Season: 2024-25

Ashington vs Consett

By Brian Bennett

Over the years, there have been some epic contests between Ashington and Consett.

Sadly Saturday’s clash at Woodhorn Lane will not stay in the minds of both sets of supporters after a drab and painstaking affair finished all square at 1-1.

It was a hard watch and certainly not the way Ashington skipper Karl Ross – who was making his 200th appearance for the club and who had signed an extension to his contract until the end of next season – would had visualised.

However, rather bizarrely both sides will lay claim to it as being two points dropped. The Colliers who led on the hour, conceded a late equaliser whilst ‘The Steelmen’ missed out after having two opportunities in the dying minutes.

Home manager Nick Gray handed a debut to goalkeeper Ryan Catterick whilst Craig Spooner returned after missing three games through injury.

The first half was played out with little in the way of goalmouth action – as if both teams were frightened of making a mistake which could have proved costly and seen them go on and lose the game.

In the seventh minute Marc Ellison’s 20 yarder landed at the feet of Josh Gilchrist but the striker’s effort was blocked then Spooner fired over.

Consett ‘s first threat came midway through the period when Calvin Smith got onto the end of a cross from David Allasan but Catterick saved superbly with his foot even though the flag was raised for offside.

Both sides struggled to put anything constructive together until late in the half.

Ryan Wombwell met a deep cross by Gilchrist at the far post but when he headed the ball into the middle there was no-one on hand to apply the finishing touch.

However with seconds of the period remaining, Walker’s cross was deflected onto the bar and when the ball bounced out, Marc Costello looked a certain scorer until he somehow blazed his effort over the bar.

After the break, Smith swung over a corner which was met by ex Ashington defender Charlie Exley but he directed his header straight at Catterick.

On the hour, Ryan Donaldson was brought down inside the area by Consett skipper Ryan McKinnon – another ex Collier – and Gilchrist scored emphatically from the penalty to put Ashington ahead.

Ten minutes later, Brandon Holdsworth laid the ball off for Allasan but his shot was cleared off the line by Scott Lowery.

Holdsworth then went to ground under challenge by substitute Wilson Kneeshaw but the visiting striker was cautioned for simulation.

However five minutes later, when Holdsworth went down in the box again, Harrison Clark was penalised with a spot kick awarded and Smith’s finely executed penalty nestled inside the corner of the net.

Gilchrist had a great chance to put his side back in front when he burst through but he delayed his shot which was blocked.

However there could have been a dramatic finale to a game which had lacked in quality.

In the closing stages a sizzling right footer by Smith flashed just wide with Catterick rooted to the spot then in the fifth minute of time added on for stoppages, Exley headed wide from another corner by Smith.

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Ashington vs Newton Aycliffe

By Brian Bennett

Ashington came back down to earth with a bump on Tuesday night when Newton Aycliffe won 4-0 after a powerful and convincing second half display at Woodhorn Lane.

The Colliers went into the contest on the back of a run of three unbeaten games but the visitors – on the periphery of the play off places in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League – turned on the heat after the break and were full value for the three points.

The home side also had to see out the game with ten men after Ryan Donaldson saw red in the closing stages.

Two months ago, Aycliffe were stunned when the Wansbeck outfit won 3-2 at Moore Lane. Many Ashington supporters said at the time that the Durham outfit were the best side they had played so far this season – and the point was raised again after another impressive display by the County Durham outfit.

The Colliers – rocked by an injury to defender Ben Williams which ruled him out of the clash – were still in the game at half time after an opening period where chances were few and far between.

In the third minute, Josh Gilchrist threaded a pass through for Cieran Jackson but visitors ‘keeper Jim Pollard reacted swiftly and whipped the ball off the striker’s toes.

It was 12 minutes before the first shot of the game materialised when Joe Ferguson had an effort which was held by home stopper Dan Staples and a further quarter hour before the next when a drive by Liam Jarvie was directed straight at the custodian.

Two minutes later, Liam Adamson broke clear down the right but Ryan Wombwell got back to make an excellent tackle.

Ashington began the second period a lot brighter and in the 52nd minute, Harrison Clark slipped the ball to skipper Karl Ross who cut inside a defender but saw his shot held by Pollard.

Two minutes later, Aycliffe broke the deadlock. Following a corner on the right, skipper Ethan Wood fired in from the edge of the area with the ball squeezing between Staples and the post.

Recent newcomer Jackson had a shot taken by Pollard before the visitors doubled their lead just past the hour mark.

The goal stemmed from another corner which was played into the six yards box with Jake Petitjean netting from close range.

Five minutes later, it was 3-0. Aycliffe broke quickly on the counter from an Ashington corner with Adamson raiding down the right and when he squared the ball, Jarvie had the simple task of slotting it into the net.

The three goals in quarter of an hour left Ashington shell-shocked and it ought to have been four in the 75th minute. Following an intricate move across the park, the ball came over from the right but Petitjean headed wide.

Gilchrist had a shot which was taken by Pollard before substitute Dane Eltringham added a fourth with five minutes of the 90 remaining.

He picked up possession and unleashed a low drive from 25 yards which flew into the net.

Three minutes later, Ashington’s troubles were compounded when Ryan Donaldson was sent off after being shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

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Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

It was described by some – in particular home supporters – that Ashington produced a smash and grab raid on Saturday when they pulled off a 1-0 victory over Stocksbridge Park Steels at Bracken Moor Stadium.

The Colliers held onto a fourth minute goal by Ben Williams then the defender was a key member at the heart of the defence as the Wansbeck side were forced to dig deep and work tirelessly before ensuring that they came back with three precious points.

An upsurge in form by the Woodhorn Lane based outfit – whose current run includes only one defeat from their last seven matches – has also brought a return of confidence.

Although the closing stages were particularly nailbiting – and the Steels will quite rightly say they dominated possession and had numerous shots and corners – Ashington ‘keeper Dan Staples was not forced to make a diving save.

Yet inside the opening 30 seconds, the Colliers could have been behind – had it not been for a timely intervention from central defenders Scott Lowery and Williams.

Staples dropped a cross from the right and when the ball fell to Jack Dolman he must have thought he was a certain scorer until Lowery and Williams combined to make a brilliant block from point blank range.

Ashington responded with Ryan Donaldson, Cieran Jackson and skipper Karl Ross linking well to set up Josh Gilchrist but his shot was charged down.

However in the fourth minute, Nick Gray’s side took the lead from a set piece. They forced a corner on the left and when Gilchrist floated the ball to the far post, Lowery headed it back into the danger zone for Williams, who scored his first goal of the season as he prodded it into the back of the net.

On the quarter hour, Ashington’s press up front saw them hunt the ball down but when it was played wide to Gilchrist, he blazed over the bar.

The Colliers had to ride the storm as first Oliwier Grzelak had a shot blocked then Alex O’Connor directed a tame effort straight at Staples before the stopper saved with his legs to deny Jack Tinker.

Ashington had a chance when Andrew Cartwright pumped a free kick into the box which was headed back by Lowery but Gary Ormston fired off target.

Early in the second half, the ball struck the top of the Ashington bar from a corner and Elliot Owen headed wide before a snapshot from 20 yards by Tinker went straight down Staples’ throat.

Ashington continued to hang on as the minutes ticked by with players putting their bodies on the line – and credit must go to the visitors after an excellent display of defensive resilience.

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Sherwood Colliery vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

A late goal by Ryan Wombwell salvaged a point for Ashington from their clash against Sherwood Colliery on the artificial 3G surface at Debdale Park on Saturday.

The on-loan defender from Morpeth Town hammered the ball home after substitute Ben Sampson’s drive had been parried by home ‘keeper Jordan Pierrpont – and it was nothing more than the Colliers deserved for a gutsy and workmanlike second half performance after they had gone behind shortly before the interval.

The home outfit – who recorded a 1-0 win at Woodhorn Lane earlier in the season – began the game much the better side. After only 90 seconds Jacob Pearce crossed from the right flank to find Harry Bircumshaw who fired wide but the flag was up for offside.

Both sides then felt aggrieved at not being awarded a spot kick. In the fourth minute, full back Jordan Addo-Antoine ventured into the area and as he advanced along the by-line went down under a challenge but the referee waved aside appeals. When play switched to the other end, a free-kick on the right by Andrew Cartwright saw Scott Lowery get to the ball first to head goalwards before he was wiped out by the ‘keeper.

Bircumshaw had a clear opening but his feeble effort was easily held by ‘keeper Dan Staples before Ashington somehow survived following an almighty scramble following a cross from the right.

There was a lot of huff and puff from both sides in the period without any clear chances until Sherwood took the lead in the 40th minute – ironically from a penalty. Ben Williams brought down Robson Dolan in the area and Carter Widdowson sent Staples the wrong way from the spot.

Ashington responded with skipper Karl Ross dummying a cross by Cartwright but Ryan Donaldson was penalised for a raised foot then from a corner by substitute Josh Gilchrist, Wombwell volleyed wide.

After the break, the Wansbeck side – who had been forced into a change just prior to half time after an injury to Lowery – changed shape and took the game to their opponents. Three minutes in, Ashington had penalty claims for a handball turned down before a 20 yarder by Donaldson rattled the bar.

And it was the woodwork that again denied the Colliers in the 77th minute after a cross-cum-shot by sub Kyle Errington smacked against the post. When Gilchrist wriggled inside the area and had his effort blocked by the ‘keeper it looked as if Ashington were going to return home empty handed until Wombwell struck with the leveller in the 88th minute.

Even then, the Colliers pushed for a late winner with Gilchrist and debutant Cieran Jackson combining but Sherwood’s Jaz Goundry nipped in to make a vital interception, clearing the ball for a corner.

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Grimsby Borough vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Craig Spooner’s seventh goal of the season wrapped up three crucial points for Ashington against Grimsby Borough in North East Lincolnshire on Wednesday night.

Manager Nick Gray had asked his squad to improve their away form – and the boss’s decision to move Spooner from his usual midfield role to a place up front proved to be a master stroke as the Colliers’ new number nine popped up with the all important strike shortly before half time.

The victory was deserved too with the Wansbeck side the better side in the final 25 minutes of the first half and they should have made it more comfortable for themselves in the opening quarter hour of the second period but Spooner and debutant Ryan Donaldson fluffed golden opportunities.

It prompted one home supporter to comment ‘those missed chances could come back to bite you’ but in the end they didn’t as Gray’s side defended manfully especially in the closing stages.

It was the home outfit who were made a fast start. In the opening minute, they raided down the right flank and when the ball was crossed, Scott Lowery made a terrific block at the near post.

Then on the 15 minutes mark, another cross from the same flank fell to Reece York but he pulled his effort wide.

The Colliers grew into the game even though it was past the midway point before they threatened when skipper Karl Ross played the ball inside which was dummied by Spooner but Marc Ellison shot over the bar.

Minutes later, the lively Spooner won possession and when the ball ran to Ross, his 20 yarder was pushed away by ‘keeper Liam Higton.

In a game which was being played at a furious tempo, Ashington on occasions were frustratingly guilty of being careless with their passing but in the 41st minute they got the perfect pre interval tonic when they took the lead.

Ellison was the provider of a pass which saw Spooner take the ball wide of the advancing Higton. He then steadied himself before clipping a left footed shot from a tight angle which flat footed a defender on the line and found the far corner.

In stoppage time, Donaldson and Spooner both had efforts which were blocked – and after the break it was the same duo that should have increased Ashington’s advantage.

In the 55th minute, Spooner capitalised on a defensive error which put him clear with only Higton to beat but at the vital time, he clipped his shot over the bar from 14 yards.

Ten minutes later, Ross played the ball into the area where Donaldson hooked over before an opportunity fell to Grimsby when substitute Kenneth Imargiabe crossed but skipper Adam Drury fired wide.

The pace of the game was unrelenting and in the closing stages, Ashington had to dig deep before they bagged a precious win on the road.

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Ashington vs Dunston

By Brian Bennett

Ashington’s mini run of three games without defeat came to an end on Monday night when a goal by Sado Djalo proved to be the defining moment of their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash at Woodhorn Lane.

Djalo’s effort towards the end of the first half settled a fairly ordinary encounter which was played in windy conditions and was enough to keep Dunston’s promotion drive going with the outfit – who agonisingly missed out on elevation to the NPL Premier Division last season – sustaining a place in the play offs.

With both defences on top, efforts on goal proved to be rare with long range drives the order of the day.

In the fourth minute, Harvey Neary unleashed a low right footer which was pushed away then collected by home ‘keeper Dan Staples, who was making his return to the side following suspension.

Craig Spooner had Ashington’s first opportunity but saw his shot comfortably held by UTS stopper Dan Lowson.

Staples was called into action again tipping the ball around from JJ O’Donnell before one slick move in the 37th minute led to the visitors unlocking the door and breaking the deadlock.

They constructed a move down the right which saw Scott Robson play a pass inside to David Robinson and when he crossed low into the danger zone, Djalo pounced to fire home from close range.

In the opening quarter hour of the second half, Spooner fired wide on two occasions before what was to be Ashington’s best opportunity arrived in the 65th minute.

Ryan Wombwell crossed from the right and Josh Gilchrist’s header was blocked by Lowson.

That really was as good as it got for the Colliers with one final chance falling to Spooner whose tame effort was easily held by Lowson whilst Robinson and Tom Devitt went close for UTS.

However on a night where there was little to choose between the two sides, Ashington will be disappointed not to have taken a share of the spoils.

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Heaton Stannington vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington climbed out of the relegation drop zone after a 3-1 victory over Heaton Stannington at Grounsell Park on Boxing Day.

The Colliers deservedly picked up all three points on the road to make it back to back wins following their 2-1 success over Ossett United the previous week.

In what was billed as a six pointer before kick off with Ashington second from bottom of the table and the hosts’ only three places above them, Paddy Almond and substitute Ben Sampson scored Christmas crackers in the second half for Nick Gray’s side after Wilson Kneeshaw had cancelled out an early strike from the home sides’ Daniel Stephenson.

The win was comfortable in the end but it wasn’t as straight forward as the result suggests.

Five minutes after the Wansbeck side had edged ahead 2-1, they had Josh Gilchrist red carded which left them to play the final 25 minutes a man short – but how they responded as they showed organisation coupled with superb battling qualities to crucially pick up their sixth win of the season.

On a heavy pitch, Heaton Stannington were the brighter side in the opening 20 minutes as they made inroads down the left flank.
Inside 40 seconds, Konner Lamb wriggled to the by line but when he pulled the ball back it was cleared then Mark Turnbull headed over from a corner.

The home side forged ahead in the 17th minute.

They were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and Stephenson stepped up to curl a low left footer around the wall which crept just inside the post.

It was the 25th minute before Ashington registered their first shot when Gilchrist’s effort was held by ‘keeper Matthew Cassap.

A turning point arrived on the half hour when Dan Groves slotted the ball into the net for Heaton Stannington but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Ashington had grown into the game and four minutes before the interval, they got back on terms.

Following a corner on the right, a scramble occurred inside the six yards box before the ball fell to Kneeshaw who hammered it into the net.

Just before half time, ‘keeper Michael Hogan sliced his kick which presented the ball to Lamb whose right footer drifted narrowly over the bar then when play switched to the other end, Gilchrist clipped an effort just wide.

In the opening quarter hour of the second half – other than a run down the right flank by Lamb whose cross was booted clear – there was no action in either goalmouth.

In the 62nd minute, Ashington introduced Sampson and within seconds, the substitute was involved as the Colliers took the lead with a terrific goal from Almond.

Craig Spooner floated over a corner from the left which was partially cleared and headed back into the danger zone by Sampson.
Again the hosts failed to clear their lines and when Almond got possession, he charged forward before hitting a thunderous right footer which flew past Cassap and inside the far corner.

Five minutes later Gilchrist – who was already on a yellow card – committed a foul near the touchline and was sent off by referee Sam Ross.

However, Ashington changed shape at the back and the ten men not only defended valiantly but also had a few forward raids.

And ten minutes from time, a goal from Sampson – his first of the season – effectively wrapped up the points for his side.

He got possession and looked up then curled a stunning lob from 20 yards which went over Cassap and into the top corner of the net under the angle of post and crossbar.

However, two minutes from the end of the 90, a cross from the right was headed by Andrew Burn towards an empty net until it was spectacularly cleared off the line by Spooner.

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