Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington picked up a well deserved point from a goalless draw against promotion chasers Pontefract Collieries at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

It was a game which never scaled any heights with little to stir a healthy crowd of just over 400 and whilst the Wansbeck side had the best opportunity to break the deadlock, in the grand scheme of things, it was a point better than nothing.

After the initial sparring, the visitors began to dominate possession and it was only the brilliance of Ben Metcalf who kept the scoreline blank.

The on-loan ‘keeper from Sunderland tipped over a sixth minute effort from Pontefract skipper Jack Greenhough then Alex Pavan was allowed far too much space and when he unleashed a thunderous shot, Metcalf dived to his right to push the ball away.

After being pinned in their own half for long periods, Ashington eventually fought back to have the upper hand in the final ten minutes of the period.

In the 35th minute, Connor Thomson and Kneeshaw worked a one-two down the right flank. When the ball was crossed, a clever dummy by Craig Spooner set up a glorious chance for Louis Burns but from eight yards, the unmarked striker skied his effort over the bar with home supporters expecting the net to bulge.

Another move ended with a tame shot by debutant Christian Lynn being taken by Harry Christy then on the stroke of half time, Ben Williams had a header clutched by the stopper from a Spooner corner on the left.

The second half was a non event with clear cut chances virtually non existent.
Ashington defended well to snuff out Pontefract’s dangerous weapon of long throw ins into the area by Greenhough whilst Metcalf’s handling was impeccable.

Greenhough had a decent opportunity but fired over before the game had a strange twist and end to it after three minutes of additional time were indicated.

Pontefract’s Ben Middleton was booked whilst Ryan Wombwell was shown a second yellow card and consequently sent off following an off the ball incident inside the visitors penalty area from an Ashington free-kick.

That was in the sixth minute – then in the eighth, the visitors were awarded a corner on the left from which Alfie Perry shot over at the far post.