Competition: Northern Premier League - East Division

Bradford (Park Avenue) vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington brought the curtain down on their second season in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League with a single goal victory over Bradford Park Avenue at the Horsfall Community Stadium on Saturday.

Josh Gilchrist’s deflected strike ten minutes into the second half proved to be the winner in an entertaining game despite the fact that there was nothing at stake.

Ashington players wore black armbands and there was a minutes’ applause before kick-off in memory of former Colliers’ player and manager Cec Irwin who had sadly passed away earlier in the week.

Early doors, Bradford’s Connor Dimaio found Benni Ndlovu who curled a shot narrowly over the bar from 20 yards.

Ashington’s first opportunity arrived when Ben Sampson had a left footer held by ‘keeper Luke Taylor then Gilchrist’s diagonal ball to the right found Sampson and when he crossed in the area, a defender headed clear with Liam Henderson ready to pounce.

Home skipper Mark Beevers nodded a corner by Brendon Daniels wide then at the other end, a shot from Jamie Holmes was fisted away by Taylor.

Henderson set up Sampson who struck a drive just wide and within a minute of coming on as a substitute for Henderson, Max Monaghan had a shot held by Taylor.

Connor Shanks fired inches wide then in the 33rd minute, the ball ran to same player after a fresh air shot by Paddy Sykes but his goal-bound drive was brilliantly blocked by the legs of ‘keeper Ryan Catterick.

Shortly before the break, Taylor again clutched from Monaghan and when play switched, Shanks was denied by Catterick who made a fingertip save at the foot of the post.

What would have been a moment to savour came in the early stages of the second half. Gary Ormston – who had announced that he was retiring from football after the final whistle – got his foot to a cross from the left but stretching, he put the ball over the bar.

In the 55th minute, Ashington broke the deadlock.

The build up was good and when Gilchrist the opportunity, he fired in an effort which struck a home defender, wrong footed Taylor with the ball rolling into the net.

However just past the hour mark, substitute Myles La Bastide hit a ground shot which was creeping in just inside the post until he was thwarted by the excellence of Catterick who dived full length to his right to push the ball around for a corner.

Substitute Harrison Clark set up Gilchrist whose effort was deflected for a corner then at the other end, Catterick held a shot from La Bastide.

For the final ten minutes, Ashington’s defending was water-tight and the contest ended with the ball in the Bradford half.

The Ashington players thanked their travelling support of around 70 fans before they formed a guard of honour for Gary Ormston who went out on a high.

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Ashington vs Heaton Stannington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington secured their status in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League for next season – but only after receiving a helping hand from Garforth Town on Easter Monday.

Yet again the Colliers gave an abject and lethargic display as they went down 1-0 against Heaton Stannington with substitute Andrew Burn scoring the only goal in what was a dismal encounter.

The result from the lunchtime kick-off guaranteed the visitors their place in the division next term whilst for Ashington all eyes switched to the clash later in the afternoon between Brighouse Town and Garforth Town.

A defeat or draw for Brighouse would see them relegated and for almost an hour, they trailed 2-1. But an equaliser in the 90th minute by Isaac Acquah set up a nail-biting finale.

Ashington fans then had to endure an additional 11 minutes of time added on before the final whistle sealed Brighouse’s fate.

Meanwhile a bumper crowd of 707 witnessed a low key but nervy contest at Woodhorn Lane with chances at a premium.

Ironically the visitors almost made inroads straight from the kick-off when an error in the Ashington defence opened up an opportunity for Konner Lamb but his shot was held by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick.

It was the quarter hour mark before the Colliers had their first sniff at goal when Josh Gilchrist hooked the ball over after connecting with a cross from the right by Craig Spooner.

Ryan Wombwell clipped wide from 12 yards following a corner by Spooner but the game became a hard watch.

However, there was action at the start of the second period. Two minutes in, Gilchrist got in behind the Stan defence, but his cross was cleared.

At the other end, ex Collier Jay Errington scooped wide before in the 51st minute, the goal which was to settle the contest arrived.

Following a throw in on the left, the ball reached the far post where it was hooked in by substitute Andrew Burn who had replaced Lamb for the start of the second period.

Shortly afterwards, sub Liam Henderson had a great opening but fired over following a cross by Jordan Summerly then Wombwell struck wide from 20 yards with a shot on the run.

Catterick fisted away an angled drive by Errington then Dan Capewell headed wide from a corner by Daniel Stephenson.

Another flag kick by Spooner was knocked back into the danger area but cleared before the midfielder struck a left footer from the edge of the area which whistled past the upright.

A few hours later, Colliers fans were put through the wringer before Brighouse’s 2-2 result against Garforth Town flashed up which confirmed that the Wansbeck club were safe from the drop.

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Sheffield vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s hopes of avoiding the drop are still in the balance after they failed to pick up maximum points from their clash against Sheffield on Good Friday.

Manager Nick Gray had warned that despite the South Yorkshire outfit being relegated and on the bottom of the table they could be more relaxed and play with freedom – and the boss was proved right with the home outfit deservedly 2-0 ahead at the interval.

For some unknown reason, the Colliers lacked any passion or intensity in the first 45 minutes but that all changed after a half time dressing down from the management and goals from Josh Gilchrist and Craig Spooner brought them back on terms before the points were shared.

On a mild day, the hosts – who included ex Ashington defender Si Jakab – got their noses in front after only six minutes.

The ball fell to the unmarked Stephen Brogan who from 20 yards struck a right footed half volley which left ‘keeper Ryan Catterick rooted to the spot.

The Wansbeck side replied with Ben Sampson evading a couple of challenges to set up Liam Henderson whose effort was clutched by ‘keeper Mikey Roxburgh diving to his right.

The game was flat and uninspiring – but Sheffield doubled their advantage just before the half hour mark.

Following a break down the right, Keelan Grist got the benefit of a ricochet off Ben Williams to fire home inside the post.

Ashington almost found a way back in the closing stages of the period. Sampson was again the provider finding Henderson whose right footer flew inches wide of the upright.

Seconds before the break, Brogan – who had been prominent for the hosts – struck a free-kick from just outside the box which went narrowly over the bar.

Ashington made inroads and halved the deficit two minutes into the second half. Henderson’s shot was parried by Roxburgh and when the ball ran to Gilchrist, the striker kept his cool before he slotted it into the corner of the net.

Incredibly within a minute, the home side had a chance to restore their two goals advantage, but Catterick saved brilliantly from Cameron Bedford.

At one end, Spooner was not far away with an effort from near the touchline then when play switched, Bedford was again thwarted by Catterick.

With 20 minutes remaining, Ashington drew level with a well worked goal. Following a lovely swift interchange, the ball fell to Spooner who struck a left footed volley into the corner.

Now it was game on – but six minutes later it took a terrific save by Catterick from one of his own players to keep his side level.

From a free-kick played into the Ashington area, Gary Ormston misdirected a header which was goal-bound until Catterick dived to his right to palm the ball away to safety.

Then in the final minute of the 90, Gilchrist went down in the area, but penalty shouts went unheeded.

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Ashington vs Garforth Town

By Brian Bennett

Ashington face a nail-biting end to the season following their defeat against Garforth Town at a sun drenched Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

With relegation confirmed for Sheffield FC, Sherwood Colliery and Liversedge, the final place appears as if it will go to the wire with three games remaining.

The Colliers dropped two places in the league table only two points above the drop zone and face a massive run in with two games over the Easter weekend period.

An error five minutes into the second half by goalkeeper Ryan Catterick resulted in the only goal as the stopper fumbled the ball over the line following a corner on the right.

But it was Catterick who prevented his side from going behind in only the second minute as Garforth made an impressive start. Nash Connolly seemed a certain scorer until his effort was clutched by the custodian.

Overall though, the game was disappointing as a spectacle with chances few and far between.

Josh Gilchrist – Ashington’s matchwinner at Liversedge – stabbed wide of the post then Craig Spooner struck a free-kick from 25 yards which was straight at ‘keeper Harry Flatters.

The visitors almost took the lead in unusual circumstances midway through the half. With Garforth in possession, the ball struck referee Kieran Downey and the official blew his whistle to stop play. It restarted with a drop ball to the visitors and Jay Davis lobbed just over the bar from distance.

Similarly in the closing minutes of the half, Liam Henderson went close at the other end with an audacious effort from 35 yards which dipped narrowly over the bar.

Three minutes after taking the lead, ‘The Miners’ were reduced to ten men when defender Harry Viggars saw red following an off the ball incident just outside the Garforth penalty area.

Whilst Ashington struggled in the final third, they also failed to take advantage of their numerical advantage.

They showed a couple of glimpses of link up play which ended with Spooner then Henderson firing wide.

In the closing stages, substitute Ryan Donaldson had a 20-yarder parried by Flatters then Ryan Wombwell clipped an effort wide but in truth the Colliers – who went into the game looking for a third win on the bounce – could have played until midnight and still not scored.

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Liversedge vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Josh Gilchrist’s 14th goal of the season brought Ashington three precious points from their clash against Liversedge at The Leading-Edge Clayborn Stadium on Saturday.

Gilchrist’s strike which came with 20 minutes remaining was the only piece of quality on the day as the two sides struggled to put anything together.

However, despite this result, Ashington are not safe from the relegation trap door. They climbed up to 14th in the table whilst defeat in Yorkshire would have seen them drop into the bottom four.

Colliers boss Nick Gray had said earlier in the week that results – not performances – were the be all and end all as the end of the campaign closes in. At 5pm on Saturday night, Ashington supporters realised exactly what the Woodhorn Lane boss meant with only three points separating eight clubs at the wrong end of the East Division. Consequently, the importance of Gilchrist’s goal could not be understated.

It was a warm day in West Yorkshire – but what a dreary affair this was. It was uninspiring from start to finish as both teams struggled to put two passes together and after the opening quarter, it looked to be a game which had 0-0 written all over it.

The home side exerted pressure in the early stages. Jack Dyche struck a half volley which was clutched by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick to his left; a 30 yards free-kick by Ryan Watson was finger-tipped over by the stopper then after a bit of ping-pong in the Ashington penalty area, George Sebine stabbed wide.

It took the Colliers a full half hour before they fashioned a half chance when Liam Henderson helped on a cross from the left and Ben Sampson’s effort went over the bar.

Liversedge broke with Jack Crook firing wide and the final piece of action came shortly before the interval when Catterick held a header on the goal-line from a corner.

Just before the half-way mark in the second period, Danny Ellis went close with a full blooded 35 yarder which just cleared the bar.

Then came the all-important goal. Jamie Holmes slipped the ball through to Gilchrist who coolly placed a left footer from 14 yards wide of advancing ‘keeper Jamie Hassall.

Two minutes from the end of the 90, Craig Spooner’s shot from inside the area went across Hassall but struck the base of the post, rolled along the line and was cleared to safety.

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Ashington vs Emley

By Brian Bennett

Ashington eased their relegation worries on Saturday when they toppled promotion chasing Emley at Woodhorn Lane.

The result may have raised eyebrows in non-league circles – but not regular supporters of the Wansbeck side who have played against four of the leading clubs overs the past few weeks and who have given a good account of themselves on each occasion.

It’s only natural that fans will point to the red card shown to Emley striker Joshua Ayres on the stroke of half time as being the pivotal moment when this game changed.

But casting that aside, Ashington – albeit with a strong wind on their backs – were excellent in the second half and full value for their win.

They pulled apart an Emley side who had started the game third from top and restricted them to one clear cut chance after the break which came in the closing stages which saw ‘keeper Ryan Catterick earn his corn.

The game started at a fast tempo with a lot of hustle and bustle but without any chances being fashioned.

Then on the quarter hour, two fell to ‘The Pewits’ from free-kicks in quick succession.

The first was a goal-bound 30 yarder by skipper Alexander Metcalfe which produced a superb save by Catterick low down to his right before Charles Barks missed a glaring opportunity after running onto a ball played in by Luke Parkin. Banks was granted a free header but placed his effort well over.

Ashington were already down to a wafer-thin squad due to injuries when Jordan Summerly was forced off midway through the period with Kyle Errington taking his place.

Two minutes later, the visitors took the lead. The goal was simplicity itself with Ayres hooking the ball home from six yards after a long throw-in on the right.

On the half hour, Craig Spooner registered Ashington’s first chance when his free kick was held by ‘keeper Callum Yam then Jamie Holmes got possession from a Spooner corner but his dangerous low cross was cleared.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, there was an off the ball incident in the home penalty area which resulted in Ayres being sent off by referee Nick Vincent.

Seven minutes into the second half, Ashington drew level through Josh Gilchrist.

‘Keeper Yam saved superbly pushing out a header by Ben Sampson from a Ryan Wombwell cross but skipper Karl Ross clipped the rebound into the middle where Gilchrist lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

The goal gave Ashington a massive lift and after Holmes had cut inside and fired just over, the winger put his side ahead with a sensational strike midway through the period.

Liam Henderson set the ball up for Holmes who unleashed a right footer from 25 yards which curled perfectly into the top corner between post and crossbar.

In the 79th minute, the Colliers got a cushion of a two-goal lead. They had taken several short corners during the afternoon but when Catterick shouted to Spooner to ‘knock it in’, the midfielder duly obliged and when his flag kick was headed goalwards by Ben Williams, Wombwell turned the ball home left footed.

And it was Catterick who had the final say in the contest. Amir Berchil broke clear in the inside right channel but after bearing down on goal and with only Catterick to beat, saw his shot turned away by the stopper’s legs.

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Cleethorpes Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington turned in another decent performance despite defeat against league leaders Cleethorpes Town on Saturday – but as they sit just above the bottom four, results remain the be all and end all for the Wansbeck outfit.

The Colliers made a bright start at the Myenergi Stadium and after Jamie Holmes had fired over, they forged ahead in the 10th minute with a well-crafted goal.

Holmes played a lovely weighted ball across the area which was lashed home by Craig Spooner.

Home striker Joshua Walker – who was to become Ashington’s nemesis – stroked past the post before ‘keeper Ryan Catterick pushed an effort on the half volley from Nicholas Walker wide.

In the 25th minute the ball somehow stayed out of the Ashington net after an almighty scramble but within a minute, Cleethorpes got back on terms.

Catterick made a brilliant stop to deny Callum Foster but Walker was first to react to the loose ball and hammered it home.

Ashington responded with a move down the right which ended with Josh Gilchrist cutting inside but his shot hit the side netting.

Cleethorpes had looked dangerous from set pieces but five minutes before the interval they edged in front as they profited from Ashington’s benevolence.

The visitors lost possession from a throw in inside the Cleethorpes half, and within seconds, after the ball had been played into Walker, the centre forward stroked a left foot effort wide of Catterick and inside the upright.

And it could have got worse for the Colliers as right on the half time whistle, Scott Lowery cleared a shot from Nicholas Walker off the line.

As in the previous game against Belper Town, the second half was a non-entity.

Holmes and Ross struck efforts wide but in the 77th minute Curtis Bateson killed the game off with a third for his side.

Allowed space down the left, he cut inside before curling a low right footer past Catterick which went in off the post.

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Ashington vs Belper Town

By Brian Bennett

Ashington picked up a valuable point on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with high-flyers Belper Town at Woodhorn Lane.

And what made the result even more pleasing for management duo Nick Gray and Liam McIvor was that they took on the promotion chasers with a threadbare squad.

The Colliers got no reward despite an encouraging display at Emley the previous week and early in the contest on Saturday, it looked as if the Derbyshire based outfit were going to run away with an easy win after scoring twice in as many minutes.

However, the Wansbeck side took full advantage after the visitors had missed gilt-edged chances and not only hit back to go in all square at the break but also squandered a golden opportunity to score from the penalty spot.

On a lovely Spring afternoon, supporters lapped up what was one of the most entertaining first periods of the season. It did take quarter of an hour to get into full swing but thereafter was certainly action packed.

Jamie Holmes made his full debut and his 25 yarder which went high and wide was the only incident of note in the early stages.

It then became rather busy in both boxes which started with ‘The Nailers’ leaving Ashington shell-shocked when they struck at the double.

In the 14th minute, a long pass sent Jaanai Gordon clean through and he beat advancing ‘keeper Ryan Catterick to the ball before clipping it into the vacant net.

The Colliers had not recovered from that body blow when they went two goals behind. On this occasion, Gordon was the provider playing the ball into the path of Jonathan Wafula who from six yards fired it inside the near post.

Ashington responded when they forced two consecutive corners and from the latter, Holmes looked a certain scorer until a visiting defender got in a vital block.

However, in the 21st minute, Ashington halved the deficit.

Holmes – in the thick of the action – crossed from the left where Ryan Donaldson headed home.

Barely 60 seconds later, Kevin Bastos – set up by Wafula – missed a glorious chance as he blasted over with only Catterick to beat.

When play switched, Craig Spooner spotted Preston off his line and tried to chip the ball over him but the ‘keeper got back to catch it at head height.

Gordon fluffed his lines after he was presented with another clear opening then in the 25th minute, home skipper Karl Ross was pushed down in the area by a defender and referee Thomas James pointed to the spot.

Holmes took the kick but struck a tame penalty which Preston easily clutched to his right.

Ten minutes before the break, there was an unusual incident when Wafula went down as if he was injured. The referee called on the Belper physio who was halfway towards Wafula when the striker indicated that he didn’t require treatment after all and was promptly shown a yellow card by the match official.

In the 38th minute, a lively looking Ashington side got back on terms following an excellent move down the left.

Holmes slipped the ball out wide to the over-lapping Jordan Summerly and when he crossed, Spooner planted a great header wide of Preston.

However, in the first minute of time added on, only a brilliant save by Catterick denied Belper from regaining the lead.

The stopper got down low to his left to push a 30 yards free kick by Curtis Burrows which was creeping inside the post around for a corner.

The half time whistle gave supporters time to regain their breath – but incredibly after a pulsating first period, both sides failed to fashion a single chance after the break with defences on top.

There were several eye-catching performances from the home side but to contain a potent attack of Bastos, Gordon and Wafula – who had caused problems in the first period – special mention must go to Scott Lowery and Ben Williams who were both immense at the heart of the Ashington defence.

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