Season: 2023-24

Pontefract Collieries vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington earned a point from an hard fought encounter against Pontefract Collieries on Tuesday night.

The Wansbeck side for whom Gary Ormston was outstanding, were ahead 3-1 at the hour mark but couldn’t fend off a strong comeback by the home outfit and eventually had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

For the neutral, the result was a fair reflection of the game especially after a blood and thunder second period – only Ian Skinner’s side left the Hunter’s Stadium disappointed.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the opening quarter of the game.

Ben Sampson was prominent for Ashington in the early stages and he set up the overlapping Craig Spooner in the seventh minute but the full back’s cross was taken by ‘keeper Lloyd Allison at the near post.

At the other end, Pontefract winger Frankie Sinfield was a threat and when he centred the ball from the left, it required a timely interception by Si Jakab to avert the danger.

The Colliers carved out the first clear cut chance in the 26th minute when Wilson Kneeshaw played the ball through to Connor Thomson but he dragged a first time shot wide.

Within a minute, the Colliers were behind – following a hotly disputed penalty award.

Ashington were adamant that the Pontefract player caught Gary Ormston in the area but the referee pointed to the spot and Adam Haw comfortably slotted the ball home.

Visiting ‘keeper Karl Dryden was called into the action on the half hour, diving to his left to hold onto an effort by Jack Boyle then the stopper pushed around a free kick by Connor Smythe.

Ashington finished the half in style as they turned the game on its head with two goals in four minutes.

For the equaliser, the referee played a great advantage after the visitors had shouted for a handball offence as the ball was played through to Kneeshaw on the right. He advanced before drilling a right footer inside the near post.

Then in the final seconds of the half, Thomson raided down the left flank and when he cut the ball back, Paul Van-Zandvliet smashed home a sweetly struck low half volley from 14 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half, Kneeshaw found Dan Maguire whose effort cannoned back into play after hitting the crossbar and Allison blocked the follow up effort by Will Constantin.

On the hour, Kneeshaw – ten yards inside the Pontefract half – latched onto a through ball by Thomson and made a beeline for goal before curling a superb right footer wide of Allison and inside the far post to make it 3-1.

But only four minutes later, the home side reduced the deficit. Boyle’s shot was turned away by Dryden for a corner and from the flag kick, Haw flicked in.

Shortly afterwards, Kneeshaw raided down the left and pulled the ball square for Thomson but he was thwarted by a good tackle by a home defender.

Play switched to the other end and Ashington had a let off when the ball thudded against the bar.

The game was certainly end to end and in the next minute, a 30 yards free-kick by Craig Spooner was heading for the top corner until it was brilliantly tipped over by Allinson.

Boyle fired narrowly off target then with five minutes of the 90 remaining, Pontefract drew level when Louie Chorlton stabbed the ball home.

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Stockton Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington turned in a creditable performance on Saturday against Stockton Town – but a first win still eludes them at the MAP Group UK Stadium.

It’s never been a happy hunting ground for the Colliers on the artificial surface and even though the Wansbeck outfit did well despite a 2-1 loss in the FA Cup clash earlier in the season, their only positive result came several years ago when they earned a draw.

Clearly the table doesn’t lie. The Anchors sit at the top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division holding an eight points lead and are a good, well drilled outfit.

Ashington have upset teams at the top already this campaign and despite last weekend’s 2-1 reverse against Cleethorpes Town, Ian Skinner’s side travelled in good spirits.

However, they trailed in the opening stages when Michael Fowler pounced and although the Colliers were always in the game, the result was sealed nien minutes from time after substitute Tom Portas had unleashed a right foot screamer.

The home side forced an early corner but Ashington’s response saw Ben Sampson find Connor Thomson whose pull back was cleared for a flag kick.

In the seventh minute, Stockton went ahead when a long ball forward released Fowler and the striker clipped his effort over the top of advancing ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

Shortly before the half way mark in the period, Sampson released Wilson Kneeshaw down the right flank and when the number ten crossed low into the danger area, Thomson’s first time effort was blocked at the near post by home ‘keeper Nathan Harker.

Stockton attacked again and a thunderbolt by Shane Henry flashed wide before Dryden dived low to his right to keep out a drive from Sweet.

Sweet had already had a goal ruled out for a foul on Dryden and on the half hour, Fowler headed home from a right wing cross but the effort was disallowed for offside.

The next opportunity fell Ashington’s way when Paul Van-Zandvliet found Craig Spooner but the defender lifted his shot over the bar.

Five minutes before the break, Dryden came to his sides’ rescue keeping out another effort from Fowler with his legs following a cross by Kev Hayes.

The Colliers made a positive start to the second half. Kneeshaw wriggled inside the area but his shot cannoned off Harker’s boot, ballooned into the air and the ‘keeper collected then an effort from Will Constantin was blocked for a corner.

Similarly just past the hour mark, Kneeshaw got to the by line and when he pulled the ball back, Constantin’s drive was again deflected behind.

Ashington had been the dominant side from the first whistle after the resumption and midway through, a 30 yarder by substitute Cam Gascoigne was held by Harker.

Fowler and substitute Portas had efforts blocked by Dryden before the game was settled in the 81st minute when Stockton doubled their advantage.

Following a build up on the right, the ball landed at the feet of Portas who hit an unstoppable effort across Dryden and inside the far corner of the net.

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Ashington vs Cleethorpes Town

By Brian Bennett

Ashington were undone by a ‘bolt out of the blue’ at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday as Cleethorpes striker Harrison Poulter’s 80th minute strike clinched the points for his side in a 2-1 win.

In a second period where clear cut chances were rare, the game appeared to be drifting towards a 1-1 stalemate – when against the run of play a blistering effort by Poulter from 20 yards flew into the net.

Even then, in a game which could have gone either way – but one which arguably neither side deserved to lose – Ashington came close to an equaliser in the final minute of the 90.

Substitute Paul Van-Zandvliet slotted the ball through for Connor Thomson but his shot was cleared off the line.

The visitors started the game being by far the better side and in the sixth minute, they duly opened the scoring with a sublime strike.

Ashington lost the ball in their own half and Curtis Bateson got possession, looked up and curled a right foot shot into the far corner of the net.

However, the Colliers grew into the game and came close to a leveller in the 13th minute.

Thomson and Ben Sampson engineered a one-two on the right and when the latter crossed, Dan Maguire’s left footed goalbound volley was booted off the line by Ben Middleton.

Four minutes later, Karl Ross cut the ball back from the by line but when Maguire set up Sampson, he drove wide of the upright.

Ashington deservedly drew level midway through the period.

Sampson feigned to have a blast at goal then weaved past two defenders before he passed out wide for Maguire whose cross shot was turned in from close range by Thomson.

With defences on top, chances evaporated – until first half stoppage time when Will Annan charged down the right. Ben Williams got back superbly to snuff out a goalscoring opportunity but when Annan rolled the ball back, skipper Alex Flett fired over.

Seven minutes into the second half, Bateson burst through down the left but over hit his cross for Brody Robertson and the chance went begging.

Ashington retaliated with Gary Ormston releasing Wilson Kneeshaw but the forward’s touch let him down as he ran the ball out for a goal kick.

Then midway through the half, Craig Spooner found Ross. The skipper played a superb low diagonal pass through the Cleethorpes defence which only required a finishing touch except no Ashington player was on hand to pounce but even then the ball rolled inches wide of the post.

Bateson twisted inside the area before clipping an effort wide then following a throw in, Kneeshaw released Thomson but he was blocked at the near post.

However less than sixty seconds later, the home crowd were silenced when Poulter let fly to score what proved to be the winner.

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Ashington vs Stocksbridge Park Steels

By Brian Bennett

Darren Lough’s second goal of the season earned Ashington a point from a 1-1 draw against Stocksbridge Park Steels in their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

Credit to groundsman Scott Robson for ensuring that the clash went ahead following the heavy rain but what unfolded was a tough battle on a stamina-sapping pitch with the visitors ending the contest with ten men after Alex O’Connor had been red carded in time added on near the end.

In the first half, there was little to enthuse about with chances at a premium.

Indeed it was the 20th minute before there was a threat on goal. The home side moved the ball across from left to right but Andrew Cartwright’s shot was blocked.

Seven minutes later when Stocksbridge went ahead, even then the goal was a scrappy affair.

Home ‘keeper Ross Coombe dived low to his right to deny Kurtis Turner but from the rebound Jack Watson bundled the ball over the line.

Ashington retaliated with Cartwright finding Ben Sampson who fired wide then a drive by Connor Thomson was tipped away by ‘keeper Harry Garman.

In stoppage time when play switched, Coombe had to be alert to push out a shot from Watson.

The Colliers showed more urgency after the break. Craig Spooner picked the ball up in midfield, ventured out to the left and struck an effort which fizzed across goal.

Within a minute, the visitors had a chance but when the ball fell to O’Connor, he lashed it over the bar.

Shortly afterwards, Ashington pieced together a great move which began with Sampson. He found Spooner whose pass bisected the visitors defence and presented Thomson with a one on one opportunity but his shot was blocked by Garman.

However, in the 65th minute, superb combination play led to an equaliser from Lough.

Gary Ormston and Spooner linked in midfield before the latter played the ball through for Wilson Kneeshaw whose pace took him to the by-line and when he crossed, Lough was on hand to slide home.

Within minutes, Kneeshaw – who had switched flanks – pulled the ball back again but on this occasion, a shot from skipper Karl Ross was blocked.

Ashington went all out for a winner. In the 72nd minute, Cartwright, Sampson and Ross combined but Ross’s cross to the near post was intercepted by Garman.

With time beginning to run out, Cartwright slipped a pass out wide for substitute Dan Maguire whose driven cross was brilliantly headed away from the danger zone by a Stocksbridge defender.

The visitors were looking dangerous on the break and in the dying minutes they almost caught the Colliers out. After a cross from the right, substitute Andrew Ring just failed to connect in front of goal then following a corner, a scramble developed in the home penalty area before the ball was eventually cleared.

In stoppage time, there was a flare up when O’Connor and Ross clashed near the touchline.

Both players received yellow cards from referee Tyler Dutton and as O’Connor had already been cautioned in the first period, the Stocksbridge number four was sent off.

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Grimsby Borough vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Goalkeeper Ross Coombe was the hero of the hour for Ashington as they got back on track to notch their tenth league win of the campaign with a hard fought 2-1 win over Grimsby Borough at the Bradley Football Development Centre on Saturday.

Trailing to Caine Winfarrah’s opener for the home side, Ben Sampson scored his first goal of the season to level before Connor Thomson got what proved to be the winner.

However it took a brilliant penalty save from Coombe to deny Harvey Tomlinson an equaliser with a little more than quarter of an hour of the contest remaining.

Following on from the harsh scoreline of a 4-1 reverse against Dunston UTS the previous week, victory for Ian Skinner’s side in the end was deserved – a result which saw them move up a couple of places into a mid table position in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

But holding the lead, the Colliers frittered away a plethora of chances to add to their tally and were left to battle it out until the final whistle.

Ashington carved out the first opening as Thomson set up Dan Maguire whose left footed effort was deflected narrowly wide.

In truth however, it looked as if the Colliers were going to have their work cut out against ‘The Wilderness Boys’ who although not troubling Coombe, were certainly the better, sharper and slicker outfit during the first quarter hour.

Consequently it came as no surprise when the Lincolnshire outfit went ahead in the 18th minute. They broke down the left flank and when the ball was crossed low into the area, Winfarrah swept it home at the far post.

Cue an impressive response from the away side as they got behind the home defence and struck twice in ten minutes with similar goals to turn the game completely on its head.

Three minutes after going behind, skipper Karl Ross reached the by-line on the right and when he crossed low into the area, Sampson was well placed to slot home.

The Colliers had got to grips with the threat being posed by the home side and indeed it was now the turn of the Grimsby rearguard to back pedal as they struggled to cope with the pace of Wilson Kneeshaw and Thomson up front.

Just past the half hour mark it was the twin strikers who combined to fire their side in front.

Kneeshaw weaved along the by-line and cut the ball back for Thomson who side footed home from close range.

The same combination engineered what was another close call minutes later with Thomson turning provider but Kneeshaw’s effort was cleared off the line.

Just before the interval, Adam Drury blazed narrowly over for Grimsby but the half ended with Ashington missing a glorious opening to extend their lead.

Sampson put the ball through for Kneeshaw but his shot was blocked by ‘keeper Liam Higton.

Ashington came out at the start of the second period with all guns blazing – but could not find that killer touch in front of goal.

Four minutes in and great work on the right by Kneeshaw saw his cross shot flash across the face of the goal then a superb through pass by Maguire sent Kneeshaw through the middle but he was again denied by Higton.

Coombe pushed aside an effort from Sam Topliss before a significant turning point arrived after 73 minutes when Si Jakab sent Edwin Essel tumbling inside the area and referee Gavin Scott pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Tomlinson but Coombe was equal to the kick, diving low to his left to palm the ball away onto the foot of the post.

Ashington squandered further opportunities to give themselves some breathing space.

Thomson and Kneeshaw both had efforts blocked then Ross found Maguire but he dragged his shot wide.

Similarly on 87 minutes, Kneeshaw was again off target but the Colliers – with Ben Williams, Gary Ormston and Jakab outstanding at the heart of the defence – comfortably saw out the remaining time to ensure that the three points came back with them to Wansbeck.

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Ashington vs West Allotment Celtic

By Brian Bennett

An early goal from striker Dan Maguire proved to be the match winner which sent Ashington through to the semi finals of the Newcastle Flooring Northumberland Senior Cup on Tuesday night and set the Colliers up for a home clash against Newcastle United Under 23’s or Bedlington Terriers.

Maguire struck in the fifth minute, blasting home the rebound after Connor Thomson’s shot had been parried by Allotment ‘keeper Dan Gladstone.

The tie – which went ahead at the fourth time of asking – had been switched from Palmersville to Ashington but on a bitterly cold evening in Wansbeck, it was a contest which never reached any great heights.

The Colliers missed opportunities to add to their lead which would have given them some much needed breathing space and as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time, they were indebted to ‘keeper Ross Coombe for their progress as he pulled off two brilliant saves.

The visitors from the Ebac Northern League’s first division went into the clash on the back of two excellent away wins against Birtley Town and Redcar Athletic respectively – and they could have made a sensational start.

In the opening minute, Ashington lost possession and Mikel Thompson’s right footed drive smacked against the post and was cleared.

Craig Spooner provided the through pass to Thomson which led to Maguire’s opener and the Colliers could have doubled their lead within 60 seconds when Wilson Kneeshaw was clean through but he failed to get enough purchase on his attempted chip over Gladstone and the stopper was grateful to claim the ball at chest height.

On the quarter hour, another chance went begging when Maguire set up Thomson but his right footer was parried by Gladstone.

Play switched to the other end and after a blistering run down the left from Guilherme Baltazar, the striker cut inside but dragged his shot wide.

The visitors were looking a threat going forward and after a run and cross by Kyle Cockburn, it took an excellent clearance from Ben Williams to snuff out the danger.

In the 34th minute, Thomson raided down the left flank but his cross for the incoming Kneeshaw was fractionally too high and Gladstone intervened.

Then just before the interval, Ashington pieced together the best move of the half which initially involved Morgan Dart, Paul Van-Zandvliet and skipper Karl Ross. The latter found Thomson but his shot missed the far post by millimetres.

Early in the second period, Ashington spurned another couple of openings.

Si Jakab passed to Maguire and when he crossed, Kneeshaw headed wide then Maguire got possession on the right but fired over.

Just past the hour mark, Kneeshaw ran through and rounded Gladstone but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by the retrieving Joshua Stewart before substitute Ben Sampson, Dart and Kneeshaw combined to set up Spooner whose shot was blocked.

The second half had been virtually devoid of chances until the visitors gave a final push in the closing stages.

With three minutes of the 90 remaining, they had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Coombe – before the home ‘keeper was the hero of the hour.

Cyril Giraud burst through into the area and looked a certain scorer until his effort was pushed aside by Coombe who also pulled off a smart save minutes later.

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Dunston vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner has used several well know clichés when delivering his postmatch assessments during the course of the season.

On Saturday two from his collection were certainly appropriate as his side went down 4-1 against an in-form Dunston UTS side who are in a play-off position at the top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division table.

“In football, you don’t always get what you deserve” lamented the Colliers boss after a defeat earlier in the campaign which was followed after the reverse against Sheffield last week when he said: “goals win games.”

And although the scoreline at the UTS Stadium on Saturday suggests an emphatic victory for the home side, in reality the performance from Skinner’s side deserved to earn them a share of the spoils.

Trailing 2-1 at the interval, the Wansbeck side completely dominated the second half but in the dying embers of the contest as they continued to push for an equaliser, they conceded two goals in as many minutes on the break which clinched the result for UTS.

On a heavy pitch, chances were in short supply but it was the Colliers who had the first in the fourth minute.

Connor Thomson seized onto a back-pass and clipped the ball past advancing ‘keeper Dan Staples only for Jude Swailes to clear off the line.

The opening period had been even but on the quarter hour, Dunston took the lead.

Ashington failed to close down Sado Djalo who let fly with an explosive left footer from 25 yards that whistled past ‘keeper Karl Dryden before thudding against the underside of the bar and Jack Maskell was left with the easy task of prodding the ball into an empty net.

Five minutes later, the Colliers pieced together a swift intricate move following a corner on the left,

Thomson played the ball into Dan Maguire whose effort was blocked and Thomson shanked the rebound wide.

However in the 26th minute following a throw in from Darren Lough, skipper Karl Ross ran onto the ball to side foot home a brilliant equaliser from 25 yards.

Just past the half hour mark, Ashington again shot themselves in the foot which gifted UTS the lead for a second time.

They allowed home skipper Michael Pearson space just outside the area and he struck a low drive inside the bottom corner.

Before the interval, Dryden held a tame effort from Maskell then on the stroke of half time, the stopper did well to block a shot from the centre forward.

Ashington took the game to their opponents after the interval and midway through, Will Constantin found Wilson Kneeshaw but the striker lashed over a great chance.

With quarter of an hour of normal time remaining, Skinner threw Morgan Dart into the fray.

Within two minutes, the substitute set up Kneeshaw whose effort was held by Staples then a shot by Dart was deflected for a corner.

However for all their possession and dominance, the Colliers were stung by Dunston’s third which arrived in the 89th minute.

The ball was played through to David Robinson down the right who advanced before he finished well slotting wide of the advancing Dryden.

It was a cruel sucker punch and just to complete Ashington’s day, Pearson played the ball to the left where Constantin chipped the ball into his own net.

It was game over for the Colliers but in a period of eight minutes of time added on, a 30 yards free-kick by Craig Spooner floated narrowly over then a header by Constantin was tipped over by Staples.

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Ashington vs Sheffield

By Brian Bennett

Ashington slipped to their first defeat in five matches on Saturday after an abject display.

Sheffield FC deservedly took all three points from this contest at Woodhorn Lane to complete a seasons double over the Colliers.

Ironically Ashington’s last reverse came shortly before Christmas – at Sheffield when they lost 4-0 – but home supporters were left stunned by a lethargic performance which also lacked cohesion.

Once Benni Ndlovu had added to Cameron Johnson’s opener shortly before the midway point in the second period, the game looked comfortable for the visitors.

Skipper Alfie Smith’s headed goal gave Sheffield a three goals cushion before Wilson Kneeshaw pulled one back just before the final whistle.

For the opening half hour, it was a fairly even game – albeit with the visitors kicking with the wind on their backs.

Twice in the opening ten minutes, Ashington made inroads inside the Sheffield penalty area but saw both attacks fizzle out.

With 20 minutes gone, it was the visitors who fashioned the best opportunity but when a cross came into the box, Smith headed wide.

Minutes later, Will Constantin had a 20 yarder deflected and from the flag kick, ‘keeper Edd Hall pulled off a double save.

On the half hour, Connor Cutts nodded past the upright but five minutes later, Sheffield went in front.

Johnson turned inside the area before curling a right footer wide of ‘keeper Karl Dryden and inside the far post.

Seconds before half time, a promising move involving Dan Maguire, Connor Thomson and Kneeshaw ended with Hall smothering the ball.

After the interval, Kneeshaw had a shot blocked then an effort by Craig Spooner was taken at the near post by Hall.

In the 64th minute, the visitors had claims for a penalty waved away by referee Daniel Ranson when AJ Greaves went to ground under challenge by Paul Van-Zandvliet but shortly afterwards they doubled their advantage when Ndlovu turned the ball in at the far post from a corner.

Ashington’s response saw a header by Si Jakab from a Spooner free-kick kept out by Hall and Gary Ormston was blocked from the rebound.

However, on a day when their passing was sloppy, the Colliers struggled to make an impact on the Sheffield defence until the closing stages when a first time volley from 20 yards by Spooner went over following a cross by substitute Morgan Dart.

In the final minute of the 90 another corner from the left to the far post was headed home by Smith for Sheffield’s third.

The Colliers were then forced to play out the remainder of the game with ten men when having used all three substitutes Constantin was forced off the field with an injury.

Seven minutes into stoppage time, Ashington grabbed a consolation.

Dart put Connor Thomson through down the left and when he pulled the ball back. Kneeshaw side footed home.

Seconds later, Kneeshaw came close to a quickfire second but he placed his effort wide following another pass from Thomson.

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Ossett United vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington extended their run of good form to four matches – including three wins on the bounce – following an excellent 2-1 win against Ossett United on Saturday.

After the hosts had gone ahead just shy of the hour mark with a goal from Adam Priestley, on-loan striker Connor Thomson scored twice in quick succession – which took his goals tally up to 13 – which left the home outfit stunned.

The Wansbeck side then missed opportunities to add to their lead and survived some anxious moments before seeing the game out.

What made the victory even sweeter was that with injuries and unavailability coupled with Oli Thompson and Will Constantin being recalled from their loan spells by Gateshead, manager Ian Skinner travelled with a threadbare squad and could only name two outfield players plus goalkeeper Ross Coombe on the bench.

However, the players put every ounce of energy into what was a sterling performance at the Ingfield Stadium – including ‘keeper Karl Dryden turning in an inspired display – and deserved their latest success.

Nine minutes into the contest and after a 30 yards run down the left, Wilson Kneeshaw had a low shot blocked then Thomson was also thwarted.

Sandwiched in-between Kelan Swailes was denied by Dryden who also clutched his shot from the rebound.

However, on the quarter hour, a brilliant passing move down the right ended with Dan Maguire’s effort being turned away by home ‘keeper Matt Bancroft diving to his right.

Ossett’s riposte came within three minutes. A drive by Swailes brought a World class save out of Dryden and Janni Lipka’s follow up shot thudded against the post and was cleared.

Play immediately switched to the other end and a one-two between Cam Gascoigne and Paul Van-Zandvliet ended when a cross by the former towards the near post was intercepted.

Just before the break, Priestley found skipper Alex Peterson whose effort was held by Dryden.

Ninety seconds after the break, Bancroft sliced an attempted clearance but the stopper got back to deny Kneeshaw from a tight angle.

Then came an action-packed five minutes which included all three goals.

In the 58th minute, Ossett got the opener when they switched the ball to Priestley who was in acres of space down the right and he slotted wide of Dryden and just inside the post.

Two minutes later, Craig Spooner found Maguire whose pass cut the Ossett defence open. Thomson’s pace saw him get a touch past the advancing Bancroft before side footing into an unguarded net.

What turned out to be the winning goal came in the 63rd minute. Maguire was once again involved as he played a pass through for Kneeshaw who pulled the ball across for Thomson to fire home with a first time shot.

The Colliers had chances to increase their advantage through Kneeshaw, Maguire and Karl Ross with a free kick by Spooner drifting inches over the bar.

The last ten minutes developed into a frenetic and nailbiting affair. Maguire and Kneeshaw set up Thomson who drove across goal then Thomson was denied his hat-trick when his effort was turned around by Bancroft.

At the other end as Ossett looked for a leveller, Ashington’s defence were outstanding.

In the final minute of the 90, Dryden pushed out a free-kick before the stopper gratefully held on from Swailes.

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