STEVE PALEY reports for us on what was - result apart - a very pleasant outing.

The teams had met only once before in the competition in 1987, when Thackley ran out 6-0 winners. They have, however, played the 'Colliers' three times in the FA Cup more recently (2007, 2008 and 2010), and have lost by the only goal of the game on each occasion. Surely, this was not going to happen for a fourth time! Damian Hopkins and Matt Hall (suspension) were unavailable, so Matt Mathers came in at the back and Brendan Maltby into mid field. Kamron Khan had done well with the reserves last week and was on the bench for the first time. The FA had appointed Helen Conley as match referee, although not a novel experience for the Dennyboys to have a female official, it was her third visit to Woodhorn Lane this season.

The game started with 'Ashington's Barmy Army' giving full vocal support to the home side, and it certainly worked to their advantage, Paul Whiteley heading off of the line following a first minute corner. On five minutes, Marc Walton brought a good save from Thackley keeper, Matt Convey, he was at full stretch to push the striker's well hit shot around the post. The Dennyboys were finding it difficult to get out of their own half and it was Walton again, that turned and fired over from outside the box on ten minutes. It was taking Thackley some time to settle and their first strike at goal came just before the quarter hour, a Brendan Maltby effort, straight at Karl Dryden, in the home goal. As the half progressed, the Dennyboys got more involved, and Mike Garrod brought an excellent save from Dryden, after Maltby had supplied the cross, the Collier's keeper pushing the ball for a corner. Dryden did well getting to James Firth's low drive following the kick, before Scott Blanford cleared Lewis Morgan's header, which looked to be sneaking just inside the post, off the line. It was Blanford's last involvement, an injury forced him off and he was replaced by Kyle Downey. The game now had become a pretty even affair, both defences seemed to have got the measure of the opposition strikers. Matt Morgan fired wide on the half hour, and the away side had a couple of shots blocked before Andrew Johnson hit one straight at Convey. There were one or two questionable refereeing decisions, but nothing game changing as the game continued to be played out in mid field. However, Ashington got the all-important first goal just before the break. The pacey Sam Norris got clear down the right, he got to the bye line before crossing low across goal, with two defenders and Convey, there looked to be no danger, but somehow the ball fell to Johnson who toe poked it into the net. It was a blow to the Dennyboys; they hardly deserved to be going into the break a goal behind.

Half Time: Ashington 1 – 0 Thackley

The away side came out for the second half hoping to capitalise on their lead, Johnson picking up a through ball from Kyle Oliver, but Convey came out to block. Craig Scott headed over from the resultant corner. However, it was the away side that then started to get on top, but they were finding it difficult to penetrate Ashington's defence. Luke Richardson shot wide from outside the box and Maltby saw his long range effort saved by Dryden. Richardson then left James Taylor for dead, before whizzing the ball across the face of the goal. The Dennyboys were pushing for the equaliser and were leaving themselves open for the counter attack. Norris should have done better from a Walton cross, but hit the top of the net before he was replaced by David Carson. Walton had a great chance to make the game safe for the home side on seventy two minutes, firing over with just Convey to beat. Thackley made their first change soon afterwards, Liam Hudson coming on for Maltby, Matt Mathers was pushed up front. He tested Dryden with a header before a Richardson's drive from the edge of the box just cleared the bar. Glen Taylor fired over at the other end after getting clear, before Carson was guilty of putting the ball wide, as Thackley were now leaving gaps at the back as they it strove for the equaliser. Chris Davey hit the ball into the side netting after Whiteley had headed it into his path and Richardson's low drive was saved by Dryden. Thackley threw on Kamron Khan, for his first team debut, and Luke Hudson, late on, in the hope that fresh legs would produce something. However, it was not to be, and for the fourth time in the last six years, Thackley would be returning to Bradford having been beaten by a solitary goal.

So, like last year, the Dennyboys have exited the Vase at the Third Round. It might have been a different story had they had everyone available, but the players that turned out had not let anybody down.

Although the day was disappointing from a result point of view, one cannot fault the hospitality of the home side, we wish Gary Middleton, his team and the 'Barmy Army' good luck in the rest of the competition.

It is back to league action for the Dennyboys on Wednesday night, when they travel south of the Humber, for what is now a very important match. Saturday's results have dropped Thackley down to fourth place in the league, eleven points behind leaders Tadcaster. It is a tough ask to get three points at Barton on a mid-week night, but that is what is needed, for Thackley to remain in contention.

Ashington team: Dryden; J Taylor; Blandford (Downey); Oliver; C Scott; Christensen; Norris (Carson); Johnson (C); Walton; G Taylor; Lough. Subs not used : McGorrigan; L Scott; Barnard.

Thackley team: Convey; White; M Morgan (C); Whiteley; Firth (Khan); Mathers; Maltby (Liam Hudson); L Morgan; Garrod (Luke Hudson); Davey; Richardson. Sub not used : Morrison.

Ashington scorer: Andrew Johnson 42 mins.

Attendance: 213

Referee: Helen Conley