Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington gave their supporters some Festive cheer on Saturday when they toppled an in-form Ossett United side 2-1 at a windswept Woodhorn Lane ground.

First half goals from Craig Spooner and Josh Gilchrist laid a solid foundation then with the wind in their faces, the Colliers not only defended magnificently but were also the better side against the elements and emerged as deserved winners.

It was a much needed win for Nick Gray’s outfit and a boost ahead of the remainder of their seasonal programme with an away game against Heaton Stannington on Boxing Day morning (11am kick-off) followed by a home clash against promotion chasers Dunston UTS on Monday December 30 (7.45pm kick-off).

How the teams played the conditions was going to be a key factor – and although Ashington were good value for their 2-0 lead at the interval, the disappointment was that the margin wasn’t greater.

The home side made their intentions crystal clear early on when a long range effort by Spooner was on target but went straight into the midriff of ‘keeper Aleks Petrovic then the number ten went close with a left footer from 25 yards that shaved the post.

Ashington forged ahead in the 17th minute. Skipper Karl Ross picked up a loose ball in midfield and found Spooner who finished well tucking his shot wide of Petrovic and inside the far corner.

Shortly after the half way mark, only the thickness of the woodwork prevented a second when Wilson Kneeshaw picked out Gilchrist whose excellent left footer struck the bar with Petrovic beaten.

On the half hour and in a rare break, the visitors had their first sniff at goal when Lewis Stephens had a shot blocked but Ashington’s response was to add a second in the 37th minute.

Marc Ellison – on his debut – sliced the visitors defence open which sent Kneeshaw through from the half way line with a one on one opportunity but Petrovic did well to block with Gilchrist off target from the rebound.

However in the 37th minute, Gilchrist ran onto a headed pass and as Petrovic advanced, the striker lobbed the ball over him and into the net.

Barely sixty seconds later it could have been three when Gilchrist unleashed a left footer which was goalbound until he was foiled by Petrovic who saved well at the foot of the post.

There was a frantic start to the second half when within the first 15 seconds, Gilchrist slotted the ball through for Kneeshaw but his effort was cleared off the line.

In the 48th minute, the two strikers caused havoc again. On this occasion Kneeshaw found Gilchrist who cut the ball back from the by-line and Spooner looked a certain scorer until Petrovic somehow denied him with a brilliant save.

But the game was back in the melting pot within 45 seconds as Ossett halved the deficit.

A cross from the left to the far post by Will Calligan was touched home from close range by Eddie Church.

Despite the difficult conditions, Ashington were playing well and Jordan Summerly got in behind the visitors defence but his cross was cleared.

The Colliers may not have had Lady Luck on their side over recent weeks – but ten minutes from time they certainly did. That’s when Ossett skipper Josh Burns caught the ball sweetly from fully 40 yards and his wind assisted right footed effort thudded against the angle of post and crossbar then bounced away to safety.

After that Spooner was not far away with a free-kick – before the final whistle sounded to bring Ashington an early Christmas present of three points.

Before kick-off, players, officials and supporters observed a minutes’ silence as a mark of respect for former Bridlington Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock who died last week.