Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Cam Gascoigne struck a spectacular winner five minutes from the end of extra time to send Ashington marching into the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Following three fascinating games in eight days between the two sides, it was hardly surprising that this replay went the full distance – with Gascoigne’s breathtaking effort from fully 40 yards taking Ashington through where they will travel to meet Ebac Northern League outfit Crook Town on Saturday week (August 31).

This game had just about everything crammed into it. After a very cautious start, it was the Colliers who created first and after a shot from Gascoigne had been blocked by home ‘keeper Ryan Catterick, Cyril Giraud then dragged an effort wide.

Shortly afterwards, Catterick was called into action again, pushing a shot from Craig Spooner aside.

The opening half hour had been a game of cat and mouse but it exploded in the 33rd minute when the Wansbeck side took the lead with an outrageous strike by Jay Errington.

Both sides were guilty of losing the ball before when Errington picked up possession and unleashed a cracking left foot drive from the edge of the box which rocketed into the net leaving Catterick helpless.

Two minutes later, the 20 year old ought to have added a second. Wilson Kneeshaw pulled the ball back from the by line but Errington scuffed his effort which rolled narrowly wide.

Then four minutes before the interval, Bishops had a great opportunity to equalise when Louis Johnson rolled the ball to the unmarked Matty Tyson but the forward struck an effort which was held by ‘keeper Dan Staples.

Early in the second half, Kneeshaw had a chance but could not get the ball out of his feet and Bishops recovered to thwart him.

The Two Blues – the better side after the break – drew level in the 70th minute.

The ball was slipped wide to the unmarked Brandon Holdsworth and the substitute struck a cool left footed finish wide of Staples.

Holdsworth went close with a free-kick from 25 yards before Ashington forced the pressure in the dying minutes.

Gascoigne shot wide then Spooner fired a great chance the wrong side of the post and in the first minute of stoppage time, Errington was through and side stepped Catterick only to see his effort cleared off the line.

In the first period of extra time, Catterick held a weak effort from Spooner then when play switched, sub Alexander Walker header over from a right wing corner.

Holdsworth must have thought he had put his side ahead in the 103rd minute but his effort – arrowing towards the top corner – was magnificently tipped over by Staples.

At one end Spooner went close with a free kick then at the other Johnson side footed wide.

With the clock beginning the tick down, a fantastic long ball by Paddy Almond found Kneeshaw who was clean through but saw his shot blocked by Catterick.

The game appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot out when Gascoigne’s low effort from distance crept just inside the post – and minutes later, the whole of the Ashington contingent were jubilant when the final whistle was blown.