with the visitors kicking with the wind on their backs.

Twice in the opening ten minutes, Ashington made inroads inside the Sheffield penalty area but saw both attacks fizzle out.

With 20 minutes gone, it was the visitors who fashioned the best opportunity but when a cross came into the box, Smith headed wide.

Minutes later, Will Constantin had a 20 yarder deflected and from the flag kick, ‘keeper Edd Hall pulled off a double save.

On the half hour, Connor Cutts nodded past the upright but five minutes later, Sheffield went in front.

Johnson turned inside the area before curling a right footer wide of ‘keeper Karl Dryden and inside the far post.

Seconds before half time, a promising move involving Dan Maguire, Connor Thomson and Kneeshaw ended with Hall smothering the ball.

After the interval, Kneeshaw had a shot blocked then an effort by Craig Spooner was taken at the near post by Hall.

In the 64^th minute, the visitors had claims for a penalty waved away by referee Daniel Ranson when AJ Greaves went to ground under challenge by Paul Van-Zandvliet but shortly afterwards they doubled their advantage when Ndlovu turned the ball in at the far post from a corner.

Ashington’s response saw a header by Si Jakab from a Spooner free-kick kept out by Hall and Gary Ormston was blocked from the rebound.

However, on a day when their passing was sloppy, the Colliers struggled to make an impact on the Sheffield defence until the closing stages when a first time volley from 20 yards by Spooner went over following a cross by substitute Morgan Dart.

In the final minute of the 90 another corner from the left to the far post was headed home by Smith for Sheffield’s third.

The Colliers were then forced to play out the remainder of the game with ten men when having used all three substitutes Constantin was forced off the field with an injury.

Seven minutes into stoppage time, Ashington grabbed a consolation.

Dart put Connor Thomson through down the left and when he pulled the ball back. Kneeshaw side footed home.

Seconds later, Kneeshaw came close to a quickfire second but he placed his effort wide following another pass from Thomson.