Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Two goals in the first half by Connor Smythe and Bradley Dockerty condemned Ashington to defeat against table toppers Cleethorpes Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

The Colliers went into the clash full of confidence after their morale boosting 3-2 win over Newton Aycliffe in midweek but in truth never got out of first gear.

Consequently on a cold day, supporters were left even more frustrated by a contest which failed to reach any heights.

It was a game where chances were at a premium – but it was the visitors who produced virtually all of them.

Following a free-kick in the third minutes, home ‘keeper Ross Coombe pushed away a 20 yarder from Cleethorpes skipper Bradley Abbott.

However, the visitors were more clinical on the quarter hour mark when they took the lead from a restart, with Smythe heading home at the far post.

It could have got worse for the Colliers as only three minutes later, Connor O’Grady netted from a corner by Smythe but the goal was disallowed for a foul.

Curtis Bateson was the next to test Coombe, who again dived to his left to palm the ball away before Ashington got their only sniff of the half going forward when Ryan Wombwell’s ball in from the right went across the face of the six yards box with no-one on hand to apply the finishing touch.

The home side got themselves into a right mix up which gifted Josh Walker a run on goal but his effort struck the post.

Then right on the stroke of half time, “The Owls” added a second when Dockerty got the benefit of a ricochet and from a tight angle, fired across Coombe and into the roof of the net.

The second half was a non-entity.

Craig Spooner had Ashington’s first shot of the game in the 54th minute but it was tame and easily held by ‘keeper Ollie Battersby.

Coombe was called into action to save from Bateson before Dockerty fired narrowly wide of the far post.

Six minutes from time, Harrison Clark unleashed a drive for the Colliers but it was straight at Battersby.