By Brian Bennett

Exquisite finishing by Dylan Stephenson and Jay Turner-Cooke shattered the dreams of a perfect send off for Ashington boss Ian Skinner as Newcastle United U21s went through to the final of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup after a 2-1 win over the Colliers on a record breaking night at Woodhorn Lane.

However Skinner – who is stepping down after a magnificent five year period in charge – had nothing but praise and admiration for his players who were the better side and who fought tooth and nail to push the young Magpies all the way.

On a night when a crowd of 1447 set a new attendance record for the ground – beating the previous highest which was recorded last season against Stocksbridge Park Steels in an FA Cup replay – the Wansbeck side ought to have punished their visitors early doors but spurned two glorious opportunities inside the opening quarter hour.

The first came in only the second minute when Craig Spooner laid the ball back to the unmarked Wilson Kneeshaw who steadied himself but from six yards clipped his shot the wrong side of the post.

Then it was Kneeshaw turning provider when he set up Connor Thomson but the striker’s right footer hit the outside of the back stanchion.

Almost immediately, Amadou Diallo shanked an effort wide of Ross Coombe’s upright before Leo Shahar drove across the face of goal.

However in the 25^th minute and against the run of play, Stephenson broke the deadlock in some style following a clearance from goalkeeper Aidan Harris.

He skipped past a defender before unleashing a thunderous left footer from the edge of the area which screamed past Coombe giving the ‘keeper no chance as it crashed inside the far corner.

On the half hour, Ben Sampson had a first time shot held by Harris then the midfielder found Dan Maguire whose effort was deflected into the hands of the Newcastle stopper.

Right on the stroke of half time, Kneeshaw cut inside but again saw his effort held by Harris.

For the opening 20 minutes of the second period, Ashington tried to unlock the Newcastle door but the Magpies stunned them in the 65^th minute when Turner-Cooke added a brilliant second.

Awarded a free-kick just outside the area on the right, the midfielder struck a left footer with precision inside the far post.

Ian Skinner’s side retaliated and within two minutes, were right back in the contest with a goal from the in-form Maguire.

Kneeshaw weaved inside the area and when he had tried to beat one defender too many, the ball fell at the feet of Maguire who fired home.

Game on – and how Ashington exuded every ounce of energy throwing everything at their visitors until the final whistle.

Harris held onto a shot from Kneeshaw then in the third minute of stoppage time, Sampson found Spooner on the right and when he whipped over a cross, Maguire did everything right – except his effort was blocked.

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