By Brian Bennett

Ashington skipper Karl Ross has said that the mood in the camp is good and that the players know the importance of Saturday’s penultimate league game of the season away to Brighouse Town.

The Colliers travel knowing that a win in West Yorkshire will preserve their status in the Northern Premier League’s East Division.

Ross said: “Obviously it is a massive game for the club with a lot riding on it. The players had a good training session on Monday and will go again on Thursday but the mood in the camp is good and we can hopefully get over the line on Saturday. I’ve heard that there is going to be a great representation of fans making the trip and turning out in fancy dress outfits so we’re looking to give them a good day out. A lot of them are going down as a kind of remembrance day in respect of supporter Craig Dickinson – they’ll be wanting to celebrate his life and I hope we are all celebrating after the final whistle.”

Ross added that the players have accepted the 5-0 defeat by Matlock last weekend came against a side who are a ‘step ahead.’ He said: “It was a bit of a free hit for us as Matlock are a step ahead of us but we need to move on. Brighouse are bottom of the league and have been relegated but that doesn’t alter anything on Saturday as their players will still be fighting and looking to play for their places next season – so we know we need to be at our best.”