By Brian Bennett

Ashington exited the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday after they went down to a 4-1 defeat against Congleton Town at the Cleric Stadium.

They say that every picture tells a story – but the same cannot be said for every football result. The Colliers failed to reach the heights of their midweek replay win at Bishop Auckland in the Emirates FA Cup but they were nevertheless on the receiving end of a scoreline which suggests a comfortable home win – which it wasn’t until the final 20 minutes when the Bears added a third with a fourth coming in stoppage time.

The Wansbeck side were guilty of causing their own problems which led to Congleton’s first two goals but 2-1 down, key moments went against them as they felt aggrieved at having a penalty awarded against them shortly before the interval then two strong penalty shouts of their own ignored by the referee.

On a warm afternoon in Cheshire, the Colliers made a positive start. Craig Spooner slotted the ball through to Michael Ndiweni – who was making his debut – and the former Newcastle United player saw his shot parried by home ‘keeper David Parton to his right with no-one on hand to pounce onto the rebound.

Two minutes later, Charlie Exley had an effort blocked from an in-swinging corner by Spooner then Cam Gascoigne was thwarted.

Congleton’s first attempt came with a 30 yarder by Callum Stringer which went straight into Dan Staples’ midriff.

However the home side forged ahead in the tenth minute. Ashington lost possession and from a right wing cross, Thomas Hampton rifled the ball home from six yards.

Ten minutes later, an audacious attempt from just inside his own half by Exley just dropped over the bar with Parton standing outside of his area.

The stopper tipped over from Gascoigne before midway through the half, the Colliers drew level when another corner by Spooner was headed in at the back post by Paul Van-Zandvliet.

But two minutes later, Ashington pressed the self destruct button after trying to play out from the back and it cost them dearly. Max McCarthy’s effort was blocked by Staples but the ball broke to Hampton who lashed it home.

Then in the 41st minute, a cross by Owen Morris struck Spooner on the arm and the referee awarded a penalty.

Hampton stepped up but missed out on the chance to complete his hat-trick when he struck a weak effort which was gratefully held by Staples diving to his right.

For the start of the second period, Ashington introduced Wilson Kneeshaw for Jay Errington and the substitute fired straight at Parton after an incisive move involving Spooner and Ndiweni.

Midway through the half there were two controversial incidents in quick succession. A breathtaking run by sub Cyril Giraud saw him skillfully weave past five players before he went to ground under challenge inside the area but despite shouts for a penalty the game continued.

Two minutes later, Ndiweni was pulled back by a defender in the box but again the referee remained unmoved.

Staples made an important save at the foot of his near post before the home side added a third in the 73rd minute when Peter Williams scored with a direct free kick from the left which flew into the far corner.

 

Two minutes into time added on, sub Daniel Needham slotted home a fourth with Ashington claiming that the ball had already gone out for a goal kick before it was crossed from the right.

 

The Colliers now have a quick turnaround as they prepare for Monday’s NPL East Division clash against Dunston at the UTS Stadium where kick off is 3pm.