Season: 2021-22
0 vs 5 
Ashington vs Penrith
By Brian Bennett
Ashington left it late – before they kick started the New Year with a win against basement side Penrith at The dwmedia Stadium on Saturday.
Trailing early on to a Jamie Armstrong penalty, the Wansbeck outfit eventually equalised on the hour through Jordan Lashley but it was not until the dying embers of the game that the home side wrapped up the points with goals from Adam Johnson and Dean Briggs.
The match – played out on a heavy pitch at Woodhorn Lane – was only one of three which went ahead in the first division of the Ebac Northern League and the victory saw the Colliers leapfrog over Newton Aycliffe to claim sixth place in the table.
Both sides (Ashington and Penrith) had been inactive for three weeks over the festive period but there was no sign of lethargy as they went toe to toe with each other in a contest which never dropped in tempo throughout.
The Colliers made inroads in the ninth minute when the ball came in from the right flank and Penrith ‘keeper Aaran Taylor made a double save from a header Paul Robinson and the follow up by Ben Sampson.
In their next raid, Johnson fired over but the home crowd were silenced in the 13th minute when against the run of play, Charlie Birch surged into the Ashington area and went tumbling under a combined challenge from Liam Doyle and Yannick Aziakonou.
Referee Chris Joyce immediately pointed for a penalty and Armstrong sent Karl Dryden the wrong way with a coolly taken spot kick to the ‘keeper’s right,
Ashington exerted pressure and had a quarter hour spell of dominance. Sampson blasted over; an in-swinging corner from Lashley clipped the base of the post whilst Craig Spooner and Lashley snatched at further opportunities.
Penrith defended well and in the final third of the period, it was Dryden who prevented the Cumbrians from extending their lead.
In one break, Matthew Story was through until a superb retrieving tackle by Aziakonou inside the area averted the danger.
Shortly before the interval, Max Brown wriggled clear but was denied by the sprawling Dryden then the stopper parried another effort from the centre forward who missed a sitter somehow putting the rebound wide.
After the break, Robinson cut in from the flank and his shot hit the upright with Lashley having a shot blocked.
It was a day of frustration for the home side but they kept up the pressure and were patient – and eventually drew level with a brilliantly worked goal.
Not for the first time in the match, Jordan Summerly and Robinson linked superbly down the left and the latter sent over a precision cross which was headed home at the far post by Lashley.
The game then developed into a cat and mouse affair with Ashington going all out in search of a winner whilst their opponents posed a threat on the break.
However, several key aspects emerged in the final 20 minutes.
On a stamina sapping pitch, home manager Ian Skinner introduced fresh legs at different stages sending on Briggs, Bobby Taylor and Danny Anderson withdrawing Aziakonou, Lashley and Doyle whilst in the 75th minute, Penrith were reduced in number when Matthew Moynan – booked in the first half – upended Johnson and was sent off for a second yellow card offence.
Briggs fashioned an opportunity as he cut inside but lashed over and with the ten men defending resolutely, it looked as if the visitors were going to hold out for a point,
But five minutes from time, Johnson unlocked the door with a piece of sheer brilliance. He received the ball into his feet, spun sharply then whipped a low drive across Taylor and inside the far corner.
In the last minute of the 90, Ashington must have thought they had sealed the result when on a swift counter, substitute Taylor had a shot blocked and Briggs made no mistake blasting home the rebound to make it 3-1.
In time added on, a curling free kick by Birch thudded against the post but Ashington’s riposte saw Curtis Coppen play a great ball forward where Robinson and Summerly featured again before the ball was eventually blocked on the goal-line.
3 vs 1 
3 vs 3 
2 vs 1 Ashington vs Newcastle United U23s
Newcastle United U23s won 5-3 on penalties
By Brian Bennett
Ashington suffered penalty heartache on Tuesday night as they bowed out of the Techflow Marine Northumberland Senior Cup against Newcastle United under 23’s – on an historic night at The dwmedia Stadium.
Jay Turner-Cooke and Cameron Ferguson nudged the Magpies into a 2-0 lead by the hour mark before the Colliers levelled after staging a great comeback with two goals in five minutes from Karl Ross and Craig Spooner.
It set up an exciting finale which included a chance for either side in stoppage time before the game went to a penalty shoot out. Newcastle led 4-3 when Danny Anderson had his spot kick pushed aside by ‘keeper Will Brown and the under 23’s booked their place in the semi finals when Nathan Carlyon tucked away their fifth.
However off the pitch, the fantastic turn out of 1,357 saw Ashington smash through their previous record attendance of 1,229 at Woodhorn Lane.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the early stages. Indeed the first opening came in the 13th minute when Dean Briggs – on his return – found Luke Salmon on the right but the midfielder lofted his effort over.
Liam Doyle then played the ball in for Briggs but he was snuffed out before Ross was clear but stumbled after being fouled and the danger evaporated.
Lucas de Bolle had Newcastle’s first shot from 20 yards which was held by home ‘keeper Karl Dryden but midway through the half, the young Magpies went ahead when Turner-Cooke hooked home a downward volley at the far post after a cross from the left.
On the half hour, Dryden made a crucial save to deny Newcastle a second. Ferguson pounced on a defensive error but his effort was blocked by Dryden.
It was the last goalmouth action in a period where the home side just could not find any sort of rhythm – and they also lacked composure on the ball.
After the break the visitors were in control and after Turner-Cooke had played a cross too far ahead of the incoming striker, a ball played in by skipper Jack Young saw Charlie Wiggett miss out.
Ferguson doubled his sides lead when a move started off by Young led to a cross from the right where Ferguson turned on a sixpence and fired into the corner.
Then all of a sudden, it was as if Ashington pressed a switch which saw them have belief – and they bounced back to level with two quickfire goals, the first in the 70th minute.
Manager Ian Skinner had just made a triple change introducing Danny Anderson, Paul Robinson and Max Cowburn for Salmon, Bobby Taylor and Briggs – and when Cowburn floated an inviting ball into the area, Ross headed over the advancing Brown and into the net.
Incredibly, now with momentum, Ashington’s best move of the night resulted in the equaliser.
Cowburn’s delightful chip over a defender released Doyle in the area and when his cross was only partially cleared, the ball fell to Spooner who caressed a low right footer wide of Brown and just inside the post.
In the next minute, there was action at both ends. A lovely ball over the top by Coppen released Doyle but his pull back was played behind his team mates in the area then when play switched, Turner-Cooke drove wide.
Ten minutes from time, Dryden made a great save diving low to his right to keep out a full blooded drive by Rosaire Longelo then the same player got on the end of a through ball to lob over Dryden. Turner-Cooke got to the ball ahead of Coppen to net but the score was ruled out for offside.
The thrills and spills continued until the final whistle. Robinson and Summerly worked a one-two down the left flank which ended with the latter driving the ball across the face of the goal.
In the first minute of time added on, Spooner’s through ball for Cowburn just lacked a bit of pace on it which allowed Newcastle to clear but seconds later, Young – the outstanding player of the park – flashed a shot narrowly wide from distance.
Then came the shoot out. On target for Newcastle were Young, Adam Wilson, Longelo, Turner-Cooke and Carlyon with replies from Ben Harmison, Robinson and Cowburn.
Photography: Ian Brodie, Keith Saint and Rachel McDonald
2 vs 2 
Ashington Reserves vs Seaton Burn*
Seaton Burn won 5-4 on penalties.
1 vs 1 
Jordan Lashley
Signed from Bedlington Terriers, Jordan is a pacey forward who can go past defenders due to his quick feet and direct running. Jordan is a good finisher and will be a very useful addition to the squad, creating chances for himself and others.
Whitley Bay vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Ashington’s uncanny knack of bouncing back after a disappointment came to the fore again at Hillheads on Saturday.
The Colliers went into the clash against Whitley Bay after being on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline at Crook a fortnight earlier but in dramatic style they swept the Seahorses aside with a powerful and dominant display which saw them run out winners by a convincing 6-1 margin.
What’s more in a contest where they had 25 attempts at goal, Ian Skinner’s outfit could have hit double figures – with home ‘keeper Dan Lister sparing his sides blushes of an even heavier defeat and was their man of the match by a considerable distance.
For the Wansbeck side, there were braces for debutant Jordan Lashley and recent newcomer Adam Johnson whilst Bobby Taylor – on his return to the starting line up – began the rout and Craig Spooner finished the display off with a spectacular effort minutes only minutes from the end.
Ashington were all pumped up from kick-off and the game was only 16 seconds old when Lister’s busy afternoon commenced.
A long ball from Ashington skipper Ben Harmison found Spooner whose lob from the edge of the area was tipped over by the young stopper.
In the third minute, a good move saw Taylor and Jordan Summerly combine on the left and it took another good stop by Lister at the foot of his post to deny the full-back as he pushed the ball away for a corner.
However, two minutes later – and against the run of play – the Seahorses took a shock lead.
Malcolm Morien slipped the ball through for Josh Gilchrist who steered a precise effort wide of ‘keeper Karl Dryden and just inside the post.
Undeterred, the Wansbeck side responded with Lister keeping out efforts from Taylor, Johnson and Lashley whilst Spooner skied over when well placed.
Despite Ashington’s total dominance, the Bay could so easily have doubled their advantage in the 19th minute when after the ball ping-ponged inside the box, Jamie Dunn dragged his shot narrowly wide of Dryden’s left hand post.
The visitors kept up the pressure and after Johnson had fired over, it came as no surprise when they drew level on the half hour.
Spooner found Taylor and the winger cut inside then unleashed a right footer from 25 yards which swerved in mid air and although Lister got his hand to it, he could only help the ball into the top corner.
Within a minute, the Colliers could have gone in front as Ben Sampson found Johnson but he curled his shot around Lister and past the upright.
Morien lashed over for Whitley before the Colliers went 2-1 up in the 37th minute with a goal from Lashley.
The ex Bedlington Terriers forward played a one-two with Liam Doyle then had time to pick his spot wide of Lister.
Right on the stroke of half time, Yannick Aziakonou made a great block to deny Gilchrist but Ashington nevertheless went in at the interval holding a slender 2-1 lead.
The Colliers made an identical start to proceedings after the break as they had done from the very first whistle when Lashley reached the by-line but his shot was turned around by Lister.
Dunn blasted over following a corner then at the other end Lister denied Doyle before Ashington widened the margin in the 54th minute.
Sampson – prominent in the midfield with an energetic display on a heavy pitch – won possession to slot the ball through for Lashley who advanced before firing wide of Lister.
On the hour, a free-kick by Johnson saw Curtis Coppen head over but three minutes later, Johnson scored his first goal for the Colliers as he met a cross from the impressive Spooner to lash in.
Seconds later, Lister repelled an effort from Doyle then at the other end, Dryden tipped over from Michael Speed.
The chances continued to stack up for the Colliers – Aziakonou and Doyle both going close before with ten minutes remaining, the latter found Johnson who fired under Lister for the fifth.
However, the best was still to come as in the 86th minute, Spooner put the icing on the cake with undoubtedly the goal of the game.
Lashley laid the ball off and Spooner did the rest – arrowing an unstoppable drive from the left which screamed into the top corner.
It was Ashington’s most convincing performance of the season and – without a game on Saturday (December 11) – they now prepare to face Newcastle United under 23’s in the quarter final of the Techflow Marine Northumberland Senior Cup at The dwmedia Stadium on Tuesday (December 14) where kick-off is 7.30pm.
1 vs 6 Crook Town vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Ashington FC’s Danny Anderson had called on his team mates to be more consistent following the thrilling 3-3 draw with league leaders Consett seven days ago.
However, on Saturday, Anderson was in the midfield department and witnessed at first hand an Ashington display which tumbled from being red hot the previous week to cold as they went down to a 4-0 defeat at Crook Town at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield.
It was the fourth reverse out of their last five away trips for the Wansbeck outfit but despite being out of sorts, the scoreline yet again paints a false picture as Ian Skinner’s side hit the woodwork on no fewer than four occasions during the contest and dominated possession during the second half.
Crook – who had looked a good side when the two sides met at Woodhorn Lane in the middle of last month (ironically when the Colliers were 4-0 victors) – deserved their success on the day hitting Ashington with body blows at crucial stages especially after the interval.
The visitors came close to taking the lead in the fifth minute with what would have been an identical opening goal from Craig Spooner from the previous week.
Adam Johnson found Luke Salmon down the left and when he crossed, Spooner directed his header wide of ‘keeper Ronan Makepeace’s left hand post.
It was the first of several game changing incidents as four minutes later Jamie Nash beat two defenders as he ventured into the Ashington area and when his venomous low right footer was pushed out by ‘keeper Adam McHugh, Ewan Forster blasted home the rebound from six yards.
Minutes later, a free kick from 20 yards from Max Cowburn was finger tipped onto the bar by Makepeace and cleared then midway through the period, an Anderson free-kick to the far post was headed wide by Ben Harmison.
Anderson tried an audacious effort from 35 yards which dipped just over after spotting Makepeace off his line then Johnson and Spooner combined down the left until the latter’s cross intended for Johnson was intercepted by a defender.
With half time approaching, Salmon came close to an equaliser after pressing the Crook back line.
He tenaciously won the ball and after playing a one-two with Spooner unleashed a power drive which thudded against the underside of the bar and was cleared.
But right on the stroke of the interval, McHugh was called upon to block superbly from Edward Thomas and as the striker followed up Karl Ross thwarted him with a block tackle.
Five minutes into the second half, Cowburn crossed from the right where Salmon’s first time effort from the edge of the area rebounded off the base of the post.
Within forty five seconds, Ashington were 2-0 down as Crook hit them on the counter. Thomas’s initial shot was blocked by Yannick Aziakonou but the ball ran straight into the striker’s path and he made no mistake.
Four minutes later, Johnson fed Cowburn whose right footer was superbly tipped over by Makepeace.
It just wasn’t going to happen for Ashington – a fact borne out just past the hour mark.
Firstly Harmison got on the end of a Sampson cross from the right but his effort was pushed away by Makepeace who then saved a header from the visiting skipper.
And a minute later, Sampson charged through but his rasping drive hit the bar and went over.
Still Ashington tried to make inroads – but still they were repelled by a resolute home defence.
In the 68th minute, substitute Paul Robinson linked with Jordan Summerly but his low cross was cleared from the danger zone.
Seven minutes later and Crook wrapped up their victory when substitute Kai Hewitson broke away down the right and thumped an effort past McHugh.
Nash blasted over before the hosts got a fourth in the third minute of stoppage time.
Ashington lost possession from a thrown in and Mason Hurworth cut inside before blasting an unerring right footer past a helpless McHugh.
4 vs 0 1 vs 2 