Ashington edge penalty shootout to book place in last eight of Northumberland Senior Cup

Goalkeeper Adrian Janusz was the hero as Ashington scraped through to the quarter finals of the Northumberland Senior Cup after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Newcastle University at Essity Park on Thursday night.

Janusz - who had already denied home skipper Adam Redford from the spot - produced an astonishing save low down to his right to push the ball away from James Edgely, booking the Colliers their place in the last eight in the process.

It was the final twist in a cup tie that never reached any great heights despite finishing 2-2 after the regular time, but that for a while had all the ingredients of the University causing another upset.

The hosts - who plays two leagues below Ashington in the Northern League Division Two - had delivered a knockout punch to end the Colliers’ interest in the competition last season, and on Thursday night the Students held the upper hand for a large chunk of the opening period.

They went ahead in the 10th minute following a corner on the right, with Daniel Kemp netting from close range. The University then had three further chances to increase their lead, with Jack McClarin and Kemp firing over, and Janusz reacting extremely well to keep out a header from Jos Storr.

Shortly before the interval, Ashington got back on terms when skipper Ryan Wombwell drove the ball home following a corner on the left by Josh Gilchrist.

The first 20 minutes of the second period saw something of a momentum shift, with the Colliers dictating the tempo. Jude Cogdon lashed over not long after the restart, but in the 53rd minute, the full-back made a positive run down the flank and when he crossed, Gilchrist finished well, slotting inside the far post.

Ashington continued to be in the ascendency and after Oliver Thompson had been thwarted by goalkeeper Tobias Sharkey following a pass from Paddy Almond, Gilchrist missed a gilt-edged chance to extend their lead, stabbing the ball wide with only the University stopper to beat.

But Newcastle would battle back, and in the 69th minute, referee Elliot Cowens pointed to the spot after Almond impeded Sam Wills. Kemp added his second from 12 yards, despite Janusz’s best efforts.

After finishing all square, the game went straight to a penalties, with the Colliers edging the shootout 4-3. Although Liam Henderson put his effort wide, Cogdon, Karl Ross, Ryan Donaldson and Wombwell all netted for Ashington, with Kemp, Storr, and McClarin on target for the hosts.

But Janusz had already foiled Redford when he kept out a fifth kick from Edgely, securing Ashington a home tie in the next round against Newcastle Benfield.