Season: 2023-24

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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Ashington vs Belper Town

By Brian Bennett

A spectacular goal by Wilson Kneeshaw proved to be the match winner for Ashington as they accounted for Belper Town on a bitterly cold night at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday.

Kneeshaw’s piece of individual brilliance arrived just past the half hour mark.

The forward cut inside from the left before unleashing a right footer from 20 yards which curled around ‘keeper Daniel Moore with the ball nestling perfectly inside the stanchion between post and crossbar.

The goal shone as bright as a beacon as being the distinct highlight from a match contested between two teams who gave it their all albeit on a heavy pitch.

In many respects it was the proverbial game of two halves – Ashington were the better side in the first period whilst Belper had a lot of the ball after the interval.

The Colliers were the first to show in the 12th minute when Kneeshaw found Connor Thomson but he was thwarted when his shot was blocked.

Chances were few and far between and it was midway through the half before the next one arrived with Ben Sampson blasting wide following a corner on the left by Craig Spooner.

Belper’s first opportunity saw a shot by Kevin Bastos touched around by ‘keeper Karl Dryden then when play switched, Darren Lough and Spooner combined to set up Thomson but he fired over the bar.

In the 32nd minute, Spooner was fouled in the middle of the park but referee Givi Todua played a brilliant advantage which led to a cracking opening goal from Kneeshaw.

As half time approached, Thomson was again off target before a free kick by Curtis Burrows went straight down Dryden’s throat and Bastos had a tame effort which was fielded by the home stopper.

Early doors in the second half, Kneeshaw cut inside from the right but his effort hit the side netting then Sidik Atcha headed wide from a Mason Warren free kick.

Karl Demidh fired over then when Ashignton retaliated, substitute Cam Gascoigne slotted the ball through to Kneeshaw and his low shot drew an excellent save out of Moore who dived full stretch to his right.

In the 77th minute, a cross by Warren led to a scramble inside the Ashington box before the Colliers cleared.

Belper introduced substitute Keiran Walker whose long throws into the danger zone posed a serious threat but to their credit, the home side defended well.

Moore saved a shot from Gascoigne with his legs then seconds from the final whistle, Kneeshaw broke from inside his own half and looked a certain scorer until his effort was somehow pushed wide by Moore.

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Ashington vs Hebburn Town

By Brian Bennett  |  Photo Gallery: Ian Brodie

Connor Thomson scored a hat-trick which brought Ashington some festive cheer with a comprehensive 4-0 thumping over promotion chasing Hebburn Town at Woodhorn Lane on Boxing Day.

Paul Van-Zandvliet’s last ditch equaliser at Brighouse on Saturday had stopped the Colliers from tumbling to a fourth consecutive defeat and indeed gave them a confidence boost.

And from the first whistle against The Hornets on Tuesday – who were second top of the Pitching In Northern Premier League’s East Division before the start of play – Ian Skinner’s side tore their visitors to shreds with a powerful and dominant performance.

It all started as early as the eighth minute when Kneeshaw gave the hosts the lead. Craig Spooner and Oli Thompson worked a short corner on the right and when the latter crossed to the back post, Nathan Buddle headed into the middle for Kneeshaw to fire the ball into the roof of the net.

Minutes later, Joe Walton found Dean Briggs whose shot was saved by the legs of ‘keeper Karl Dryden at his near post.

In the 18th minute, Ashington added a glorious second with Thomson on the mark for the first of his trio.

Buddle found Dan Maguire who slipped a pass through for Thomson. The striker clipped the ball around the centre half which put him through one on one and his finish was emphatic as he side footed under the body of advancing ‘keeper Shaun Newbrook from nine yards.

Then just past the midway point in the half, Hebburn were reduced to ten men when former Collier Dean Briggs saw red following an awful challenge on Spooner on the far touchline.

Ashington continued to be in total control – and they added a third on the hour after a well crafted move.

Ben Sampson and Van-Zandvliet were initially involved down the right and when the latter passed forward to Thompson, he made his way to the by-line and crossed for Thomson to side foot home from close range.

Three minutes later, a fourth looked on the cards following a corner on the right but Tom Devitt headed the ball off the line.

At full throttle, some of Ashington’s combination play was outstanding and they fashioned a fourth in the 79th minute with Thomson completing his hat-trick.

After a darting run, Kneeshaw had a shot blocked with the ball running into the path of Thompson. The midfielder tried to steer his effort from the edge of the area which kindly fell to Thomson who tapped home.

After that, Ashington could have gone nap.

In the next minute, Thomson rode a challenge from Jack Donaghy but his shot flew inches wide of the far post.

Then after Buddle had preserved his sides clean sheet with a brilliant block to thwart Olly Martin, Kneeshaw released substitute Ben Sampson in the inside right channel but the  shot was kept out by Newbrook.

26 December 2023 - Ashington AFC v. Hebburn Town FC

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Brighouse Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

A goal ten seconds from time by Paul Van-Zandvliet earned Ashington a deserved point against Brighouse Town at the Heffernan Utilities Stadium on Saturday.

The Colliers had to battle back on no fewer than three occasions before claiming a share of the spoils – but Van-Zandvliet’s late, late equaliser prevented his side from falling to a fourth consecutive defeat.

In another game littered with goals which took the tally to 14 for the campaign, it was a case of déjà vu too. Back in August on the opening day of the league season, the Wansbeck outfit were trailing 4-2 before Charlie Exley and Darren Lough rescued a point with two strikes in stoppage time at Woodhorn Lane.

Brighouse went into the contest without a win in their last ten games but they had the first chance in the fifth minute.

Jack Normanton threaded the ball through for Mohammad Qasim but his right footer was turned aside by ‘keeper Karl Dryden.

Ashington’s riposte was to hit back in the next phase of play. Dan Maguire found Craig Spooner on the right and when his shot was blocked, Maguire ran onto the rebound and tried to place his effort which saved at the second attempt by home stopper Jamie Hassall.

In an open contest played on an already heavy surface and in driving rain, chances continued to fall to the visitors who carved out two more in as many minutes.

The first stemmed from a Ball by Maguire to Kneeshaw but the striker’s first touch was heavy and Hassall gratefully collected.

Then Kneeshaw turned provider slipping the ball through for Connor Thomson but his shot was blocked by Hassall.

Dryden held a shot from Normanton before the home side edged in front in the 27th minute.

They were awarded a disputed penalty after a coming together between Dryden and Qasim and Normanton stepped up to send Dryden the wrong way from the spot.

Ten minutes later, only the sheer brilliance of Hassall kept the hosts ahead.

Thomson went through before laying the ball off to Maguire whose low angled drive was destined for the bottom corner until Hassall dived full length to his right to push it around the post.

In stoppage time, Brighouse broke from an Ashington corner and after a superb tackle inside the area by Gary Ormston to thwart Qasim, the rebound fell to the striker whose shot was deflected behind.

Six minutes into the second half, Ashington found an equaliser after good link up play on the right involving Kneeshaw and Thomson.

The latter cut inside and when he pulled the ball back, Thompson drove it home without having to break stride.

Two minutes later, Thomson got in behind again but on this occasion when he crossed, Thompson missed his kick.

An effort by Maguire stung the palms of Hassall then at the other end, Cameron Bedford’s shot from distance flashed narrowly wide.

The home side got their noses in front for a second time in the 73rd minute when a ricochet fell straight into the path of Kieron Ceesay who fired in.

But within five minutes, it was all square again with Thompson scoring an almost identical goal to his first.

Kneeshaw’s pace down the right hand side caused problems and when he cut the ball back, Thompson finished well clipping it home at the near post.

However, within two minutes, Brighouse regained the lead.

A cross from the left went across the face of the Ashington goal and substitute Samuel Drake had the easy task of side footing home from close range.

Incredibly, this game had one final twist.

In the last of four minutes of additional time, the Colliers forced a corner on the right.

Substitute Morgan Dart floated an in-swinger into the danger zone which was glanced on by Ormston and Van-Zandvliet forced the ball over the line with a back flick.

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Sheffield vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington went down to their third consecutive defeat in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division on Tuesday night when Sheffield hit them for four at the Home of Football Stadium.
Already trailing to goals from Harry Mitchell and Benni Ndlovu, a significant turning point arrived on the hour when Connor Thomson’s effort smacked against the post.
Ten minutes later Connor Cutts made it 3-0 and Ashington’s night of misery was compounded when Karl Ross put the ball into his own net towards the end.
Rain an hour before the game made the surface have a bit of zip to it and in only the second minute, Cameron Johnson squandered a great opening for the home side dragging his shot wide.
Not to be outdone, the Colliers retaliated with Oli Thompson playing the ball through for Connor Thomson but his cross was held by ‘keeper Edd Hall.
Thompson had an effort deflected for a corner before the deadlock was broken in the 12th minute with Sheffield accepting an early Christmas present.
‘Keeper Karl Dryden’s clearance fell straight to the feet of Mitchell who promptly curled the ball inside the corner of the net from 25 yards.
The Wansbeck side responded again and Ben Sampson threaded a pass through for Thomson whose right footer was superbly turned aside by Hall.
Thomson charged through but his deflected effort looped over Hall and spun away for a corner then a blockbuster from Cam Gascoigne flew inches over the bar.
In the 35th minute, Sheffield added a second when they profited from a piece of good fortune. A shot ricocheted off an Ashington defender to Ndlovu who fired home with Dryden rooted to the spot.
And on the stroke of half time, Sheffield could have added to their lead when a header by Cutts flashed wide of the goal from a corner then on the break, Luke Mangham’s first time drive fizzed wide.
Early doors after the break, Gascoigne fired over and on the hour, a low 20 yarder by Thomson beat Hall but cannoned off the inside of the post and rolled across goal.
It just wasn’t going to be Ashington’s night and five minutes later Thompson did everything right other than score as his goalbound low drive was blocked on the line with substitute Morgan Dart blasting over the rebound.
Ashington had a lot of the ball in the second period but with 20 minutes remaining – and against the run of play – Sheffield effectively sewed the game up with a third.
Skipper Karl Ross cleared off the line from a corner on the right but from the second flag kick, the unmarked Cutts powered a header into the back of the net.
Then three minutes from the end of the 90, following a free kick on the right, a back header by Ross looped over Dryden and crept inside the far corner.
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Ashington vs Newton Aycliffe

By Brian Bennett

Newton Aycliffe completed a seasons double over Ashington with a 4-2 victory at a windswept Woodhorn Lane ground on Saturday.

Connor Thomson put the Colliers ahead only for Liam Adamson to equalise within a minute. Two goals in rapid succession at the start of the second half by Cole Kiernan put the Newtonians into a commanding position and Adamson added his second before Wilson Kneeshaw reduced the deficit in the dying seconds.

The score line suggests an entertaining game but in truth it was a totally uninspiring contest which was completely spoiled by a very strong westerly wind.

The visitors – who were promoted last season after being crowned as Ebac Northern League champions – adapted to the conditions far better and thoroughly deserved their victory whilst the Colliers turned in a poor performance in front of a crowd of 484.

Yet it was the Wansbeck side – kicking into the teeth of the wind – who carved out the first chance in the eighth minute.

Ben Sampson’s pass released Kneeshaw down the left and when he crossed Thomson’s touch took him wide before his cross was held by ‘keeper Nathan Fisher.

A speculative low left footer from 25 yards by debutant Will Constantin went just past the upright then at the other end ‘keeper Karl Dryden blocked an effort from Jack Blackford.
On the half hour, the Colliers went ahead.

Oli Thompson surged forward before finding Kneeshaw on the left and when he played the ball across, Thomson had the easy task of tapping home from close range.

However, Ashington’s joy was short-lived as within a minute, they were caught out as Aycliffe put together a move involving Blackford, Toby Pascoe and Kiernan. The latter found Adamson on the right and he made no mistake squeezing a sizzling right footed drive between Dryden and the post.

Right on the stroke of half time, Dryden fisted out a goalbound 30 yards free kick by Wayne Whitfield but the period ended all square.

The game changed shortly after the interval when Kiernan bagged a brace to put his side firmly in control.

In the 51st minute following a throw in on the left, Adamson found Jake Petitjean who played the ball across Dryden for Kiernan who swept it home.

Five minutes later, Kiernan latched onto a cross from the left and his low effort squirmed under the body of Dryden and into the back of the net.

Indeed the picture could have got even worse for the Wansbeck side shortly afterwards but Adamson had a shot cleared off the line.

Ashington struggled to put two passes together all afternoon and even when Thomson fed substitute Morgan Dart, he fired over.

Five minutes from the end of the 90, a deflected shot fell into the path of Adamson who lashed the ball home from a tight angle for Aycliffe’s fourth.

Then in the fifth minute of time added on, Dart had an effort parried by Fisher but the rebound fell to Kneeshaw who fired home.

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