Match Preview- Chasetown Away

Ethan Gough previews this weekends away fixture...

Match Preview – Chasetown (A)

After a fantastic point at home with just 10 men for more than 80 minutes against league leaders Widnes last weekend, Newcastle hit the road once again with a trip down the M6 to face play-off contenders Chasetown. Mark Swann’s side sit five points clear in the play-offs and will certainly prove to be a tough test come 3pm on Saturday.

The Scholars have lost just two games at home since the start of December, so Neil Baker’s side will need to carry the momentum into the game from last weekend if they are to take anything away from The Scholars Ground. Jack Langston and George Cater are the two to watch and the Castle defence will certainly have to do that very carefully themselves with the duo having netted 24 times between them in the league this season, making them one of the deadliest attacking partnerships in the Northern Premier League West.

Having struggled for form recently, Castle are in need of points with the dreaded dotted line looming ever closer. However, the manager is remaining positive ahead of Saturday but is also under no illusions to the task at hand. Baker said: “I think we’ve shown in the last few games that there’s still a lot of fight left in the team.” “I would like a little bit more quality, particularly at the top end of the pitch. I do think it’s there; it’s just a case of bringing it out of them.” “It’ll be a tough game as Chasetown are a very good side, in particular when they’re at home. But I know we’ll go there a give a decent account of ourselves, as that’s what this Newcastle team does.”

A win for Castle on Saturday would mean a huge leap towards safety and if other fixtures go their way, then it will mean just one more point is needed to guarantee their spot at step.

Come on Castle!