Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Luke Brooksbank’s stunning late strike clinched a 2-1 victory for Silsden and condemned Ashington to a fifth consecutive defeat from this wind affected game at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

Liam Henderson had fired the hosts ahead on the stroke of half time but after Andrew Buah’s equaliser, it was Brooksbank who had the final say.

Yet again – for at least the fourth time this term – the Colliers conceded late in the game. They remain in the relegation zone and now face two difficult away games against Lincoln United on Tuesday followed by a trip to face Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

What manager Marc Ellison would give for his side to have the cushion of at least a three goal lead – and on Saturday, they could have had it.

Kicking with the wind on their backs they carved out chances but left their fans frustrated by a reluctance to pull the trigger.

That began in the third minute when Josh Gilchrist opted to pass to Jack Gibson and the opportunity went begging. Seconds later, Oli Thompson pulled the ball back where Gilchrist blasted over.

Just past the quarter hour mark, Henderson and Gilchrist combined to set up Gibson who had a shot blocked then skipper Karl Ross crossed from the right but Jude Cogden failed to connect after arriving at the back post.

It was midway through the half before the visitors threatened when Jakub Hebda played in Brooksbank whose shot was fisted over the bar by ‘keeper Adrian Janusz, who was making his second debut for the Colliers.

In the 34th minute Gilchrist again passed up on a shooting opportunity as he tried to play in Ross and the chance was lost.

However, after Silsden ‘keeper Tommy Brown had clawed away a free kick from Gilchrist, the hosts broke the deadlock when the ball was played in to Henderson who squeezed a low right footer from 18 yards wide of Brown and inside the post.

For the start of the second half, the visitors introduced Kayle Price for Tobias Jeffrey and within minutes, the substitute made inroads into the home area but Dan Groves made a timely interception to avert the danger.

From the resultant throw in on the right, skipper Jake Cassidy’s left footer from the edge of the area was tipped around by Janusz.

Silsden were more effective with the wind on their backs than Ashington had been with the home side forced to defend deep.

Consequently it came as no surprise when the visitors drew level on the hour, Andrew Buah unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.

Seven minutes later, Gilchrist missed a gilt edged opportunity.

After a great build up, Henderson played the ball through which put Gilchrist clear one-on-one but his shot was blocked by Brown.

Later on, a low shot from Dexter Ball from 25 yards squirmed past Janusz, hit the base of the post and was cleared.

Then Ashington suffered from the 90th minute blues when Buah set up Brooksbank whose curling effort from 20 yards gave Janusz no chance.