NEW TEST FOR THE BRAVES HEARTS
JON McDonald wants to use past disappointment as motivation to help Blyth AFC challenge at the top end of Northern League Division One. The Braves were promoted as Division Two champions last season and will now lock horns with McDonald’s former club North Shields, who he left last year. After winning the Division Two title, the Braves are now looking forward to their first ever season at Step 5 and McDonald, for one, is looking forward to taking on the Northern League’s elite once again having come so close with North Shields last time out. “You move on but I am still disappointed that we didn’t win the league with North Shields,” he said. “To lead the division for such a big part of the season only to be pipped by an unbelievable South Shields side, it did hurt at the time, and it still does now, but I use it as motivation too.
“It will be tough because you look at West Auckland, Consett, Stockton Town and Shildon – they are all having good summers, but we want to be there and I think the squad we have can help us get up there.”
Preparations for the new campaign have started well for McDonald and co-manager Ian Skinner with key players staying on at the club for the new season, while established Step 5 players have been added to the squad.
Former FA Vase winners Adam Forster and Craig MacFarlane have joined from North Shields, as has striker Ben Harmison – the former Durham and Kent cricketer – after scoring 21 goals in 25 games for the Robins last season.
Such recruitment shows the Braves’ intent for the new campaign, according to joint-boss McDonald.
“It signals that we want to give it a go and make an impact,” he adds after the club confirmed they will play their home games at Ashington’s Woodhorn Lane this season. “There is a gulf in quality between Divisions One and Two and the lads we have brought in can help us bridge that gap. “People like Adam Forster and Craig MacFarlane have been there and have the quality to help us make an impact. We are all looking forward to the challenge.”