Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s miserable run continued on Tuesday night as they crashed to a fourth consecutive league defeat.

The Colliers went down 2-1 against Pontefract Collieries at Woodhorn Lane and had it not been for an outstanding display between the posts by ‘keeper Matty Alexander, the West Yorkshire outfit would have won the contest by a much bigger margin.

Noah Cunningham gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half but the visitors turned the game around with two goals inside a minute from substitute Elliott Walker and Ben Middleton.

Cunningham was involved in the first incident of the game in the third minute when he went in with a late challenge on Pontefract ‘keeper Harry Christy and was yellow carded by referee Liam Batie.

Minutes later, the visitors came close to the opener following a cross from the right.

Alex Pavan’s effort struck the post and the follow up by Joe Lumsden was held by Alexander.

On the quarter hour, midfielder Jack Gibson had Ashington’s first shot with a 25 yarder which lacked power and was easily collected by Christy.

Pontefract were the better side and their skipper Jack Greenhough was causing problems with his long throw ins but midway through the period, Ashington profited from a calamitous mistake in the visitors defence to go in front.

Under pressure from Cunningham, Middleton attempted to head the ball back to Christy but he got too much height on it with the ball going over the ‘keeper and presenting Cunningham with a simple tap in.

However, this game changed dramatically in the 35th minute when the visitors scored twice.

Following a corner on the right, Walker – who had only been on the field four minutes as a substitute – struck a worldie with a thunderous right footer from 25 yards which crashed inside the upright giving Alexander no chance.

The game had barely restarted when Greenhough launched another long throw in towards the near post where Middleton nipped in to head home and then in time added on, Alexander made a great save diving to his right.

Ashington showed more desire after the break and in the 75th minute, substitute Jude Cogdon fired an effort wide.

But in the closing stages as Ashington chased the game, Pontefract had chances and after sub Marcel Stepniewski had curled a shot over, they were denied on three occasions from making the points completely safe by the brilliance of Alexander.