Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s bid to escape from the threat of relegation received another boost on Saturday when they defeated an in-form Brighouse Town side 3-0 at Woodhorn Lane.

The result made it back to back wins for Nick Gray’s outfit following their 2-1 success over Lincoln United the previous week.

However the victory wasn’t enough to lift the Colliers out of the drop zone with the Wansbeck side fourth from bottom of the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League on 20 points – the same total as Lincoln United, Bishop Auckland and Consett – but Ashington having a more inferior goal difference.

It was a deserved win on what turned into a mudbath of a pitch following incessant rain on a day when two other games in the division – Dunston v Hallam and Heaton Stannington v Grimsby – were abandoned due to the elements.

The home side – kicking with the wind on their backs – could have made a dramatic start in the third minute.

Louis Burns – making his full debut on loan from South Shields – closed in on visiting ‘keeper Michael Acquah who had the ball in his hands. The stopper then slipped on the turf with the ball escaping from his grasp but breathed a huge sigh of relief as he regained possession just ahead of the striker.

The West Yorkshire side looked the more threatening and after ‘keeper Matty Alexander had held a 35 yarder from Jason Davis, the home number one made vital blocks from Derry Robson and Jordan Barnett whilst Ryan Donaldson made a recovery run to thwart Nathan Curtis.
Ashington’s first effort of note came from Liam Noble as he curled the ball over following a corner but the game developed into a dour and drab contest.

However, Ashington got a boost in the 44th minute when they took the lead.

Craig Spooner played a short corner on the left to skipper Karl Ross who rolled the ball into the path of Liam Noble. The midfielder drilled an 18 yarder which was spilled by Acquah and when Harry Powell crossed into the danger zone, Josh Gilchrist applied the finishing touch from close range.

After the break Ashington were the dominant side but chances were non-existent until the final quarter of an hour.

Gilchrist charged down the right before he was fouled by a defender just inside the area.

Referee Stephen Beresford pointed to the spot and Gilchrist made no mistake from the penalty.

Then with six minutes of the 90 remaining, there was more drama including the home side cementing their victory.

Substitute Sam Davison – who had replaced the injured Ryan Wombwell – got to the ball just ahead of Acquah before he was clipped by the ‘keeper.

The offence took place inches inside the area and after Acquah had been shown a red card, Burns made no mistake from the resultant penalty, sending Barnett – an outfield player who went into goal – the wrong way.

*Friday night football returns to Ashington when the Colliers take on Consett on December 5 with a 7.45pm kick off.