By Brian Bennett

A quickfire double by Matty Tymon immediately after half time sent Ashington tumbling to a 2-1 defeat in their first home league game of the new season at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

The visitors had trailed to a goal by Paddy Almond shortly before the break but the Bishop Auckland striker caught the Colliers cold with his first – a wonder strike from 30 yards – finding the net only 48 seconds after the resumption.

Worse was to follow as the two blues took the lead in the 49th minute following an in-swinging corner on the right which saw Tymon score with a free header from six yards.

The Wansbeck side controlled the opening half and pieced together a flowing move inside the first minute which involved Matty Slocombe, Craig Spooner, Cam Gascoigne and Jordan Summerly before skipper Karl Ross’s cross from the left was easily taken by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick.

In the seventh minute, the pace of Wilson Kneeshaw saw him accelerate down the right and when he swung the ball over, it went across the face of the visitors’ goal.

Yet it was Bishops who arguably had the best opportunity on the half hour when the ball fell to Tymon 16 yards out but he hit a half volley wide of the upright.

Play switched to the other end with Gascoigne probing down the left flank but when he crossed, Catterick made a vital interception with Kneeshaw ready to pounce.

Two minutes later, Gascoigne went close after a one-two with Paul Van-Zandvliet, his effort drifting wide of the far post.

However in the 38th minute, Ashington edged ahead – through Paddy Almond.

Kneeshaw was fouled on the right and when Spooner swung over a dangerous looking free-kick, the ball was missed in the centre of the goal by Van-Zandvliet but ran to Almond who fired it home.

Incredibly after a first period where chances were in short supply, the opening quarter hour after the break contained plenty of goalmouth action.

Tymon was heavily involved in the action as he strike went in off the far post with Staples rooted to the spot then he put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Sandwiched in-between, Catterick shovelled a free kick from 35 yards by Van-Zandvliet over the bar then on the hour, Ashington cleared off the line from a header following another corner on the right.

However, the segment also saw the Colliers forced into a change following an injury to full back Jordan Summerly.

In the closing stages, Kneeshaw had a goalbound drive blocked then in the dying seconds, a shot by Charlie Exley was clutched at the near post by Catterick.

A draw would have been a fair result on the night – with the two sides meeting again on Saturday in their Emirates FA Cup preliminary round clash. The game is being televised live by the BBC via iplayer, red button and online – and if this dress rehearsal is any yardstick to go by, supporters will be in for a real treat with another gripping 90 minutes in store when the game gets underway at 12.30pm.