West Auckland Town Match Programme v Ashington (FA Cup Preliminary Round)

OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN WANTED STADIUM

DARLINGTON ROAD

DL14 9HU

WINNERS OF THE FIRST WORLD CUP IN 1909 & 1911

VS Photo Credit: Andy Mitchell

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Saturday 12 September 2020 (3pm) West Auckland Town v Ashington Web Sponsor

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Ashington AFC - History Mention Ashington to any football follower and the chances are they will have heard of the birthplace of World Cup winning brothers Bobby and Jackie Charlton. Jackie Milburn, a legend at Newcastle United also played for the town’s team, known unsurprisingly as the Colliers. Ashington AFC was formed in 1883 making it one of the oldest Clubs in Northumberland. Despite its minor status it entered the FA Cup as early as 1887. After joining the Northern Alliance in 1892, the club soon switched to the East Northumberland League where it remained until 1902 when it returned to the Northern Alliance. The Colliers played in this league until 1914, winning the League Title in 1913/14, as well as the Northumberland Challenge Bowl in 1913. They switched to the North Eastern League in 1914/15, finishing the season in ninth place. The outbreak of World War One brought an end to the League.

With the Great War over, Ashington returned to the North Eastern League. After finishing seventh in 1921, the Colliers were elected to join the Football League Third Division North with fellow North Eastern League sides Darlington, Durham City and Hartlepool United. In 1921 Portland Park was upgraded from a typical Non -League venue to a stadium designed for 20,000. It had a re-laid pitch, new pavilion, tearoom and large press box added, as well as new signing Knowles from Manchester United. Thompson was also signed from Leeds and Foster was brought in from Sunderland. Ashington’s players were now ready for their professional debuts. An opening day crowd of 10,000 saw Dickinson fire in the only goal of the game, as Ashington defeated Grimsby Town 1 -0 at home. By the end of the season the Colliers finished in a respectable 10th place. After finishing second bottom the season after.

Ashington were successfully re-elected and finished the 1923/24 season in a superb eighth position, hosting Aston Villa at home in the FA Cup with a crowd of 11,837 packed into Portland Park, to see the Colliers lose 5 -1. The Colliers remained amongst the Country’s elite until the 1928/29 season when a disastrous campaign saw the Colliers finish bottom and become one of the first clubs to miss out on re-election. A struggling team and the miner’s strike, hit the Colliers hard as crowds dropped dramatically to under 1,000 for the final few home games in the Football League.

After losing League status, the Colliers returned to the North Eastern League and reached the FA Cup first round again, going down 3-0 to former Football League opponents Rotherham. With the War ended, Ashington returned to the North Eastern League and again reached the FA Cup First Round in 1950, with Rochdale making the trip to Portland Park. A club record attendance of 13,199 saw Ashington narrowly lose 2-1. When the North Eastern League folded Ashington joined the Midland League for the 1958/59 season. Ashington were runners-up to Peterborough United in their first season and were third in their second season. Despite the success the amount of travelling became a big problem and Ashington joined the North Regional League. The club then joined the Northern Premier League for the 1968/69 season facing the likes of Macclesfield Town, Wigan Athletic, Boston United, Altrincham and Northwich Victoria but financial problems meant the Colliers couldn't afford to play at that level for more than the one season and in 1970 Ashington FC joined the Northern League.

Ashington’s League form was hardly superb, but the Colliers did reach the FA Amateur Cup Semi-Final in 1974, before losing to eventual winners Bishops Stortford in a replay at Brentford. After finishing third in 1979, Ashington were relegated to the Northern League Second Division in 1984/85. The worst period in the Club’s history followed as Ashington struggled, the club hit rock bottom in 1994 when they were unable to raise a team against Crook Town resulting in the whole committee resigning. A public meeting saw a new committee formed and to celebrate, a group of supporters launched the highly acclaimed fanzine ‘The Pit Pony Express’.

Success soon switched to the team as the Colliers won their first trophy in 19 years, defeating Evenwood Town 1 -0 in the 1999 Craven Cup Final and winning the Second Division Championship in 2000/2001. Relegation followed, but Ashington fans were soon celebrating again after winning the Craven Cup in 2003 with another victory over Evenwood under new manager Tony Harrison. 2003/4 saw Ashington have one of its most successful seasons in the past 25 years, an FA Cup run saw Ashington reach the Third Qualifying Round, another Craven Cup final appearance, as well as winning the Second Division Championship after a run of 18 straight wins in 2004. After the shock resignation of Tony Harrison in December 2004, ex-Shildon manager Ray Gowan was appointed manager taking Ashington away from the relegation scrap and into a top half finish by the end of the season as well as two cup semi-finals.

Ashington AFC - History Contd...

Unfortunately a difficult few seasons followed both on and off the pitch. A few close scrapes with relegation saw the club frequently changing managers and with increasing uncertainty surrounding the clubs Portland Park ground, Ashington FC made the worst start to a season in the clubs history in 2007/8 which saw only one point gained from the first ten matches. In came manager Andy Gowens, a former Ashington player, who worked wonders in keeping the Colliers in the Northern League First Division. On Friday 15th February 2008 Ashington played their final game at Portland Park against Seaham Red Star. A bumper crowd of 1,954 - the biggest attendance at a Northern League game in over 25 years - saw Seaham spoil the party with a 3-2 win.

In the summer of 2008 a new executive board took control of the club led by National Union of Mineworkers President Ian Lavery. In early August 2008 the new ground Woodhorn Lane was opened and on Saturday 30th August 2008, Ashington played their first game at the new ground defeating UniBond League side Ossett Albion 2-1 in the FA Cup with a crowd of 341. Striker Gareth Bainbridge, scorer in the last match at Portland Park against Seaham Red Star had the honour of being the first goalscorer at Woodhorn Lane.

Over recent seasons, The Colliers, under Gary Middleton’s stewardship the club made great strides forward on the pitch, to become a side challenging for a top 6 place each year, and regularly making it to the later stages of the FA Vase. In fact the 2011-12 saw one of Ashington’s most successful seasons in recent years.

Finishing 5th, our highest league placing for many years was coupled with two successful runs in the National Competitions. In the FA Cup the Colliers made it to the fourth qualifying round before losing away to Grimsby. And in the FA Vase, Ashington had their longest run ever, making it through to the last 16. The work paid off in May 2013 when the Colliers won the Senior Cup at St James Park. The 3-0 victory brought home the Senior Cup for the first time since 1980, and was Ashington’s first trophy since they won the Craven Cup in 2003 and the Second Division Championship in 2004.

Unfortunately, the club was unable to build on this success and Middler resigned in January 2015. His replacement made headline news around the world. Ashes winning cricketer, and former Colliers defender Stephen Harmison stepped up to become the new Colliers manager, bringing former manager Ian Skinner along with him as head coach, and appointing the legendary former Collier captain Lee Anderson as his number 2.

2015-16 was a landmark year for the club. The award winning Akzonobel Stand opened in November, with Newcastle United doing the honours on the opening night. One of the finest in the league, the new facility makes Woodhorn Lane one of the best Non-League grounds in the North-East and provides facilities unrivalled in the league.

After a couple of disappointing seasons on the pitch, Harmison and his management team left their posts in October 2017. Stepping up to fill the void was Steve Bowey, along with his assistant Gareth McAlindon. Few people have played more games in the Northern League than Bowey, who will bring that wealth of experience to bear as he tasks himself with, in his own words ‘reviving the sleeping giant’ and make the Colliers a force to be reckoned with once again.

A number of ex-Ashington players have gone on to make a name for themselves, not only nationally but internationally. Patrick O'Connell, an Irish international centre-half signed from Dumbarton during Ashington's Football League days went on to manage Real Betis, Sevilla and FC Barcelona! More recently, in 1981 Tony Lowery was sold to West Bromwich Albion. Another player Dave Walton joined Sheffield United before joining Crewe, Shrewsbury and Derby County. An England International also emerged from the clubs ranks – at cricket. Former Colliers manager Steve Harmison, ranked as the World’s best fast bowler after demolishing the West Indies as he took 7 wickets for only 12 runs at Sabina Park, played central defence for Ashington until 1996 before giving up to concentrate on cricket.

Ashington AFC Honours Founded: 1883 (originally as Ashington Rising Star) Record Attendance: 13199 vs Rochdale, FA Cup, 1950 Highest Goalscorer (season): Bobby Cummings, 1958-59 with 60 goals Founder Members of the English Football League Third Division (North) in 1921 Members of the Football League 1921-1929 Highest League placing: 8th in Division Three North in 1923/24.

Northern Alliance: Champions: 1913/14.

Northern Alliance Cup Winners: 1947/48 North-Eastern League: Non-reserve' Medal Winners: 1957/58 North-Eastern League Cup Winners: 1933/34 (joint), 1939/40 Midland League: Runners-up 1958/59.

East Northumberland League: Champions 1897/98.

Northern League: Second Division Champions :2000/01, 2003/04 Craven Cup Winners: 1998/99, 2002/03

Craven Cup Runners Up: 2003/04 League Cup Runners Up: 1973/74, 1975/76, 2009/2010 Northumberland Senior Cup Winners: 1920/21,1932/33, 1938/39. 1949/50, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1961/62, 1966/67, 1979/80, 201213 Northumberland Challenge Bowl Winners: 1912/13, 1921/22. 1922/23, 1923/24, 1925/26, 1933/34.

Northumberland Minor Cup Winners: 1896/97, 1897/98, 1898/99 FA Cup: (Pre-1926 1st round equivalent to modern 3rd round ) 1st round: 1921/22, 1923/24, 1929/30. 1952/53, 1961/62 3rd Round: 1926/27.

2nd round: 1950/51.

FA Amateur Cup Semi-finalists: 1973/74.

West Auckland WMC

West Auckland Town - Club History West Auckland have a unique history - they are double World Cup winners! In 1909 and 1911 the mining side travelled the lengthy and expensive journey to Italy and beat their club opponents to win the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, also dubbed football's first World Cup. The Club was founded in 1893 and played their first matches in the Auckland and District League. The following years saw 'West' move around several local leagues until in 1909 they were elected into the Northern league for the first time.

The famous 'World Cup' exploits which saw 'West' win the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy outright, defeating Swiss side FC Winterthur 2-0 and then two years later after a second trip to Italy in 1911 when they conquered future Italian giants Juventus 6-1 which also caused them extreme financial problems. This resulted in the club being disbanded in 1912 and the 'World Cup' being sold to pay off debts.

Two years later they were back in business and spent the following 20 years moving around the local leagues including a single season, in 1919, in the Northern League, changing their name to St. Helens Utd, for that season only. In 1934 they were once again elected to the Northern League, taking the place of Esh Winning and have retained membership ever since.

The club's first honours were gained in 1960, winning the League championship by two points from newcomers Whitley Bay. The success was due to a good start to the season and to fine teamwork, for which their reputation was beginning to grow. The same season saw them reach the quarter final stage of the F.A. Amateur Cup drawing 1-1 at home but losing 2-0 at Hendon.

1961 was probably the best season in the Club's history, not only was the Northern League championship won by four points from near neighbours and arch rivals Bishop Auckland, 'West' also reached the final of the F.A. Amateur Cup losing 2-1 to Walthamstow Avenue at Wembley.

For the next 30 years 'West' had very barren times until 1991 when they won the 2nd Division championship gaining promotion to the 1st Division, where they remained for six seasons until relegation in 1996/97. 'West' quickly bounced back in 1997/98 when they finished runners up.

1998/99 was a very exciting season in the Club's history when they reached the 1st Round proper of the F.A. Cup for the third time, (Barnsley 1959 & Stockport 1961) with an away tie against Yeovil Town. After a 2-2 draw at Yeovil and a 1-1 draw at West Auckland, a penalty shoot-out saw Yeovil through. The Club also finished a credible 5th in the League that season as they did also in 1999/2000 and 2005/06.

David Bayles took charge in the summer of 2005 and led the side to 5th place in his first season (2005/06) and then 6th place in the following season. 2007/08 began with an FA Cup run that saw West within minutes of a place in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup before defeat in a replay to Bamber Bridge. After his shock resignation, Lee Ellison had a short lived spell as manager before Phil Owers took over and steadied the side and led them to escape the drop zone.as the new player manager. However after performances slumped to a worryingly low and 10 games without a win, Ray Gowan came in but even he was unable to arrest the slide and promptly resigned at the end of the campaign.

ROBERT SIMPSON West Auckland Wrought Iron Gates & Railings

West Auckland Town - Club History contd...

Owers departed early in the 08/09 season with Brian Fairhurst appointed as Manager.

Exciting news filtered in throughout the summer of 2009. Firstly, West Auckland were able to retain their First Division status due to Sunderland Nissan folding. The Club then received sensational news that, to celebrate their Centenary of winning the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, Juventus had agreed to a re-match in Italy. Shortly afterwards Hartlepool legend Brian Honour was appointed the new manager in the hot seat. Brian and his successor Wilf Constantine struggled to get West back on track and both had short lived spells in charge. For the third season in a row, a third manager was appointed - Peter Dixon arrived on Monday 7th December 2009, swapping a promotion push with Crook for a relegation battle. West stunned the Northern League with some superb results and finished the season in a scarcely believable 16th place despite having a -41 goal difference and 5 points from 19 matches when Peter took the reins. 2010/11 saw substantial progress made on and off the field. Peter Dixon’s side broke Club records for their highest ever points tally on the way to finishing in 6th. There were many memorable results including wins over champions Spennymoor Town, runners up Consett and FA Vase treble winners Whitley Bay. They also came close to causing a shock at Conference North high fliers Workington in the FA Cup. Although it culminated in a case of so near but so far, West had a quite extraordinary campaign in 2011/12 that saw them play at Wembley in the FA Vase Final. However hopes of elusive silverware were dashed in a 2-0 defeat to Dunston. They also finished as runners up in two more competitions, being pipped to the title by Spennymoor and losing 4-1 by Team Northumbria days after their Wembley appearance. The 2012/13 season saw West bow out early on in the FA Vase in a rematch of the previous year final whilst in the League a poor end meant West slipped down to fourth late on. The 2013/14 season saw West return to Wembley in the FA Vase final, this time against Sholing FC, a 1-0 defeat solely down to the heroics of the opposition goalkeeper and the inability of the West forwards to score. Also a productive FA cup run to the 3rd qualifying round where west were knocked out by Hednesford. West finished 5th in a season which saw them play 18 league fixtures in the final 4 weeks after a season extension was rejected. Barely two months into the 2014/15, Peter Dixon was dismissed as manager following increased tension between manager and board, that season saw 3 permanent manager and 2 caretakers, and the season saw Stephen Skinner leave at the end of the season. June 2015 and West were manager less again, Up stepped former Boro striker Andy Campbell, who had just lead Norton and Stockton Ancients to promotion and success in the second division cup. He hastily rebuilt the team & finished mid table with 50 points to easily avoid relegation. Andy started his second season with Richie Storrs but after 10 games & only 1 win they stood down. They were replaced with a joint management team of Darren Williams, & Steven Skinner. This was Skinner’s 2nd time at West. At the halfway point of the season it was decided to dispense with the services of Darren Williams & the management of the team became the sole responsibility of Steve Skinner. Skinner was dismissed towards the end of 2016-17 & West avoided relegation by winning 3 points in their final game of that season. Gary Forrest & Stuart Niven were approached to take over the reins at West which they did & rebuilt for the 2017-18 campaign. The 2018/19 season saw West have a remarkable run in cup competitions, reaching the Quarter-finals of the FA Vase (losing 2-0 to eventual winners Chertsey Town) and impressively ending a 56-year wait to clinch their third League Cup title after beating Newcastle Benfield 4-3 on penalties at Seaham Red Star’s Ferguson Motor Repairs Stadium.

West Auckland Town Pen Pics Goalkeepers Tom Flynn Tom is an experienced goalkeeper who played for Whitley Bay last season. His previous clubs include Scottish side Cowdenbeath where he made 85 appearances.

Jonny Ball Jonny signed as an alternative to Flynn following a number of eye-catching appearances in pre-season, including a 4-1 win over Crook Town. Spent four seasons at Ryhope CW. Defenders Andre Bennett Andre is the son of former Sunderland defender Gary, who made 369 appearances for the club, and has been on the books of Middlesbrough as well as a loan spell at Gateshead and last season held dual registration with Whitby Town and Whitley Bay. Liam Hegarty Defender Liam Hegarty has signed for West after being released from Middlesbrough.

Liam (19) has been a regular in pre-season both at training sessions and in friendlies.

Right back Liam joined Middlesbrough U17’s and progressed to the U23’s. He also has had two appearances for Scotland U17’s.

Chris Hunter Manager Gary Forrest knows Chris from his Shildon days before his move to Darlington at the start of the 2014-15 season, and helped them win the EvoStik First Division North play-offs, and the EvoStik Premier League. He made 160 appearances for Darlington and produced some great defensive displays at both right back and centre of defence.

Chris moved to South Shields after being released from Darlington in May. Evan Horwood Billingham born defender Evan Horwood started his career with Sheffield United’s youth system progressing through the academy and reserves. After short loan spells at Stockport, Scunthorpe and Chester, he finally settled at Carlisle with 77 appearances and Hartlepool where he scored five goals in 123 appearances. Evan is also no stranger to Wembley, playing there in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final for Carlisle and the FA Trophy with Grimsby.

Luke Bythway Bythway is a versatile player who made 32 appearances for Whitby Town throughout the 2019/20 campaign after previously having a long lay-off due to a knee injury and made the switch to West at the end of last season as he hopes to get more game time. Luke has a pedigree of experience at all levels of the sport, with spells at Hartlepool, Doncaster, Guisborough, Bishop Auckland and Marske United.

Michael Hoganson Michael is another player to join from near neighbours Bishop Auckland. The left back has some experience in the EFL Championship with Derby County and in 2013, made his competitive first team debut in a 3-1 win against Middlesbrough as an 87th minutes substitute before starting in a goalless draw over Wolves. After being released by the Rams in 2014, he returned to the North East to play non-League football and has had spells at Newcastle Benfield, Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland.

West Auckland Town Pen Pics contd...

Jamie Harwood Jamie is no stranger to Gary as they teamed up together while Gary was Shildon manager, Jamie left Shildon at the back end of last season and joined second division side Crook Town.

Danny Mitton Danny is no stranger to coach Brian Atkinson, while they both were at Newton Aycliffe.

Danny was a long serving centre half and played In Aycliffe’s DC Cup triumph against West Auckland under Peter Dixon.

Midfielders Marc Ellison Marc Ellison is known by manager Gary Forrest as he signed him when at Shildon so had no hesitation in bringing him to West where he will join ex-team mates Lewis Dodds and Anthony Bell. Marc, aged 28, a Hartlepool lad was signed for Sunderland at the young age of 8. From there he went onto Middlesbrough before signing for Hartlepool United full time. From Hartlepool he had a spell playing in Sweden until 2011 when he returned to Shildon, Darlington, Spennymoor, Crook and finally back to Shildon in 2014.

Alex Francis Alex Francis has re-signed for West Auckland from neighbours Bishop. The midfielder joins West for the third time in his career, his first spell being the most notable before his nasty leg break at Whitley Bay caused him to miss the 2012 FA Vase Final. After moving from Spennymoor, he had made 28 appearances scoring 9 times before the injury cut short his 11/12 season. After a long spell on the side-lines Alex recovered and joined Durham, before a short spell back at West in the 13/14 season, making 15 appearances.

He moved onto Dunston & then had a spell at Bishop Auckland prior to returning to West in October 2017.

Lewis Dodds Dodds, who once played in the same England Youth Team as Wayne Rooney joined Spennymoor in August 2009 after winning league titles with Durham City. Lewis has 6 Northern League title medals during his career, 4 with Spennymoor and 1 apiece with Durham City and Shildon. Among his vast collection of winning medals and trophies is a FA Vase medal he won while with Spennymoor in 2013 when they beat Kent league team Tunbridge Wells 2-1 at Wembley. Lewis had 7 seasons with Spennymoor and played over 250 games, he was named “Player of the Year” in the 2012/13 season. He joined Shildon after signing from Spennymoor in September 2015 and went on to make 122 Appearances scoring 8 goals and winning his latest Northern League title medal in the 2015/16 season.

Kyle Fryatt Started his career at Middlesbrough youths, before going on to play for Whitby Town, Whitley Bay, Shildon, Durham and more recently Bishop Auckland, who he joined in June 2018. Kyle is no stranger to manager Gary Forrest as he was part of the Shildon title winning team in the 2015/16 season.

Anthony Bell The attacking Left Winger came through the Cardiff development squad, had some impressive displays at Darlington, Shildon and Whitby Town. Anthony is a talented individual who always has an eye for goal.

West Auckland Town Pen Pics contd...

Leon Scott Leon is a product of Middlesbrough Academy and has played for a number of teams throughout his career including Peterlee, Dunston, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitby Town (twice) , Harrogate Town, Shildon, Norton & Stockton Ancients and Darlington (where he enjoyed two promotions and made over 200 appearances for the Quakers).

Adam Mitchell Adam initially joined West on a one month loan from National League North side Spennymoor in August 2017 before making a permanent switch to the Wanted Stadium. The 23-year-old winger joined Spennymoor from Darlington in 2016 and featured 26 times, scoring 2 goals, to help them achieve promotion. Adam began his career at Sunderland, making his Premier League debut in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in 2013. After moving to Darlington, he spent 2 and a half seasons with the Quakers making 109 appearances (14 goals).

Mason Hurworth A Martin Gray football academy prospect. Previous club: Shildon.

Forwards Nathan Fisher Nathan joined West from local side Spennymoor where the striker was not getting as much game play as he wanted. He came through the Middlesbrough youth academy. He has also played for Consett, Gateshead and Darlington 1883.

Jordan Blinco Blinco signed for West after starring in pre-season, including scoring a 17-minute hattrick against Easington Colliery and has had spells at Boston United, Darlington, Sunderland, South Shields and also overseas in Sweden and Norway. An exciting young player to watch.

Callum Patton Callum has made his return to West, having previously played for the club as a teenager.

His previous clubs include Gateshead, Durham, Bishop Auckland, Whitby Town, Whitley Bay and also a loan spell at North Shields.

David Dowson David agreed to join West from Consett AFC and will go straight into the squad.

The Bishop Auckland born Striker has a wealth of experience and knowledge and has already played along side many of the Auckland team. He started his career at Sunderland and played in League 2 for Chesterfield and Darlington. A prolific goal scorer for Durham City in the Northern Premier League and also a key member of Darlington 1883’s Northern League winning side. He then joined Spennymoor in 2016. David joined Consett but has been unable to get a regular game under there current managerial team and hopes to get a regular place in the West squad.

West Auckland Town Pen Pics contd...

Management Gary Forrest - Manager

Gary joined West along with his assistant and coaches towards the back end of the 2016/17 season, previously he was with Shildon where he won 7 trophies during his 12 years there including the Northern League Division 1 title. He took over Shildon when they were in difficult times, on and off the field and although it took a few years to win his first trophy. He left Shildon in Jan 17 and after a short break from football he is looking forward to steering West back up the league.

Brian Atkinson - Assistant He began his career with Sunderland and played in the 1992 FA Cup Final. After 141 appearances he went on loan to Carlisle United then he joined Darlington until his retirement in 2002. His 13-year playing career brought almost 400 league and cup appearances and 6 England caps at under 21 level. He had a brief spell working for Darlington’s Centre of Excellence before spending five seasons as Assistant Manager of Newton Aycliffe. He was appointed assistant manager at Spennymoor Town in February 2012, and then at Darlington 1883 (now Darlington) three months later. He took charge of first team affairs on 1 October 2017 following the resignation of manager Martin Gray until November 2017, when he rejoined Gray at York City as match-day analyst.

Paul Connor – Player/Coach The former professional striker has turned his hand to coaching. He has had plenty of football experience during his career playing for Middlesbrough, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Stoke, Rochdale and Swansea to name a few.

Craig Turns - Goalkeeping Coach

Experienced Keeper whose previous clubs include Blyth Spartans, Darlington, Spennymoor & South Shields.

SIR THOMAS LIPTON TROPHY

1909,1911

FA VASE

Runners up 2011/12, 2013/14

FA AMATEUR CUP

Runners up 1960/61

NORTHERN LEAGUE Div 1

NORTHERN LEAGUE Div 2

Champions 1959/60, 1960,/61 Runners up 2011/12

Champions 1990/91 Runners up 1997/98 Winners 1958/59, 1962/63, 2018/19

LEAGUE CUP

Club Honours

DURHAM CHALLENGE CUP

Runners up 1948/49, 1961/62, 1963/64, 2011/12 Winners 1964/65

West Auckland Town Match Report v Guisborough Town Guisborough Town 5-1 West Auckland Town: West woes continue as Guisborough hit five West Auckland Town remain bottom of the Northern League Division One table after suffering a catastrophic defeat against Guisborough Town.

In similar scenes to Saturday’s capitulation at Shildon, it was a bleak start when Steven Roberts and Sonni Coleman gave the Priorymen a two-goal cushion at the break.

Jordan Blinco’s fine finish offered West a glimmer of hope before a dramatic collapse in the final ten minutes saw Guisborough trio Nathan Guru, Mark Robinson’s spot-kick and Mason McNeill all get on the scoresheet to ensure a miserable evening at the King George V Ground.

Gary Forrest made six changes with Chris Hunter, Luke Bythway, Lewis Dodds, Alex Francis, Callum Patton and Jonny Ball, who signed for West at the beginning of the campaign as an alternative to Tom Flynn, all brought in to the starting line-up.

The Priorymen dealt the first blow, following a slow start, and it arrived in the 28th minute via Roberts, who diverted his backwards header from Callum Martin’s cross and watched it loop over Ball and into the far corner.

More anguish followed for the visitors midway through the first half, albeit in tougher circumstances as Coleman beat the offside trap, despite protests from West players, and advanced in on goal, kept his composure to expertly round Ball and made no mistake from close range.

That sucker-punch angered West as they re-emerged after the restart desperate to turn things around and Liam Hegarty’s swirling effort was tipped over the bar by Aaron Steavens before Forrest’s side were given a lifeline, Blinco replaced David Dowson, and on 56 minutes, his low strike sailed into the bottom right -hand corner to make it a nervy finale in North Yorkshire.

With West pushing hard for an equaliser, Guisborough had to remain patient and pick the right moment to pounce and so they did, striking not once but three times.

It was on 82 minutes when Gary Forster’s side sealed their first Northern League victory of the season via Guru, who rose highest inside the area to head home Martin’s left-sided corner.

The other two goals arrived in stoppage-time as Robinson converted his penalty in the top left corner only for McNeill to grab the Priorymen’s fifth 60 seconds later, smashing in the rebound from Martin’s initial blocked effort as West slumped to a second successive heavy defeat in the space of five days.

Guisborough - Steavens, Martin, Robinson, Thompson, Guru, Rowbotham, Roberts (Holdsworth, 35), Marshall, Ferguson (Bartliff, 65), Coleman (McAvoy, 65), McNeill Goals - Roberts (28), Coleman (35), Guru (82), Robinson ‘pen’ (90+1), McNeill (90+2) West Auckland - Ball, Hegarty, Hoganson, Hunter, Bythway, Dodds (c), Francis (Mitchell, 61), Patton (Hurworth, 74), Dowson (Blinco, 45), Fryatt, Bell Subs not used - Harwood, Horwood Goal - Blinco (56) Referee - David Holmes

Attendance – 195

Report by Harry Connor Crowe

West Auckland Town’s Last Six Matches 09.09. 2020 - Division One Guisborough Town (A) LOST 5-1 05.09. 2020 - Division One Shildon (A) LOST 5-0 02.09. 2020 - FA Cup EPR Heaton Stannington (A) WON 3-2 29.08. 2020 - Pre-Season Sunderland U23’s (A)

WON 5-1 27.08. 2020 - Pre-Season Silksworth CW (H) WON 4-1 21.08. 2020 - Pre-Season South Shields (A) LOST 3-1

West Auckland Town’s Upcoming Fixtures September 2020

15 Tue - 7:30pm - Northern League Division One Hebburn Town v West Auckland Town: The Green Energy Sports Ground 19 Sat - 3:00pm - Northern League Division One Stockton Town v West Auckland Town: The Map Group UK Stadium 23 Wed - 7:30pm - Northern League Division One Northallerton Town v West Auckland Town: The Calvert Stadium

Today’s Emirates FA Cup Fixtures (Selected) Thornaby v Sunderland RCA Hebburn Town v Pontefract Collieries

Guisborough Town v Tadcaster Albion

Billingham Town v Stockton Town Penrith v West Allotment Celtic

Consett v Ossett United Frickley Athletic v Newcastle Benfield Crook Town v Marske United

3:00pm kick-offs

Kendal Town v Bishop Auckland

SQUADS

ASHINGTON

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN FLYNN BALL BENNETT

Tom Jonny Andre

ANTONY

Paul

BELL BRIGGS

Joe Dean

HEGARTY

Liam

BUTLER

Jack

HUNTER

Chris

HORWOOD

Evan

COPPEN COWBERN

Curtis Max

BYTHWAY

Luke

EMMERSON GAFFNEY

Max Ben

HOGANSON

Michael

GOURLEY

Owen

HARWOOD

Jamie

MITTON

Danny

ELLISON

Marc

FRANCIS

Alex

DODDS FRYATT BELL

Lewis Kyle Anthony

GRANT HANSON HARMISON KALTHOEBER LANCASTER LUKE McHUGH

Conor Jamie Ben Thomas Marc David Adam

SCOTT

Leon

MOORE

Chris

MITCHELL HURWORTH

Adam Mason

ROBSON

Lewis

ROSS

Karl

FISHER BLINCO PATTON

Nathan Jordan Callum

SAMPSON

Ben

SCOTT

Lee

DOWSON

David

WILLIAMSON

Dylan

MANAGER: Gary Forrest MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE: Grant Cuthbertson

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MANAGER: Ian Skinner ASSISTANT REFEREES: Simon Towe, Ryan Bird

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