Ashington slump to heavy defeat against promotion-chasing Matlock Town

The maths are simple. If Ashington win their penultimate game of the season against already-relegated Brighouse Town in West Yorkshire on Saturday, they will retain their status in the Northern Premier League’s East Division.

Following results at the weekend, the Colliers are still not safe after they were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 5-0 thumping against promotion-chasing Matlock Town on a day of mixed weather at the Proctor Cars Stadium.

Two goals in the opening quarter of an hour put the Gladiators into a commanding position, and they never looked in any danger against a Wansbeck side who, to their credit, gave nothing less than 100 per cent effort throughout.

After the break, striker Conor Washington added his second of the afternoon before two stunning strikes in the closing stages saw the hosts strengthen their position at the head of the play-offs. The Colliers never laid a glove on their opponents and were second-best throughout as they came up against a well-drilled and organised side.

Marc Ellison’s outfit made the worst possible start as Matlock unlocked the door after only 90 seconds. Tom Elliott slipped the ball through for Washington, who stroked home right-footed just inside the post from 16 yards. On 14 minutes, the home side doubled their lead after a swift breakaway from an Ashington corner, with Cameron Wilson slotting wide of keeper Matty Alexander.

It was the 36th minute before the Colliers mustered their first chance when Wilson Kneeshaw blasted over from the edge of the area following a throw-in on the left by Chris Reid.

Just before the hour mark, Liam Henderson got possession, and when he slipped the ball through, Kneeshaw clipped an effort fractionally wide of the far post, but with 20 minutes remaining, Matlock made it three. The ball was played out to Washington who produced an unerring left-footed finish from 18 yards.

Two cracking goals - both scored by substitutes – put the icing on the cake for the hosts. Six minutes after his introduction, Jeremie Milambo netted with a curler before Alfie Atherton struck from 30 yards at the death.