Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ryan Wombwell’s first goal of the season clinched Ashington a precious victory over Garforth Town on Saturday and lifted the Colliers out of the drop zone.

The vital strike came ten minutes into the second half after the Wansbeck side had forced back to back corners.

Liam Wotherspoon took both – one from each side – and from the latter, the ball was glanced on for Wombwell who volleyed goalwards.

In a melee, defenders tried valiantly to clear but the ball crossed the line before Chris Reid – who was to see red ten minutes later – made certain.

Ashington’s victory was deserved. They went into the contest following a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Emley whilst the hosts – chasing a place in the play offs – had chalked up a 4-0 away success over mid-table Hallam.

Before the game, at the request of Garforth Town and Ashington honoured to be able to join in the tributes, players, officials and supporters observed a minutes’ applause for local junior footballer Ella Taylor, who sadly passed away at the beginning of the week.

Play got underway in driving rain and it was the visitors who made a really positive start as they knocked the ball around with confidence and kept possession.

Josh Gilchrist found Rory Powell down the right flank whose cross was blocked then Wotherspoon had an effort clutched by ‘keeper Harry Flatters before Wombwell fired wide from distance.

Garforth grew into the game with Rinor Ejupi having a shot deflected behind and a right foot volley by Charlie Marshall being superbly tipped around by Colliers ‘keeper Ben Metcalf.

Ashington survived a goalmouth scramble following a corner on the right then at the other end, a one-two between Powell and Ben Williams saw the ball blocked by the home defence.

Just before the interval, Owen Marshall hooked the ball wide from the edge of the area and four minutes into the second half, Ejupi found Dexter Ball whose swerving effort was held by Metcalf.

Shortly after Wombwell’s goal, Louis Burns attempted to replicate his excellent strike against North Ferriby when he cut inside but on this occasion, saw his effort blocked for a flag kick.

Then ten minutes later, a turning point arrived when Reid was sent off which left Ashington to man the pumps for the last half hour.

Even then with ten men, Wombwell had a great chance to add a second in the 77th minute only to hook a right foot volley straight at ‘keeper Flatters.

It was backs to the wall as the home side exerted pressure but Ashington defended resolutely until the final whistle.

Home centre half Jordan Emery headed over from a Harry Colville corner on the right then in the sixth of nine minutes added on, Metcalf made a magnificent stop from Emery diving to his left near the foot of the post.

On Tuesday (March 3), Ashington are at home to Consett (7.45pm kick-off). The Woodhorn Lane based outfit have announced that for this game – which has already had two late postponements – supporters can ‘pay what you feel at the gate.’ On their social media platforms, Consett described the arrangement as being ‘a great gesture and we hope the Conny Army will turn out in numbers.’