Colliers set for a battle at Dunkirk
Dec 9 2010 by James Hunter, The Journal
ASHINGTON boss Gary Middleton is hoping his side’s FA Vase tie against Dunkirk beats the weather this weekend to ease the Colliers’ fixture pile-up.
Middleton’s men were due to play at reigning East Midlands Counties champions Dunkirk in the third round last Saturday, but the wintry weather saw the game postponed until this weekend.
With the snowy weather in the North East already leaving the Colliers with a backlog of league fixtures, Ashington are pinning their hopes on a thaw in Nottinghamshire.
Middleton said: “We have not played for about two weeks now, and that is frustrating.
“It looks like a lot of games up in the North-East could be off again this weekend, but I have checked the weather forecast and it looks like there might be milder weather on its way to the Midlands.
“We could do with playing, as our runs in the FA Cup and in the Vase meant we were already playing catch-up with the league fixtures –- and that was before the snow fell!”
The bad weather has also wreaked havoc with Ashington’s training plans, forcing Middleton to make alternative arrangements.
He added: “The hard part is finding facilities to keep the lads ticking over.
“We had a training session on the beach on Saturday and we have had a couple of indoor sessions this week.
“One thing is for sure, we will be doing more than a lot of other clubs are able to. We will be fired up this weekend and we should have a full squad from which to pick.”
Only one of the scheduled 32 third-round ties was played last weekend, but the fourth-round draw went ahead at Wembley and the competition goes nationwide from the fourth round onwards.
The winners of Saturday’s clash have landed a trip to United Counties Premier League side Long Buckby, who were the only team to have booked their place in the next stage.
Northamptonshire-based Long Buckby are second in their league behind St Neots, who are themselves regarded as one of the Vase favourites.
Middleton said: “We have seen the draw, and it looks like whoever wins on Saturday will have a tough game because Long Buckby are second in their league.
“However, we are not looking that far ahead just yet.”
