Competition: Northern Premier League - East Division

Bridlington Town AFC vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Three defensive blunders inside the first half hour left Ashington with a mountain to climb in their clash against Bridlington Town on Saturday.

Conditions on the East Coast were perfect for football and it was the Colliers – with Sam Fishburn, their on-loan striker from Scunthorpe making his debut – who started the game well until they pressed the self destruct button in the 11th minute.

The Wansbeck side won a corner but lost possession and play moved swiftly to the other end with Bridlington forcing a flag kick of their own on the left.

The ball was swung across where the unmarked Dan Hartley smashed it home with his right foot at the far post.

Barely two minutes later, ‘The Seasiders’ doubled their lead following a simple route one move.

Goalkeeper Jack Hall’s clearance bisected the Ashington defence and allowed Josh Barratt the opportunity to lob the ball over the advancing Ryan Catterick and into the net.

The visitors were shell shocked by the quickfire double but they eventually settled down and had their first opportunity when Josh Gilchrist struck a free-kick from 25 yards narrowly wide.

However midway through the half, the Colliers missed a glorious chance to reduce the deficit when Kyle Errington crossed from the right but Ben Sampson – arriving at the near post – placed his header wide.

On the half hour, the home side added a third. They took advantage after Ashington had given the ball away from a throw in and after making progress down the left, when it was played across the area, Sam Leverett was allowed acres of space to place his effort wide of Catterick.

After the interval, the Wansbeck side got the start they were looking for when they pulled a goal back. Skipper Marc Ellison crossed into the area and Sampson made no mistake as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

The goal gave the Colliers a much needed boost and five minutes later, there was a scare in the home area. Sampson found Errington whose cross was finger-tipped onto the bar by Hall and hastily cleared away.

That was as good as it got for the Colliers.

Within minutes Bridlington came close to restoring their three goals lead when Sam Kay fired just wide of the far post.

‘The Seasiders’ managed the remainder of the game whilst Ashington struggled to make any impact on the home goal.

Consequently the final half hour meandered to a dour conclusion.

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Sam Fishburn

2024/25 Sponsor: Make Ashington Mint Again – MAMA

Currently on loan from Scunthorpe United FC

Ashington vs Brighouse Town

By Brian Bennett

A strong second half performance by Ashington saw them complete a particularly good week as they backed up a 2-1 win against Bishop Auckland in midweek with a 4-1 victory over Brighouse Town at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

It’s been an incredible turnaround by the Colliers who even a month ago, were included among the teams at the foot of the table but one defeat in eight has seen them climb into a mid-table spot.

However, once again they were forced to come from behind before deservedly securing all three points with Josh Gilchrist who scored a timely double taking his tally for the season to ten.

Buoyed by the result over Bishop Auckland, home supporters were expecting the Colliers to come out of the traps with a real spring in their step – but they were disappointed as what developed was reminiscent of a dull and lethargic end of season encounter.

The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute.

Akeel Francis dispossessed Harrison Clark near the touchline, cut inside and rifled a right footer inside the far post leaving ‘keeper Ryan Catterick helpless.

Seven minutes later, Craig Spooner spurned a marvellous chance to level. Ryan Wombwell supplied a cross from the right but Spooner got his angles all wrong and headed well wide.

Then all of a sudden, the game came alive in the final ten minutes of the half with the home side in the ascendency.

Spooner had a left foot shot held by ‘keeper Shea Callister and shortly afterwards it was the stopper who denied Bailey Geliher as well as the follow up effort from Gilchrist.

However in the 43rd minute, Clark atoned for his earlier error when he got the equaliser.

A free kick on the left by Gilchrist was blocked and when Gilchrist recycled the ball into the danger zone, Clark delicately clipped it home from six yards.

The Colliers had a chance to forge in front right on the stroke of half time when Spooner set up Gilchrist but the striker fired over.

After the break, Ashington continued where they had left off and upped the tempo and seven minutes in, they went ahead – from the spot.

Ryan Wombwell was upended inside the area by Niah Payne and Gilchrist stepped forward to smash the ball into the roof of the net, sending Callister the wrong way in the process.

Five minutes later, Ashington added a third following a well worked move. Gilchrist got to the by-line and crossed and although Ben Sampson missed out, the ball ran for skipper Karl Ross who blasted in the third from a tight angle.

In a rare raid, Payne fired wide for the visitors whose troubles were compounded in the 78th minute.

Skipper Joshua Grant was sent off after a foul on substitute Wilson Kneeshaw on the half way line then the nearside assistant spoke to referee Tyler Dutton which resulted in one of the staff in the Brighouse technical area also being shown the red card.

Then in the 90th minute, the Colliers stretched their lead further. Wombwell slipped the ball through to Kneeshaw who cut the ball back perfectly for the onrushing Gilchrist who steered it into the net from close range.

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Bishop Auckland vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ryan Donaldson will take the headlines after his late goal proved to be the winner for Ashington against Bishop Auckland on Tuesday night.

However it was two brilliant saves in the dying minutes by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick – playing against his former club – which guaranteed the Colliers all three points on a cold and damp night at Heritage Park.

They were forced to do things the hard way too, after going behind in the first half but the win was no more than Nick Gray’s side deserved.

The Wansbeck side left every ounce of energy on a stamina sapping pitch and although they are not totally out of the woods yet, the victory gives them more breathing space in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League as they now sit seven points above fourth from bottom Bridlington Town who they visit on Saturday week (February 22).

The first piece of action came in the seventh minute when Catterick saved a shot from Joe Bartliff with Gary Martin’s effort from the follow up flashing narrowly wide of the far post.

Bishops then took the lead in the 19th minute. The space opened up on the right for Bartliff to surge through into the penalty area and although Catterick did extremely well to parry Bartliff’s fierce drive into the air, Martin headed home the rebound.

Ashington had shouts for a penalty when Josh Gilchrist went to ground from a Craig Spooner corner – before the Colliers got back on terms in the 27th minute with a well worked goal.

Ben Sampson won back possession inside the Bishops half and found Spooner on the right flank. He passed forward for the overlapping Ryan Wombwell and when the full back crossed to the near post, Gilchrist turned the ball into the net from six yards.

Before the interval, Catterick denied Martin then the home number ten crossed for Johnson who fired wide.

The first half had been played at a frenetic pace – and there was no let up after the interval.

Catterick pushed out a free kick from 35 yards by Bartliff then on the hour Johnson had a great chance after he skipped inside but fired off target.

Ashington had opportunities too.

Gilchrist was played through but was blocked then a lovely move down the left involving Bailey Geliher and substitute Jordan Summerly came to nothing after the full back’s cross was directed straight at home ‘keeper Jack Norton.

Scott Lowery flashed a header just wide of the near post from a Spooner corner then at the other end, a flag kick by John Howard almost caught Ashington out until Catterick punched it clear.

When sub Gary Ormston broke forward and released the ball to Spooner, the midfielder was through but clipped his effort over the bar.

Manager Nick Gray then introduced Donaldson and two minutes later, he put Ashington in front.

Sub Wilson Kneeshaw found Wombwell down the right and when the defender crossed, the ball ballooned up into the air. When it came down, Donaldson found the net with a left foot shot which crept just inside the post.

The action continued right up until the final whistle. Catterick saved from Bartliff then seconds from the end, the ‘keeper dived low to his left to deny John Howard.

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Pontefract Collieries vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington staged a spirited comeback and left The Hunters Stadium with a point after a dour battle against Pontefract Collieries in West Yorkshire on Saturday.

Admittedly the second half – which contained all four goals – was a vast improvement on the first 45 minutes which was a midfield scrap and saw both defences on top.

Indeed there were only three stand out moments in the opening period.

In the 12th minute, Kyle Errington found Craig Spooner whose shot was parried away by home ‘keeper Heath Richardson.

Pontefract’s first effort came minutes later when Mikey Dunn cut inside from the left touchline but fired wide of the near post.

Three minutes before the break, a corner on the left by Spooner was headed out and when the ball fell to the feet of Marc Ellison his 25 yarder went over the bar.

Surely the second half would see a bit more zip and excitement – and it was the home side who came out the stronger with the impressive Dunn scoring twice inside the opening ten minutes.

Three minutes after the restart, a corner on the right by Jack Boyle found Dunn lurking around the penalty spot who was allowed time and space to squeeze a right foot effort between ‘keeper Ryan Catterick and the post.

The second goal materialised after a free kick from 30 yards by Elliott Walker beat the outstretched hands of Catterick, smacked against the underside of the bar and bounced down on the line.

Dunn was first to react and headed the rebound into an unguarded net.

A massive turning point then arrived just before the hour mark. After a quick raid down the left, Boyle played the ball across to the unmarked Dunn but he spurned the chance to complete his hat-trick as he fired tamely at Catterick.

Three minutes later, Ashington received a lifeline from an unlikely source to half the deficit. Following a cross from the right, home skipper Jack Greenhough tried to cushion a cross with his head to Richardson but he got too much pace on it. The stopper dived full length in an attempt to keep the ball out but the assistant flagged to indicate that it had crossed the line and the referee awarded the goal.

Like the flick of a switch, the score sparked the Wansbeck based outfit into action with the Colliers playing their best football of the match.

A drive from distance by Harrison Clark was straight at Richardson then thirty seconds later, Gavin Rothery cut inside before he unleashed an effort which went narrowly over.

Ten minutes from time, Ashington got back on terms following a well worked set-piece.

Josh Gilchrist flicked on a corner by Spooner for Clark who steered the ball home to register his first goal in Ashington colours.

Now it was game on as both sides went for the win. Home sub Joshua Lindley directed the ball down Catterick’s throat then a ball played into the near post was stabbed wide by fellow sub Bailey Thompson.

However, Ashington were much the better side in the closing stages and they could and should have snatched a winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

After defending a corner, they broke with pace and had a five versus two situation in their favour.

Gilchrist found Spooner whose shot was spilled by Richardson but with Ben Sampson looking to pounce on the rebound, the ‘keeper clawed the ball away to safety.

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Ashington vs Consett

By Brian Bennett

Over the years, there have been some epic contests between Ashington and Consett.

Sadly Saturday’s clash at Woodhorn Lane will not stay in the minds of both sets of supporters after a drab and painstaking affair finished all square at 1-1.

It was a hard watch and certainly not the way Ashington skipper Karl Ross – who was making his 200th appearance for the club and who had signed an extension to his contract until the end of next season – would had visualised.

However, rather bizarrely both sides will lay claim to it as being two points dropped. The Colliers who led on the hour, conceded a late equaliser whilst ‘The Steelmen’ missed out after having two opportunities in the dying minutes.

Home manager Nick Gray handed a debut to goalkeeper Ryan Catterick whilst Craig Spooner returned after missing three games through injury.

The first half was played out with little in the way of goalmouth action – as if both teams were frightened of making a mistake which could have proved costly and seen them go on and lose the game.

In the seventh minute Marc Ellison’s 20 yarder landed at the feet of Josh Gilchrist but the striker’s effort was blocked then Spooner fired over.

Consett ‘s first threat came midway through the period when Calvin Smith got onto the end of a cross from David Allasan but Catterick saved superbly with his foot even though the flag was raised for offside.

Both sides struggled to put anything constructive together until late in the half.

Ryan Wombwell met a deep cross by Gilchrist at the far post but when he headed the ball into the middle there was no-one on hand to apply the finishing touch.

However with seconds of the period remaining, Walker’s cross was deflected onto the bar and when the ball bounced out, Marc Costello looked a certain scorer until he somehow blazed his effort over the bar.

After the break, Smith swung over a corner which was met by ex Ashington defender Charlie Exley but he directed his header straight at Catterick.

On the hour, Ryan Donaldson was brought down inside the area by Consett skipper Ryan McKinnon – another ex Collier – and Gilchrist scored emphatically from the penalty to put Ashington ahead.

Ten minutes later, Brandon Holdsworth laid the ball off for Allasan but his shot was cleared off the line by Scott Lowery.

Holdsworth then went to ground under challenge by substitute Wilson Kneeshaw but the visiting striker was cautioned for simulation.

However five minutes later, when Holdsworth went down in the box again, Harrison Clark was penalised with a spot kick awarded and Smith’s finely executed penalty nestled inside the corner of the net.

Gilchrist had a great chance to put his side back in front when he burst through but he delayed his shot which was blocked.

However there could have been a dramatic finale to a game which had lacked in quality.

In the closing stages a sizzling right footer by Smith flashed just wide with Catterick rooted to the spot then in the fifth minute of time added on for stoppages, Exley headed wide from another corner by Smith.

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Ashington vs Newton Aycliffe

By Brian Bennett

Ashington came back down to earth with a bump on Tuesday night when Newton Aycliffe won 4-0 after a powerful and convincing second half display at Woodhorn Lane.

The Colliers went into the contest on the back of a run of three unbeaten games but the visitors – on the periphery of the play off places in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League – turned on the heat after the break and were full value for the three points.

The home side also had to see out the game with ten men after Ryan Donaldson saw red in the closing stages.

Two months ago, Aycliffe were stunned when the Wansbeck outfit won 3-2 at Moore Lane. Many Ashington supporters said at the time that the Durham outfit were the best side they had played so far this season – and the point was raised again after another impressive display by the County Durham outfit.

The Colliers – rocked by an injury to defender Ben Williams which ruled him out of the clash – were still in the game at half time after an opening period where chances were few and far between.

In the third minute, Josh Gilchrist threaded a pass through for Cieran Jackson but visitors ‘keeper Jim Pollard reacted swiftly and whipped the ball off the striker’s toes.

It was 12 minutes before the first shot of the game materialised when Joe Ferguson had an effort which was held by home stopper Dan Staples and a further quarter hour before the next when a drive by Liam Jarvie was directed straight at the custodian.

Two minutes later, Liam Adamson broke clear down the right but Ryan Wombwell got back to make an excellent tackle.

Ashington began the second period a lot brighter and in the 52nd minute, Harrison Clark slipped the ball to skipper Karl Ross who cut inside a defender but saw his shot held by Pollard.

Two minutes later, Aycliffe broke the deadlock. Following a corner on the right, skipper Ethan Wood fired in from the edge of the area with the ball squeezing between Staples and the post.

Recent newcomer Jackson had a shot taken by Pollard before the visitors doubled their lead just past the hour mark.

The goal stemmed from another corner which was played into the six yards box with Jake Petitjean netting from close range.

Five minutes later, it was 3-0. Aycliffe broke quickly on the counter from an Ashington corner with Adamson raiding down the right and when he squared the ball, Jarvie had the simple task of slotting it into the net.

The three goals in quarter of an hour left Ashington shell-shocked and it ought to have been four in the 75th minute. Following an intricate move across the park, the ball came over from the right but Petitjean headed wide.

Gilchrist had a shot which was taken by Pollard before substitute Dane Eltringham added a fourth with five minutes of the 90 remaining.

He picked up possession and unleashed a low drive from 25 yards which flew into the net.

Three minutes later, Ashington’s troubles were compounded when Ryan Donaldson was sent off after being shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

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Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

It was described by some – in particular home supporters – that Ashington produced a smash and grab raid on Saturday when they pulled off a 1-0 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels at Bracken Moor Stadium.

The Colliers held onto a fourth minute goal by Ben Williams then the defender was a key member at the heart of the defence as the Wansbeck side were forced to dig deep and work tirelessly before ensuring that they came back with three precious points.

An upsurge in form by the Woodhorn Lane based outfit – whose current run includes only one defeat from their last seven matches – has also brought a return of confidence.

Although the closing stages were particularly nailbiting – and the Steels will quite rightly say they dominated possession and had numerous shots and corners – Ashington ‘keeper Dan Staples was not forced to make a diving save.

Yet inside the opening 30 seconds, the Colliers could have been behind – had it not been for a timely intervention from central defenders Scott Lowery and Williams.

Staples dropped a cross from the right and when the ball fell to Jack Dolman he must have thought he was a certain scorer until Lowery and Williams combined to make a brilliant block from point blank range.

Ashington responded with Ryan Donaldson, Cieran Jackson and skipper Karl Ross linking well to set up Josh Gilchrist but his shot was charged down.

However in the fourth minute, Nick Gray’s side took the lead from a set piece. They forced a corner on the left and when Gilchrist floated the ball to the far post, Lowery headed it back into the danger zone for Williams, who scored his first goal of the season as he prodded it into the back of the net.

On the quarter hour, Ashington’s press up front saw them hunt the ball down but when it was played wide to Gilchrist, he blazed over the bar.

The Colliers had to ride the storm as first Oliwier Grzelak had a shot blocked then Alex O’Connor directed a tame effort straight at Staples before the stopper saved with his legs to deny Jack Tinker.

Ashington had a chance when Andrew Cartwright pumped a free kick into the box which was headed back by Lowery but Gary Ormston fired off target.

Early in the second half, the ball struck the top of the Ashington bar from a corner and Elliot Owen headed wide before a snapshot from 20 yards by Tinker went straight down Staples’ throat.

Ashington continued to hang on as the minutes ticked by with players putting their bodies on the line – and credit must go to the visitors after an excellent display of defensive resilience.

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