ELLINGTON BACK AT ROTHBURY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 50 YEARS


Rothbury v Ellington
Northern Football Alliance
Team Valley Carpets Division Two
Armstrong Park, Saturday 1st December 2018, kick-off 2.00pm.


Old Coquetdale League rivals Ellington visit leaders Rothbury on Saturday and player coach Tom Macpherson is quietly confident that the surface can beat the wet weather.
The two sides used to meet regularly after the Second World War until the Coquetdale became defunct in 1968, so there was a bit of poignancy and nostalgia when both clubs were elected into the Alliance during the summer.
“The pitch has a good drainage system, plus we have a full time volunteer groundsman so we will have as good a chance as any on Saturday,” said Macpherson.
“We are hopeful of having a next to full squad this weekend, with only two or three doubtful, but to be honest the lads who played well on in the Cup win at Spittal Rovers will be involved again.”
Rothbury were 2-0 winners at Hirst Welfare back in August and Macpherson felt that game had given the Reds a huge confidence boost.
“Our result at Ellington was one that gave us real belief as I had them and Blyth down as pre-season favourites,” he said. “Ellington have improved massively in recent months so will be tough again.”
The visitors have moved up into sixth spot in the table on 23 points and have won their last three games – including a 1-0 win at unbeaten NNFL leaders AFC Newbiggin in the NFA Minor Cup.
Rothbury remain top on goal difference with a game in hand on Whitley Bay SC, followed by Whitburn and Cleadon, who are five points adrift, Cramlington United and Spittal Rovers with the half-way point of the season rapidly approaching.


Comments