Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington progressed into the next round of the FA Trophy on Saturday with a superb 3-1 victory over West Auckland at Woodhorn Lane.

The Colliers had to do it the hard way too after trailing early in the game but they put their stamp on the game and turned things around in the second half with an excellent performance.

Liam Henderson equalised with a ‘goal of the season’ contender with substitutes Benji Shodeinde and Scott Fenwick also on the scoresheet.

It was the visitors – promoted to the NPL East Division at the end of last season – who stunned home supporters when they took the lead in the eighth minute.

Referee Ryan Moore penalised home ‘keeper Lewis Baker – who was making his debut – after he picked up a back-pass on the six yards line and although Ashington blocked the resultant free-kick, the ball was recycled and when it came into the box from the left, James Hughes struck a right foot half-volley wide of Baker and into the net.

It was the 18th minute before Ashington had their first sniff following good link up play between Henderson, Noah Cunningham and Jamie Holmes but when the latter pulled the ball back, it was blocked.

The Colliers finished the half well on top, Holmes had an effort pushed away by ‘keeper Steven Bessent then two opportunities fell to Josh Gilchrist.

Jude Cogdon – another making his full debut – played the ball forward to Gilchrist but he rushed his shot which drifted well wide.
Then seconds from the half time whistle, Holmes set up Gilchrist whose drive was fisted out by Bessent.

Ashington made a dream start to the second period with Henderson scoring a sensational equaliser after a mere 43 seconds.

He spotted Bessent way out of his goal and from 40 yards, superbly chipped the ball over his head and into the net.

The game suddenly became more open with West’s impressive winger James Harrison having a right foot curler saved by Baker then play switching to the other end but when the ball was cut back, Gilchrist fired wide.

Five minutes later, Oli Thompson swept over a cross from the right but Gilchrist missed out with a weak connection.

On the hour, Thompson again raided down the right flank and found Henderson whose shot was held by Bessent then Gilchrist curled a left footer wide.

Midway through, Ashington manager Marc Ellison introduced Shodeinde and Fenwick and the two substitutes made massive impacts with a goal apiece.

Six minutes after coming on, Shodeinde burst into the box where he was brought down by West sub Gildo Silva. The referee pointed to the spot and Shodeinde sent Bessent the wrong way.

In the 77th minute, the Wansbeck side stretched their lead to 3-1 with Fenwick notching his first goal in Ashington colours.

Skipper Karl Ross’s tenacious qualities shone through as he initially won possession in midfield and when the ball was played through for Fenwick, he took it wide of Bessent and slotted home.

Following the goal and before play restarted, West’s troubles were further compounded when Hughes received a second yellow card – presumably for dissent – and was sent off.
Noah Cunningham and Shodeinde both hit efforts against the post then Fenwick brought out another fine save by Bessent.

At the start of four minutes of time added on, a shot by Joshua Scott squirmed past Baker and struck the woodwork then an effort from Oscar Eckley-Aldsworth fizzed just over.

The final action saw Shodeinde play the ball through for Cunningham but he was foiled by Bessent.