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A game between 18th and 19th pitches two sides just above and just below the relegation line in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
Nantwich Town come to Craik Park trying to scramble above the trapdoor, with Morpeth Town hoping to push them closer to the drop.
FORM GUIDE
Morpeth: Town haven’t won three in a row since August, and their longest unbeaten streak is four games this season. They’ve lost four of their last six but have won four and drawn one of their previous nine in league and cup.
Nantwich: Nantwich Town have lost three, drawn two, and won just once in their last six league outings. They’ve taken at least a point in 10 of their 16 away league games so far this season, picking up 62% of their league total on the road.
LAST TIME OUT
A tough evening for the Highwaymen saw them fall to defeat at home to bottom side Liversedge, 2-0. The Highwaymen trailed in the seventh minute when Nathan Cartman struck, before Ben Atkinson rifled a free-kick into the top corner at the start of the second half to condemn Morpeth to defeat prior to the clash with Nantwich on Saturday.
The Dabbers had a first half to forget on Tuesday night when facing fellow relegation rivals Marske United at home. The Dabbers were two down by half-time when Jacob Day and Donald Chimialilo scored for the visitors; a Steven Hewitt effort with six minutes to go proved a mere consolation.
THE GAFFER
Morpeth Town boss Craig Lynch believes his squad is up for the battle that lies ahead, as they sit perilously above the relegation zone.
“If we get three points [against Nantwich], we can breathe a sigh of relief but if we don’t then it’s a battle,” said the boss.
“I need lads here that want to battle, if they don’t then I am more than happy for them to move on and get some people in for the remainder.
“I’ve backed them all season, when we’ve been on a bad run, and I’ll keep backing them because last week we showed what we can do.
“I’ve said to the lads that I would never once say anything about the desire or the commitment but the complacency and concentration has been massive for us this season and when we’ve had it nailed on, we’ve shown what we can do.
“But against Liversedge, little lapses have killed us.”
Nantwich head coach Gary Taylor-Fletcher is demanding better standards from his players ahead of the final 10 games.
“Two or three in there are trying to be leaders and take the game by the scruff of the neck, but the rest are just accepting mediocrity at the moment,” he said.
“It won’t be tolerated and there’ll be massive consequences not only for ourselves but for them.
“We’re not going to give up, we’ve got 10 massive games left. The table doesn’t lie, we’re in a relegation battle.
“A lot of them need to accept that they’re not just good players, they’ve got to work, they’ve got to battle and standards need to be a lot higher.”
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale on the day, on the gate (cash only) with the following categories:
Adults – £12
Concessions – £8
Kids – £4
Under-5s – FREE
