Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington missed a golden opportunity to claim all three points on Saturday in their bid to escape from the drop zone.

With 15 minutes remaining of the contest, they led ten-man Carlton Town 2-1 and were edging towards what would have been a crucial victory – only to concede an equaliser.

It was a body blow for Nick Gray’s outfit and with wins for basement club Sheffield as well as Sherwood Colliery, the bottom four sides in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League are separated by a mere five points.

Saturday’s encounter was low-key – until it exploded at various stages during the first half.

With ‘keeper Dan Staples suspended, Alex Curran – signed on a dual registration with North Shields – made his debut between the posts and the newcomer had to be alert in the fifth minute as he got down low to his left to tip around an 18 yarder from Alex Howes.

Play was uneventful – until shortly before the quarter hour mark when the visitors took the lead with a worldie strike by Lawrence Stewart Gorman.

From a corner on the right, the ball was headed out by Andrew Cartwright but it fell perfectly for Gorman who from 25 yards, unleashed a sumptuous right footed volley which screamed into the back of the net leaving Curran helpless.

Cue another period of uninspiring football before the final quarter hour of the period.

In the 31st minute, Josh Gilchrist was sent tumbling in the area by Gorman and after referee Tyler Dutton had awarded a spot kick, Gilchrist’s penalty was placed inside the corner although ‘keeper Felix Annan dived the right way and got his finger tips to it.

Craig Spooner was just wide with an effort which had Annan scampering to his left but two minutes later, “The Millers” were reduced to ten men when Oliver Clark saw red following an off the ball incident.

Later after good work down the left by Wilson Kneeshaw which resulted in a cross, Gilchrist’s shot was held by Annan.

However, two minutes before the break, Ashington got their noses in front after a fabulously well worked move and quality finish from Michael Ndiweni.

Cartwright played the ball forward where Ndiweni exchanged a swift one-two with Gilchrist before he curled a delightful left footer from 16 yards wide of Annan and inside the far corner of the net.

For the start of the second half, the visitors introduced Lamin Manneh for Khyle Sargent – and the change certainly worked as they were the better side despite being a man short.

Ashington had initially threatened in the 52nd minute when a great diagonal ball from Harrison Clark found Cartwright down the right flank but when he crossed, Gilchrist blazed over.

However midway through Nathan Watson drove wide of Curran’s right hand post following a long throw in by Gorman.

Carlton continued to press forward and in the 75th minute after Ashington had conceded a free-kick on the touchline, they drew level.

A chip from the right of the area went towards the far post where it was bundled in by Dean Freeman.

Thirty seconds later, the speed of Annan proved to be crucial as he smothered in the nick of time to foil Gilchrist after a through ball by Spooner then the stopper dived to his right to keep out a goalbound long range drive from Cartwright.

And in the 90th minute, it was Annan who tipped over a 25 yards free-kick by Spooner.