BRADFORD (Park Avenue) fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Ashington on Tuesday night, as new manager Craig Elliott lost his first Northern Premier League East Division game in charge.
The result was perhaps harsh on Avenue, who dominated the first half, but their North-East hosts later took full advantage of those missed chances.
The only goal of the game arrived midway through the second half, coming courtesy of Jay Errington.
After Elliott’s first game at the helm saw Avenue win 3-1 at Witton Albion on Saturday in the FA Trophy first qualifying round, the visitors had high hopes of claiming victory once again on the road on Tuesday.
They would have been buoyed further by the off-field upheaval at Ashington over the last few days, with joint head coaches Andy Coyles and Richie Hill departing after Saturday’s win over Garforth Town.
That meant senior players Gary Ormston, Andrew Cartwright and Paul Robinson were in charge of the hosts on Tuesday night.
But Avenue’s evening got off to a rocky start before the game had even started, with the kick off delayed until 8pm due to traffic issues on the motorway travelling up from West Yorkshire.
Things may have been go-slow for Avenue on the roads, but they were quick out of the blocks once the game got underway.
Dan Francis almost put them in front after only five minutes, but he could only head Harry Colville’s corner over the bar.
Colville started the game like a man on a mission, and he set up former Bantams prospect Connor Shanks in a dangerous position, only for the midfielder to lose possession at the vital moment.
The same two players combined again after a quarter of an hour, but Shanks’ header from Colville’s corner was safely caught by Ashington stopper Ross Coombe.
The hosts clawed their way back into the contest though, with Jack Camarda forcing a good save out of Craig Ellison, before Michael Ndiweni lofted an effort on to the roof of the net.
Coombe then had to be at his best at the other end to keep out Paddy Sykes, the Avenue striker in buoyant mood after netting his first goal for the club in that aforementioned FA Trophy win.
The final chance of the half also fell the way of the visitors, as full back Kareem Hassan-Smith put a brilliant ball across the face of goal, only for there to be no takers in the middle.
But Ashington managed to get on top after the break, with Wilson Kneeshaw setting up Errington, only for the youngster to fire wide.
The same two players combined to break the deadlock soon after, Kneeshaw playing the ball through and Errington finishing nicely in a one-on-one with Ellison.
Ashington substitute Craig Spooner was then denied by the Avenue keeper, before Errington struck an effort narrowly over.
The last chance of the night fell the way of Avenue, but Coombe made a brilliant diving save to his left to keep out visiting substitute Kelan Swales.
That stop earned the hosts all three points and the disappointing defeat leaves Avenue down in 13th place, ahead of a free weekend for Elliott and his side.
Their next game comes on Saturday, September 21, in the FA Trophy second qualifying round at divisional rivals Ossett United.
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