By Reuben Young
We now look at Ashington FC, a local derby for Morpeth, who will travel to face the Colliers on Boxing Day this year.
Club: Ashington FC
Nickname: The Colliers
Founded: 1883
Ground: Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9FW
Craik Park to Ashington: 8 miles
Last Season: 16th
Twitter: @ashington_fc
Morpeth have not lost in nine of the last 15 home games against the Colliers, but it’s certain to be a tight game when the two sides meet.
The last match between the clubs saw Morpeth come out on top with a comfortable 5-1 victory at Craik Park.
The Highwaymen found themselves 4-1 up at half-time, with goals from Mark Davison, Chris Reid, Liam Henderson and Keith Graydon. Davison got his second of the match five minutes before full-time.
Morpeth have struggled away at Ashington though, with only three wins coming since the 1996-97 season. They managed a hard-fought 1-1 draw on August bank holiday last season, when Luke Carr converted his penalty late in the game.
Ashington have been busy in the summer so far, with youngster Callum Tait the latest signing from Preston North End. The Colliers have also signed striker Tony Stephenson and goalkeeper Luc Glasper as they return to the club after spells at West Allotment Celtic and Alnwick Town respectively.
The Colliers are also under new management with former Blyth Spartans boss Tom Wade becoming joint manager, alongside Steve Harmison.
Wade steered his former club, Blyth, to their first Northumberland Senior Cup win in 21 years and a memorable run into the FA Cup third round in 2013-14.
The Highwaymen have been outscored by Ashington in their 26 meetings since the 1996/97 season, scoring 50 goals to the Colliers’ 62. However, Morpeth have managed 12 wins to Ashington’s 10, along with 4 draws.
