Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s hopes of avoiding the drop are still in the balance after they failed to pick up maximum points from their clash against Sheffield on Good Friday.

Manager Nick Gray had warned that despite the South Yorkshire outfit being relegated and on the bottom of the table they could be more relaxed and play with freedom – and the boss was proved right with the home outfit deservedly 2-0 ahead at the interval.

For some unknown reason, the Colliers lacked any passion or intensity in the first 45 minutes but that all changed after a half time dressing down from the management and goals from Josh Gilchrist and Craig Spooner brought them back on terms before the points were shared.

On a mild day, the hosts – who included ex Ashington defender Si Jakab – got their noses in front after only six minutes.

The ball fell to the unmarked Stephen Brogan who from 20 yards struck a right footed half volley which left ‘keeper Ryan Catterick rooted to the spot.

The Wansbeck side replied with Ben Sampson evading a couple of challenges to set up Liam Henderson whose effort was clutched by ‘keeper Mikey Roxburgh diving to his right.

The game was flat and uninspiring – but Sheffield doubled their advantage just before the half hour mark.

Following a break down the right, Keelan Grist got the benefit of a ricochet off Ben Williams to fire home inside the post.

Ashington almost found a way back in the closing stages of the period. Sampson was again the provider finding Henderson whose right footer flew inches wide of the upright.

Seconds before the break, Brogan – who had been prominent for the hosts – struck a free-kick from just outside the box which went narrowly over the bar.

Ashington made inroads and halved the deficit two minutes into the second half. Henderson’s shot was parried by Roxburgh and when the ball ran to Gilchrist, the striker kept his cool before he slotted it into the corner of the net.

Incredibly within a minute, the home side had a chance to restore their two goals advantage, but Catterick saved brilliantly from Cameron Bedford.

At one end, Spooner was not far away with an effort from near the touchline then when play switched, Bedford was again thwarted by Catterick.

With 20 minutes remaining, Ashington drew level with a well worked goal. Following a lovely swift interchange, the ball fell to Spooner who struck a left footed volley into the corner.

Now it was game on – but six minutes later it took a terrific save by Catterick from one of his own players to keep his side level.

From a free-kick played into the Ashington area, Gary Ormston misdirected a header which was goal-bound until Catterick dived to his right to palm the ball away to safety.

Then in the final minute of the 90, Gilchrist went down in the area, but penalty shouts went unheeded.