ASHINGTON 1 WHITLEY BAY 1
Saturday 8th November
Whitley paid the price for missed chances as they conceded an equaliser with the last kick of the match after dominating this local derby at Ashington.
A first half goal from Michael Laws looked to be enough to give Whitley a well deserved victory but two moments of indiscipline deep into stoppage time cost them dear, with Paul Robinson sent off for a rash and needless challenge before keeper Dan Gladstone misjudged a long ball downfield and allowed it to bounce over his head to gift the Colliers a point that they acknowledged was very fortunate.
Manager Leon Ryan made just one change to the side that earned an impressive FA Vase win at Bedlington, with Michael Laws returning from suspension in place of the injured Callum Anderson.
Heavy rain eased to a light drizzle by kick off, leaving the playing surface rather slippery although conditions gradually improved during the afternoon.
Whitley made the better start and were quickly pressing forward, Robbie Bird being prominent on the right wing. He broke clear of the Ashington defence in the eighth minute but rather than testing keeper Conor Grant opted to play the ball back towards Paul Robinson but it was cut out and the chance was gone. A minute later, Bird again threatened but his cross into the goalmouth was put behind by Richard Flynn. From the corner on the right, Robinson floated the ball to the back of the six yard box where the diminutive Bird leapt above the Colliers defence and his header hit the underside of the bar. It was a narrow escape for the hosts who were struggling to clear their lines and they were grateful to gain some respite when the ball was played downfield towards their left wing. Racing out to clear the long ball, Gladstone collided with striker Tony Stephenson, who had a short spell at Hillheads last season. Gladstone went to ground and needed lengthy treatment but Stephenson was cautioned by referee Daniel Woodward, even though it appeared to be an accidental collision.
With the Bay defence looking strong, the home side were posing little threat and were unable to get any shots on target to test Gladstone’s fitness.
Peter Watling was outmuscling the home defence with some penetrating runs into the 18 yard box but twice wasted good chances, hitting shots over the bar when well placed. Whitley continued to look the better side and they went ahead after 27 minutes, to the delight of their fans who had travelled in large numbers from Hillheads. Bird provided the cross from the right and a spectacular overhead kick from Michael Laws beat the despairing dive of Grant, who got his fingertips to the ball but could not keep it out.
Three minutes later, Robinson might have doubled Whitley’s lead but his shot was just inches wide of the upright. Robinson was a constant threat and was clumsily tugged back as he burst clear on the left wing. With Chris McDonald also attacking down the left, Whitley were enjoying the greater share of possession.
Just before the interval, Ashington had their best effort of the half when Kyle Oliver headed into the side netting from a right wing corner.
After the break, Whitley continued in the ascendency and Marc Ellison, who has improved considerably in recent games, joined in the attack and supplied some penetrating through balls. Peter Watling again had a number of chances to extend the lead but after repeatedly getting into scoring positions, he failed to capitalise. It was a day when in marked contrast to his performance a week earlier, his finishing let him down badly. A case in point came after 62 minutes when Craig McFarlane broke down the right wing and delivered a perfect cross but in front of goal, Watling struck his shot against the post and it rebounded away from danger.
Both sides were feeling frustrated by refereeing decisions and Whitley were aggrieved twice in a short space of time midway through the half, firstly when Bird was through on goal but play was stopped to allow treatment to an Ashington player with what was a minor injury. Then Bird was again through on goal and as he tried to slot the ball past Grant he was brought down six yards from goal. Play was allowed to continue but Watling’s shot was blocked.
A first time effort from Robinson was saved by Grant before a rare attack by the home side ended with a ball from Lance McGlen that flew across goal and well beyond the far post.
Another chance for Whitley went begging 13 minutes from time when Bird was tripped right on the edge of the penalty area by Ben Christensen, a foul that brought a caution for the defender. There were claims for a penalty but the free kick was awarded a matter of inches outside the box. Robinson’s ball into the goalmouth was headed narrowly wide of the back post by Ryan.
With only five minutes left and little time to influence the game, Paul Chow came off the bench and immediately caused problems for the Colliers and as he was about to go through on goal, Oliver brought him down just outside the 18 yard box. Moments later Chow set up Watling for a shot that was parried behind by Grant.
Whitley seemed to be closing in on victory but it all started to go wrong in the second minute of stoppage time. McFarlane took the ball down the right wing but lost possession to former Bay midfielder Kyle Downey near the right corner flag. Robinson tried to win back the ball but with the two tussling for control, Downey went to ground and Robinson kicked him in attempting to reach the ball, a completely unnecessary rash challenge.
Robinson protested his innocence, claiming he was going for the ball but after consulting his assistant, the referee showed Robinson a red card for violent conduct, the consequence of which is a three match ban starting with the FA Vase game at Congleton.
Down to ten men, there was still time for Brad Brooking to set up another Whitley attack but the drama was not yet over, and in a harsh final twist, a long and hopeful ball downfield by Ashington was badly misjudged by Gladstone who raced out of goal but could only watch in despair after it bounced over him and Ashington captain Andrew Johnson pounced to knock the ball into an empty net. It was just about the first shot on target the home side had managed all afternoon and it came with what proved to be the last kick of the game.
It was an extremely frustrating end to the game for Whitley but the disappointment should not be allowed to cloud the fact that there were many positives, with Craig Smith and Leon Ryan commanding at the back, Marc Ellison improving steadily in midfield and some attractive flowing football throughout the team that stifled the opposition.
WHITLEY BAY: Gladstone, McFarlane, McDonald, Smith, Ryan, Ellison, Bird(Chow 85mins), Laws, Watling, Robinson, Reed(Brooking 31mins)
Substitutes not used: Redford, Day, Foster
Referee: Daniel Woodward
Cautions: Ryan, Laws, Ellison. Sent off: Robinson
