Steels 0-1 Ashington

Stocksbridge Park Steels did everything but score against a resilient Ashington side.

The Steels almost got the quickest goal in their history. Stocksbridge quickly got the ball forward from the kick-off and it went into the middle for Jack Dolman who somehow had his close-range shot deflected wide of the post.

A gut punch was to follow. From the following corner, Stocksbridge were unable to get the attack to stick and Ashington went on the counter. They earned a corner from this counter attack, and it was from there where a header was put back into the six-yard area for Ben Williams to toepoke it into the back of the net.

The Steels continued to dominate despite being a goal down but they were not able to get the ball into the net. Jack Tinker was the closest in the first half when his cross turned out to be a better shot, but it was well saved by Dan Staples.

In the second half, it was much the same. Stocksbridge had all of the ball, all of the chances but none of the goals necessary to turn the game in their favour. Was again it was Tinker in the fray trying to get an equaliser, but his flick inside of the box went over the bar. Elliot Owen will have been frustrated after his free header went over the bar and Alex O’Connor had his shot blocked on the line.

Unfortunately, the Steels just weren’t able to get that one goal to change the match, and Ashington were able to finish off the smash and grab.