Match Report

By Brian Bennett

An early goal by Hallam centre forward Leon Salmon-Howarth settled the outcome of a scrappy and poor contest in difficult conditions at Sandygate on Saturday.

And whilst ‘The Countrymen’ celebrated reaching 50 points for the season after the final whistle, Ashington’s players walked off dejectedly after a narrow defeat in windswept Sheffield.

In truth, based on possession across the 90 minutes, the Wansbeck side were worthy of a draw but their performance lacked genuine quality.

Hallam boast having the oldest ground in the world. The pitch is notorious for its slope which runs from one end to the other and the Colliers, kicking down the incline in the first half made a positive start.

With only 80 seconds on the clock, Rory Powell had a shot tipped over the bar by home ‘keeper and skipper Hugo Warhurst.

However in the fourth minute, the home side forged ahead when the unmarked Salmon-Howarth met a cross from the right and powered a header inside the upright which initially knocked the stuffing out of Marc Ellison’s side.

Ashington had a penalty shout turned down when Ollie Thompson went down in the box under challenge whilst Hallam frittered away a few opportunities.

Paulo Aguas blasted over; Matty Alexander saved brilliantly to deny Salmon-Howarth and Kiyani Clayton fired wide.

The visitors were being penned inside their own half but came close to an equaliser just past the midway mark. Oliver Thompson slipped the ball through for Josh Gilchrist but the striker’s left footer came back off the far post.

Similarly on the half hour when Gilchrist laid the ball off, Ollie Thompson didn’t have to break stride but blazed over.

Before the interval, Clayton volleyed wide at one end and in the closing minutes, a cross by Gilchrist found Ryan Wombwell whose header was blocked.

Chances after the break were sparse. Ollie Thompson clipped wide then Gilchrist shot wide whilst Alexander thwarted Clayton.

In the final ten minutes, Ollie Thompson worked a one-two with Gilchrist but his effort was off target then in the 90th minute, defender Ben Williams ventured forward and when he found Spooner, the midfielder’s shot rebounded off the post with Warhurst beaten.