By Brian Bennett

Ashington were on the wrong end of one of the shocks in this seasons Emirates FA Cup competition when they lost 3-2 against Thornaby at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

Twice ahead, the Colliers were pegged back for a second time in the opening minute after the interval before Spencer Walker netted what proved to be the winning goal to send the Teessiders through.

In the end, it was a deserved victory for Thornaby – who play in the first division of the Ebac Northern League – and after defeating Guisborough Town in the extra preliminary round, they have now claimed two scalps against teams who operate in the level above in the NPL’s East Division.

In the opening stages it was Walker who missed out on two good chances. The striker wriggled free and his left foot shot was held by home ‘keeper Matty Alexander then after Ashington had lost possession, the same player stroked a weak effort wide.

However, it was the Colliers who forged ahead in the 11th minute following a lovely build up. Debutant Noah Cunningham’s shot struck the base of the post but Jamie Holmes was on hand to blast the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

Cunningham hit the side netting before the visitors drew level in the 20th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty.

Walker charged through and went to ground under a challenge from Alexander but the home number one appeared to get a hand on the ball and push it away.

After the referee had pointed to the spot, Walker sent Alexander the wrong way tucking the ball inside the post.

Both sides huffed and puffed and after Josh Gilchrist had played the ball across the face of goal when only a touch was required, Alexander was called into action, palming the ball aside from an effort by Sam Lawrence.

Six minutes before the interval, Ashington regained the lead with a brilliant strike by Craig Spooner.

Cunningham teed the ball up for the midfielder whose left footer from 22 yards flew past ‘keeper Sam Taylor and nestled inside the corner.

The game changing moment of the contest came 30 seconds into the second half when Thornaby caught Ashington on their heels to equalise.

The visitors forced a corner on the left and when skipper Joe Pickett floated the ball over, it was met by the unmarked Jacob Thompson who found the back of the net with a header from six yards.

The Teessiders grew in confidence and although Spooner had a shot tipped around by Taylor who also held a tame effort from Gilchrist, who else but Walker put the them ahead on the hour.

He latched onto a ball played up the left flank, cut inside then stroked a low left footer wide of Alexander and inside the far post.

From thereon, the visitors looked comfortable against an Ashington side whose performance was sloppy on occasions with the Colliers also guilty of causing their own problems.

Yet four minutes from the end of the 90, only an astonishing save by Taylor denied substitute Scott Lowery a certain equaliser.

A corner by fellow sub Scott Fenwick was glanced on and Lowery’s firm header was goalbound until Taylor somehow clawed the ball off the line.

In the last minute of time added on, Alexander made a block from Euan McBride before the final whistle saw the Thornaby players celebrate the victory with their supporters.

By Brian Bennet

Ashington made a perfect start to the new season when first half goals from Tom McIntyre and Josh Gilchrist sealed a 2-0 win over Horden Community Welfare in this Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round match at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

As the sun shone down in Wansbeck, the Colliers gave their supporters a different kind of warmth after an encouraging and comfortable victory which booked them another home tie against Thornaby on Saturday week (August 22).

Home boss Marc Ellison was looking for his outfit to lay down an early marker – and they did just that when debutant Tom McIntyre gave them the lead in the eighth minute following a move down the right.

McIntyre played a one-two with newcomer Scott Fenwick before he fired a right footer across experienced ‘keeper Robert Dean and inside the far post.

Ashington dominated the ball for long periods but the half was not littered with chances.

Ben Henderson had a shot blocked inside the home penalty area before the Colliers profited from a huge slice of misfortune in the visitors ranks to double their lead in the final minute of the 45.

Horden played the ball across their back line to a defender who stood on the ball and lost possession which put the alert Gilchrist clean through.

The Ashington number seven advanced then clipped wide his shot wide of Dean and into the net.

Early in the second period, Ryan Wombwell had to clear to avert the danger but the game followed a similar pattern to the first half and was certainly not littered with chances.

The visitors had a brief spell during which time, home ‘keeper Matty Alexander blocked an effort by Henderson before he tipped a shot by Philly Angus around the post

Ashington’s play had not been as fluent but in the final stages, they carved out a couple of marvellous opportunities.

In the 87th minute, Liam Henderson flicked on a pass from Rory Powell which put Gilchrist in the clear. The midfielder attempted to round Dean but saw the stopper whip the ball off his toes.

Then Fenwick charged through and his shot was destined for the far corner until Dean produced a great save diving to his right.