Whickham Undone Away at Ashington

Whickham turned home a disappointing display as they lost 2-0 against Ashington at Woodhorn Lane.

The Colliers started brightly and broke the deadlock in the first minutes, Dylan Williamson slotting home.

Ashington continued to control the game and struck the post through Callum Johnston, just before half-time.

Jonny Burn stung the crossbar with a thumping effort on 68 minutes, but the hosts scored under a minute later.

Johnston kept his composure, through on goal, to double Ashington’s advantage. The Lang Jacks couldn’t find a way back into the game and end 2019 with a defeat.

Whickham were going into the game knowing a victory would lift them above their opponents in the league table, but started on the back foot.

Ashington come racing out the blocks and with just 56 seconds on the clock, they opened the scoring.

A sweeping through back, from left to right, saw Williamson race past the last defender and tuck the ball into the bottom corner.

Adam Bartlett come to Whickham’s rescue on five minutes, producing two world-class saves to deny both Ben Sampson and Brandon Slater.

The hosts continued in search of a second goal, with the visitors struggling to find a foothold in the first-half.

Williamson’s effort missed the target, while Johnston and Sampson drew excellent saves from Bartlett.

Burn made a terrific block, on 27 minutes, to deny Sampson inside the area. Just after the half-hour mark, Bartlett kept out Slater’s free-kick.

Whickham’s first opening come through full-back Tom Howard, who struck wide from the edge of the area.

The Colliers were denied a second goal, on the stroke of half-time. Johnson cut back onto his right foot, curled across and the ball cannoned off the post.

After a disappointing first-half, Matty Pattison made a double substitution with Max Cowburn and Tom Scothern coming on.

The former had two chances before the hour-mark, but was unable to hit the target with both efforts.

The Lang Jacks could sense blood in the water and went within inches of equalising when Burn’s rasping drive, which had the ‘keeper beaten, rattled the bar.

Ashington delivered a sucker-punch after they went to the other end, under a minute later, and doubled their advantage through Johnston.

It was the hosts, who closed the game on the front foot. Johnston went close on 78 minutes before Bartlett kept out Johnston’s shot.

The Lang Jacks broke out, quickly, from there and could’ve pulled a goal back. Ben Harmison went through on goal, but was denied by the approaching ‘keeper.

Ashington: McHugh, Kalthoeber, Gaffney, Edwards, Coppen, Gourley, Luke, Sampson, Johnston, Williamson (Robson, 78), Slater (Hanson, 89)

Subs Not Used: Ross, Anderson, Scott

Whickham: Bartlett, Howard, Exley, Burn, Hamilton, Newton (Scothern, 46), McAndrew, Peareth, Harmison, Burrell, Collins (Cowburn, 46)

Subs Not Used: Proctor, Pattison

Goals: 1-0, 1 min, Williamson; 2-0, 69 min, Johnston

Referee: Helen Conley

Assistants: Kieran Downey and Simon Williamson

Attendance: 197