By Ben Potts
Our series of opposition features now moves on to take a closer look at Newcastle Benfield. After two goal-laden games last season, and with a few familiar names changing sides this summer, it’s sure to be a cracking contest.
Club: Newcastle Benfield
Nickname: The Lions
Founded: 1988 (as Brunswick Village FC)
Ground: Sam Smith’s Park, Off Benfield Road, Walkergate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 4NU
Craik Park to Newcastle Benfield: 16 miles
Last Season: 10th
Twitter: @NcleBenfield
The Highwayman will make the relatively short journey to Sam Smith’s Park on 23 September for a tough looking local affair which is sure to be hotly contested.
The last time Morpeth travelled to face Benfield they lost an extremely eventful game 3-2. The match included a Paul Robinson brace, a controversial sending off for ‘keeper Karl Dryden resulted in veteran forward Paul Brayson scoring a penalty – the deciding goal.
Nick Gray and Dave Malone’s men tasted revenge in late January, as Morpeth ran out 3-1 winners at Craik Park thanks to goals from Mark Davison, Liam Henderson and Joe Walton.
Benfield boss Mark Convery has certainly moved quickly to bolster his squad this summer after seeing Northern League top-scorer Brayson sign on to play for another year.
Morpeth fans will recognise a few familiar faces wearing Blue and White this season with Mark Doninger, Mathew Grieve and 2016 FA Vase winner James Novak all making the switch to the Lions.
The overall record between the clubs in league and cup since Benfield’s promotion to division one in 2004/05 is eight wins apiece with seven draws
