Ashington Vs Blue Star

Saturday saw Blue Star travel to Portland Park for the Preliminary round of the FA Cup, with both teams looking for their first win of the season. Included in the Blue Star line-up was new signing from Queen of the South - Liam Atkin who was hoping to acheive a win on his debut.

Ashington played the first half with a strong wind behind them, they played well and used the elements to thir advantage. However, on seven minutes Blue Star capitalised and took the lead with a low shot into the back of the net by man of the match Dean Critchlow, this was after Townsley had already headed the ball narrowly over the cross-bar in the first minute of the game.

Just one minute later all the action was infront of the Blue Star goal, but Lowson superbly turned the shot around his post and out for a corner.

Ashington keeper Paul Simpson made some excellent saves to deny Critchlow a seccond goal and Townsley a header as Blue Star strove to increase their lead.

On the twently third minute Blue Star paid the price for some sloppy defending when a long ball picked out Ashington striker Dixon who cleverly lobbed the advancing Lowson and thus scored the equaliser.

Next came an exciting spell for both teams. The Colliers should have taken the lead on thirty two minutes when Ludlow (former Blue Star player) was put through the middle and crossed to Dixon, who missed the ball entirely with an open goal infront of him! Thirty seven minutes saw Blue Star captain Dave Nicholls strike a a shot from twenty five yards out, but he could only manage to hit the bar.

Approximately half way through the seccond half Blue Star regained the lead when Pringle's through ball found the boot of Lee Novak who scored his fourth goal of the season. Then seven minutes later Blue Star increased their goal tally when Hooks drove in a powerful shot from around ten yards, having been set up by McTiernan.

Blue Star created a lot of chances and could have easily won by more, but still a respectable win and onto the next round.

Blue Star travel to Sam Smiths to play Benfield on September 15th for the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.