Ashington see off Horden CW in FA Cup win

Ashington made a perfect start to the new season as first half goals from Tom McIntyre and Josh Gilchrist sealed a 2-0 win over Horden Community Welfare in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday.

As the sun shone down in Wansbeck, the Colliers gave their supporters a different kind of warmth after an encouraging and comfortable victory which booked them another home tie against Thornaby on Saturday, August 22nd.

Home boss Marc Ellison was looking for his outfit to lay down an early marker – and they did just that when debutant McIntyre handed them the lead in the eighth minute following a move down the right. McIntyre played a one-two with fellow newcomer Scott Fenwick before he fired a right-footed effort inside goalkeeper Robert Dean’s far post.

From there, Ashington dominated the ball for long periods, but the half was largely bereft of clear-cut chances before the Colliers profited from a huge slice of misfortune in the visitors’ ranks to double their lead just before the break.

As Horden played a series of passes across their back-line, one of their defenders stood on the ball and lost possession, which put the alert Gilchrist clean through. The Ashington number seven advanced with ease, clipping his shot beyond Dean and into the net.

Early in the second period, Ryan Wombwell had to react well to avert a dangerous situation for Ashington, but the game mostly followed a similar pattern to the first half as notable openings remained few and far between.

Horden would have a brief spell during which home stopper Matty Alexander blocked an effort by Ben Henderson before tipping a shot from Philly Angus around the post.

By and large, Ashington’s play had not been particularly fluid, but in the final stages, they carved out a couple of marvellous opportunities. Liam Henderson flicked on a pass from Rory Powell which put Gilchrist in the clear once more, but as he attempted to round Dean, the Horden keeper whipped the ball off his toes. Shortly after, Fenwick charged through, and his shot was destined for the far corner until Dean produced a great save to deny him.