Ashington: 3, FC Amble: 1
On a blustery Sunday afternoon FC Amble produced one of their poorest performances of season against an Ashington team who out-battled them to take the honours.
Amble did not get out of the traps at all, and found themselves behind after just two minutes when the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line after keeper T Hall tried his best to keep it out (1-0). Amble tried to respond, and got their rewards after ten minutes when M Kerr won the ball and passed to K Goodwin, who played in D Handyside. D Handyside played the ball around the keeper before scoring from a tight angle to bring his team back into the match (1-1). Shortly afterwards, Amble were again on the attack, and B Handyside played in D Ramshaw with a delightful through ball which Ramshaw fired towards goal only to see the home keeper push it on to the crossbar. Half-time 1-1.
Amble almost took the lead straight after the interval when B Handysides corner was headed goalwards by J Ford, only to see his effort come back off the post.
Despite their efforts it was the hosts that extended their lead when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. The free-kick was hit towards goal and found its way into back of the net after an almighty scramble (2-1). Amble then threw caution to the wind and pushed an extra man forward, and almost got level when J Ford crossed in for the on rushing D Ramshaw, who saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line. The next clear-cut effort came from D Handyside, who found himself clean through and was only denied by a fantastic save from the Ashington stopper. Amble continued to push, but were caught on the break in the final minute with the Ashington striker coming inside and sending a crashing drive into the top corner to secure the three points (3-1).
Despite creating the better chances, Amble were unable to convert and were punished by an Ashington side, who battled throughout and finished clinically when chances came their way. Hopefully the youngsters will learn that you need to take the chances when they come along, and also that you need to work as a team and fight for each other to earn the points as they don’t always come your way; they need to be earned.
Spurreli’s man of the match: J Ford.
