An injury-hit Moors side travel to Hurst Cross to face Ashton United in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
A 2-1 win over Kidderminster Harriers last weekend was greeted with obvious delight, but, after Stephen Brogan, James Curtis and Andrew Johnson were forced off, Spennymoor’s squad is light heading into the game.
A win would put Moors just one game away from an appearance in the First Round for the first time since 2016, but, they will have to navigate a side who are on a high following a 4-0 win at Grantham on Tuesday.
However, that victory was just Ashton’s second of the campaign, with both arriving on the road. Hurst Cross has been a happy hunting ground for away sides so far, but Moors will be aware of the need to tread carefully after a 3-0 defeat at the same ground in April.
That afternoon witnessed Moors concede three times within the first 20 minutes on a forgettable day at Hurst Cross, which also saw Jamie Chandler receive a red card. A repeat of that would damage the momentum gained over the last fortnight, with back to back wins over Lancaster and Kidderminster breathing new life into the season.
Much like Spennymoor, it’s been far from dull at Hurst Cross this season. There have been goals galore in Ashton’s matches so far, 53 in 15 in fact, averaging 3.4 goals per contest. But, worryingly for Ashton, they have shipped more than they have scored, resulting in a slow start to the life in the Northern Premier League Division following relegation last campaign.
Ashton progressed to this round following a 1-0 win over Pontefract Collieries after edging past Tadcaster Albion in a replay in the previous round, with the cup providing a welcome break from their patch league form. A 4-0 hammering of Grantham, three days after a rollercoaster 3-3 draw at home to Hyde, means spirits will be high and entertainment is likely to develop against Moors.
Saturday 6th April 2019
Hurst Cross
3pm
National League North
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KXBYcEkbAILine-up
Gould, Williams, Atkinson, Curtis (C), Henry, Chandler, Hawkins, Ramshaw, Hall, Taylor, Diamond.
Subs: Harrison, Elliott, Hibbs, Johnson, Boyes
Attendance: 208
“When you’ve been in charge of a club for the length of time that I have, there’s always going to be scenarios that crop up. Their manager is a friend of mine, but he and his team inflicted one of the lowest points of last season on us when they beat us 3-0 in April. We know we can’t go there this time and put in a similar performance because we will come back with the same result. Ashton have signed a lot of experienced players over the summer but have had a similar opening to the season as us in regard to a slow opening. It’s going to be a tough game. Could it have been worse? Yes, it could. Could it have been easier? Probably. But it’s a game that we need to turn up for.”
Jason AinsleyManager
Hurst Cross Stadium
Surrey Street,
Ashton-under-Lyne,
Greater Manchester,
OL6 8DY
Tel: 0161 339 4158
Parking
Free on-street parking is available but limited in the immediate vicinity on residential areas. There is a car park located behind the Rowley Street End.
Admission Prices
£12 Adult
£8 concession
(Junior 12-17, students and OAP’s)
£3 Under 12’s.
Note all under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Concessions (Over 65) available to pensioners with a valid bus pass or other ID, college/university students (16-18’s & 18-21+) with a valid student ID from the college/university or Juniors age 12-17 again with ID if requested (proof will be needed on the turnstile, this will be in the form of a card that has a photo of the individual and a valid date. NUS cards are accepted too; same rules apply).
