[rev_slider slider73]
Stockton Town visited Ashington’s new ground for the first time tonight on the back of an excellent 4-0 victory against Newcastle Benfield and continued their superb form with a battling 3-2 victory in a game which they never really looked like losing but Ashingtons style was always a threat.
Fred Woodhouse opened the scoring on 11 minutes after great work from Garbutt, firstly to intercept then to continue his run and nick the ball off the defender and keeper for Woodhouse to roll into the empty net. Ashington employed a direct style and this produced an equaliser with their first dangerous attack, Edwards free kick was headed goalwards by Chilton and the ball somehow found the bottom corner after a rare error from keeper Arthur. Stockton’s pace and movement was causing lots of problems for Ashingtons back line. Hayes attacked down the left on 34 mins and was cynically brought down with a late challenge by Strafford for what looked like a penalty but the Referee gave a free kick right on the 18 yard line to the left of the goal. No matter when you have a specialist like Max Craggs he whipped the ball spectacularly around and over the wall at pace into the top corner giving the keeper no chance making it 2-1 at HT.
Second half saw much of the same, Ashington being direct, Stockton defending well and when they attacked causing lots of problems. Coleman put the Anchors 3-1 ahead on 54mins following a terrific incisive ball from Garbutt to Woodhouse, his deflected shot ran to Coleman who slotted home from 10 yards. There was only going to be one winner after that, until inexplicably Ashington won a penalty when a cross field ball that had ran harmlessly out or was almost out of play saw Carter accidentally brush Johnston’s legs and the winger went down. The ref pointed to the spot and Chilton tucked it away on 63 mins. Ashington were now up for it and their physical direct play was causing problems not least for the Referee to decide what were fouls or not. The situation came to a head after several incidents and tussles when Ashingtons Edwards was shown a Red card on 72mins after what seemed to be violent play on Craggs while he was on the floor from another crashing challenge. This allowed Stockton to see the game out pretty comfortably aside from a couple of corners.
FT Ashington 2 v 3 Stockton Town
(Click on the result on the side bar for a match report)
Another excellent result especially on the road. Stockton are flying atm and confidence is flowing, the squad is rotating too and showing a lot of strength, the manager will have a lovely little headache shortly when everyone is available. The first 8 games produced 0 points, the next 8 have reaped 19…… a little light relief from the pressures of the League with a Vase game this Saturday away to Whickham, followed by a Durham Cup tie next Wednesday at Home to Darlo RA
There are still a few spaces left for spectators on the bus for the Whickham game leaving the club at 12:45 this Saturday. Conact the club on the number at the bottom of this page for details……
