By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC chairman Brian Shotton says the Woodhorn Lane outfit have showed no fear and have acquitted themselves exceptionally well – as they head into tomorrow’s fourth qualifying round tie of the Emirates FA Cup against Kings Lynn in Norfolk.

Mr Shotton said: “Obviously we will be looking to progress. The club haven’t been in the first round proper since 1961 so that’s our aim but whatever happens I think we have got to be proud of what we have done so far. We are going to a good club who obviously had National League experience recently and who are doing really well to establish themselves in the non league game so I think it is a good test for our lads on the field – and we’ve obviously got to enjoy the day off the field as well.”

He continued: “From the minute where we travelled to Ashton United, we showed no fear and it’s been a case of on the day taking the opposition on and seeing what happens. However, overall we can safely say from the ties we’ve had against teams from higher leagues that we’ve more than acquitted ourselves and to be fair have dominated three of the fixtures. We’ve also shown that we can mix it; it’s the FA Cup and it is all about what happens on the day.”

Ian Skinner’s outfit will be spurred on by two coach loads of supporters: “It was always going to be different given the distance of the trip involved,” added Mr Shotton, “I think if it had been a bit nearer we may have been talking about taking four or five coaches with supporters but that doesn’t deter from the fact that there’s already two making the trip and I know of many people who are travelling down by their own methods. My wife’s family are coming across from Northamptonshire to support us and we’ve also got people from all over the country going to Kings Lynn to back the lads so I think we’ll have a good presence. Hopefully we’ll give a good account of ourselves both on and off the field – and fingers crossed, the lads can top the day off with a positive result.”