By Brian Bennett

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Grantham was a game to forget for Ashington fans – but Tuesday’s goal-less clash at home against bottom of the league side Winterton Rangers was an equally hard watch.

There was an excuse for Saturday’s contest which was played in difficult windy conditions – but faced with perfect conditions on Tuesday, it was a surprising and disappointing dour struggle.

Yet the contrasting results for the two clubs at the weekend had suggested that it would be otherwise. The Colliers were looking to bounce back whilst the Scunthorpe based outfit had given their hopes of avoiding the drop a much needed boost with a 1-0 victory over league leaders Stockton Town.

It took ten minutes for the first chance to arrive and even then the 20 yarder from Charlie Clements was easily collected by home ‘keeper Ross Coombe.

Five minutes later, Wilson Kneeshaw reached the by line and cut the ball back but Connor Thomson tried to beat a defender inside the area and was foiled.

Just past the half way mark, a long searching pass from the back by Cam Gascoigne released Kneeshaw but his touch was just too heavy and his shot was taken by ‘keeper Nathan Popple.

Three minutes later Craig Spooner cleared an effort off the line then Will Constantin made a great surging run down the left. He passed the ball to Thomson who cut inside and his right footer took a deflection to go wide of the far post and behind for a corner.

In the second period, it was the visitors who missed out after having three gilt edged chances.

Adam Bartham charged through the middle but lashed over from 14 yards then following a raid down the left flank, the ball fell to the unmarked Clements who sliced his effort when well placed.

Midway through, only a brilliant stop by Coombe kept the scoreline blank as he denied Paul Grimes whilst at the other end, a 30 yarder by Paul Van-Zandvliet was taken by Popple.

By Brian Bennett

A finely executed strike in the second half by Grantham’s Elliot Walker settled a poor encounter against Ashington at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

The goal kept the Gingerbreads’ hopes of avoiding relegation alive with this victory lifting them out of the bottom two whilst for the Colliers it was back to back defeats following last weekend’s 2-0 reverse at Carlton.

Although Walker’s goal was enough to give his side the three points, without doubt the real winner on the day was the strong wind which blew down the ground and on occasions made football almost impossible.

Ashington – with the elements on their backs in the first period – were the first to show in the ninth minute when Wilson Kneeshaw put the ball through for Connor Thomson but his effort was held by ‘keeper Curtis Hall.

Thomson then latched onto a pass from Ben Sampson and netted but the assistant raised his flag for offside and the ‘goal’ was disallowed.

After 25 minutes, the best chance fell to Ashington when Thomson was the supplier of a cross from the right. Sampson met the ball and headed downwards but the ball bounced over the bar.

Minutes later following a centre from the left, Darren Lough made a great block at the back post to deny Walker then when play switched, Craig Spooner cut inside but shot wide of the upright.

Eight minutes into the second period, Bradley Munns glanced a long throw in by Sisa Tuntulwana past the post before the home side missed another opportunity.

Thomson raided down the right and when his cross was blocked the ball ran to James McGeorge – who was making his full debut – but he fired over.

Five minutes later, the same two players combined again but on this occasion, Hall dived to smother from McGeorge.

On the 70 minutes mark, only a stunning stop by Ross Coombe kept the scoreline blank. Tuntulwana found Munns whose goalbound effort was turned aside by the home stopper.

However, within minutes, there was nothing Coombe could do to prevent Walker’s right footer following a corner from finding the back of the net to put the visitors ahead.

The nearest Ashington came to rescuing a point involved Spooner on two occasions.

The midfielder connected on the volley from a cross by Darren Lough but his shot was deflected behind then the number seven struck a low free-kick from 25 yards which flashed just wide.

By Mark Fitton

With only a handful of games remaining Ashington started this match having failed to beat any of the sides below them in the table at Woodhorn Lane. That particular record was blown away in some style as the Collier’s went nap with a commanding performance over the East Riding side.

After a heavy shower on Friday afternoon had left the pitch with significant areas of standing water there was concern amongst officials as to whether the game would even go ahead. A precautionary pitch inspection at 8am settled any nerves of another postponement and by the time the sides kicked off they did so in sunshine under a bright blue Northumbrian sky.

Ashington started brightly and crafted a number of early opportunities. The best of which came when Ben Sampson began a sweeping move with Karl Ross releasing Craig Spooner down the right. His centre found Sampson who almost ended the move he had begun with only a last ditch tackle keeping the scoresheet clean. On 10 minutes however, the Colliers’ dominance was rewarded with a good goal from Dan Maguire.

Another good move from the Colliers began with Ben Sampson picking up the ball in his own half. He again fed Karl Ross who in turn sent Craig Spooner down the right. The tricky attacker cut inside his man and played the ball into Sampson who’s inch perfect pass found Dan Maguire in between two defenders with the front man finishing with aplomb.

The Colliers continued to press and a Kneeshaw strike sailed over after more good work on the right by Spooner.

On 18 minutes home supporters began to think that history was once again repeating itself when Bridlington equalised through Lewis Dennison. The Colliers knocking the ball around with confidence played it back to Ben Williams but a rare mistake from the impressive youngster saw his back pass to Coombe come up short and Dennison finished well leaving the keeper with no chance.

Nerves were settled only a few minutes later however when Dan Maguire grabbed his second of the game. Another sweeping move from the home side saw Exley released on the left. The full back then threaded the ball through two Bridlington defenders to find Kneeshaw on the left side of the box and his pass across the face of the goal was met and side footed home by the unmarked frontman.

The Colliers continued to exert their dominance and skipper Karl Ross extended the Colliers’ lead on 33 minutes. Maguire and Kneeshaw combined through the middle with the later laying off the ball to Karl Ross cutting in from the right. Twisting and turning his way into the box Ross bamboozled the Bridlington defence before driving the ball, from a tight angle, past the helpless goalkeeper.

The game was put beyond the visitors on 37 minutes when Charlie Exley grabbed Ashington’s fourth goal of the afternoon. Spooner who was to be a thorn in Bridlington’s side all afternoon drove with purpose down the right and played an excellent one two with Kneeshaw and his cross, hurdled by Kneeshaw found Exley at the back post. The left full back again showed calm firing the ball between the sticks.

Half time 4-1

Ashington began the second half the way they had ended the first and put the game beyond any doubt four minutes after the restart. A high press from Maguire and Kneeshaw forced a minor error from the Bridlington Keeper. His ball out was met by Spooner who drove at the defence playing a perfectly weighted ball into Wilson Kneeshaw who deftly chipped the keeper under pressure from a tight angle.

Bridlington, who never gave up throughout, grabbed another consolation on 60 minutes. Lewis Dennison who had scored the earlier equaliser grabbed a second after good work down the right saw the ball played into him. Never breaking stride he hit the ball neatly on the half volley leaving Coombe stranded.

Whilst both sides had chances in the remaining half hour, the truth was the game had effectively ended with the Colliers’ fifth goal. Ashington managed the remainder of the game with little in the way of excitement but no doubt with an eye on Monday’s trip to Hebburn Town.

When the final whistle blew the vast majority of an excellent 520 crowd went home happy, knowing that an unwanted record had been broken on Easter Saturday.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC manager Ian Skinner asked his players to address their indifferent home form before Saturday’s clash with Grimsby Borough – but the mystery continues after the visitors came from behind to take all three points.

It had looked so good for the Colliers when Dan Maguire nudged them ahead but a performance which Skinner labelled afterwards as being ‘unacceptable’ was about to unfold.

Ten minutes before half time, ‘The Wilderness Boys’ drew level through Lewis Collins and just past the midway point in the second period, Adam Drury slotted home what proved to be their winner.

On non-league day, the game attracted a bumper crowd in excess of 700 but it was never going to be a classic with a strong wind blowing down the ground.

Ashington – kicking against the elements in the first period – went ahead on the quarter hour. Ben Sampson played the ball down the right to Wilson Kneeshaw and after cutting inside, he pulled it back for Maguire whose shot crept inside the far corner from nine yards.

Grimsby’s response was a free-kick from 20 yards by Reece York which was held by home ‘keeper Ross Coombe then within seconds, play switched and Kneeshaw wriggled into the box but when he found Cam Gascoigne, the midfielder fired over.

Then on 22 minutes, Kneeshaw missed a glorious opportunity to double his sides lead with Sampson again the provider.

The striker who was through on goal with only ‘keeper Liam Higton to beat lashed the ball over from seven yards.

Ashington had a lucky escape on the half hour following a throw in when a Grimsby player poked the ball wide but in the 35^th minute the visitors equalised.

Ashington cast an eye towards the referee looking for a free kick which never materialised and after the visitors had advanced, Collins poked home from close range.

The Colliers were creating their own problems and had certainly not fired on all cylinders in the first half. But after the break – in a 45 minutes which was devoid of chances – their performance plummeted drastically and was abysmal.

They did carve out the first opening in the 68^th minute when Kneeshaw found Sampson who crossed where Charlie Exley hit a half volley into the ground which was taken by Higton.

A minute later the home side were on the end of a classic sucker punch when they were caught out on the break. Drury charged through the middle shrugging off a challenge from Gary Ormston before slotting wide of Coombe.

In the first minute of time added on following a long clearance by Coombe, Kneeshaw passed to substitute Connor Thomson who cut inside but saw his effort blocked by Higton.

By Brian Bennett

Ashington were undone by a ‘bolt out of the blue’ at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday as Cleethorpes striker Harrison Poulter’s 80^th minute strike clinched the points for his side in a 2-1 win.

In a second period where clear cut chances were rare, the game appeared to be drifting towards a 1-1 stalemate – when against the run of play a blistering effort by Poulter from 20 yards flew into the net.

Even then, in a game which could have gone either way – but one which arguably neither side deserved to lose – Ashington came close to an equaliser in the final minute of the 90.

Substitute Paul Van-Zandvliet slotted the ball through for Connor Thomson but his shot was cleared off the line.

The visitors started the game being by far the better side and in the sixth minute, they duly opened the scoring with a sublime strike.

Ashington lost the ball in their own half and Curtis Bateson got possession, looked up and curled a right foot shot into the far corner of the net.

However, the Colliers grew into the game and came close to a leveller in the 13^th minute.

Thomson and Ben Sampson engineered a one-two on the right and when the latter crossed, Dan Maguire’s left footed goalbound volley was booted off the line by Ben Middleton.

Four minutes later, Karl Ross cut the ball back from the by line but when Maguire set up Sampson, he drove wide of the upright.

Ashington deservedly drew level midway through the period.

Sampson feigned to have a blast at goal then weaved past two defenders before he passed out wide for Maguire whose cross shot was turned in from close range by Thomson.

With defences on top, chances evaporated – until first half stoppage time when Will Annan charged down the right. Ben Williams got back superbly to snuff out a goalscoring opportunity but when Annan rolled the ball back, skipper Alex Flett fired over.

Seven minutes into the second half, Bateson burst through down the left but over hit his cross for Brody Robertson and the chance went begging.

Ashington retaliated with Gary Ormston releasing Wilson Kneeshaw but the forward’s touch let him down as he ran the ball out for a goal kick.

Then midway through the half, Craig Spooner found Ross. The skipper played a superb low diagonal pass through the Cleethorpes defence which only required a finishing touch except no Ashington player was on hand to pounce but even then the ball rolled inches wide of the post.

Bateson twisted inside the area before clipping an effort wide then following a throw in, Kneeshaw released Thomson but he was blocked at the near post.

However less than sixty seconds later, the home crowd were silenced when Poulter let fly to score what proved to be the winner.

By Brian Bennett

Darren Lough’s second goal of the season earned Ashington a point from a 1-1 draw against Stocksbridge Park Steels in their Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division clash at Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday night.

Credit to groundsman Scott Robson for ensuring that the clash went ahead following the heavy rain but what unfolded was a tough battle on a stamina-sapping pitch with the visitors ending the contest with ten men after Alex O’Connor had been red carded in time added on near the end.

In the first half, there was little to enthuse about with chances at a premium.

Indeed it was the 20^th minute before there was a threat on goal. The home side moved the ball across from left to right but Andrew Cartwright’s shot was blocked.

Seven minutes later when Stocksbridge went ahead, even then the goal was a scrappy affair.

Home ‘keeper Ross Coombe dived low to his right to deny Kurtis Turner but from the rebound Jack Watson bundled the ball over the line.

Ashington retaliated with Cartwright finding Ben Sampson who fired wide then a drive by Connor Thomson was tipped away by ‘keeper Harry Garman.

In stoppage time when play switched, Coombe had to be alert to push out a shot from Watson.

The Colliers showed more urgency after the break. Craig Spooner picked the ball up in midfield, ventured out to the left and struck an effort which fizzed across goal.

Within a minute, the visitors had a chance but when the ball fell to O’Connor, he lashed it over the bar.

Shortly afterwards, Ashington pieced together a great move which began with Sampson. He found Spooner whose pass bisected the visitors defence and presented Thomson with a one on one opportunity but his shot was blocked by Garman.

However, in the 65^th minute, superb combination play led to an equaliser from Lough.

Gary Ormston and Spooner linked in midfield before the latter played the ball through for Wilson Kneeshaw whose pace took him to the by-line and when he crossed, Lough was on hand to slide home.

Within minutes, Kneeshaw – who had switched flanks – pulled the ball back again but on this occasion, a shot from skipper Karl Ross was blocked.

Ashington went all out for a winner. In the 72^nd minute, Cartwright, Sampson and Ross combined but Ross’s cross to the near post was intercepted by Garman.

With time beginning to run out, Cartwright slipped a pass out wide for substitute Dan Maguire whose driven cross was brilliantly headed away from the danger zone by a Stocksbridge defender.

The visitors were looking dangerous on the break and in the dying minutes they almost caught the Colliers out. After a cross from the right, substitute Andrew Ring just failed to connect in front of goal then following a corner, a scramble developed in the home penalty area before the ball was eventually cleared.

In stoppage time, there was a flare up when O’Connor and Ross clashed near the touchline.

Both players received yellow cards from referee Tyler Dutton and as O’Connor had already been cautioned in the first period, the Stocksbridge number four was sent off.

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 64^th 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.