Season: 2022-23
4 vs 0 Ashington vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
By Brian Bennett
Ashington are through to the fourth qualifying round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup following a 3-0 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels in their replay on a record breaking night at Woodhorn Lane.
The bumper attendance of 1,424 set a new record at the ground and supporters were treated to a pulsating cup tie on a mild evening in Wansbeck as the Colliers continued their glorious run in the competition.
Ashington will now travel to face National League North league leaders Kings Lynn on Saturday week (October 15).
The replay came about after Ian Skinner’s side conceded a late goal in a 2-2 draw in Sheffield on Saturday – but in the rematch, the Colliers roared into a two goal lead inside the opening eight minutes through Yannick Aziakonou and Paul Robinson.
They withstood pressure from the visitors but when Ben Sampson added a crucial third ten minutes into the second half, it was going to take a comeback of monumental proportions and as the match became stretched with The Steels chasing the game, Ashington could have added to their tally.
Not once, not twice but three times this season, Ashington have caused an upset in the competition after delivering knock out blows to Ashton United, Bradford Park Avenue and now Stocksbridge Park Steels – the trio of clubs who all operate higher up the footballing pyramid.
The Ashington fans continued where they left off at the weekend as they got behind their team from minute one giving plenty of vocal support.
Manager Skinner had said in his postmatch interview on Saturday ‘hopefully we can give them (the supporters) something else to shout about in the replay’ – and his side certainly did that as they made an unbelievable start.
With only four minutes on the clock, a corner on the left was partially cleared by a Stocksbridge defender and the ball fell invitingly into the path of Aziakonou who from 30 yards, struck a sweet low right footed effort on the half volley into the back of the net with ‘keeper Harrison Davison-Hale rooted to the spot.
And it got better for the Colliers when Robinson added the second. The midfielder’s initial shot was parried by Davison-Hale to his left then an effort from Dean Briggs was cleared off the line by Mitchell Langton but the ball looped up into the air where Robinson headed home.
Midway through the half, Maguire had a shot blocked then Ashington had claims for a penalty turned down when Luke Salmon went to ground inside the area.
Thomas Poole went close with a free-kick from 25 yards before Stocksbridge full back Jack Tinker was yellow carded for a foul on Aziakonou.
Home stopper Karl Dryden blocked an effort from Poole then three minutes before the break, skipper Ben Harmison flashed a header wide from an Andrew Cartwright corner on the right.
The start of the second period was action packed as Luke Rawson accelerated down the right flank and his shot was saved by Dryden’s legs.
Robinson had a low drive held by Davison-Hale and seconds later, Dryden magnificently tipped over from an 18 yarder by Ify Ofoegbu.
The visitors were desperately trying to find a way through and in the 53rd minute, substitute Lewis Macaskill cut inside from the left but his shot was held low by Dryden.
Ashington responded having shouts for handball in the area waved aside – but in the 55th minute, Sampson added a third, firing in the loose ball after Davison-Hale had spilled a free-kick.
Woodhorn Lane was bouncing but just past the hour mark, the visitors served notice that the tie was far from finished when Macaskill headed over a glorious opportunity following a free-kick.
With 20 minutes remaining, Sampson came within inches of his second when after a mix up in the Stocksbridge defence, his low right footer from 20 yards went agonisingly inches past the post.
As the visitors tried to pierce a home back line which had once again been magnificent, Ashington had chances on the break to add a fourth with Briggs twice going close before a free kick by Cartwright was well held by Davison-Hale.
Stocksbridge’s night was compounded when after using all three substitutes, they had to play out the final minutes with ten men after their skipper Ross Goodwin was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury following a collision with Dryden.
3 vs 0 
Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Ashington and Stocksbridge Park Steels will meet on Tuesday night in a replay after their Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round tie finished all square at the Eco Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Colliers – spurred on by an army of around 200 fans who were magnificent and who got behind their side from start to finish which created a brilliant atmosphere – conceded a late goal which forced the replay but overall a draw was probably a fair result on the day.
The Wansbeck based club came up against an outfit that operate one division above in the Pitching In Northern Premier League and after knocking out higher status teams Ashton United and Bradford Park Avenue in previous rounds, came close to causing another cup upset.
It wasn’t the most entertaining of cup ties nor was there any real quality to shout about but Ian Skinner’s side more than matched their opponents and without a doubt, deserved another bite of the cherry.
All of the goals came in the final half hour of a match which never flowed but had plenty of endeavour.
However, after falling behind to a goal by Ross Goodwin, the Colliers turned the game around to lead 2-1 with 20 minutes to go following strikes from Lee Mason and Ben Harmison and will be disappointed not to have held onto their slender advantage with Mitch Langton hitting an 85th minute leveller for the hosts.
Ashington ‘keeper Karl Dryden was in action after only two minutes as he pushed out a header by Goodwin after a corner on the right by Kurtis Turner.
But Skinner’s side hit back and it was only a fine stop by home ‘keeper Harrison Davison-Hale which prevented an opener from Ben Sampson.
Robbie Dale found Sampson who moved across the area before looking on to see his venomous left footer from 12 yards turned away by the stopper.
And on the quarter hour, it was Sampson who turned provider as his pass bisected the home rearguard and sent Dan Maguire through.
However the ball just wouldn’t run kindly for the striker and the chance evaporated.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action until the 33rd minute when Mason fed Dean Briggs whose cross was blocked then the latter whipped the ball over from the left which went across the face of the goal.
Three minutes later, Mason cleared off the line following a Stocksbridge corner on the left but it was Ashington who had the final chance of the half when Dale slipped the ball through for Mason but his effort was held by Davison-Hale.
Ashington started the second half well and after three minutes, Maguire and Briggs combined to set up Sampson but the midfielder’s shot was blocked.
Briggs then curled just over before the hosts took the lead in the 63rd minute with a goal against the run of play.
From Tomas Poole’s delivery on the left, home skipper Goodwin – at the far post – netted with a fine header which he put into the opposite side of the net.
Ashington’s response came two minutes later – when they drew level.
Sampson crossed inside the area where Mason finished with aplomb, scoring with a rasping right footed half volley which rocketed just inside the upright.
Seven minutes later, Ashington went ahead when Briggs curled a free-kick into the danger zone and Harmison stretched to stab the ball home from six yards.
With quarter of an hour remaining, a shot from Luke Rawson brought a finger-tip save out of Dryden and from the resultant corner, the Colliers had a fortuitous escape when they failed to close down Alex O’Connor whose 25 yarder smacked against the post.
But five minutes later, the visitors – and Lee Mason – came within inches of netting a third which arguably would have put the tie to bed.
Thomas Kalthoeber played the ball forward to Dale whose clipped first time pass was flicked on by Maguire which put Mason through.
The striker lobbed the advancing Davison-Hale – but agonisingly the ball landed on the top of the crossbar and went straight into the ‘keeper’s arms.
And in the 85th minute following a corner by Poole, the ball was not cleared and ricocheted into the path of Langton who slotted home from close range.
Sixty seconds later, an effort by Maguire forced Davison-Hale to clutch the ball to his right – but with the scores locked at 2-2 at the final whistle, apart from a replay, both teams will go into the hat for Monday’s fourth qualifying round draw.
2 vs 2 1 vs 4 
West Allotment Celtic vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Two goals in the final ten minutes from Ben Harmison and Liam Smith saw Ashington advance into the second round of the Northumberland Senior Cup after a 3-1 victory over West Allotment Celtic at the East Palmersville Sports Pavilion on Tuesday night.
In a game similar in many ways to Saturday’s 2-0 win over Penrith, the Colliers deserved to go through – but they came up against a West Allotment Celtic side that battled all the way.
Indeed after Paul Robinson had fired the Wansbeck outfit ahead, Celtic got back on terms through substitute Joe Conway before skipper Harmison netted from the penalty spot then Liam Smith scored his first goal in Ashington colours.
A heavy downpour before the game made the surface tricky especially in the opening minutes with several players struggling to keep their feet.
West had shouts for a penalty turned down in the third minute. A ball into the box saw Ryan McKinnon’s header go wide of the advancing Adrian Janusz with the ‘keeper and Connor Campbell colliding but referee Nick Vincent turned down appeals.
Minutes later, Harrison Devine shanked an effort wide then when play switched, Luke Salmon charged down the left flank but his shot went wide of the far post.
There was little to enthuse the crowd but just before the half hour mark, Craig Spooner went on a 40 yards run which ended with his right footer off target.
Callum Larmouth played a one-two but clipped an effort past the upright before McKinnon met a right wing corner by Andrew Cartwright but saw his header cleared off the line.
The final incident of the period came in the 39th minute when a shot from Liam Beeston was pushed away for a corner by Janusz.
Early in the second half, Campbell was through but didn’t get enough purchase on his attempted lob over Janusz with the ‘keeper claiming the ball comfortably.
However, Ashington took the lead in the 48th minute with a superlative strike from Paul Robinson.
Danny Anderson’s ball to the far post was headed back by Harmison and Robinson’s venomous right footer from 22 yards flew into the back of the net past Celtic’s startled ‘keeper Jed Scott.
Jake Forster went close with a header for the home side then Robinson tried an audacious lob from distance which dropped narrowly wide.
Spooner cut inside but fired past the post then a 25 yarder by substitute Karl Ross was tipped over by Scott.
The home side drew level in the 78th minute following a move down the left and when the ball reached Conway, he turned sharply before driving wide of Janusz.
But two minutes later, the Colliers were back in front when Smith played the ball through to Salmon who was upended in the area.
Referee Vincent immediately pointed to the spot and Harmison made no mistake, sending Scott the wrong way.
Ashington had another couple of chances before they added a third with the last kick of the game.
Robinson’s ball into the box saw Harmison’s header superbly kept out by Scott but the ball ran to Smith who fired in.
1 vs 3 Penrith vs Ashington
By Brian Bennett
Goals either side of half time from Luke Salmon and Adam Johnson secured Ashington maximum points from their clash with Penrith at The Leo Group Stadium on Saturday – in a game which will be quickly forgotten about by supporters.
The only consolation for the crowd of 127 was that it was a pleasant afternoon in Cumbria – other than that, it was a hard watch from start to finish.
However, the upshot of the situation was that the Colliers – returning to league action for the first time in over three weeks – picked up three points which took them up to fourth in the first division table of the Ebac Northern League.
Salmon, on his return to the side, was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch and his goal – which came in the dying embers of the first half – was not only his first of the season but also provided a rare highlight at least for the travelling contingent of fans.
With both goalkeepers unavailable, Ashington boss Ian Skinner handed a debut to 16 year old Adrian Janusz as well as central defender Ryan McKinnon, recently signed from Tow Law Town.
The game was flat from the first whistle and it took 15 minutes for the first chance to arrive.
Paul Robinson twisted one way then the other in the area but his right footer – destined for the top corner – was superbly pushed away by home ‘keeper Aaran Taylor.
Midway through, Johnson got possession and advanced but curled his effort wide of Taylor’s right hand post.
The game was crying out for a goal – and Ashington went close twice in as many minutes.
Andrew Cartwright and Craig Spooner set up Robinson whose first timer from 20 yards just went the wrong side of the post with Taylor rooted to the spot.
Then from a throw in by Salmon, Robinson crossed to the far post where Harmison – on the stretch – clipped wide.
McKinnon was next to go close with a header from a Cartwright corner but 90 seconds before the interval, Salmon broke the deadlock.
Karl Ross laid the ball back to Darren Lough and when he floated it forward, Robinson glanced on. Salmon took one touch to go past a defender before firing low between Taylor and the post from an angle just outside the six yards box.
Ten minutes into the second half Johnson added the second. Harmison headed the ball across for the striker who raced forward and when his first effort was blocked by Taylor, Johnson stabbed home the rebound.
On the hour, Johnson had a shot deflected wide but Penrith served notice that they were not finished.
Five minutes later, Andrew Murray-Jones drilled the ball wide of the upright; Janusz pushed away a free kick by James Best then another effort came off an Ashington defender and went behind for a corner.
Ashington fashioned two chances in the final ten minutes which would have put the game to bed.
Salmon found Johnson down the left and when he crossed into the middle, Harmison lifted his effort over the bar.
In the last minute of the 90, Cartwright’s through ball on the right set up substitute Dan Maguire but he got too much height on the ball as he lobbed over Taylor but also over the bar.
Ashington are back in action on Tuesday night (September 27) when they make the short trip to East Palmersville Sports Pavilion to face West Allotment Celtic in the first round of the Northumberland Senior Cup (7.30pm kick-off).
0 vs 2 
3 vs 3 Ashington vs Bradford (Park Avenue)
By Brian Bennett
They talk long and hard about the magic and romance of the FA Cup and on Saturday, Ashington again experienced a day which will be embedded in their history.
The Colliers caused a major cup upset – this time with a 2-1 win over Bradford Park Avenue – and what’s more, the Colliers enjoyed and fully deserved another slice of success.
The visitors who play three divisions higher in the National League North, the same as Blyth Spartans, languish near the basement of the table – but that was irrelevant to Ian Skinner’s side who gave it their all and went toe to toe with their opponents from West Yorkshire in what was a thrilling tie.
Ashington – who saw off Northern Premier League, Premier Division outfit Ashton United in the last round via a replay in Wansbeck in front of a crowd of 671 – even had the added satisfaction of boasting an attendance in excess of 700 with Woodhorn Lane rocking from the first whistle until the last.
Before kick off an impeccable minutes silence was observed by players, officials and supporters following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
When the game got under way, home supporters got a taste of what was to come in the fourth minute when Dan Maguire had an effort on target which cannoned off Reece Staunton on the six yards line.
Sixty seconds later when Ashington took the lead, it may have been courtesy of an own goal but nevertheless typified their high tempo start.
Andrew Cartwright picked out Dean Briggs with a superb cross field pass from right to left and after skipping past his man, the midfielder whipped over a cross into the danger zone which Staunton sliced past his own ‘keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy.
Ashington continued to go full throttle at their visitors and on the quarter hour after receiving from Briggs, Craig Spooner had Sykes-Kenworthy scampering across his line with a 25 yarder which went narrowly wide.
In the 18th minute, the visitors thought they had levelled through Jacob Blyth following a free-kick but the goal was disallowed for offside then Maguire found Lee Mason but a timely tackle by Staunton thwarted him.
Bradford had a lot of possession from the start of the second half and in the 53rd minute, a shot from Jamie Spencer was tipped around by home ‘keeper Karl Dryden.
But after digging deep and repelling the pressure, Mason had a great chance following a move which was initiated by Cartwright and also involved Maguire but drove his shot straight at the ‘keeper.
However midway through the period, Mason was cruelly denied by the woodwork after a piece of inspirational magic.
He latched onto a cross from Spooner and acrobatically volleyed a scissors kick with his right foot which rattled against the bar.
A minute later, Maguire played the ball across looking for Mason again but on this occasion, defender Mitch Lund made a great interception.
With a little over quarter of an hour remaining, Ashington withdrew Mason introducing Adam Johnson – and within three minutes and following a good move, the substitute saw his left foot effort deflected behind.
Briggs swung over a pinpoint cross from the resultant flag kick where skipper Ben Harmison towered above defenders to send a header into the net past Sykes-Kenworthy who was rooted to the spot.
The home fans erupted – but six minutes later, they were left to face an anxious finale after the visitors halved the deficit through Will Longbottom, the substitute heading just inside the upright after a cross from the left had been partially cleared at the near post.
Three minutes later, sub Eddie Church thought he had levelled the tie – but the assistant’s flag was raised for offside.
Then came the final whistle …… which sparked off jubilant scenes for the Wansbeck outfit.
On Saturday (September 24), Ashington return to league duty with a trip across to Cumbria where they face Penrith.
2 vs 1 