Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington picked up a valuable point on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with high-flyers Belper Town at Woodhorn Lane.

And what made the result even more pleasing for management duo Nick Gray and Liam McIvor was that they took on the promotion chasers with a threadbare squad.

The Colliers got no reward despite an encouraging display at Emley the previous week and early in the contest on Saturday, it looked as if the Derbyshire based outfit were going to run away with an easy win after scoring twice in as many minutes.

However, the Wansbeck side took full advantage after the visitors had missed gilt-edged chances and not only hit back to go in all square at the break but also squandered a golden opportunity to score from the penalty spot.

On a lovely Spring afternoon, supporters lapped up what was one of the most entertaining first periods of the season. It did take quarter of an hour to get into full swing but thereafter was certainly action packed.

Jamie Holmes made his full debut and his 25 yarder which went high and wide was the only incident of note in the early stages.

It then became rather busy in both boxes which started with ‘The Nailers’ leaving Ashington shell-shocked when they struck at the double.

In the 14^th minute, a long pass sent Jaanai Gordon clean through and he beat advancing ‘keeper Ryan Catterick to the ball before clipping it into the vacant net.

The Colliers had not recovered from that body blow when they went two goals behind. On this occasion, Gordon was the provider playing the ball into the path of Jonathan Wafula who from six yards fired it inside the near post.

Ashington responded when they forced two consecutive corners and from the latter, Holmes looked a certain scorer until a visiting defender got in a vital block.

However, in the 21st minute, Ashington halved the deficit.

Holmes – in the thick of the action – crossed from the left where Ryan Donaldson headed home.

Barely 60 seconds later, Kevin Bastos – set up by Wafula – missed a glorious chance as he blasted over with only Catterick to beat.

When play switched, Craig Spooner spotted Preston off his line and tried to chip the ball over him but the ‘keeper got back to catch it at head height.

Gordon fluffed his lines after he was presented with another clear opening then in the 25th minute, home skipper Karl Ross was pushed down in the area by a defender and referee Thomas James pointed to the spot.

Holmes took the kick but struck a tame penalty which Preston easily clutched to his right.

Ten minutes before the break, there was an unusual incident when Wafula went down as if he was injured. The referee called on the Belper physio who was halfway towards Wafula when the striker indicated that he didn’t require treatment after all and was promptly shown a yellow card by the match official.

In the 38^th minute, a lively looking Ashington side got back on terms following an excellent move down the left.

Holmes slipped the ball out wide to the over-lapping Jordan Summerly and when he crossed, Spooner planted a great header wide of Preston.

However, in the first minute of time added on, only a brilliant save by Catterick denied Belper from regaining the lead.

The stopper got down low to his left to push a 30 yards free kick by Curtis Burrows which was creeping inside the post around for a corner.

The half time whistle gave supporters time to regain their breath – but incredibly after a pulsating first period, both sides failed to fashion a single chance after the break with defences on top.

There were several eye-catching performances from the home side but to contain a potent attack of Bastos, Gordon and Wafula – who had caused problems in the first period – special mention must go to Scott Lowery and Ben Williams who were both immense at the heart of the Ashington defence.