By Brian Bennett
Ashington manager Nick Gray has issued a rallying call to the Wansbeck public as his side enter a crucial phase of their season in the East Division of the Pitching In Northern Premier League.
The Colliers have six games of their campaign remaining – three at home and three away – but sit precariously two points above the drop zone.
Gray says survival is in their own hands and the players face six cup finals which begin with a home clash against promotion chasing Emley at Woodhorn Lane on Saturday (March 29).
However the boss hopes the people of Wansbeck can play their part by giving his players vocal support: “The situation is in our own hands and we have got six cup finals left,” he said, “You have to earn the right to win games of football and if we do our jobs then we won’t have to look at anyone else. However, from the first game since Liam McIvor and myself took over, the fans have been absolutely fantastic with how they have encouraged us and backed us by generating noisy support – and they can play their part. It would also be good for the Wansbeck public to come along. The club broke through gates of over 1,000 a couple of seasons ago during their run in the FA Cup and the atmosphere can certainly give the lads a massive lift.”
The players were training twice this week following the 3-1defeat against league leaders Cleethorpes on Saturday and Gray added: “They (the players) have got to work hard and show the right attitude and be honest with each other. To win games of football you have got to stand up and be counted for the full 90 minutes and if you make a mistake, it’s a case of helping your team mates out and making sure they don’t do it again.”
He went on: “We have got to look after ourselves and I’ve got every faith in our group of players but the league table at the end of the season doesn’t lie. There are things which we have got to tweak and change a little bit and if we do that then we’ll be okay. There are fine lines between winning and losing. I thought against Cleethorpes we were the team who played the more football but results matter and we have got to start realising that.”
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