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 27^th 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 70^th 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.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington came away with a deserved 0-0 draw following an impressive showing in this pre season friendly against Morpeth Town at Craik Park on Saturday.

The game was played in incessant rain but it gave the artificial surface a bit of zip and there were good one touch combination moves from both sides during the contest.

In his pre match notes Colliers manager Ian Skinner had said “I’d like to think we’ll go there (to Morpeth) and cause them some problems” – and the boss must have been delighted as his side did just that against an outfit who operate one division higher up the footballing pyramid.

Overall the Woodhorn Lane outfit carved out more chances and they came so close to breaking the deadlock in the first period when Ben Sampson’s drive thudded against the underside of the bar.

The visitors settled immediately and striker Scott Heslop fashioned an opportunity after only 24 seconds when his shot from 20 yards was held by home ‘keeper Dan Lowson.

At the other end Morpeth’s Jack Foalle – who was to be a constant threat – netted in the eighth minute but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Further chances fell Ashington’s way with Damen Mullen going close from distance; Heslop placing a header the wrong side of the post then Craig Spooner’s effort from 22 yards flashing narrowly wide of the post.

Sandwiched in-between Ashington stopper Karl Dryden denied Foalle at the near post before the forward fired over on the half volley.

Ashington’s build up play had been admirable and on the half hour when Sampson unleashed a 25 yarder, only the woodwork prevented them from taking what would have been a deserved lead.

Then shortly before the break the Colliers pieced together another slick move when Karl Ross crossed from the left, Sampson teed the ball up but Dan Maguire saw his right footer whistle past the upright.

Early in the second period, Dryden made a stunning stop as he deflected the ball with his legs for a corner but back came Ashington and after Lowson had pouched a 30 yarder from Sampson, a diagonal ball in by Darren Lough saw Heslop’s strike well blocked by the home custodian.

On the hour, Dryden pushed away from Danny Barlow then from a corner on the left the lively Foalle directed a header straight at the visiting ‘keeper.

The final opportunity fell Ashington’s way in the 83rd minute when Cameron Gascoigne headed just wide following a cross from the left by Jordan Summerly.