By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)
JR Cleator Cup
Venue: Craik Park, Morpeth Common, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2YX
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2017
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Updates: @MorpethTownAFC
The first piece of silverware this season is up for grabs on Saturday afternoon as Morpeth Town welcome North Shields to contest for the JR Cleator Cup.
It’s the Northern League’s annual curtain raiser, and it promises to be a great game between two fantastic sides.
Morpeth go into the game having beaten two National League North sides in recent weeks – Spennymoor Town and Blyth Spartans.
The Highwaymen were invited to play in the game having finished second in Division two last term, while the Robins finished as runners-up in the League Cup.
Brian Smith is now at the helm at North Shields, and will also be looking to get his team off to the best possible start this season.
Team News
Liam Henderson will miss the game against the Robins through injury, which he picked up on Tuesday night against the Spartans.
David Hiftle is a little bit short of match fitness, but Morpeth still have a strong squad to choose from.
The Manager’s Views
Co-Manager Nick Gray said: “North Shields had a really good season last year, they’ve just come up short in a couple of cup finals and in the league in the final few weeks.
“They’ll be keen to get some silverware as well, and it’ll be a game where both teams will be hungry to gain success – I think it’ll be a competitive game.
He added: “We’ve got a squad assembled with players that wanted to come to Morpeth and compete for trophies, and the first one of the season is always the hardest.
“If we get that one, then we can try and progress from that.”
The Opposition
The Robins led at the top Divison One for most of last season, but ended up being pipped the title in the final weeks and finished a very respectable third place.
Former manager Jon McDonald led the Robins to two cup finals – Senior Cup and League Cup – last season, but Smith took over the reigns back in May.
Shields have won their last three pre-season games, and recorded an 8-0 hammering over Northern Alliance side Percy Main last Saturday.
A familiar face will be wearing the red shirt of North Shields in the game, Paul Robinson signed for the Robins this summer, with defender Curtis Coppen coming the other way.
Gareth Bainbridge has been in fine form this pre-season, netting eight goals in four games, and that included four in one game against Alliance outfit Percy Main.
Admission Charges
Prices for the JR Cleator Cup game are as follows; Adults £6, Concessions £4 and Kids £1.
