By Brian Bennett

Ashington FC’s Robbie Dale said the Colliers have got a ‘big point to prove’ when they face back to back home league games against Whickham and Bishop Auckland this week.

The Lang Jacks visit Woodhorn Lane on Tuesday (November 1) for a 7.30pm start whilst the clash against Ebac Northern League leaders Bishop Auckland (3pm) should be a cracker on Saturday (November 5).

Speaking after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Thornaby, Dale said: “We reckon we are a good team and we’ve proved it again today (at Thornaby). We’ve got to be confident because we are at home and I think we’ve got a big point to prove this week because last weeks two home games weren’t good enough – so these two have to be. Whickham and Bishop Auckland will be two good sides to play. Both outfits will come and work and both are quality teams who have got good players. We will be able to welcome at least three players back into the squad for Tuesday’s clash with Ben Harmison, Adam Johnson and Damen Mullen all available which adds to the depleted squad we had today (at Thornaby).”

Cramlington-based Dale hopes the Woodhorn Lane crowd will provide noisy backing: “If the crowd can get behind us that would be fantastic,” he said, “but we’ve got to give them something to shout about – we can’t just rely on them to boost us. We’ve got to begin well – and I thought that was key today (at Thornaby) because we started on the front foot and if we can replicate that, the football I always think will take care of itself. We have got good enough players but it’s also about work rate and effort – and that’s what we got today.”