Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington turned in a creditable performance on Saturday against Stockton Town – but a first win still eludes them at the MAP Group UK Stadium.

It’s never been a happy hunting ground for the Colliers on the artificial surface and even though the Wansbeck outfit did well despite a 2-1 loss in the FA Cup clash earlier in the season, their only positive result came several years ago when they earned a draw.

Clearly the table doesn’t lie. The Anchors sit at the top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division holding an eight points lead and are a good, well drilled outfit.

Ashington have upset teams at the top already this campaign and despite last weekend’s 2-1 reverse against Cleethorpes Town, Ian Skinner’s side travelled in good spirits.

However, they trailed in the opening stages when Michael Fowler pounced and although the Colliers were always in the game, the result was sealed nien minutes from time after substitute Tom Portas had unleashed a right foot screamer.

The home side forced an early corner but Ashington’s response saw Ben Sampson find Connor Thomson whose pull back was cleared for a flag kick.

In the seventh minute, Stockton went ahead when a long ball forward released Fowler and the striker clipped his effort over the top of advancing ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

Shortly before the half way mark in the period, Sampson released Wilson Kneeshaw down the right flank and when the number ten crossed low into the danger area, Thomson’s first time effort was blocked at the near post by home ‘keeper Nathan Harker.

Stockton attacked again and a thunderbolt by Shane Henry flashed wide before Dryden dived low to his right to keep out a drive from Sweet.

Sweet had already had a goal ruled out for a foul on Dryden and on the half hour, Fowler headed home from a right wing cross but the effort was disallowed for offside.

The next opportunity fell Ashington’s way when Paul Van-Zandvliet found Craig Spooner but the defender lifted his shot over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, Dryden came to his sides’ rescue keeping out another effort from Fowler with his legs following a cross by Kev Hayes.

The Colliers made a positive start to the second half. Kneeshaw wriggled inside the area but his shot cannoned off Harker’s boot, ballooned into the air and the ‘keeper collected then an effort from Will Constantin was blocked for a corner.

Similarly just past the hour mark, Kneeshaw got to the by line and when he pulled the ball back, Constantin’s drive was again deflected behind.

Ashington had been the dominant side from the first whistle after the resumption and midway through, a 30 yarder by substitute Cam Gascoigne was held by Harker.

Fowler and substitute Portas had efforts blocked by Dryden before the game was settled in the 81^st minute when Stockton doubled their advantage.

Following a build up on the right, the ball landed at the feet of Portas who hit an unstoppable effort across Dryden and inside the far corner of the net.