Season: 2024-25

Ashington vs Bradford (Park Avenue)

By Brian Bennett

Jay Errington’s goal midway through the second half cemented back to back wins for Ashington in their Northern Premier League East Division clash at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

They say a week is a long time in football. Turning the clock back seven days, the Colliers travelled to Leeds and pulled off a superb 2-1 victory over Garforth Town. The result lifted them several places from the bottom of the table.

The following day, the club announced the departure of joint head coaches Andy Coyles and Richie Hill and later confirmed that senior players Gary Ormston, Andrew Cartwright and Paul Robinson would be the interim management team.

Then against Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday night, Ashington had to grind it out against a well organised side but they kept a clean sheet for the first time this season with the victory propelling them up to a mid table spot.

It was far from being a vintage performance – but the result was all that mattered.

The first half contained very little in the way of goalmouth action.

The Wansbeck outfit struggled to make inroads and it was quarter of an hour before they threatened when Wilson Kneeshaw chased a long ball played over the top of the Bradford defence.

The striker cut inside but blazed over then five minutes later Jack Camarda struck a drive which was held by ‘keeper Craig Ellison.

Skipper Karl Ross set up the next opening but Michael Ndiweni’s effort landed on the roof of the net.

Ten minutes before the break, Bradford – who looked dangerous from set plays – called Ross Coombe into action with the stopper performing well to turn around an effort from Paddy Sykes.

Then on the stroke of half time, full back Kareem Hassan-Smith delivered an inviting ball from the right which went across the face of the home goal.

Seven minutes after the break, Kneeshaw’s pace took him through the middle and when he passed to Errington, the youngster cut back across but fired well off target.

However, it was the same two players who combined to break the deadlock.

Ross won a tackle in the midfield and sent Kneeshaw on another direct run at the Bradford defence.

The forward played a superb ball through for Errington who cool as a cucumber, waited for Ellison to advance before sliding the ball wide of the ‘keeper and inside the post.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Ashington replaced Ndiweni with Andrew Johnson and inside two minutes, the substitute passed to Craig Spooner whose right footer was taken at head height by Ellison.

Errington shot narrowly over but in the 89th minute, only a fantastic save by Coombe kept the hosts in front as the stopper dived to his left to deny substitute Kelan Swales.

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Garforth Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington won their first game of the new campaign after a 2-1 success over Garforth Town at the Bannister Prentice Stadium on Tuesday night.

And what’s more the Colliers were full value for the three points after a strong and spirited second half performance which was capped off with two quality goals by Craig Spooner and Cyril Giraud.

They went into the contest on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Crook Town on Saturday which saw them exit the Emirates FA Cup – but the response by the players was hugely impressive.

In the opening stages, Jamie Barkway headed over for the hosts from an in-swinging corner by Max Tweddle and Ashington’s reply was an effort from distance by Paul Van-Zandvliet which whistled just wide of the post.

Midway through the half, Garforth took the lead with a goal out of nothing. After a throw in on the right, the ball broke to skipper Dan Coupland who fired home from 20 yards wide of ‘keeper Ross Coombe.

The Miners could so easily have doubled their advantage just past the half hour mark when James Burgess struck a first time volley wide following a cross from the left then Coupland dragged his shot past the upright from 12 yards.
There was little to choose between the two sides – Garforth having more of a cutting edge up front – and shortly before the interval, Barkway nodded the ball back into the middle from another Tweddle corner but Harry Viggars headed over.

At the other end, Ashington’s Wilson Kneeshaw accelerated into the area and went past ‘keeper Harry Flatters but his cross into the middle was cleared.

The second period saw a complete transformation from the visitors. Inside the opening minutes, an incisive ball by Giraud released Kneeshaw who fired inches over the bar.

Then in the 55th minute, the Colliers drew level after a superb move. Matty Slocombe – who was outstanding at the heart of the defence – played the ball to Kneeshaw and the striker unselfishly laid the ball wide for the unmarked Spooner who buried his effort wide of Flatters and inside the far corner of the net.

Ashington now had the bit between their teeth and 65 seconds later, a great ball played over the top of the home defence by Andrew Cartwright released Kneeshaw who netted but saw the goal disallowed for a foul in the build up.

Tweddle had already shown his quality with his delivery from set pieces for the home side and on the hour, only a fantastic save by Coombe denied him.

The full back curled a free kick from 20 yards which the ‘keeper acrobatically pushed against the crossbar with Burgess blasting over the rebound.

Then in the 72nd minute Giraud scored what proved to be the winner. Cartwright and Spooner worked a one-two on the right and when Cartwright’s effort was blocked, the ball ran out to Giraud who cut inside before he unleashed an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area which screamed past Flatters and into the roof of the net.

After that, Ashington managed the rest of the game – then in the second minute of time added on, substitute Michael Ndiweni slipped the ball to Giraud who side footed a cross shot fractionally wide of the far post.

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Crook Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Crook Town striker Sonni Coleman scored an injury time winner which sent Ashington spiralling out of the Emirates FA Cup at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield ground on Saturday.

The late, late show from ‘The Black and Ambers’ – who had equalised through Corey Nicholson with quarter of an hour remaining – left the Colliers shell shocked.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. When Ashington had a goal kick in the first of four minutes of stoppage time added towards the end of the contest – and with the scores level at 1-1 – they elected to play out from the back. Given the same situation – with hindsight – they would make a different decision.

The Wansbeck side were barely three minutes away from bringing the Durham outfit back to Woodhorn Lane for a replay when they lost possession. The ball was whipped in from the left and Coleman did the rest with a header which found the net via the crossbar.

Ashington supporters couldn’t believe what they had witnessed as their side headed for the exit door.

Crook on the other hand were understandably in dreamland.

However aside from the error and especially the timing of it, the game should have already been out of sight with the amount of chances the Wansbeck side frittered away to add to their lead given to them in the first half by Paul Van-Zandvliet.

The first opportunity of the match came in the tenth minute when skipper Wilson Kneeshaw went past two defenders but shot across the face of goal.

Ashington then got in behind the home defence after a good move down the right but Kneeshaw’s cross was blocked.

Crook registered a chance in the 19th minute when Josh McDonald cut inside from the left flank and saw his right footer pushed out by ‘keeper Ross Coombe.

On the half hour, the visitors nudged ahead. Kneeshaw had a shot blocked on the left and when Craig Spooner whipped the resultant corner to the far post, the ball was headed home by Van-Zandvliet.

But the start of a plethora of missed opportunities came four minutes before the break following build up play involving Jay Errington and Cyril Giraud. The latter played the ball square to the unmarked Jack Camarda but he fired over from 18 yards.

Seconds later, Kneeshaw was through one on one but ‘keeper Alex Curran was swiftly off his line to close the striker down and block his effort.

On the hour, neat approach work saw Errington set up Giraud whose low drive was saved with his feet by Curran.

Midway through, a 25 yarder from Camarda whistled just wide then a cross by Matty Slocombe was missed by Errington. The ball ran to Spooner but Curran once again saved with his legs.

Then in the 76th minute, Ashington lost possession and Corey Nicholson went through and slotted the ball wide of Coombe for the equaliser.

Crook immediately had an extra spring in their step and three minutes later, Colliers substitute Andrew Cartwright – who had just replaced Camarda – made a vital tackle to stop Ethan Bewley.

And it was Cartwright who should have put the Colliers back in front with only two minutes of the 90 remaining but he lashed over.

Crook took the lead through Coleman before in a frantic finale, substitute Michael Ndiweni’s effort was blocked for a corner and a header by Paddy Almond was pushed over the bar by Curran.

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Dunston vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett 

A goal in each half from Sado Djalo and Dale Pearson was enough for Dunston to wrap up all three points against Ashington at the UTS Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

Over the years, games between the two sides have always been hard fought and well contested affairs – and this one was no different.

Dunston – who narrowly failed to gain promotion last season – are one of the favourites this time round and in the first half they bossed possession.

However after the break – with the introduction of Paul Van-Zandvliet – it was the Colliers who emerged as the better outfit. They had chances too – but with quarter of an hour of the contest remaining, Dunston caught Ashington on the break with Pearson scoring the clincher.

The Wansbeck side – after their long trip to Cheshire on Saturday where they suffered a 4-1 defeat against Congleton Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy – had to reckon without no fewer than nine players for the clash whilst joint head coach Richie Hill revealed afterwards that three or four who were named in the starting line up were playing despite carrying injuries.

There was an unusual start to proceedings when Ashington defender Paddy Almond was shown a yellow card by referee Jamie Cann for a foul after only 45 seconds as Dunston broke into the Ashington half.

The first chance of the game arrived in the 12th minute. Pearson found David Robinson whose shot was blocked for a corner.

Jack Camarda headed off the line then from a second flag kick, Jack Walker nodded the ball over the bar.

However on the quarter hour, UTS went in front with a well worked goal. The ball was played out to the left flank and when it was crossed into the danger zone, Scott Robson did a step over which allowed Djalo to smash home.

Ashington’s first threat came in the 34th minute when Cyril Giraud played a pass through but ‘keeper Dan Lowson read the situation and smothered the ball in the nick of time to thwart Wilson Kneeshaw.

The visitors looked lively right from the start of the second half. Jon Shaw and Giraud combined to set up Jay Errington but his effort was blocked by Jack Walker.

Dunston hit back with Djalo finding Robinson whose drive was saved by ‘keeper Dan Staples diving to his left.

After that, it was the visitors who were in the ascendancy. Craig Spooner clipped a free kick from 25 yards the bar over before Camarda’s cross was helped on by Jay Errington but Kneeshaw fired off target.

Ashington were knocking on the door – but in the 74th minute a goal on the break left them stunned.

Dunston substitute Josh Gilchrist’s right footer was parried by Staples and the ball ran into the path of Pearson who hammered it home.

Even then the Colliers were not finished. Kneeshaw went past Lowson but ran the ball out of play then Spooner played a one-two with Almond and shot narrowly wide.

Ashington’s second 45 minutes was encouraging – but they have got to be more clinical when chances come their way.

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Congleton Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Ashington exited the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday after they went down to a 4-1 defeat against Congleton Town at the Cleric Stadium.

They say that every picture tells a story – but the same cannot be said for every football result. The Colliers failed to reach the heights of their midweek replay win at Bishop Auckland in the Emirates FA Cup but they were nevertheless on the receiving end of a scoreline which suggests a comfortable home win – which it wasn’t until the final 20 minutes when the Bears added a third with a fourth coming in stoppage time.

The Wansbeck side were guilty of causing their own problems which led to Congleton’s first two goals but 2-1 down, key moments went against them as they felt aggrieved at having a penalty awarded against them shortly before the interval then two strong penalty shouts of their own ignored by the referee.

On a warm afternoon in Cheshire, the Colliers made a positive start. Craig Spooner slotted the ball through to Michael Ndiweni – who was making his debut – and the former Newcastle United player saw his shot parried by home ‘keeper David Parton to his right with no-one on hand to pounce onto the rebound.

Two minutes later, Charlie Exley had an effort blocked from an in-swinging corner by Spooner then Cam Gascoigne was thwarted.

Congleton’s first attempt came with a 30 yarder by Callum Stringer which went straight into Dan Staples’ midriff.

However the home side forged ahead in the tenth minute. Ashington lost possession and from a right wing cross, Thomas Hampton rifled the ball home from six yards.

Ten minutes later, an audacious attempt from just inside his own half by Exley just dropped over the bar with Parton standing outside of his area.

The stopper tipped over from Gascoigne before midway through the half, the Colliers drew level when another corner by Spooner was headed in at the back post by Paul Van-Zandvliet.

But two minutes later, Ashington pressed the self destruct button after trying to play out from the back and it cost them dearly. Max McCarthy’s effort was blocked by Staples but the ball broke to Hampton who lashed it home.

Then in the 41st minute, a cross by Owen Morris struck Spooner on the arm and the referee awarded a penalty.

Hampton stepped up but missed out on the chance to complete his hat-trick when he struck a weak effort which was gratefully held by Staples diving to his right.

For the start of the second period, Ashington introduced Wilson Kneeshaw for Jay Errington and the substitute fired straight at Parton after an incisive move involving Spooner and Ndiweni.

Midway through the half there were two controversial incidents in quick succession. A breathtaking run by sub Cyril Giraud saw him skillfully weave past five players before he went to ground under challenge inside the area but despite shouts for a penalty the game continued.

Two minutes later, Ndiweni was pulled back by a defender in the box but again the referee remained unmoved.

Staples made an important save at the foot of his near post before the home side added a third in the 73rd minute when Peter Williams scored with a direct free kick from the left which flew into the far corner.

 

Two minutes into time added on, sub Daniel Needham slotted home a fourth with Ashington claiming that the ball had already gone out for a goal kick before it was crossed from the right.

 

The Colliers now have a quick turnaround as they prepare for Monday’s NPL East Division clash against Dunston at the UTS Stadium where kick off is 3pm.

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Michael Ndiweni

2024/25 Sponsor: Evolve Sports Academy

Young striker who joins the Colliers after being released by Newcastle United during the summer. Michael made one first team appearance for the Magpies in the Premier League last season, coming on as a substitute in Newcastle’s 4-1 win over Chelsea at St. James’ Park. He also spent time on loan at Scottish League side Annan Athletic earlier this year, scoring twice in 15 appearances.

Bishop Auckland vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

Cam Gascoigne struck a spectacular winner five minutes from the end of extra time to send Ashington marching into the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Following three fascinating games in eight days between the two sides, it was hardly surprising that this replay went the full distance – with Gascoigne’s breathtaking effort from fully 40 yards taking Ashington through where they will travel to meet Ebac Northern League outfit Crook Town on Saturday week (August 31).

This game had just about everything crammed into it. After a very cautious start, it was the Colliers who created first and after a shot from Gascoigne had been blocked by home ‘keeper Ryan Catterick, Cyril Giraud then dragged an effort wide.

Shortly afterwards, Catterick was called into action again, pushing a shot from Craig Spooner aside.

The opening half hour had been a game of cat and mouse but it exploded in the 33rd minute when the Wansbeck side took the lead with an outrageous strike by Jay Errington.

Both sides were guilty of losing the ball before when Errington picked up possession and unleashed a cracking left foot drive from the edge of the box which rocketed into the net leaving Catterick helpless.

Two minutes later, the 20 year old ought to have added a second. Wilson Kneeshaw pulled the ball back from the by line but Errington scuffed his effort which rolled narrowly wide.

Then four minutes before the interval, Bishops had a great opportunity to equalise when Louis Johnson rolled the ball to the unmarked Matty Tyson but the forward struck an effort which was held by ‘keeper Dan Staples.

Early in the second half, Kneeshaw had a chance but could not get the ball out of his feet and Bishops recovered to thwart him.

The Two Blues – the better side after the break – drew level in the 70th minute.

The ball was slipped wide to the unmarked Brandon Holdsworth and the substitute struck a cool left footed finish wide of Staples.

Holdsworth went close with a free-kick from 25 yards before Ashington forced the pressure in the dying minutes.

Gascoigne shot wide then Spooner fired a great chance the wrong side of the post and in the first minute of stoppage time, Errington was through and side stepped Catterick only to see his effort cleared off the line.

In the first period of extra time, Catterick held a weak effort from Spooner then when play switched, sub Alexander Walker header over from a right wing corner.

Holdsworth must have thought he had put his side ahead in the 103rd minute but his effort – arrowing towards the top corner – was magnificently tipped over by Staples.

At one end Spooner went close with a free kick then at the other Johnson side footed wide.

With the clock beginning the tick down, a fantastic long ball by Paddy Almond found Kneeshaw who was clean through but saw his shot blocked by Catterick.

The game appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot out when Gascoigne’s low effort from distance crept just inside the post – and minutes later, the whole of the Ashington contingent were jubilant when the final whistle was blown.

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Ashington vs Bishop Auckland

By Brian Bennett

It wasn’t primarily the half time pep talk which led to a complete transformation in Ashington’s performance as they battled back to force a replay against Bishop Auckland in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday.

Joint head coach Richie Hill revealed afterwards that during the interval, an ‘honest open discussion’ was held in the changing rooms and before the second half got underway, the management team had made the decision to replace Matty Slocombe with striker Jay Errington.

And the difference was chalk and cheese. The Colliers – awful in the first period and guilty of constantly giving the ball away – deservedly got back on terms with a quality strike from Cyril Giraud and they should have gone on to win the match.

This was the second instalment between the two teams – Bishops having won the league clash 2-1 on the same ground earlier in the week – and this game which was beamed out live by the BBC didn’t disappoint supporters who were inside the ground or watching via iPlayer, red button and online.

Now another titanic and mouth watering clash will take place on Tuesday night (August 20) when the replay is staged at Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park with a 7.45pm kick off.

The first action came in the fifth minute when a dangerous in-swinging corner by Craig Spooner was cleared off the line before neat combination play involving Cam Gascoigne, Spooner and Paul Van Zandvliet led to a shot from Giraud taking a deflection and going behind for a corner.

It was midway through the period when Bishops had their first shot with an effort from distance by Joe Bartliff.

However in the 23rd minute, it was the Two Blues who took the lead. Ashington’s achilles heel came to light once again as they lost possession and when Jordan Fielding played the ball through, Louis Johnson advanced into the area before placing a left footed shot which went wide of ‘keeper Dan Staples and just inside the far post.

The visitors had looked composed during the first period but Ashington’s introduction of Jay Errington was to prove a key switch.

The substitute was involved immediately as he linked with Wilson Kneeshaw to set up Giraud but the number eleven overrun the ball slightly and ‘keeper Ryan Catterick collected.

On the hour Spooner delivered another flag kick which was headed off the line by Dale Milburn but seconds later, it was Spooner who played the ball to Giraud and a piece of magic from the midfielder resulted in the equaliser.

Giraud made space for himself as he weaved inside the area, switched the ball from his right foot to his left then drove an effort between Catterick and the near post.

After that it was one way traffic with the Colliers much the stronger outfit as they carved out several opportunities.

On 70 minutes, Kneeshaw was clean through but his shot was saved by the legs of Catterick then seconds later, the stopper saved at the second attempt from Van-Zandvliet.

Giraud hit the side netting before a stinging 30 yarder from Charlie Exley flashed just wide then a drive from Kneeshaw was finger tipped away for a corner by Catterick.

Ashington just could not find a winner – so the teams go head to head again in the replay on Tuesday (August 20).

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Ashington vs Bishop Auckland

By Brian Bennett

A quickfire double by Matty Tymon immediately after half time sent Ashington tumbling to a 2-1 defeat in their first home league game of the new season at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

The visitors had trailed to a goal by Paddy Almond shortly before the break but the Bishop Auckland striker caught the Colliers cold with his first – a wonder strike from 30 yards – finding the net only 48 seconds after the resumption.

Worse was to follow as the two blues took the lead in the 49th minute following an in-swinging corner on the right which saw Tymon score with a free header from six yards.

The Wansbeck side controlled the opening half and pieced together a flowing move inside the first minute which involved Matty Slocombe, Craig Spooner, Cam Gascoigne and Jordan Summerly before skipper Karl Ross’s cross from the left was easily taken by ‘keeper Ryan Catterick.

In the seventh minute, the pace of Wilson Kneeshaw saw him accelerate down the right and when he swung the ball over, it went across the face of the visitors’ goal.

Yet it was Bishops who arguably had the best opportunity on the half hour when the ball fell to Tymon 16 yards out but he hit a half volley wide of the upright.

Play switched to the other end with Gascoigne probing down the left flank but when he crossed, Catterick made a vital interception with Kneeshaw ready to pounce.

Two minutes later, Gascoigne went close after a one-two with Paul Van-Zandvliet, his effort drifting wide of the far post.

However in the 38th minute, Ashington edged ahead – through Paddy Almond.

Kneeshaw was fouled on the right and when Spooner swung over a dangerous looking free-kick, the ball was missed in the centre of the goal by Van-Zandvliet but ran to Almond who fired it home.

Incredibly after a first period where chances were in short supply, the opening quarter hour after the break contained plenty of goalmouth action.

Tymon was heavily involved in the action as he strike went in off the far post with Staples rooted to the spot then he put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Sandwiched in-between, Catterick shovelled a free kick from 35 yards by Van-Zandvliet over the bar then on the hour, Ashington cleared off the line from a header following another corner on the right.

However, the segment also saw the Colliers forced into a change following an injury to full back Jordan Summerly.

In the closing stages, Kneeshaw had a goalbound drive blocked then in the dying seconds, a shot by Charlie Exley was clutched at the near post by Catterick.

A draw would have been a fair result on the night – with the two sides meeting again on Saturday in their Emirates FA Cup preliminary round clash. The game is being televised live by the BBC via iplayer, red button and online – and if this dress rehearsal is any yardstick to go by, supporters will be in for a real treat with another gripping 90 minutes in store when the game gets underway at 12.30pm.

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