Ashington vs Hall Road Rangers

Buildbase FA Vase First Round

Woodhorn Road

Saturday October 21, Kick off 3pm

By Ollie Harsley

THE FA Vase returns this weekend as Hall Road Rangers travel up to the north-east to face Ashington AFC in the First Round Proper of the competition.

Ashington have recently experienced managerial changes with the resignation of former England test cricketer Steve Harmison, and the departure of Tom Wade who were the joint managerial team and they now have three of their senior players in caretaker charge.

The Colliers lost 3-2 on Tuesday night to Stockton Town in a league game but they will still be somewhat confident of getting a positive result in this upcoming match.

Ashington reached the Fifth Round of the FA Vase in the 2011-12 season and they will want to increase their chances of replicating that feat this time round.

Hall Road come into this match on the back of a 1-1 draw at Garforth Town last Saturday and they are in particularly good form at this point of the season having picked up seven points out of a possible nine from their last three games.

From their perspective they will aim to carry on this excellent form and build on the collective team spirit and the high levels of confidence that their squad of players have.

Hall Road manager Bill Gill is in fine spirits coming into this match. “Saturday is a game we all look forward to, last year we had great memories on the road in the Vase and the boys are in great form being unbeaten in 3 games. We have a full squad to choose from and are preparing well this week ahead of Saturday”, Gill said.

Hall Road reached the second round of the competition last term, recording three stunning away wins, before losing to Bottesford Town at Haworth Park, they will also be hoping to take a step closer to their best ever run, which came in 1999, when they lost out to Skelmersdale in the third round.

Gill is also wary to make sure his side don’t underestimate Ashington this Saturday.

“All teams up north take the Vase very seriously and they will be a stiff test but like in most cup games it’s anyone’s game.”

With regards to his side’s attitude going into the game and their preparation, Bill Gill is positive that they will be sufficiently prepared for Saturday’s match.

“The lads will be preparing mentally and physically for the win and we hope to progress to the next round”, Gill concluded.