Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Talk about having a bad day at the office!

Ashington’s relegation match against Newton Aycliffe on Friday night was not dubbed a ‘must win’ clash for the Colliers – moreover a ‘must not lose’ contest but in the event, the Wansbeck side can have no qualms about the result at the Ashcourt Group Stadium.

Whilst there was little between the teams in the first half, the performance by the visitors after the break was simply awful.

After going a goal down, they dragged themselves back into the game only to press the self destruct button in a crazy 20 minutes period in the second half.

When substitute Liam Noble was sent off three minutes before the 90, the red card – Ashington’s third in the last four games – was inconsequential on the night as the hosts were already 5-2 up.

However the sending off will impact interim boss Marc Ellison more during the run in as already without skipper Karl Ross for a period, Noble will also have to sit out a ban.

The early sparring saw a drive by Tom Henson flash wide whilst Ashington responded with Jeremy Perera trying a shot from 35 yards which was held by home ‘keeper Nathan Fisher.

Aycliffe’s tall centre back James Sloan headed over following a corner on the left before Craig Spooner had a shot charged down then Louis Burns fired over.

However, it was the hosts who struck first midway through the half with Colin Larkin stooping to head in at the far post from a cross by Brennan Fitzpatrick.

The score gave Aycliffe added impetus and after ‘keeper Ben Metcalf had clawed down a shot from Henson, Ashington’s goal led a charmed life as they twice cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble.

The Colliers regrouped and Fisher was forced to turn around an effort by Spooner then the midfielder played a ball in which went across the face of goal.

Ben Williams was denied when his effort was cleared off the line but in the first minute of time added on, Ross’s first goal of the season brought Ashington back on level terms.

Spooner’s free-kick was headed out but the ball fell perfectly to Ross who smashed home a right foot volley into the back of the net.

After the break, Metcalf held from Henson then at the other end, Fisher pushed out from Spooner and a cross by Burns was cleared away from the danger zone.

However in the 55th minute, former Collier Jake Orrell put his side back in front with a superb finish.

The ball was slotted through to the midfielder who curled a right footer from the edge of the area wide of Metcalf and inside the upright.

Just past the hour mark, Metcalf spilled a free kick from the right by Orrell and Sloan had the easy task of tapping the ball home.

Ashington pulled one back in the 72nd minute when Noble took a quick free-kick which released Oli Thompson and the on-loan player from Gateshead kept his cool before slotting wide of Fisher.

The Colliers were back in the contest – but within the space of three minutes found themselves 5-2 down.

Ashington had a throw-in in their defensive third but conceded possession and substitute Jack Robertson – who had only been on the field a mere five minutes – profited as he squeezed the ball between Metcalf and his near post.

Robertson added a quickfire second after playing a one-two and driving past Metcalf before Noble was promptly dismissed by referee Elliot Cowens following an off the ball incident.