United's second string successfully ended their season on Tuesday evening by retaining the Northumberland Senior Cup at SJP against their Northern League opponents.

Any thoughts that Ashington would emulate the feat of last year's finalists Blyth Spartans in 
taking the tie to added time and penalties however, were dealt a cruel blow within 67 seconds of the start.

That's the time it took Newcastle striker Xisco to open the scoring with a shot at the Leazes End, after good approach work from Ryan Donaldson & Kazenga LuaLua.

Following that lightning start though - missed by a slightly tardy Alan Shearer and Iain Dowie - a purple-attired United were kept at bay by the black and white-clad Colliers, until Donaldson headed over on 17 minutes.

Ashington's teenage 'keeper Kyle Hayes was beaten again on 27 minutes, when defender Ben Tozer was presented with the ball in front of goal and shot home.

Referee Richard Clark then did his bit to keep the tie competitive eight minutes before the break, when choosing to ignore a clear penalty after United's Nile Ranger had his legs swiped from under him in the box.

Things got no better for Ranger after the break, when he contrived to head LuaLua's left wing centre over the bar from point-blank range on 53 minutes. Within 60 seconds though, Xisco had again shown him how it was done, reacting to stab home the rebound when a Haris Vuckic shot was blocked by Hayes.

The Spaniard was then subbed before having the chance to complete his hat trick, with his replacement Jonny Godsmark firing wide on 67 minutes. With United stepping up their efforts, Frank Danquah then shot against the bar from the edge of the Ashington box after Shane Ferguson carried the ball upfield.

Mark Doninger was then introduced into the action from the bench and the midfielder took just three minutes to maintain his record of scoring in every round of the competition this season, forcing the ball home from close range after Godsmark's shot was blocked.

4:0 up and with all of our subs used, the remaining 18 minutes of the final proved to be something of a personal duel between Ranger and Hayes - the prolific Magpies striker unable to end his bizarre cup scoring drought.

Although Ranger cracked home 21 Academy and Reserve goals this season, none of his previous seven outings appearances in FA Youth Cup, Central League Cup and Senior Cup had brought him scoring success.

And that seven games became eight, when Hayes denied him twice within a minute in the closing stages - and also kept out James Tavernier's late effort.

The final whistle brought applause from the Ashington players and staff towards their vocal support in the East Stand, while Newcastle wandered over to the dugouts.

One quick presentation, a couple of snaps and it was straight down the tunnel for the winners - those spectators who stuck around for a glimpse of the trophy denied that and the chance to applaud United.

Biffa

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