Competition: Northern League - Division 1

Ashington vs Carlisle City

By Brian Bennett  |  Photo Gallery: Ian Brodie

Dean Briggs scored a late winner at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night to give Ashington their eighth win from nine matches which consolidated their second from top spot in the first division of the Ebac Northern League.

Briggs – a 76th minutes substitute – netted with a cool right footer from the edge of the area which found the corner of the net after excellent work by fellow sub Paul Robinson.

In truth although they left it late to break down a stubborn and well organised Carlisle rearguard, it was nothing more than the Colliers deserved on a wet night in Wansbeck.

The home side dominated proceedings and took the game to their Cumbria opponents from the off but it was beginning to look as if Carlisle’s game plan would see them leave with a point – until Briggs came up with the all important strike.

Early on in the contest, an in-swinging corner on the left by Andrew Cartwright was met by Ryan McKinnon but his header was cleared from the danger zone.

Time and time again, Ashington’s approach play was decent but then they left their supporters frustrated by a lack of cohesion in the final third.

On the half hour, after a good build up down the right, Ben Sampson flashed a ball right across the face of the goal when only a touch was required.

But the danger was being caught on the counter and two minutes later, home ‘keeper Karl Dryden was called into action, pushing away an effort from Jordan Palmer.

Robbie Dale was next to set up a chance for Ross but the midfielder got no purchase on his shot which was easily dealt with by ‘keeper Lewis Boyd.

Eight minutes after half time, a ball by Mason got behind the visitors defence but Sampson, after reaching the by-line, saw his cross held by Boyd.

Later a corner on the right by Cartwright saw Craig Spooner’s ground shot instinctively flicked by Dan Maguire but the ball brushed against the outside of the post before rolling out for a goal kick.

Again Ashington knocked on the door when Maguire found the over lapping Jordan Summerly down the left but his ball in fizzed across the six yards box.

In the 71st minute another flag kick on the right was met by Spooner whose right footer from the edge of the area smacked against the crossbar and was cleared.

Ross then latched onto a pass from Summerly and teed the ball up for himself only to fire over the bar.

When sub Scott Heslop dragged wide after a ball over the top from McKinnon, time was starting to run out for the Colliers.

But in the 84th minute – three minutes after coming on – Robinson’s skill on the left saw him cut inside before finding Briggs whose assured finish sent the home fans into raptures.

Ashington safely negotiated the closing stages, including five minutes of time added on when basically, they had to do it with ten men as Heslop – who bravely returned to the pitch to soldier on – had a foot injury and all five substitutes had been used.

28 February 2023 - Ashington AFC v. Carlisle City FC

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Newcastle Benfield vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington march on after wrapping up their seventh win in their last eight league game from Friday night’s Ebac Northern League first division clash against Newcastle Benfield at Sam Smith’s Park.

There was plenty of endeavour from both sides on a bitterly cold evening but in the end, two quality finishes either side of half time from Dan Maguire and Craig Spooner put the Colliers in control and on the road to their latest success.

However in the second period, ‘keeper Karl Dryden was called on to make four outstanding saves as the Lions never gave up and the game had a nail biting finale after Cameron Gascoigne had halved the deficit with seven minutes of the 90 remaining.

The teams had served up a six goal thriller at Woodhorn Lane in mid October and Ashington knew it was going to be a tough encounter as the home side competed for every ball and indeed were the better side in the opening stages.

However, on the quarter hour it was the Wansbeck outfit that had the first clear cut chance when Spooner played the ball through for Maguire who went past two defenders but his shot lacked power and was easily held by ‘keeper Alfie Gordon.

Spooner fired two efforts off target then on the half hour, Ben Sampson and Spooner combined to set up Karl Ross whose right footer flashed just over.

Heading towards the break, Yannick Aziakonou unleashed a drive from fully 25 yards which was well held by Gordon moving to his right.

However in the 43rd minute a slick and breathtaking move down the right cut Benfield open and led to the opener from Maguire.

Sampson’s first time flick released the overlapping Andrew Cartwright and when he played the ball low into the area, Maguire beat a defender to the ball to sweep wide of Gordon.

Three minutes after the interval, Spooner was on the score sheet for the second game in a row as he doubled Ashington’s lead.

Maguire’s pass put the midfielder through and he made no mistake from ten yards driving wide of Gordon.

The goal was just the start the Colliers had been looking for and initially it took the wind out of Benfield’s sails.

Minutes later Ryan McKinnon released Jordan Summerly whose low cross fizzed across the danger zone when only a touch was required.

Benfield made a change for the beginning of the second half introducing Dennis Knight and on the hour, the skilful striker teed the ball up for himself before smashing a left footed volley from 20 yards which was pushed aside by Dryden.

It was a warning – and for the final 20 minutes plus time added on, Dryden was the star performer.

In the 72nd minute, the ‘keeper made a double save to deny both Knight and fellow sub Paul Brayson then denied Connor Walker with an incredible stop from point-blank range.

From the resultant corner on the left, Gascoigne hammered a low drive from 16 yards through a ruck of players and inside the far post to set up a grandstand finish – but Ashington dug deep to hold on for another precious three points – a victory which saw them move into second from top spot in the table.

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Ashington vs West Auckland Town

By Brian Bennett  |  Photo Gallery: Ian Brodie

Three quickfire goals either side of the interval, were pivotal as Ashington accounted for West Auckland at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday to secure their sixth league win in seven matches.

The result – coupled with Whitley Bay going down 3-1 at home to Guisborough – saw the Colliers avenge an identical scoreline against the County Durham outfit at the beginning of December and move into third from top of the first division of the Ebac Northern League.

Craig Spooner – restored to a midfield role – netted a brace and could and should have hit a hat trick whilst skipper Ben Harmison and Karl Ross were also on the score sheet as the Wansbeck side turned in another impressive performance on a gluepot of a pitch in front of a crowd of 459.

The home side began well and Spooner ought to have given the Colliers the lead in only the fourth minute.

After neat approach play involving Andrew Cartwright and Dan Maguire, Ben Harmison laid the ball off to Spooner but after doing all the hard work as he cut inside and beat two defenders, he blazed over.

In a rare attack, West’s Gary Brown had a shot pushed away by ‘keeper Karl Dryden before the Colliers knocked on the door again.

Maguire played the ball through to Cartwright whose early cross was blocked then sixty seconds later, only a brilliant save from ‘keeper Daniel Cameron denied Spooner.

Sampson set up the number ten whose volley from the edge of the area was goalbound until Cameron tipped it onto the bar and over.

West featured as a low effort from skipper Jordan Blinco was pushed away to his right by Dryden then a quick turn and shot by Charlie Watt was held by the stopper.

Ashington had dominated possession from the first whistle and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the 34th minute.

Following a throw in on the right, the ball found its way to Spooner who drove in from 18 yards wide of ‘keeper Cameron.

The Colliers’ second – which arrived in the 43rd minute – was the culmination of patient build up play on the left which started with Harmison.

Damen Mullen and Maguire then played a one-two and when the former clipped the ball to the far post, Spooner was on hand to volley home.

After going in at the break with a two goals cushion, Ashington effectively wrapped the game up in the opening stages of the second period.

Two minutes in and Harmison nodded in a precision corner from the left by Cartwright before the goal of the game arrived in the 51st minute.

With a couple of opponents in close attendance, Sampson wriggled his way out of a cul-de-sac on the half way line and after swift link up play involving Harmison, Maguire and a lay off from Spooner, Karl Ross unleashed a right footer from the edge of the box which rocketed inside the upright.

In the closing stages, Ashington could have gone nap but substitute Lee Mason and Cartwright were both denied by Cameron then Mason and Harmison combined to set up sub Paul Robinson but he blazed over.

18 February 2023 - Ashington AFC v. West Auckland Town FC

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Ashington vs Redcar Athletic

By Brian Bennett  |  Photo Album: Ian Brodie

Ben Harmison notched a hat trick as Ashington made it five wins from their last six league matches with a dominant and impressive second half display accounting for Redcar Athletic at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

The Colliers – playing their first home game for five and a half weeks – had plenty of possession in the opening period but again lacked that killer touch in the final third.

Yet they could so easily have gone ahead in the 13th minute when they broke quickly from a Redcar corner.

Newcomer Lewis Green played a lovely weighted ball through for Dean Briggs but his sweetly struck right footed half volley from the edge of the area crashed against the crossbar.

Midway through, Ryan McKinnon had a header from an Andrew Cartwright corner blocked on the six yards line then Craig Spooner beat two players down the line and crossed to Lee Mason but his weak shot from 16 yards was easily claimed by Norton.

Similarly four minutes later, Karl Ross spurned another glorious chance after a slick interchange.

Briggs and Mason combined with the latter’s quick release bisecting the Redcar back line but Ross’s side footed effort was powder puff and directed straight at Norton.

For all of their dominance, Ashington could have been trailing shortly before the interval when a snap shot by Alfie Conway smacked against the foot of the post and flashed across goal with ‘keeper Karl Dryden well beaten.

In the opening minute of the second period, Sonni Coleman and Conway had shots blocked in the Ashington box – before the Colliers took total control with three goals inside quarter of an hour.

Showing much more urgency, Ian Skinner’s side had already threatened when Harmison glanced on a Cartwright free-kick but Spooner’s effort was held by Norton at the foot of the post.

However in the 57th minute, the home side broke the deadlock.

Cartwright’s set pieces caused problems all night and when he floated over a deep corner from the left, Harmison rose at the far post to nod into the roof of the net.

Green produced some good work cutting across from right to left and jinking past two defenders but when he passed to Spooner, the number two lifted his shot just wide.

It was to be Green’s last action of the night as on the hour, Ashington manager Ian Skinner made a triple substitution.

Green, Ross and Mason were replaced by Ben Sampson, Lewis Suddick and Paul Robinson – and three minutes later, it was the latter who doubled Ashington’s lead.

Harmison flicked on a Robbie Dale free kick for Robinson whose first touch took him past a defender which put him clear before he smashed the ball inside the far post.

Redcar’s problems increased further as they were reduced to ten men when defender Nathan Guru was sent to the sin bin.

Ashington ought to have made it 3-0 midway through the period when Sampson played a ball over the top for Suddick but his effort lacked power and was gathered by Norton.

However, in the 71st minute, Harmison got his second finishing off a delightful move.

Cartwright’s precision pass down the flank found Spooner – who was now operating in midfield after Briggs had been forced off through injury – and when he pulled the ball across, Harmison applied the finishing touch past Norton.

In the 79th minute, Dryden was called into action to push away a right footed thunderbolt by Coleman before a piece of magic from Robinson down the left saw him outsmart a defender and cross but Suddick headed wide of the upright.

Sixty seconds later, Sampson’s through ball sent Harmison through the middle until he was hauled down in the area.

Referee Andrew Bailey pointed to the spot but Suddick’s weak penalty was blocked by Norton who also saved the rebound from the taker.

However, in the third minute of time added on, Ashington made it 4-0 with Harmison completing his hat-trick.

The goal materialised following scintillating play down the left involving three substitutes.

Yannick Aziakonou found Robinson down the left flank who laid the ball into the path of the over lapping Luke Salmon and when crossed, Harmison slid home.

14 February 2023 - Ashington AFC v. Redcar Athletic AFC

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Guisborough Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington pulled off a tremendous 1-0 victory on Saturday against Guisborough Town at the King George V Stadium after a stunning strike in the closing stages from Andrew Cartwright.

For the defender, it was his second goal of the season – the other coming in a 4-1 win over Whickham at the beginning of November – and sealed a well deserved success for the Wansbeck outfit on Teesside.

The game was billed as a top of the table clash – fourth placed Ashington against their in-form hosts who sit directly below them – but their was little to enthuse about in a first half which only produced one chance for each side.

Even then, the encounter had already crossed the half way point in the period when the home sides’ Cole Kiernan cut inside and unleashed a goalbound left footer which was brilliantly pushed away by visiting ‘keeper Karl Dryden diving to his right.

The Colliers handed a debut to Lewis Green and it was the former Consett midfielder who came within inches of providing an assist in the 34th minute.

Inside the penalty area and near to the by-line, the newcomer played in a low ball from the left which flashed across the face of the goal with Ben Harmison narrowly failing to connect at the far post.

That was that for the opening period, a dour scrap between the two sides – and opportunities wise, the second half fared little better.

However Ashington certainly upped their game and called the tune from the restart, making inroads and hemming Guisborough inside their own half.

Inside the first few minutes, Cartwright – who was to play a starring role – combined with Lewis Suddick on two occasions.

For the first, Suddick’s effort was cleared then when the midfielder got possession again, he flashed a ball across the six yards box when only a touch was required.

Then ten minutes in, Ryan McKinnon – who was outstanding throughout at the heart of the defence – glanced an in-swinging corner from Cartwright wide.

In a rare break, Michael McGee fired wide for Guisborough but two minutes later Dean Briggs – who had replaced the injured Dan Maguire in the first half – floated over a free-kick from the left which was headed on by sub Adam Johnson and the home side were happy to clear for a corner.

Then in the 84th minute came the piece of quality which resulted in the winner.

Cartwright and Briggs exchanged a one-two and when Briggs rolled the ball into space, Cartwright unleashed a thunderbolt right footer from the edge of the box which screamed past home stopper Will Cowey and into the net.

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Pickering Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s mini run of three consecutive victories came to a halt on Saturday as Keelan Grist slotted home a late winner for lowly Pickering Town at Mill Lane.

The Colliers made an impressive start and it looked to be only a matter of time before they would open the scoring.

Indeed the game was only 15 seconds old when Ashington threatened for the first time.

Dean Briggs found Lewis Suddick on the right but his low whipped ball went across the face of the home goal and when Paul Robinson recycled it from the left, ‘keeper Quinaceo Hunt intercepted.

The Wansbeck side were finding joy down the right flank and when Lee Mason and Suddick found Craig Spooner, the full back also delivered a cross that only required a touch.

On the quarter hour, skipper Darren Lough broke up a Pickering attack inside his own half and after work by Briggs and Robbie Dale, the defender fired wide.

However after being forced to reshuffle following an injury to Lough with Dale moving into the back four and substitute Yannick Aziakonou going into midfield, the best opportunity fell to Suddick.

Briggs slotted a lovely ball through but the midfielder took an extra touch which allowed Hunt to intervene.

In a rare sorte at the other end, Grist had a weak shot gathered by ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

Another centre, on this occasion by Dale went across the face before Ashington were left reeling in the 33rd minute as the Pikes took the lead.

After being awarded a free kick on the left touch line for handball, the ball was headed back across where Max McGuckin made no mistake with a right footer.

The home side – now with something to hold onto – certainly upped their energy levels and work rate, contesting every ball and defending very well.

Just prior to the interval, Suddick latched onto a through pass and pushed the ball wide of Hunt but a defender got back to clear his shot off the line.

Ashington continued to dominate after the break – with a strange incident on the hour when Dale was sent sprawling. The Colliers thought the foul occurred just inside the box and when the referee gave a long blow on his whistle, they believed he was going to point to the spot.

However he awarded the Colliers a free kick inches outside the area with Dale’s effort being blocked.

Ashington deservedly drew level in the 77th minute – with Luke Salmon making  a sensational impact, as he scored four minutes after being introduced.

Suddick floated over a corner from the right where Salmon’s bullet-like header from eight yards thudded into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Ryan McKinnon headed across but Suddick spurned a glorious chance then good work on the right by sub Adam Johnson saw him roll the ball into Spooner only for him to blaze over.

Then quite incredibly in the 85th minute, Ashington were punished for a piece of sloppy defending and when the ball was pulled back, Grist lashed home.

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Crook Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

He’s only gone and done it again!

For the second time this month, striker Adam Johnson came off the bench to hit a precious winner for Ashington.

Johnson had netted to clinch the points in the home game against Penrith – and on Saturday, he struck again as the Colliers completed a seasons double over Crook Town with the narrowest of victories at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield ground.

After a dip in form where they picked up one point from 12, Ian Skinner’s side have gone about their business in a softly, softly fashion to get back on track and their latest and deserved success – in a game played at an unrelenting pace throughout – was their third maximum on the bounce.

There was plenty of endeavour in the first period and Ashington should have got their noses in front long before Johnson scored in the latter stages of the half.

In the seventh minute, Paul Robinson – on his return to the side – found Dan Maguire and when he played the ball through to Lee Mason, the striker snatched at the opportunity and lashed over from six yards.

The 13th minute proved to be unlucky for defensive lynchpin Darren Lough.

A shot by Robinson was headed behind by home skipper Dan Mitton and from the flag corner on the right, ‘keeper Ronan Makepeace made a spectacular reflex save from Mason and from the rebound, Lough’s header smacked against the bar and was cleared.

It was the 20th minute when Crook had their first real chance. Craig Moody fired the ball in low and Ashington ‘keeper Karl Dryden was forced to tip it around at the foot of the post.

Ashington almost unlocked the door on the half hour. The prominent and influential Robinson found the over lapping Jordan Summerly down the left flank but the full back’s low cross was intercepted in the nick of time by Makepeace.

Two minutes later, the woodwork also denied Craig Spooner after the full back struck a rasping left footer from distance which came back off the bar.

But in the 37th minute, Johnson – who had replaced the injured Maguire – put Ashington ahead with a clinical finish.

Mason’s pass sent the substitute through in the inside left channel and after driving forward, Johnson struck a left foot drive through the legs of the advancing Makepeace with the ball nestling inside the far post.

The link up play down the left between Robinson and Summerly had been a feature and before half time the pair combined again with Summerly’s cross being cut out for a corner.

Early in the second period, it was Johnson who seized onto a back pass and pulled the ball across but Mason’s connection was weak and Makepeace got back to smother.

On the hour, Dryden blocked a shot from Ben Garrity before the visitors had further chances to put the game to bed.
Two minutes after coming on, Dean Briggs had an effort saved by Makepeace and the lively Johnson latched onto a pass from Briggs but the home ‘keeper got a vital touch as the forward took the ball past him.

Robbie Dale then played a lovely ball out wide to Lewis Suddick but the substitute was also off target and the final opportunity fell in time added on when subs Karl Ross and Liam Smith combined with the latter having a shot which was deflected over the bar.

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Seaham Red Star vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Lee Mason despatched a disputed penalty shortly before half time which gave Ashington their first win over Seaham Red Star at the Independent Utility Advice Arena for six seasons.

The Colliers have always found Seaham a tough place to go and on Saturday, it was just the same with little to separate the sides in testing conditions.

Indeed the first period – where the Wansbeck side kicked into the teeth of a strong wind – contained only two key incidents.

On the quarter hour, Robbie Dale found the overlapping Jordan Summerly down the left. His cross was recycled by Dean Briggs and when he played the ball in low for Mason, the striker’s shot on the turn was smartly saved by home ‘keeper Andrew Jennison.

Then what led to the decisive goal came in the 42nd minute when Dale slipped Maguire through the middle. The forward was clipped in the area and referee Charlie Ford pointed to the spot.

Seaham contested the award but when the dust finally settled, Mason clinically tucked the ball home sending Jennison the wrong way.

The second half faired little better with plenty of endeavour and effort in what was a competitive match but with few chances on goal.

On the hour, Ashington skipper Ben Harmison met a cross by Dale but his header clipped the post and was cleared.

Seaham’s best opportunity came midway through when Bradley Chisholm met a free kick from the right and powered a header which was superbly tipped around the upright by visitors ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

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