Season: 2024-25

Ossett United vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

A stoppage time goal by Jamie Sharman denied Ashington victory from their away trip against Ossett United at the Ingfield Stadium on Saturday.

The tall defender met an inch perfect free kick from George Proctor and headed the ball into the net for the equaliser.

The timing of the goal – and the consequent result – may have been cruel on the Colliers but in truth a draw was a fair result with chances at a premium throughout the 90 plus minutes.

On a sunny and humid day in West Yorkshire, it was ‘The Sheepicorns’ who created the first opportunity in the tenth minute.

Striker Ross Duggan latched onto a through ball and rounded advancing ‘keeper Dan Staples but saw his effort cleared off the line by the retrieving Paddy Almond.

However the Wansbeck side edged ahead in the 21st minute.

Persistence from Wilson Kneeshaw saw him charge into the area and when his shot was blocked by ‘keeper Ally Hughes, the rebound fell to Jay Errington who showed excellent composure before slotting home.

Five minutes later, Cyril Giraud went down in the area but the referee waved aside appeals for a penalty by the visitors then Staples was called into action as he palmed out a drive from Ollie McFadyen.

After the break there was plenty of endeavour from both sides but the first semblance of a chance came midway through the half when Eddie Church rattled the bar after good work by substitute Harry Lynn.

A snap shot by Church went across Staples and wide of the far post before a header by Lynn was pushed over by the visiting stopper.

Then a turning point arrived in the 90th minute when Kneeshaw raced clear down the left and was left one-on-one with Hughes. The forward advanced but saw his effort blocked by the custodian.

Two minutes later Sharman levelled – which left the Colliers deflated.

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Shildon vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

They did it the hard way – but Ashington started the season proper with an excellent 4-2 win against Shildon in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The Wansbeck side trailed at the interval to a goal from Shildon’s long serving striker Billy Greulich-Smith before a second half transformation saw the Colliers turn on the style.

In a storming display, Ashington’s goals came from Wilson Kneeshaw (2), Cyril Giraud and Jon Shaw.

The upshot is that with Bishop Auckland beating their local rivals West Auckland, the Wansbeck outfit will now host Bishops on Saturday August 17 – and face them twice in the space of five days as the teams clash earlier in the week in their Northern Premier League East Division fixture.

Conditions were perfect at Dean Street on a sunny but humid day and with no wind – and within seconds of kick-off, the Colliers could have put their stamp on proceedings.

Andrew Cartwright played a ball down the right flank which saw Cam Gascoigne advance into a good position but when he pulled the ball back, his cross was intercepted by a home defender.

Just past the quarter hour mark, a great ball played over the top of the Shildon back four by Paddy Almond released Craig Spooner with only home ‘keeper Shaun Newbrook to beat but his shot was blocked by the stopper.

In the 20th minute, Shildon broke the deadlock. Leighton Harris produced some good work as he charged through the middle from his own half and when the ball found Greulich-Smith, his initial effort was parried by ‘keeper Dan Staples but he followed up to net the rebound.

With half time approaching, Paul Van-Zandvliet found Gascoigne who dragged a right footer wide of the far post.

For the start of the second period, Ashington made two changes with Cyril Giraud and Eddie Thomas replacing Van-Zandvliet and Spooner.

Chances had been at a premium in the first half – but within a minute of the resumption, a turning point arrived.

Greulich-Smith released Andrei-Vasile Ardelean in the clear but the striker fired his shot across goal and wide with Staples looking on.

However on the hour, Ashington stunned the hosts with two goals in as many minutes.

The first saw Kneeshaw latch onto a through pass and after taking the ball around the advancing Newbrook, he slotted home the equaliser.

Ashington supporters had barely finished celebrating when Giraud put them in front. He ran from the half way line before firing into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors had well and truly lit the touch paper and after Kneeshaw had smashed a half volley into the side netting, substitute Jay Errington put the forward clean through but he was thwarted by Newbrook.

The ‘keeper came to Shildon’s rescue seconds later as he parried from Errington who had been set up by Giraud and the procession of chances continued as from a flick on by Errington, Kneeshaw drove the ball across the face of the goal.

However two quickfire strikes put the Colliers firmly in control.

The first came in the 75th minute as Kneeshaw beat the offside trap and finished superbly wide of Newbrook.

Debutant Jon Shaw then got in on the scoring act with a sublime effort as he moved across the park from right to left before he chipped left footed over the advancing Newbrook with the ball nestling inside the corner of the net.

In the closing stages, Shildon – who had hit the bar – reduced the arrears when Ardelean forced the ball home and in stoppage time following a run down the right by Luke Spalding, Staples bravely smothered the ball in the nick of time ahead of Ardelean.

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Ashington vs Spennymoor Town

By Brian Bennett

Ashington ended their pre season warm up games with an eye catching 4-0 victory over National League North outfit Spennymoor Town at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night,

The Colliers begin the campaign proper on Saturday in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup at Shildon – and they will travel with this morale boosting and thoroughly deserved victory behind them.

The Wansbeck side took the lead in the ninth minute through Andrew Cartwright.

The full back ventured forward and played a well worked one-two with Cam Gascoigne before firing the ball wide of ‘keeper Ryan Johnson and inside the far corner of the net.

Play then switched from end to end.

From a tight angle, Craig Spooner hit the side netting then a free-kick by Matty Dolan was well saved by home ‘keeper Dan Staples.

On the half hour, Gascoigne got possession just outside the penalty area, advanced and curled a left footer just wide.

Then with an entertaining first half drawing to a close, Moors had two chances.

The first was a left footed free kick from 25 yards by Dolan which rattled the angle of post and crossbar then two minutes later Will Harris was clean through with only Staples to beat but a trialist got back to make a terrific tackle to thwart him.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ashington doubled their lead.

Charlie Exley’s diagonal pass found skipper Karl Ross on the right and when he pulled the ball back, Cyril Giroud produced some clever footwork before firing an unstoppable effort inside the near post.

In the 71st minute the Colliers added a third – after being awarded a penalty when Gascoigne’s powerful burst into the area was checked by Reece Staunton.

Referee Mark Bell pointed to the spot and Eddie Thomas sent Johnson the wrong way.

With ten minutes remaining, Ashington’s accomplished performance was rewarded with a fourth goal.

Outstanding work down the right by Gascoigne saw him cross the ball and after Ben Sampson had laid it back, Jay Errington made no mistake with a rasping drive.

Ashington: Staples, Cartwright, Exley, Slocombe, A Trialist, Shaw, Spooner, Ross, Thomas, Gascoigne, Giraud. Subs: Summerly, Camarda, Ritson, Sampson, Van-Zandvliet, Errington, Coombe (gk).

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Morpeth Town vs Ashington

By Brian Bennett

A late double by Eddie Thomas secured Ashington a 3-2 victory against Morpeth Town at Craik Park on Tuesday night – but the game was marred by a first half injury to Colliers striker Connor Thomson.

Thomson was stretchered off just past the half hour mark with a knee injury and taken to hospital.

Morpeth had the first opportunity after five minutes when a snap shot from distance by Will Dowling smacked against the foot of the post but three minutes later, Ashington went in front when Wilson Kneeshaw charged into the penalty area and showed great determination before prodding the ball home.

Jordan Hickey headed over a cross from the left by Liam Miller then when play switched to the other end, a flowing Ashington move ended when a right footer by Thomson was held by the home ‘keeper.

In the 27th minute, Morpeth got back on terms after excellent work by Luke James. He weaved into the box and when he pulled the ball back, it was swept into the net by a trialist.

Shortly before the interval, Charlie Exley made a vital clearance inside the six yards box but in the third minute of time added on, the Highwaymen went in front.

On this occasion, Miller was the supplier of a cross from the left which was headed into the far corner by the trialist who notched his second goal of the night.

Early in the second half, there were chances at both ends.

Matty Griggs found himself clear in the inside right position but his effort was blocked by ‘keeper Dan Staples then when Ashington retaliated, Kneeshaw’s shot hit the post.

Just prior to the hour mark, the Morpeth trialist had a chance to compete his hat-trick but was thwarted by Staples before Thomas left his mark on the encounter with a quickfire brace for the Colliers.

In the 70th minute, the substitute was on hand to tuck the ball away neatly following a cross from the right by Jack Camarda and eight minutes later, Thomas scored what proved to be the winner.

Cyril Giroud was the provider of a defence splitting pass which sent Thomas through and he applied a cool confident finish.

Within two minutes, Dowling almost netted an equaliser when his effort from 25 yards whistled wide of the upright with Staples rooted to the spot.

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Eddie Thomas

2024/25 Sponsor: Available to sponsor, click here for more details.

A new signing for the 2024/25 season, centre forward Eddie Thomas makes the move to Woodhorn Lane after recent spells at Marske United and Whickham. He played a major part in Newton Aycliffe’s promotion to the Northern Premier League, scoring 18 times in the 2022/23 season. Eddie has represented England Universities, featuring in the Home Nations tournament this summer against Scotland and Wales. Former clubs also include Gateshead, Dunston and Crook Town.

Jon Shaw

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A vastly experienced player that has had a long and successful career in both the Football League and non-league. Jon started his career at Sheffield Wednesday, making 18 first team appearances, scoring goals against QPR and Luton Town, before moving to Burton Albion where he made over 100 appearances. He would later move to Halifax Town, scoring 20 goals in his first season at The Shay, before making transferring to Rochdale. He went on to have spells at Gateshead, Mansfield Town and Luton Town, where he won the Conference Premier title, before returning to Gateshead. He would later move onto South Shields and Dunston, before joining Blyth Spartans, first as player/assistant manager and then taking on the role as manager at Croft Park last season. Now back playing, Jon scored a fantastic goal on his Colliers debut in the FA Cup win at Shildon. Jon has 6 England ‘C’ caps, scoring once against Barbados.

Jay Errington

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Young striker that joins the club from Northern League Newcastle Benfield for the 2024/25 season. Jay has also previously played for Blyth Spartans.

Paddy Almond

2024/25 Sponsor: Greyhound Mick
Defender Paddy joins Ashington from Whitley Bay for the 2024/25 season. The former Sunderland defender, who made his Black Cats debut in an EFL Trophy game against Manchester United Under 23’s, has also appeared for Blyth Spartans, Shildon and Darlington.

Matty Slocombe

2024/25 Sponsor: Ash Tan

Matty is a new signing for the 2024/25 season, making the move to Ashington from fellow NPL East side Consett. The 30 year-old midfielder was part of the Consett side that played in the FA Vase final at Wembley in 2021,and made over 400 appearances for the Steelman.