ASHINGTON 3, ASHTON UNITED 0
Ashton United were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup following defeat at North East club Ashington.
The hosts deservedly took their place in the second qualifying round after a convincing display at Woodhorn Lane.
The Colliers were wearing a special green strip in honour of England legend Jack Charlton, who hailed from the mining village, and he would have been proud of their display in an encounter which was much more entertaining than the first game, a goalless draw.
The Robins were forced into a change in goal with Luke Taylor replacing the unavailable Greg Hartley and Lorenzo Spinelli was handed a start up front with a crowd of 671 looking on.
Inside the first 10 minutes, Matty Regan had to be alert to cut out a through ball intended for Lee Mason. Regan then conceded a free kick as Danny Maguire stepped past him on the edge of the area with the delivery being deflected past the near post.
Ashton then threatened as Cole Lonsdale’s chipped cross saw Spinelli just foiled at the near post with Harry Coates heading the resulting corner narrowly over.
Taylor then made a low save to keep out Dean Briggs’ effort after a quick break with James Baillie being subsequently booked.
Midway through the half Darren Lough picked up a booking for fouling Spinelli with the referee initially awarding a penalty but changing his mind after consulting an assistant with Ashton captain Michael Brewster booked as a result.
Shortly afterwards a move involving Briggs saw the ball flicked into Maguire’s path and he held off a defender before calmly converting to give Ashington the lead.
Maguire then provided a pirouette worthy of a Premier League player before rattling the post with a left foot shot.
Eight minutes after the restart Jordan Simpson picked up a loose ball 30 yards out and volleyed it narrowly wide.
Ashington doubled their advantage in the 55th minute as Craig Spooner turned on a throw-in and hit a fierce effort over Taylor into the roof of the net.
Maguire continued to provide a threat on the break as Ashton tried to find a way back into the game but with eight minutes remaining a long clearance saw a misplaced header by Niall Battersby glance to substitute Adam Johnson who raced away to make it 3-0.
There was still time for Jordan Summerly to almost ice the cake with a fourth goal as a great run saw him steer his effort over after collecting Spooner’s return pass.
Ashton United: Taylor, Baillie, Lonsdale, Regan, Coates, Battersby, Simpson (Sheridan 56), Brewster, Spinelli (Kenny 56), Saunders (Etia 66), Hardcastle. Subs (not used): Baird, Hough, Warren.
Report: David Robinson