Ryhope CW bounced back from the Consett defeat with their first home win of 2019, beating Ashington AFC 2-0 in the league at Recreation Ground.
Matty Weirs’ strike around the half hour mark put Ryhope in the lead.
James Ellis added a penalty five minutes before the break, giving Colliery Welfare a comfortable lead before the sides played out a goalless second-half.
There were two changes from the side that Consett defeated, Joe Atkinson returning to fitness and replacing Jonny Ball in goal and Jack Devlin back from suspension to replace Micky Rae.
The first real sight of goal came for Ryhope in the 7th minute, a one-two allowing Lewis King to get down the right and release a strike which was blocked.
Ashington had a dangerous attack a few minutes later, Atkinson doing well to keep out Ben Sampson’s effort after he was played through, the ball looked like it would run for Paul Antony but Ryhope managed to see out the danger.
Colliery Welfare put together a good move in the 24th minute before Matty Weirs released a through ball for Devlin, the attacker worked space to shoot and forced a save from Grant.
Both teams were getting forward, but largely restricted to half-chances. However, it wasn’t even half a chance that resulted in Ryhope’s opener.
Jon Weirs picked up the ball in midfield in the 33rd minute, before picking out his brother Matty who released a cross which somehow lobbed Grant and found its way into the back of the net. We’ll credit that as an assist from the wind.
Colliery Welfare were given the opportunity to double their lead when Devlin was brought down in the box after being played through in the 41st minute.
James Ellis stepped up and coolly put the penalty into the bottom left corner.
Jon Weirs had a fantastic chance to extend the lead further early in the second half, running through before looking for the back post but firing wide.
Substitute Joey Melvin looked lively and got into good positions in the second half, but failed to find a finish.
Jon Weirs played Melvin through in the 77th minute who rounded the ‘keeper but the angle narrowed for him and he failed to pick out Devlin at the back post.
Ashington got a cross into the box in the 87th minute, Channon North challenged Joe Atkinson and the ball bounced for Brandon Morrison, but Atkinson somehow saved his close range effort and managed to smother to see out the danger.
A last ditch tackle from Danni Lay on North late on helped preserve Ryhope’s clean sheet and a succession of resulting corners were eventually cleared to ensure the 2-0 victory.
A great result for Colliery Welfare with a win and a rare clean sheet, the lads will travel to Guisborough next time out ending a run of home games.
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