Ashington made it two wins out of two on Tuesday night as they beat Hallam in a hard-fought and often fiery Northern Premier League East Division encounter at Woodhorn Lane.

This was the Colliers first home victory of the season, coming just a few days after an away win at Ossett United that had secured Ashington’s first win of the 2025/26 campaign, although Nicky Gray’s side were made to work hard for the three points from their newly promoted opponents.

Sheffield based Hallam started the game brightly and had the best of the early exchanges. Midfielder Brandon Bradbury fired two efforts from distance wide of the Ashington goal, while at the other end Colliers new-signing Liam Noble, making his first start since joining from Newcastle Blue Star, had a couple of efforts from the edge of the box that were easily held by visitors ‘keeper Hugo Warhurst.

On 20 minutes the away side almost broke the deadlock with an excellent effort from distance. A low cross from the left wing was miskicked by Hallam forward Ndlovu, the loose ball ending up at the feet of full-back Jack Brownell. His first time strike from 20-yards flew past the despairing dive of Ashington ‘keeper Tyler Jones, striking the top of the crossbar on its way over.

On the half hour Ndlovu went close again for the visitors, firing a 25-yard effort inches over the bar, before the Colliers broke the deadlock with another ‘goal of the season’ contender from long range specialist Craig Spooner.

In the 32nd minute Ashington midfielder Liam Noble’s free-kick was only half cleared by the Hallam defence. The ball was headed out to Spooner 25-yards from goal, and he unleashed an unstoppable left-footed volley that flew into the Hallam goal via the underside of the bar, leaving goalkeeper Warhurst rooted to the spot.

Just before half time Spooner almost scored his and Ashington’s second as he fired just wide with a right footed effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The Colliers started the second half brightly and on 52 minutes the hosts doubled their advantage. Noble was again heavily involved as his quickly taken free-kick caught the Hallam defence napping, Josh Gilchrist getting in behind the two central defenders before calmly slotting the ball past the advancing Warhurst and into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Just when it looked like Ashington were taking control of the game, just five minutes after increasing their lead they gifted the visitors a goal because of some sloppy play at the back. A loose pass was intercepted and Hallam forward Harrison Poulter ran at the home defence before finishing brilliantly with a low effort from the edge of the area that gave Tyler Jones no chance.

Five minutes later Colliers skipper Karl Ross fired over from 12-yards, before substitute Liam Henderson went close with an effort from 20-yards that went just over the visitors goal.

With just under five minutes remaining referee Nicholas Vincent, who had already had a busy night dishing out eight yellow cards, reduced both sides to ten men, sending off Colliers substitute Henderson and visitors captain Danny South for an off the ball incident in the Hallam penalty area.

Despite some late pressure from the away side, they were unable to create any clear cut opportunities, with Ashington holding out for an important win that moved them up into 13th position in the table. On Saturday the Colliers are back at home as another newly promoted side Silsden make the trip to Woodhorn Lane. Kick off is 3pm.