Ashington AFC (H) - Saturday, 9th November 2024

The Opposition - History
Like Belper, Ashington AFC were established all the way back in 1883.
Early years saw them competing in the Northern Alliance and East Northumberland League.
They won the Alliance in 1914 and gained promotion to the North Eastern League.
They were then elected to join the new Third Division North of the Football League in 1921.
After spending 8 seasons as a League team they finished bottom and and re-entered the North Eastern League but at Division Two as the top division was full.
1927 saw a trip to the FA Cup 3rd Round, losing to Nottingham Forest.
They remained in the NEL until it folded in 1958.
The 1960s saw them flit between the Midland League, Northern Counties League (founder members), Wearside League and North Regional League before becoming founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968.
They resigned due to costs after one season and again moved around leagues in the north.
They remained back in the Northern League from 1970 all the way up until 2023, when they defeated Glossop North End 3-0 to gain promotion to the NPL Division One East and last season they finished 14th.

Manager Nick Gray took over in October 2024.

A journey of around 180 miles awaits them today.

The Opposition - This Season
The Colliers started the season with a fine 4-2 win in the FA Cup over Shildon but struggled after that, winning only one of their next seven games to sit bottom of the NPL East at the end of August.
September was much better, with wins over Garforth, Bradford PA and North Shields (Northumberland Cup).
In October they failed to win a game, picking up just one point in their final game of the month against Carlton.
Last time out saw them begin November with a home win over Bridlington Town, Josh Gilchrist picking up a hat trick.
They currently sit 20th: P 15 W 3 D 3 L 9 F 15 A 26 Pts. 12.

The Nailers
Belper started the season well, and their only away defeat in the league remains at Emley who top the table.
After defeat at home to Cleethorpes came a run of five successive wins, ended at the Raygar Stadium by Brighouse Town and then four days later Newton Aycliffe won at Belper by the same scoreline of 2-0.
However the 22nd of October saw a return to winning ways, Harry Draper securing a brace as the Nailers won at Carlton Town.
Two weeks ago Belper exited the FA Trophy, losing on penalties at Chasetown after a 1-1 draw but back in the League last weekend the three points were secured in an incredible 6-4 win over Consett.
Tuesday night saw the unbeaten run extended to four games with a comfortable victory over Pontefract Collieries.
Draper is clear as leading scorer with 16, while Nat Crofts has five and Curtis Burrows & Luke Rawson four each. Keaton August and Jack Broadhead are on two and five players have one goal each.
Belper sit 3rd in the table and are the only side yet to draw a match this season: P 15 W 11 D 0 L 4 F 28 A 18 Pts. 33.

Head to Head
Our two meetings with Ashington last season are our only ones to date.
At the turn of the year in the north east, Belper enjoyed the better of the early stages but the game was settled by a stunning 25 yard strike from Wilson Kneeshaw in the 32nd minute in front of 345 spectators.
Back at Belper in March a brace from Sidik Atcha, including an injury time equaliser helped the Nailers to a 2-2 draw.
Record for Belper: P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 F 2 A 3.

The return fixture from today is scheduled for Saturday, 15th March 2025.

Form Guide (all comps)
Belper Town: LLWDWW
Ashington: LLLLDW

Team News
There are no major injury concerns or suspensions.

Permutations
With a four point gap to North Ferriby, Belper's 3rd position is secure.
A move up to 2nd would require a Belper win and Emley to drop points at home to Garforth Town.
While only three points off top, there is a goal difference of 14 to overcome with Cleethorpes Town.
Ashington need to win to move out of the relegation zone, but they will also need Consett and Bridlington to slip up.
Like Belper, they cannot be caught from below with Ossett being four points worse off.

Match details
Belper Town vs. Ashington AFC
Northern Premier League Division One East
Saturday, 9th November 2024 - 3:00pm kick off
Raygar Stadium
Bridge Street
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1BA

Admission prices: Adults £11, Concessions (under 16 and 60+) £7, Under 11 (with paying adult) £0
Cash and card accepted on the turnstiles.

Follow the match
Live audio commentary is available with Tom on Radio Belper Town - https://radiobelpertown.mixlr.com
Full coverage on X and Facebook.
Match reports to follow on the website (all matches) and in the Non-League Paper (Saturday matches only).

NPL East fixtures
Belper Town vs. Ashington AFC
Carlton Town vs. Stocksbridge Park Steels
Cleethorpes Town vs. Bishop Auckland
Consett AFC vs. Sheffield
Dunston vs. Grimsby Borough
Emley AFC vs. Garforth Town
Heaton Stannington vs. Ossett United
Liversedge vs. North Ferriby
Newton Aycliffe vs. Bradford (Park Avenue)
Pontefract Collieries vs. Brighouse Town
Sherwood Colliery vs. Bridlington Town