Competition: Northern League - Division 1
Jordan Summerly
2024/25 Sponsor: WOR MARCH FOR MEN
Left back that loves to get forward, Jordan is now in his fourth season at Ashington. Formerly with Blyth Spartans and North Shields, Jordan has won the Northern League Cup, Cleator Cup and promotion to the Northern Premier League during his time at Woodhorn Lane.
Newton Aycliffe vs Ashington
By Gary Bell
Following Saturday’s disappointing defeat away to West Auckland manager Ian Skinner made three changes to his starting eleven. Adam McHugh replaced Karl Dryden in goal with Karl Ross and Luke Salmon making way for Danny Anderson and Jordan Summerly.
It was the home side who showed first in the fourth minute Lewis Walton broke into the box but Ben Harmison was quick out to close the space and block the home midfielders shot. The ball spun out to Craig Spooner who controlled the ball in the centre of the park before hitting a ball beyond the home defence. Dean Briggs responded quickly to gather the ball before breaking into the right hand corner of the box before hitting a curling shot across Adam Pickford in the home goal and into the right hand corner of the net. A dream start for Ashington.
Paul Robinson was cautioned a minute later for pulling back Liam Jarvis when he looked to be breaking clear but the home side’s free kick was gathered safely by McHugh.
Ashington were in the ascendancy and on 15 minutes were unlucky not to double their advantage. Liam Doyle broke well down the right and his cross found Briggs in the centre of the goal but he just miscontrolled the ball to allow Pickford to dive at his feet and collect the ball. The pair almost combined again two minutes later when Briggs fired a shot which deflected wide. The Ashington striker was quickest to react to the rebound and fired the ball across the six yard area but the ball just evaded Doyle’s desperate lunge at the back post.
Ashington were not to be denied however and midway through the first half Curtis Coppen read an attack really well to cut out a dangerous through ball. He quickly laid the ball into Robinson’s path who in turn played a pinpoint through ball for Briggs to clear of the defence and calmly side foot the ball passed the outrushing Pickford.
The home side were struggling to get any sort of hold on the game though they did go close when a ball from the right was met with a header from Walton was held low down by McHugh.
In the 26th minute Ashington extended their lead with another ball over the top of the home defence, this time by Ben Harmison, send Briggs clear on goal and he made no mistake to fire home from 8 yards out giving Pickford no chance. An impressive hattrick within the first half hour for the on-form Ashington front man
Alexander Walker picked up a yellow card when he went through the back of Spooner on half way and was lucky not to see red when he fouled Briggs on the edge of his own box but the referee waved play on to save the centre half from an early exit. He was however replaced soon after with Callum Monro coming on in his place. Joe Ferguson then tested McHugh with a 20 yard drive but the Ashington keeper collected the ball comfortably low down.
With ten minutes remaining in the half Doyle broke quickly down the right before playing the ball in to Robinson in the inside-right position and his first time dipping effort sailed just inches past the left hand upright. Doyle almost turned provider again when he cut inside and played a through ball to Spooner but he could not keep his effort from the edge of the box down and it sailed over the bar.
The half time whistle sounded with Ashington being very good value for their 3 0 lead.
Newton Aycliffe looked to be more focused at the start of the second half and in the second minute following the restart they created a good chance when a ball into the box fell to Adam Burnicle but his right foot shot from 10 yards out hit the side netting.
Two minutes later the game looked to be over as a contest when Briggs did well to pressurise Pickford into a hurried clearance which was gathered by Doyle who sprinted down the right wing and delivered the ball back to Briggs six yard out and the Ashington striker made no mistake coolly controlling the ball and side footing home.
Briggs was now causing Aycliffe all manor of problems. On 51 minutes the striker was fouled right on the edge of the box and when he took the resulting free kick the ball went agonisingly the wrong side of the post with Pickford beaten. A minute later Robinson played the ball into the path of Jordan Summerly who ran into the box and fired in a right foot shot which Pickford did well to get down to, diving full length to parry the effort away.
Aycliffe made a further substitution bringing on Jake Petittean for Liam Jarvie in an attempt to change the flow of the game but it was the visitors who produced the next chance when a long ball was controlled by Doyle 22 yards out. Spooner made a great decoy run to drag two defenders out of Doyle’s path but his stinging shot went just wide.
On the hour Damen Mullen was harshly yellow carded for an innocuous looking foul on half way. Aycliffe brought on their final sub when Sonni Colman replaced Burnicle and he was quickly involved receiving the free kick and playing in Jack Naylor on the right and his cross shot from out on the right wing was caught by the wind to sail over McHugh and just under the bar to reduce the arrears to 4-1. Two minutes later a slick 1-2 saw Shaun Ryder race into the box but his shot flew wide of the post.
Ashington made their first substitution on 73 when Robinson was replaced by Luke Salmon and he was quickly in the thick of things when he was booked for a foul three minutes later. Aycliffe were lucky however that the referee did not see their reaction to the incident with one player grabbing Salmon by the hair and the other trying to throw a punch in his direction. From the resulting free kick there was some confusion in the visitors defence when McHugh raced from his box to head a clearance. The ball fell to a home striker but he rushed his shot and fired wide from 18 yards out.
Ashington continued to press forward and were unlucky not to add to their lead when good work down the left by Doyle saw him cross into Briggs who just got under his header on the edge of the six yard area to put his effort over. Spooner then fired just over the bar from just inside the box. With 90 minutes on the clock Harmison then sent in Briggs for another one on one with Pickford but this time the home keeper ready the striker’s intentions and saved his effort low to his left.
Karl Ross and Yannick Aziakonou replaced Damen Mullen and Craig Spooner for Ashington in the dying seconds.
Deep into injury time Colman broke into the box for the home side only to see his effort well blocked by Coppen throwing himself in front of his shot but from the resulting corner the ball was played short to Walton and the ball was forced home from close range with Munro looking to get the last touch.
This was to be the final action of the game and probably meant the scoreline did not quite reflect the dominance of their play across the 90 minutes. An excellent result which sees the Colliers rise to fourth in the Northern League table.
2 vs 4 
West Auckland Town vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Jordan Blinco notched a hat-trick as West Auckland went nap against Ashington at the Wanted Stadium on Saturday.
The treble strike propelled the Auckland striker up to second place in the list of leading scorers in the first division of the Ebac Northern League and in fairness, Blinco didn’t have to work too hard on the day to achieve the feat.
Ashington were punished for almost every mistake they made with ‘keeper Karl Dryden having an uncharacteristically out-of-sorts afternoon in Durham which he will quickly want to forget.
The eagerly anticipated clash between two in-form sides near the summit of the league got off to a cautious start with chances at an absolute premium.
In the second minute, a free kick from 25 yards by Craig Spooner flashed just wide of home ‘keeper Sam Guthrie’s upright – but it was a full quarter hour before the next threat.
On this occasion, it was a quick break by the hosts led by Corey Nicholson who bore down the right flank but his cross was headed clear by Curtis Coppen.
Midway through, a chance was fashioned at either end. Ashington went route one with Paul Robinson flicking on a goal kick by Dryden to Dean Briggs who fired wide on the half volley. West retaliated and Leon Scott found Anthony Bell who blasted over from distance.
Ashington had marginally looked the better side of the two and had been defensively solid – but the game chanced completely as West scored three times in a 20 minutes period.
In the 23rd minute, Blinco was allowed a half a yard of space on the edge of the area and his half hit effort saw Dryden get a hand to it but only help it on its way into the net.
In their next sorte upfield, Damen Mullen found Ben Sampson and when he crossed, a header from Briggs was not far away from creeping inside the far post.
But on 36 minutes, the home side doubled their lead when Ashington lost the ball after an advantage played by referee Sam Packer.
Coppen was clearly fouled deep in his own half but when the Colliers conceded possession, West picked it up and a superb cross from the right by Andre Bennett was met by Blinco who steered a downward header wide of Dryden.
With half time just around the corner, Liam Doyle had a free kick deflected wide then a 22 yards restart by Robinson clipped the bar and went over.
However, three minutes before the break, Ashington were hit by a cruel piece of luck which culminated in West’s third as a shot from 25 yards by substitute Kieron Parnaby took a massive deflection and wrong footed Dryden before finding the net.
With seconds remaining, Bennett headed a Robinson corner off the line and an effort by Ben Harmison was held by Guthrie before a brilliant low cross by Sampson went across the face of the home goal.
Ashington made a positive start to the second period with an early cross by Luke Salmon being pouched at the near post by Guthrie and Mullen having an 18 yarder following a corner, deflected just over the bar.
But in the 56th minute, Parnaby pounced on another mistake to waltz through the defence before unleashing a right footer which Dryden got a hand too but couldn’t keep out.
Dryden pushed away from Parnaby then in the 63rd minute, Salmon latched onto a Robinson free-kick played to the back post to head goalwards but home skipper Gary Brown cleared off the line.
Spooner curled just wide whilst at the other end, an effort by Bell was tipped over by Dryden.
In the 81st minute, West added a fifth. David Dowson closed down Dryden and when the ‘keeper tried to play the ball out, it was intercepted by the substitute who rolled it across for Blinco who in acres of space, walked it into an empty net.
5 vs 0 Ashington vs Sunderland RCA
By Brian Bennett
On a warm night in Wansbeck, Ashington turned the heat on visitors Sunderland RCA with a powerful display at The dwmedia Stadium to record their fifth win from their last six games.
Two goals from Paul Robinson plus strikes from skipper Dean Briggs and Ryan McGorrigan put the Colliers into an unassailable 4-0 lead with only 55 minutes gone on the clock
To their credit, the Wearsiders never threw the towel in – even when they were forced to play the final 20 minutes with only ten men having used all three substitutes – and reduced the arrears through Simon Jakab and Mark Davison.
Both sides went into the contest on the back of eye catching victories at the weekend. Ashington triumphed 4-0 over Crook Town whilst RCA caused one of the shock results of the day with a 3-0 away win at second placed Newton Aycliffe.
The win elevated Ian Skinner’s side up to fifth from top of the Ebac Northern League’s first division and they again delighted their home supporters – in another superb attendance of 381 – with breathtaking spells of football.
They got off to the perfect start too when Briggs pounced onto a back pass in the fifth minute and calmly took his time before firing past ‘keeper Jonathan Ball.
However, only two minutes later, the Colliers were given a sharp reminder that RCA meant business when a ball played in by Michael Coghlan saw a header by Matty Weirs pushed onto the post by home ‘keeper Karl Dryden.
McGorrigan and Ben Sampson both went close to adding to the lead but midway through, Dryden had to be alert to push away a goal bound free kick from 25 yards by Coghlan.
On the half hour, McGorrigan almost got on the score sheet – but would have known little about it. Liam Doyle put the ball into the danger zone and Ball’s clearance struck McGorrigan and ballooned over the bar.
Coghlan was prominent in the middle of the park for the visitors and on the half hour, he curled the ball just wide from distance then had a shot held by Dryden.
Ashington had been guilty of trying to over play during the period – but in the final minute of the half, they doubled their lead after a slick move.
Sampson found Briggs who bisected the rearguard with a lovely ball for Robinson and he coolly slotted wide of Ball.
The Colliers made a breathtaking start to the second period as they added a third with only 35 seconds played.
A neat interchange between Doyle and Sampson released McGorrigan whose cross-cum-shot from the right was lashed into the roof of the net by Robinson.
Ashington were rampant and minutes later, McGorrigan was just wide after a short worked corner between Danny Anderson and Briggs.
On 50 minutes Taylor Richardson had an effort saved by Dryden – before another scintillating move down the right flank culminated in a fourth for the home side.
Sampson played the ball to Doyle and when he crossed to the near post, McGorrigan – sliding in – made no mistake.
However, midway through the second period, RCA pulled one back when Jakab headed home from a corner on the right.
The visitors then had shouts for a penalty turned aside by referee Graeme Hopper when Max Allen went down in the area – and when the number five was forced to leave the field on the 70 minutes mark through injury, it meant the visitors had to play out the remainder of the game with ten men as they had used all three substitutes.
Ashington were knocking the ball around and ‘managing the game’ – and in the closing stages almost added to their tally.
On 84 minutes Briggs put the ball through for McGorrigan who was thwarted by Ball but sixty seconds later, Mark Davison struck home on the half volley for RCA after a cross from the right to make it 4-2.
Back came Ashington and Robinson rolled the ball on a plate for sub Max Cowburn who looked a certain scorer until his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line.
From the resulting corner on the right by Briggs, Robinson had an opportunity to claim a hat-trick – but the midfielder headed wide.
4 vs 2 
Ashington vs Crook Town
By Brian Bennett
The cream definitely rose to the top for Ashington – on a day when a local dairy was the match sponsor at The dwmedia Stadium!
Three goals of the highest quality from skipper Dean Briggs, substitute Craig Spooner and Jordan Summerly were included in a dominant second half by the Colliers which swept Crook aside.
The final tally was four – but it could have been more as Ian Skinner’s outfit caused umpteen problems for the visitors down both flanks with full backs Ben Sampson and Summerly both prominent.
Yet after the first 45 minutes, there was little to choose between the sides with Crook looking a well organised and tidy outfit and the Colliers certainly not having things their own way.
Ashington created the first chance after only 90 seconds when a long ball out of defence by Curtis Coppen found Ryan McGorrigan who played in Paul Robinson. The midfielder cut inside but his left foot shot went straight into the midriff of ‘keeper Aaron Skelton.
Crook responded with Mason Hurworth hooking the ball over from 16 yards following a free-kick on the right then skipper Lee Hume firing in a shot from the left hand side of the area which was deflected over.
It was a slow start by both sides – and although the football was good, chances were at a premium.
Midway through the period, Robinson was not far away with a right footer then Max Cowburn and Ben Sampson combined to set up Danny Anderson but he clipped the ball over the bar.
However Ashington took the lead in the 38th minute with McGorrigan netting his ninth goal of the campaign.
Briggs made a surging run forward before going to ground and after referee Connor Scott had waved away penalty shouts, the ball ran to McGorrigan who drove wide of Skelton and in off the far post.
Ashington made a good start to the second period. Anderson got on the end of a cross by Summerly but his header was taken by Skelton.
However, in the 51st minute, Briggs lit the touch paper with a stunning effort to double his sides lead. Receiving from Summerly, the home skipper skipped past one challenge then unleashed a right footer from the edge of the area which gave Skelton no chance as it flew inside the right stanchion.
Five minutes later, Briggs was through again but Connor Johnson made a great block tackle to stop him and just past the hour mark, McGorrigan’s pass put Briggs down the middle but his shot thudded against the foot of the post.
Ashington were playing some lovely football and a neat dummy by McGorrigan gave Cowburn an opportunity. The winger looked up and his effort directed towards the near post was touched over by Skelton.
In the 69th minute, home boss Skinner made a double substitution introducing Karl Ross and Craig Spooner for Briggs and Anderson – and it proved to be an inspired move as within five minutes, the pair combined to add a fabulous third.
Ross’s deft lay off set up Spooner and the former North Shields midfielder curled a brilliant right footer from 18 yards into the top corner to record his first goal in Ashington colours.
The Colliers continued to slice open the Crook rearguard with McGorrigan turning but firing wide then Sampson and Cowburn linking down the right but when the latter crossed, McGorrigan’s first time effort rolled a foot wide of the far post.
In the 88th minute the home side pieced together a scintillating move which initially involved Sampson and Cowburn. Summerly and Robinson then played a one-two and when the full back crossed, McGorrigan just failed to connect as he slid in at the far post.
However in the second minute of stoppage time, Summerly also opened his account for the Colliers following another well worked move.
Robinson threaded a pass through for Summerly who finished with aplomb, driving the ball inside the far corner.
4 vs 0 
Seaham Red Star vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Ashington’s mini run of three successive wins came to an end on Saturday when a header from Seaham striker Adam Lennox quarter of an hour from time resulted in a narrow defeat in their Ebac Northern League first division clash at The Independent Utility Advice Arena.
The teams went into the contest on the back of totally contrasting results in midweek. The Colliers scored three times in the final 15 minutes to win a five goal thriller against Blyth Town in the Techflow Marine Northumberland Senior Cup clash whilst at the same time, Red Star went down 4-0 in their ENL tussle at home to Thornaby.
Inside the opening minute, a long ball into the Ashington penalty area saw miscommunication between Karl Dryden and Yannick Aziakonou. As the ‘keeper came out to punch, the defender got their first and headed narrowly wide of his own goal.
Ashington responded with Damen Mullen finding Dean Briggs who went past ‘keeper Andrew Jennison but dragged his shot into the side netting.
The Wansbeck side had the ball in the net in the sixth minute when Luke Salmon’s cross field pass to Karl Ross saw the number ten cross where Briggs headed in at the far post – but the score was disallowed for offside.
Within sixty seconds, Seaham – who had made the more positive start – ought to have taken the lead when Dryden punched out an effort from Lennox but Danny Sayer headed wide of the far post.
Chances then totally dried up until Salmon played the ball into the box where Danny Anderson’s touch set up Craig Spooner – making his full debut – but he drove wide.
Then in the 37th minute, Briggs slipped the ball wide to Salmon who whipped the ball across the face of the goal.
Two minutes later, the home side edged in front. A perfectly weighted pass down the middle by Lennox unlocked the Ashington defence and put Thomas Lawson through.
The number seven attempted to take the ball around Dryden who got his finger tips to it and deflected it sideways – but Lawson following up, rolled the ball in.
On the hour, Sayer hit the post after a cross from the right before Briggs headed over at the other end.
Ashington then went through a brief spell where they looked vulnerable at the back. Dryden kept out a header by Max Nelson and a couple of minutes later, Sayer had another opportunity until his shot was blocked by Curtis Coppen – who was Ashington’s stand out performer on the day by a distance.
In the 72nd minute, Anderson played a short corner to substitute Paul Robinson who weaved his magic and when he returned the ball to Anderson, the midfielder unleashed an effort from the edge of the area which was goal bound until it was pushed away by Jennison.
However sixty seconds later, a long clearance by Dryden went over the top of the home defence which sent Briggs clear and the Ashington skipper made no mistake, with a low drive wide of Jennison and inside the far corner.
But within three minutes, the home side were back in front when a cross from the left found the unmarked Lennox who gave Dryden no chance as he powered a header into the net from six yards.
Ashington searched for a second equaliser but despite their efforts, came up against a resolute home defence.
2 vs 1 Ashington vs Newcastle Benfield
By Brian Bennett
Ashington made it a hat-trick of league wins – and at the same time prevented an unwanted triple – following a 3-1 victory over Newcastle Benfield at The dwmedia Stadium on Saturday.
Following a 4-0 victory over Whickham and a 5-2 success away at Bishop Auckland, the Colliers made it three on the bounce after a second half comeback. Trailing to a Lennon Mills goal on the half hour, Ian Skinner’s side hit back with goals from Ryan McGorrigan, substitute Paul Robinson and Dean Briggs.
The three points were deserved – and the win even more so after the Sam Smiths Park outfit had dumped Ashington out of the two National competitions, the Emirates FA Cup and the Buildbase FA Vase within the space of five weeks in the first part of this season.
The success kept the Wansbeck side in fifth place in the Ebac Northern League’s first division table but the other notable feature was the size of the crowd – at 501 Ashington’s largest attendance of the campaign.
Skinner named Damen Mullen – signed on loan from Hebburn Town – on the bench but Tom Bramley was ruled out after picking up an ankle injury in the recent friendly against Durham University.
The visitors made the better start – seeing a lot of the ball – and they threatened through Mechack Kanda until Danny Anderson got back to thwart him.
It was the ninth minute before Ashington carved out their first opportunity – and they ought to have gone in front.
McGorrigan found Briggs in the box who unselfishly laid the ball off to Max Cowburn but his shot was blocked by ‘keeper Andrew Grainger.
On the quarter hour, Yannick Aziakonou lost possession to Mills who bore down on goal but his effort was intercepted by the retrieving Aziakonou.
Ex Ashington midfielder Ritchie Slaughter then charged through on a run of 30 yards, shrugging off two challenges but dragged his shot wide of ‘keeper Karl Dryden’s left hand post.
A centre by Liam Doyle went across goal then Luke Salmon spotted Grainger off his line and from distance, curled the ball narrowly wide of the upright.
However in the 31st minute, Benfield went ahead.
Archie Leonard broke into the area and when he whipped the ball into the middle, Mills touched home from close range.
Grainger tipped around a left footer from Briggs then at the other end, Jake Thompson fired over on the half volley following a corner on the left.
The final piece of goalmouth action of the half arrived when Salmon, Cowburn and McGorrigan linked but the latter’s first time effort at the near post went narrowly wide.
Ashington started the second half in determined fashion and in the opening couple of minutes, Briggs had two opportunities which were both held by Grainger.
McGorrigan then blazed over before the striker levelled matters on the hour – from the spot.
Doyle advanced into the box before he was caught by a defender’s challenge and McGorrigan emphatically tucked away the penalty, sending Grainger the wrong way.
The goal gave the Colliers a massive boost and five minutes later, Robinson played the ball to the overlapping Salmon but when he pulled the ball across the face, Karl Ross stabbed wide with the goal at his mercy.
However on 69 minutes – only four minutes after being introduced – Robinson gave Ashington the lead.
Briggs rolled the ball across and Robinson applied a fine finish slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
Doyle played the ball into the area where Briggs headed straight at Grainger but in the 78th minute, it was Briggs who gave his side a two goal cushion.
A corner from the left was glanced on and Briggs – at the far post – made no mistake slotting in between Grainger and the upright.
Still the action flowed in the final ten minutes.
At one end, Briggs set up sub Brandon Slater who blasted wide then when play switched to the other, Aziakonou cleared off the line.
In the 88th minute Robinson played a pass inside to Briggs who was caught late by Grainger with referee Zac Kennard-Kettle again pointing to the spot – but the ‘keeper brilliantly finger tipped Briggs’ penalty onto the bar with Benfield moving the ball away to safety.
Still there was time for Salmon to clear away from the goal line – but it was the last scare for the Colliers before the final whistle.
*As the players headed off to the dressing rooms for half time, the dedicated group of colleagues – who walked from South Shields to Ashington to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK – came onto the pitch to take a well deserved bow and received a round of applause. Setting off at 7am they arrived at Woodhorn Lane after successfully completing their challenge which covered a distance of over 23 and a half miles.
3 vs 1 
Bishop Auckland vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Ashington went nap against Bishop Auckland at the Voneus Broadband Stadium – on a day when they created a hatful of chances and incredibly should have put the game to bed inside the opening quarter of the game!
Players don’t miss opportunities on purpose – but in Ashington’s case, their failure to convert a fair percentage during the first half, almost came back to haunt them in the second period when they were 3-0 ahead.
After leading in recent games, Ian Skinner’s side have gone on to lose and Colliers supporters must have had thoughts of deja vu when the Two Blues pulled the game back to 3-2 with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.
However two crucial strikes in as many minutes from substitute Liam Doyle and skipper Dean Briggs not only knocked the stuffing out of the home outfit but gave the Wansbeck side valuable breathing space.
Ashington – looking to bounce back after being dumped out of the Buildbase FA Vase by Newcastle Benfield the previous week – made a great start by taking the lead in the third minute courtesy of Paul Robinson – only they ought to have already been in front!
There were only 58 seconds on the clock when Briggs went through but lifted his effort over the bar with only ‘keeper Niall Frampton to beat.
However, Briggs turned creator shortly afterwards when he burst down the right and pulled the ball square for Robinson who skipped past a defender then side footed wide of Frampton.
The procession of chances continued when play switched to the other end as twice within a minute, Josh Gilchrist and Lewis Murphy both fired wide gilt edged chances.
Back came Ashington and Robinson linked well with Jordan Summerly but when the latter crossed, Brandon Slater completely missed his kick in front of goal.
It was all Ashington and after Ben Sampson’s pass had released Briggs, the visiting midfielder waltzed through but dragged his shot wide.
In the next minute from a Karl Ross free kick, Ben Harmison headed the ball back for Slater whose acrobatic overhead kick smacked against the post, ran along the line and was cleared.
In the 18th minute. Briggs found David Luke who had a shot blocked by Frampton and when Bishops retaliated, Murphy had an effort held by the diving Karl Dryden following a right wing cross.
The glut of opportunities continued as Danny Anderson shaved the post with a drive from the edge of the area – before Briggs doubled the lead in the 25th minute as Ashington went route one.
A long ball out of defence by Tom Bramley found Briggs in space in the inside left channel and the skipper went through and coolly slotted right footed inside the bottom corner.
Matty Waters had a shot fielded by Dryden and Gilchrist smashed a drive just wide of the upright before on the stroke of half time, a shot from Ashington’s Anderson thudded against the bar.
The pattern continued after the interval with Robinson swinging over two corners. From the first, Briggs had a shot blocked by Ross Gardner then Bramley headed wide.
For the start of the second half, Zannick Aziakonou replaced Anderson and seven minutes in, the substitute made it 3-0.
Robinson rolled a corner for Aziakonou whose low right footer from 18 yards crept inside the post wide of Frampton.
However within three minutes Bishops struck back when Waters ghosted in at the near post to head in a corner by Lewis Suddick then the latter saw a low free-kick from 20 yards turned around by Dryden’s fingertips.
The final 20 minutes was also action packed. A snapshot from Suddick flashed just wide with Dryden rooted to the spot but in the 76th minute, Gilchrist got a second for the home side, whipping a low drive from 12 yards under Dryden’s body.
Bishops thought they had levelled when Luke Chapman netted but the effort was ruled out for offside before quickfire goals from Doyle and Briggs made the game safe for the Colliers.
Doyle – looking lively and showing plenty of endeavour – latched onto a pass from Briggs to steer the ball wide of Frampton and just inside the corner from seven yards.
But Briggs stole the show with a super solo effort in the next minute after receiving from Luke. The midfielder burst through from inside his own half, shrugged aside two defenders and then slotted wide of Frampton.
The Colliers had made hard work of the victory – but in the last minute of the 90, they could have made it six.
Ross struck the post from a cross by substitute Luke Salmon and from the rebound, Briggs side stepped Frampton and fired goalwards where his shot was handled on the line.
The assistant raised his flag – but the referee over-ruled him turning down shouts for a penalty.
2 vs 5 Ashington vs Whickham
By Brian Bennett
Max Cowburn scored twice in the opening quarter hour against his former club as a rampant and clinical Ashington side effectively had this Ebac Northern League first division match against Whickham sewn up by half time.
After a poor display – especially in the final third – and 3-1 defeat against Redcar Athletic in midweek, Ashington’s finishing was top drawer and Cowburn’s double plus other goals from skipper Karl Ross and David Luke saw the Colliers cruise into a 4-0 lead by the interval.
Consequently it was an unhappy afternoon for Whickham’s assistant manager and former Ashington boss Steve Bowey who was returning to the ground for the first time since resigning over two and a half years ago.
But if it was all gloom and doom for Bowey, it was the exact opposite for Cowburn who got Ashington off to a flying start with two sumptuous goals.
The first came in the eighth minute. Danny Anderson won a header in midfield and found Cowburn who spotted James Anderson off his line and from fully 35 yards, clipped the ball over the ‘keeper’s head and into the back of the net.
Ironically, only sixty seconds earlier, midfield schemer Paul Robinson had tried the same trick from even greater distance with an effort from inside the centre circle which drifted wide.
Five minutes after his opener, Cowburn produced another unerring finish. On this occasion, Anderson threaded a great first time pass through the eye of a needle which bisected the Whickham defence. Cowburn latched onto it and coolly slotted the ball past the ‘keeper and in off the far post from ten yards.
In the 24th minute, Ashington pieced together another scintillating move which culminated in the third goal from Karl Ross.
Jordan Summerly and Robinson combined with the latter playing the ball through the inside left channel for Ross. The home skipper beat the offside trap, advanced into the area and steered his shot wide of the advancing Anderson with the ball clipping both posts before nestling in the back of the net.
Inside a five minutes spell, Ashington were caught out on two occasions with Whickham substitute Mark Fitzpatrick having both opportunities. With the first he was initially in acres of space but was closed down very quickly and blocked out then with his second opening, the former Dunston UTS striker sliced wide.
Ashington’s riposte was to add a fourth through David Luke with seconds of the half remaining.
Robinson was again the provider but Luke skilfully dragged the ball back to bamboozle a defender which put the midfielder through and he buried his shot inside the far post.
Early in the second half, Ryan McGorrigan cut inside from the right but curled wide then Ben Sampson set up two chances for Cowburn but he was snuffed out by Ben Milburn.
Just past the hour mark, the crowd gave a warm round of applause to ‘keeper Karl Dryden who for the first time in the game, was tested as he made a brilliant save at his near post to thwart Michael Hoganson.
Equally four minutes later when Sampson fed McGorrigan, the striker looked a certain scorer but was denied by the instinctive reactions of Anderson.
Ten minutes from time, ex Ashington forward Zak Atkinson headed wide from a free kick from substitute Alex Francis and in stoppage time when Whickham broke, a shot from Fitzpatrick was parried to his right by Dryden.
Sandwiched in-between, substitute Brandon Slater beat a defender and went through the middle but his shot was pouched by Anderson.
4 vs 0 