Morpeth Town chairman Ken Beattie is relishing the prospect of an FA Trophy clash at Atherton Collieries, after seeing the weekend visit of Witton Albion called off.
The NPL Premier Division clash was postponed after heavy overnight rain left parts of the Craik Park turf unplayable. That means the Highwaymen will have had a two-week break since their last game, a 6-1 FA Trophy thrashing of Cleethorpes Town, when they travel to Atherton.
“Unfortunately, the overnight rain on Friday, into Saturday morning, took its toll on our pitch meaning we couldn’t host Witton,” said Beattie ahead of Saturday’s trip to Atherton.
“We were gutted about this because we are keen to get our games played, particularly in the league, as we know we are falling behind in that respect.
“Points are the currency of this division and we are now four, and even five, games back on some teams, including those at the top. Winning all of those games in hand would see us right near the top. But it is one thing to say and a much tougher task to do.
“Our team are a very talented bunch, so hopefully we can push on and rise up the table from our current position (16th), which I believe to be false.”
Part of the reason for Town only having played 10 league games so far is down to a superb FA Cup run, which took them to the Third Qualifying Round. With Morpeth now out of that FA competition, they turn their attentions to the Trophy.
“We’ll be fully focused on this competition now because it is a real opportunity to get to Wembley,” continued the Morpeth chairman.
“There is a long way to go before anything like that but two teams will have that chance, so why not us? We know there are some tremendous teams in the competition, but we are keen to progress.
“However, we are well aware a tough away day at Atherton awaits us.”
