Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington stayed on the bottom of the table following a narrow 3-2 defeat against Matlock Town at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

Following their horror show and 4-0 defeat against Consett last Friday, it was a vastly improved performance by the Colliers but despite a spirited display and two cracking goals from Josh Gilchrist and Craig Spooner they had nothing to show for their efforts against one of the sides tipped to be in the promotion frame come the end of the campaign.

They say that nothing goes for you when you’re down at the bottom – and that was so true in the ninth minute when the visitors took the lead.

The ball was played into the area and when full back Declan Eratt-Thompson got a second bite at the cherry after his initial shot had been blocked, his effort took a massive deflection off a home defender to wrong foot ‘keeper Tyler Jones and roll into the net.

Ashington’s first semblance of a chance arrived midway through the period when a deep cross from Ryan Wombwell narrowly cleared the bar.

Then three minutes later the visitors doubled their lead.

Ashington looked for a free-kick which never came and from a lightening counter attack, the ball was crossed from the left for Conor Washington who made no mistake with a cushioned right foot volley.

As the half wore on, the Colliers created chances. Gilchrist fired over at the near post then after Marc Ellison had won possession in midfield, Spooner’s effort was palmed away by ‘keeper Jake Oram.

Wombwell headed over a cross from Jay Hornsby and into time added on, Gilchrist hooked wide.

Early in the second half, Cameron Wilson stroked the ball wide from the edge of the area before Ashington played Matlock at their own game and reduced the arrears with a fast flowing attack culminating in a picture goal.

After a swift raid down the right, skipper Karl Ross crossed for Gilchrist who planted a bullet-like header inside the near post.

Ashington were certainly back in the game but after Ryan Donaldson had cleared the ball off the line following another quick transition by the visitors, they were dealt a blow midway through the half as Matlock struck a third.

Washington’s effort crashed out after hitting the underside of the bar and Wilson tucked the rebound wide of Jones.

After being initially stunned by the sucker punch, the Colliers battled valiantly until the end and in the second minute of stoppage time, Spooner made it 3-2 with a sumptuous strike.

The ball fell to the midfielder following a corner and from 20 yards, he unleashed a full blooded right foot volley which screamed into the net via the upright.

However, it proved to be too little too late and Nick Gray’s side will make the journey to face Ossett United on Saturday (September 20), still looking for their first win of the season.