

Match Report
By Brian Bennett
A late goal by Ryan Wombwell salvaged a point for Ashington from their clash against Sherwood Colliery on the artificial 3G surface at Debdale Park on Saturday.
The on-loan defender from Morpeth Town hammered the ball home after substitute Ben Sampson’s drive had been parried by home ‘keeper Jordan Pierrpont – and it was nothing more than the Colliers deserved for a gutsy and workmanlike second half performance after they had gone behind shortly before the interval.
The home outfit – who recorded a 1-0 win at Woodhorn Lane earlier in the season – began the game much the better side. After only 90 seconds Jacob Pearce crossed from the right flank to find Harry Bircumshaw who fired wide but the flag was up for offside.
Both sides then felt aggrieved at not being awarded a spot kick. In the fourth minute, full back Jordan Addo-Antoine ventured into the area and as he advanced along the by-line went down under a challenge but the referee waved aside appeals. When play switched to the other end, a free-kick on the right by Andrew Cartwright saw Scott Lowery get to the ball first to head goalwards before he was wiped out by the ‘keeper.
Bircumshaw had a clear opening but his feeble effort was easily held by ‘keeper Dan Staples before Ashington somehow survived following an almighty scramble following a cross from the right.
There was a lot of huff and puff from both sides in the period without any clear chances until Sherwood took the lead in the 40th minute – ironically from a penalty. Ben Williams brought down Robson Dolan in the area and Carter Widdowson sent Staples the wrong way from the spot.
Ashington responded with skipper Karl Ross dummying a cross by Cartwright but Ryan Donaldson was penalised for a raised foot then from a corner by substitute Josh Gilchrist, Wombwell volleyed wide.
After the break, the Wansbeck side – who had been forced into a change just prior to half time after an injury to Lowery – changed shape and took the game to their opponents. Three minutes in, Ashington had penalty claims for a handball turned down before a 20 yarder by Donaldson rattled the bar.
And it was the woodwork that again denied the Colliers in the 77th minute after a cross-cum-shot by sub Kyle Errington smacked against the post. When Gilchrist wriggled inside the area and had his effort blocked by the ‘keeper it looked as if Ashington were going to return home empty handed until Wombwell struck with the leveller in the 88th minute.
Even then, the Colliers pushed for a late winner with Gilchrist and debutant Cieran Jackson combining but Sherwood’s Jaz Goundry nipped in to make a vital interception, clearing the ball for a corner.
Details
Date | Time | Competition | Season | Attendance |
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Sat 18/1/2025 | 3:00 pm | Northern Premier League - East Division | 2024-25 | 100 |
Officials
Referee | Assistant 1 | Assistant 2 |
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Ashley Allen | Benjamin Hopton | Niall Reddan |
Past Meetings
![]() ![]() 0 - 1Woodhorn Lane Ashington vs Sherwood CollieryAttendance: 403
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