Emley head to Northumberland to face Ashington in a rearranged game in the Northern Premier League Division One East on Tuesday as we aim to keep up the promotion push.

2nd placed Emley look to consolidate their position in the play offs with only a second ever visit to Woodhorn Lane in what will be the longest trip of the season, some 260 mile round trip between the 2 grounds on a long midweek trip is the result of the original Saturday game being postponed due to the rain last month.

Last season's visit saw Emley go down 3-1 despite taking a lead through Josh Ayres who was subsequently sent off, Emley won the home game 1-0 last season and also this season, so will be hoping to break the cycle of home wins between the sides.

Emley head into the game buoyed by Saturday's superb 4-0 win at promotion rivals Matlock which saw The Pewits overtake The Gladiators into second place. Another clean sheet confirmed Emley as the countries 'clean sheet kings'!

Ashington had an awful weekend, getting trounced 8-0 by leaders Redcar Athletic that sees them drop into the bottom 4 along with Northumberland neighbours Blyths Town and Spartans, Ashington have conceded 17 in their last 5 games and lost 5 of their last 6.

Emley look to try and close the gap on Redcar and hold off the chasers, another shutout in Northumberland would be a big boost, Emley have a decent record in the North East this season, having won 6 of our 8 league games.

WHO ARE THEY?
Ashington AFC were formed in 1883 and the club have played in a number of local and regional leagues, including the Northern Alliance, the East Northumberland League, the North Eastern League, the Midland League, Wearside League and the North Regional League. They were a founding member of the Football League Third Division North in 1921 and are the northernmost team to have played in the Football League.

The club were later founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968 and had been in the Northern League since 1970, they won promotion back to the NPL in 2022-23, beating Glossop in an inter league play off and play at Woodhorn Lane.

Ashington, of course, is famous for producing sports stars, both the Charlton brothers, Jack and Bobby are from the town as is their famous Uncle Jackie Milburn as well as international cricketers, Steve Harmison and Mark Wood amongst many others.

LAST TIME WE MET:
11th October 2025, NPL D1 East
Emley 3-0 Ashington (Mampala 2, Dawson) Att- 413

LAST TIME OUT:
Ashington 0-8 Redcar Athletic, NPL D1 E, Att- 406
Matlock Town 0-4 Emley, (Thompson 2, Barks, Sorhaindo), NPL D1 E, Att- 770

HEAD TO HEAD:

Previous other meetings:
29th March 2025, NPL D1 E
ASH 3-1 EML (Ayres) Att- 381

8th March 2025, NPL D1 E
EML 1-0 ASH (B.Rodrigues) Att-388.

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
ASH: L, L, L, W, L
EML: D, W, W, W W
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
ASH: 19/22
EML: 2/22
GOALS SCORED:
ASH: 24
EML: 54
GOALS CONCEDED:
ASH: 64
EML: 30
TOP SCORER:
ASH: Josh Gilchrist (8)
EML: Gabriel Johnson (9)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
ASH: 464 (464 league)
EML: 416 (416 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Tuesday 24th February 2026, 7.45pm

WHERE?
Woodhorn Lane
Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9FW

HOW DO WE GET THERE?
A1(M)/A194 or A1/A19 to Tyne Tunnel (toll), continue on A19 to Cramlington then follow A189 to Woodhorn roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A197, take 2nd exit off the next roundabout (s/p Wansbeck hospital), turn right into Woodhorn Lane opposite hospital for the ground.

Public Transport: Ashington station- 1.5 miles, trains from Newcastle approx. every 30 mins

OWW MUCH?
Adults £9
Concessions/Students £5
U16's £3
tickets available online direct from Ashington https://ashingtonafc.ktckts.com/event/asn2526h15/ashington-afc-vs-emley