Match Report

By Brian Bennett

Ashington progressed into the next round of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup after a 4-1 victory over North Shields at the Daren Persson Stadium on Wednesday night.

A first half cracker by Michael Ndiweni was added to with skipper Wilson Kneeshaw, Jay Errington and Craig Spooner all on target in the second half whilst ex Collier Ben Harmison was on the score sheet for the home side.

It was a cup tie which took a while to get going but the Wansbeck side scored their goals at the right times, played well and deserved the win.

Shields played their part in a game which opened up and turned into a frenetic second half and on another night they could have had more joy but on this occasion they were thwarted by ‘keeper Ross Coombe who was in excellent form in the Ashington goal.

The home side did have the ball in the net early doors through Daniel Waldon as he converted Will McCamley’s cross into the box but the winger was flagged offside.

The first effort of the game came in the tenth minute when a low right footer from Andrew Johnson was held by Shields’ ‘keeper Finlay Hodgson but five minutes later, Jay Errington came within a whisker of giving his side the lead.

Craig Spooner charged forward through the middle and when he found Errington, the tall striker cut inside and let fly with his left foot but the ball crashed against the bar.

Shields had penalty shouts for handball turned down by referee Jack Whitfield before McCamley clipped over following a throw in on the right.

The same player beat two players on a run down the left flank and played a superb low ball which went across the face of the visitors’ goal.

Ashington’s reply came in the 38th minute when they went ahead with a fabulous strike by Michael Ndiweni.

Kneeshaw claimed the assist after work down the left and when he crossed, Ndiweni’s right foot volley gave Hodgson no chance as it screamed into the corner of the net.

Just prior to the interval, Ndiweni went close to a second but his effort went inches wide of the upright.

From the start of the second period, Shields came out all guns blazing and Ashington had to withstand constant pressure.

Coombe made a save from point-blank range then home skipper Adam Forster had a good chance but side footed over the bar.

However in the 55th minute, the Colliers doubled their lead with a goal against the run of play – but what a strike it was from Kneeshaw.

The striker latched onto a pass played over the top, took the ball wide of the advancing Hodgson then cut back inside a defender before squeezing his shot just inside the post.

On the hour, the home side struck the bar but at the midway point of the half, who else but Kneeshaw caused havoc in the home area which led to Errington extending the lead to 3-0.

Kneeshaw initially closed Hodgson down before picking his pocket and when he pulled the ball back, it appeared a formality that Errington would score from close range.

However, Hodgson got back to miraculously block the striker who then smashed home the rebound.

It was the first of three goals inside seven minutes.

Following a build up by Shields, Harmison reduced the arrears with an excellent left footed finish into the corner.

But barely sixty seconds later, Spooner restored the three goals advantage. He chased a through pass and although he was denied by Hodgson, the midfielder followed up to sweep the ball into the net.

Within seconds of being introduced as a substitute, Eddie Thomas was foiled by Hodgson after the stopper had fisted down another effort from Spooner then the final opportunity of the clash came five minutes from the end of normal time.

Substitute Lee Mason advanced on goal but struck a low drive straight at Coombe.