Match Report

By Brian Bennett

A goal in stoppage time by Sam Davison salvaged a point for Ashington against Blyth Spartans on Bank Holiday Monday.

The substitute volleyed the ball home with aplomb from six yards in the eighth minute of time added on to ensure that this totally uninspiring derby clash finished all square.

It had began to look as if Patrick McClafferty’s goal just before the hour mark was going to be the winner – until Davison struck.

To be honest, a draw was a fair result on what was a glorious afternoon at Croft Park.

Indeed, the weather was the most enjoyable feature for a super crowd of 1227 as these two sides battled out a drab opening 45 minutes which was described by many as being the worst they had witnessed for a long time.

Their frustrations were backed up by the fact that after the expected early sparring, 27 minutes had elapsed before the first chance arrived.

That came about when Blyth’s Charlie Wood surged through but his shot was blocked by ‘keeper Tyler Jones.

Ashington eventually responded ten minutes later when Andrew Anderson rolled the ball square for Ben Sampson but the full back fired over from 20 yards.

Shortly before the break, Benjamin Shodeinde chased a through ball but Jones got there first to clear then Arran Wearmouth had a left footer held by the stopper.

All the talk during the interval was would the game improve. Unfortunately whilst it didn’t get any worse, it only marginally got better.

In the 52^nd minute, the Colliers put together the best move of the match when a ball from Jake Orrell found Liam Henderson but his shot was taken by ‘keeper Callum Dobson.

Josh Gilchrist cut inside and fired wide of Dobson’s right hand post before an error in the 59^th minute by Harry Powell led to Spartans taking the lead.

Inside his own penalty area, the young defender tried to beat McClafferty but he was dispossessed by the Blyth full back who surged forward and slipped the ball past Jones.

Sampson had a header clutched by Dobson then substitute Jesse Gomez had an effort shovelled away by Jones.

With two minutes of the 90 remaining, Spooner took a free-kick from the left which got a deflection and smacked against the base of the post and when Dobson pushed out a shot from Henderson it looked as if Spartans were going to hold on for all three points.

But Ashington put the ball into the box again and a header from substitute Rory Powell fell to Davison who levelled the scores.

Out of context with the entire game, both sides fashioned a chance apiece in the final minute.

Sub Michael Annang-Colquhoun headed a cross by Jay Hornsby at Dobson then when play switched, Blyth sub and former Ashington midfielder Danny Anderson clipped the ball wide of the far post.

Blyth Spartans: Dobson, McClafferty, Jacob Wilson, Chapman, Vaulks, Wood, Shodeinde, Richardson (Anderson 78 minutes), Wearmouth (Gomez 61 minutes), Downey (Slocombe 70 minutes), Jack Wilson. Subs not used: Dobinson, Simpson.