Match Report

By Brian Bennett

An equaliser three minutes from the end of the 90 by Lucas Lowery-Matondo secured a point for a lively and spirited Blyth Town side from this local derby encounter against Ashington at Gateway Park on Tuesday night.

The result meant that the gap between the teams in the league table remained the same as both battle to avoid the drop – the Colliers in 15th place whilst the Gateway Park outfit are still at the head of the quartet in the drop zone.

Ashington interim boss Marc Ellison – although disappointed at conceding a late leveller – will have breathed a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle as his side were second best throughout.

They massively under-performed on the night and although they led on two occasions, were fortunate to take anything from the game.

The only reason they did – and it was witnessed by a crowd of 546 – was that Matty Alexander produced one of the most sensational goalkeeping displays seen for many a season as the visitors stopper pulled off numerous saves which were not only top drawer but at the same time were equally outrageous.

If Alexander won the Ashington Player of the match by a country mile then Cyril Giraud took the honour for the home side. The midfielder teased and tormented his former side, and was a constant thorn all evening, netting the first equaliser then claiming an assist for the goal by Lowery-Matondo.

Both sides went into the contest full of confidence. Blyth had strung together four wins on the bounce whilst the Woodhorn Lane outfit – unbeaten in their last three matches – were 1-0 winners over promotion chasing Dunston last Friday.
Michael Connor’s team made a positive start and came close to an opener inside two minutes when Ben Fell’s header from a free-kick by Cam Gascoigne hit the bar and went over.

Then came the first of Alexander’s saves as he tipped over a header from Dominic Martins and followed that as he denied Gascoigne.

Ashington were struggling to get a foothold in the game and it was midway through the period before they managed their first shot at goal when Ollie Thompson’s effort was easily taken by ‘keeper Neil De Jesus.

Back came the hosts and after Alexander had pushed a header by Gascoigne onto the bar, Martins had a shot smothered by the stopper.

Ten minutes before the break, Ashington went in front – totally against the run of play. Following a throw-in on the right, the ball fell to Wilson Kneeshaw who clipped home into the corner of the net on the turn.

However, ten minutes into the second half, Giraud pounced on a loose ball inside the area to drill in the equaliser wide of Alexander.

The game then developed into a scrappy affair until quarter of an hour from time when the Colliers got their noses in front for a second time through Liam Henderson who produced a stunning right footed volley from 20 yards which found the top corner.

Alexander’s heroics continued as he twice thwarted Martins then Lowery-Matondo and it appeared as if the ‘keeper was going to lead his side to victory.

But in the 87th minute, Lowery-Matondo arrived at the back post to blast home a ball played across by Giraud to make the score 2-2.

Even then there could have been one final twist as Craig Spooner ventured into the Blyth area but was denied by a superb last ditch tackle by Adam Johnson.