Dunston expecting 'tough game' in Friday night clash with Ashington
There is a busy weekend across the North East non-league scene - and it gets underway at Ashington on Friday night.
Dunston UTS manager Jon McDonald has warned his side they will face ‘a really tough game’ when they visit Northern Premier League East Division rivals Ashington on Friday night.
The fixture will be the first held in the North East across the annual Non-League Day event as clubs around the region look to secure support from Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough fans as their sides are out of action due to the international break.
The Woodhorn Lane clash will have implications at both ends of the East Division table as Dunston are currently pushing for a play-off spot for the third consecutive season and Ashington will hope to land three points that could ease their relegation concerns. The Colliers head into the game sitting five points and one place above the drop zone and a win over McDonald’s side would heap pressure on neighbours Blyth Town, who will head into Saturday’s home game with in-form Heaton Stannington on the wrong side of the dreaded dotted line.
Dunston boss McDonald is relishing the prospect of a big crowd at Woodhorn Lane for a rare Friday night fixture and has challenged his players to use the momentum gained from their positive run of form to gain a win that would strengthen their grip on a play-off spot.
He told The Gazette: “It’s an away fixture, it’s against a local opposition in Ashington and they are fighting for points at the bottom end of the table. We are fighting for points to make sure we get one of those play-off places and I expect nothing less than a really tough game. They have picked up in recent weeks and they have got some recent results including getting a point against Pontefract so it’ll be a tough game. We hope there will be a good crowd there and the local community come out and get behind both sides - and obviously we hope we can get the points to continue the momentum we have built up.”
North East Non-League Day fixtures
FRIDAY
Northern Premier League East Division: Ashington v Dunston UTS - NE63 9FW
SATURDAY
National League: Gateshead v Yeovil Town - NE10 0EF
National League North: AFC Fylde v Darlington - PR4 3JZ, King’s Lynn Town v Spennymoor Town - PE30 5PB, South Shields v Alfreton Town - NE32 3UP
Northern Premier League Premier Division: Hebburn Town v Lancaster City - NE31 1UN, Hyde United v Stockton Town - SK14 5PL, Morpeth Town v Leek Town - NE61 2YX
Northern Premier League East Division: Blyth Town v Heaton Stannington - NE24 3PS, Consett v Pontefract Collieries - DH8 7BF, Newton Aycliffe v Blyth Spartans - DL5 5AG, Redcar Athletic v Bishop Auckland - TS10 3RW
Northern League Division One: Newcastle Blue Star v Penrith - NE15 7HB, Carlisle City v Crook Town - CA1 3AF, North Shields v Thornaby - NE29 0SS, Marske United v West Auckland Town - TS11 7BW, Northallerton Town v Boro Rangers - DL7 8HA, Birtley Town v Easington Colliery - DH3 2QW, Newcastle Benfield v Guisborough Town - NE6 4NU, Whitley Bay v Horden CW - NE25 8HR
Northern League Division Two: Yarm & Eaglescliffe v Durham United - TS23 4AG, FC Hartlepool v Redcar Town - TS24 8PJ, Park View AFC v Tow Law Town - DH3 3SH, Esh Winning v Sunderland RCA - DH7 9BQ, Chester-le-Street Town v Jarrow - DH2 3BX, Prudhoe YC Seniors v AFC Newbiggin - NE42 5EH, Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Boldon CA - NE40 3SN, Seaham Red Star v Alnwick Town - SR7 0BH, Billingham Synthonia v Newcastle University - TS19 0QD
Your next football read: Blyth Spartans confirm signing of Morpeth Town midfielder