Match Report

By Brian Bennett

The cat amongst the pigeons; the fly in the ointment – call it whatever you want – but one thing is for sure – Ashington delivered a performance against Dunston at Woodhorn Lane on Friday night in a game which they won 1-0 which certainly made their supporters sit up and take notice.

It was akin to a David and Goliath clash – the Colliers battling to get away from the relegation drop zone whilst their visitors were looking to consolidate their place in the play offs at the opposite end of the table.

A blood and thunder type of contest, in reality, the game hinged on two key incidents within five minutes of each other early in the second period.

Ashington stopper Matty Alexander – on his return to the side – made a brilliant save from a Josh Donaldson penalty before Ben Williams put the Colliers in front.

But from the referee’s first whistle, the Wansbeck side went for the throat and with their intensity, had Dunston on the back foot and struggling to get out of their own half.

In the sixth minute, Rory Powell ventured down the right flank and when he pulled the ball square, Craig Spooner’s had a right footer which was pushed away by ‘keeper Dan Lowson.

Dunston broke quickly from the resultant corner and Finlay Neary had an effort tipped over by Alexander.

Play switched immediately and from a succession of corners by Josh Gilchrist, an effort from Williams was cleared off the line, Ryan Wombwell headed wide at the far post then Gilchrist hit the post direct from the third.

With Ashington still in the ascendency, Liam Henderson had a shot held by Lowson after excellent work down the right by Wilson Kneeshaw and on the stroke of half time, Chris Reid headed across from a Gilchrist restart but Wombwell nodded wide.

Then came the two turning points in quick succession.

In the 51st minute, Will Shaw was upended in the area by Rory Powell and after referee Thomas James had immediately pointed to the spot, Alexander made a cracking one handed save diving to his left to deny Donaldson.

Then Ashington were awarded a free-kick on the left and when Gilchrist swung the ball into the danger zone, Williams was at the far post to smash the ball home on the volley.

Kneeshaw blasted narrowly over from distance before Donaldson and Chris McDonald had efforts off target for the visitors.

In the closing stages, Ashington had to man the pumps as Dunston threw everything at them – then came the final whistle which not only confirmed Ashington’s best result of the season but also their best performance of the campaign.