Northern Premier League’s bottom two face off as Morpeth Town host Witton Albion

Morpeth Town will hope to kickstart their season on Saturday as they host bottom side Witton Albion at Craik Park in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division.

The hosts were widely tipped to do well this season, especially after the signing of former Hartlepool United man Ryan Donaldson who linked up with former Pools team-mate Liam Noble in Northumberland this summer.

But the Highwaymen have struggled to find form early on, with defeats away at Stafford Rangers, FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic, followed by a defeat in their opening home game against Bamber Bridge.

Morpeth did beat Atherton Collieries 2-0 in their second home game of the season, giving hope that they could turn around their poor start, but defeats away at Whitby Town and Gainsborough Trinity in the league games that followed have left the most Northerly club in the division sitting second bottom with just three points after seven league games.

Witton Albion meanwhile are yet to win a league game this season. An opening day draw at Gainsborough was followed by defeats against Lancaster City, South Shields and Radcliffe. Witton then drew away at Basford, but couldn’t follow it up, and then lost to Nantwich Town.

Both sides tasted success in the FA Cup with Morpeth thrashing Hyde United, and Witton beating Scarborough Athletic but both sides will be concentrating on the league and this Saturday’s game rather than ahead to the next round of the cup.

Both sides have struggled for goals in the league this season with Morpeth scoring six in seven and Witton scoring five in six. Both have also struggled defensively with Witton conceding 10 and Morpeth conceding 15.

A win on Saturday could lift Morpeth out of the bottom four, and boost confidence ahead of some difficult looking games on paper.

Witton meanwhile will still be in the relegation zone even if they win on Saturday, but they do have a game in hand on most sides after their match against Atherton Collieries was postponed due to Colls’ FA Cup replay with Bridlington.

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