Washington manager Mark Gibbon spoke to club media ahead of this weekends crucial clash against Durham City.

The coach has issued an overlook on the fitness of his squad as we look to return to winning ways this weekend.

"We're looking good to go in terms of fitness, we've trained well this week and look set to have a full squad to choose from."

"There's been a few lads we have looked at over the past few weeks, some are sharper and more up to scratch than others but it's looking like we will have a full set of lads available."

"Apart from that though, we're looking in decent shape and we're ready for the challenge."

Speaking on the challenge Durham pose, Gibbon issued a warning that we should not take The Citizens lightly:

"They are where they are but you can never take anyone lightly in football."

"Everyone poses a different kind of threat, we know their strengths and weaknesses, just as I am sure they're well aware of ours."

"But you can't just base them off their league position, they will come here looking to do a job on us like every other side will have done when facing us. They will come here with a plan and it's on us to deal with it properly and the ultimate goal is obviously to come away with all three points."

"We know what we have to do in order to get three points. We have to work together as a unit, there's no easy games in football, and we are all well aware this will be no different."

 Guisborough Town vs Washington AFC- Match report

Washington AFC travelled to Guisborough to kick start their Fa Cup Vase campaign. 

They were on the back foot for most of the first half, with the hosts squandering the chance to score from the penalty spot, they never seemed to dwell and instead scored either side of half time with Josh Rowbotham scoring twice.

As Washington asked questions of the Guisborough defence, the hosts broke at the dying embers of the game and added a third through Sonni Coleman.

It was a scrappy opening affair, with neither side creating anything clear cut in the opening stages.

The hosts were gifted a penalty mid way through the first half though, as Sam Lilley brought down Town winger Brandon Holdsworth. The penalty was saved though, as Harry Archer made a fine stop to deny Sonni Coleman.

Washy did grow into the game however, as Jak Hanson fired a shot wide shortly after Archer’s penalty save.

The hosts continued to ramp up the pressure though, and after a series of blocks from Sam Lilley and Daniel Bennett, a looping header from Guisborough’s Josh Rowbotham found its way into the top corner on the stroke of half time.

Guisborough then doubled their advantage shortly after the break, with Rowbotham grabbing his second of the match.

Washy kept plugging away though, with Alex Dobinson and Jak Hanson coming close to halving the deficit.

It wasn’t to be though, as Town added a third at the end, with Sonni Coleman scoring for the hosts after a fine counter attack.

Washington season review

The dust has finally settled on what has been a long slog for Washington; who have avoided relegation to The Wearside League by the skin of their teeth. 

The squad was ravaged by injuries as they went into the 2021/22 season, with new signings and fresh faces galore as the club looked to build on the previous season- where they once again survived relegation by the barest of margins.

Though as the club started the season with two disastrous defeats (3-1 at Horden and 6-1 at Billingham), there was little hope for a side which was clearly short on confidence.

Though, as Washington took maximum points off Esh Winning, many would have hoped that the side had turned a corner; this hope was short lived.

Damaging defeats would soon follow, shipping five goals one week, then six the next, then the odd seven goal thrashing left the side second bottom in the table. Only Durham City found themselves below Washington.

They went into the second half of the season in third bottom, having picked up a few precious points, including wins against Bedlington and the late, late show against local rivals Birtley Town which saw the club go into the festive period on a high. 

The second half of the season finally came around and after a month long break, Washington picked up from where they left off; winning four of their next six games, easing relegation concerns for the next few weeks anyway.

Though in football, nothing is certain, and the devastating defeats would soon follow. Points were dropped at Ryton and back at home to Carlisle, relegation was suddenly feared as sides around them picked up points.

Confidence was clearly shot, as they lost four games consecutively, a 3-0 battering at relegation threatened Blyth Town did nothing to ease relegation fears, leaving the club in desperate need of points sooner rather than later. 

Though they did arrive, in the battle of the bottom clubs- Washington took all three points away to Esh Winning to all but secure their safety for another season. 

Though their safety was assured, Washington travelled to basement club Durham City on the final day of the season looking to take all three points.

Durham had gone an entire season without winning a league game, that was until Washington came to town. The hosts ran out 1-0 winners, a poor way for Washington to end the season.

However, Washington did steer themselves clear of relegation, thanks mostly to their mid season form. All eyes are on next season now, as they look to fire themselves up the division sooner rather than later.

 Washington returned to The Hub for the third time in seven days, as we faced Durham City in the Ebac Northern League Division Two.

Washington went into the game with a point to prove, having lost their last three games in all competitions.

And prove a point they did, as they raced into a strong first half lead, Alex Dobinson, Jake Martindale and Brad Chisholm got the hosts off to the perfect start. They played to the same tune in the second half; Brad Chisholm bagging two more goals to complete his hat-trick. Washy's scoring ended there, however Durham's would begin, with Calvin Payne and Abdul Wahab scoring a goal each for the visitors.

The hosts dominated the first half, and had various penalty shouts through Aiden Hutchinson and Sam Hussanin.

Their pressure told though; Alex Dobinson fired the hosts into the lead with a delightful free kick, catching the Durham City goalkeeper off guard from all of 35 yards.

They didn't rest on the one goal however, and doubled their advantage some three minutes later, as Jake Martindale took advantage of a goalkeeping howler, and fired into an empty net.

Their first half goal glut continued as Brad Chisholm latched onto Sam Hussanin's inch perfect through ball and fired past the despairing Durham City 'keeper.

Washy picked up from where they left off in the second half; Brad Chisholm doubles his personal tally for the day with a scorching effort from 25 yards, leaving the Durham City keeper with no chance.

Chisholm's own personal triumph would continue, as he completed his hat-trick on 70 minutes. A rather simple finish for the winger this time, who had time to turn and finish inside the box.

Washington's domination ended there though as Durham tried to mount a comeback. The visitors did score two goals through Calvin Payne and an Abdul Wahab penalty though they were merely a consolation. 

The visitors then had goalscorer Wahab sent off, before Washy manager Mark Gibbon was also given his marching orders.

 Washington FC Vs Crook Town AFC- match report.

In a hard fought encounter, Washington went into the break two goals up, as Lewis McGeoch and Ethan Barella scored after devastating counter attacks. Crook came into the second half full of confidence still, and found themselves on level terms after 70 minutes. They kept pushing and pushing, and they weren't to be denied, as they found a winner in the 90th minute.

Washington came into this one on the back of a disappointing defeat at Esh Winning and faced tough competition, as table toppers Crook Town visited the Ford Hub.

Crook dominated the opening stages of the game, with Dan Maddison squandering an early opportunity from all of six yards out.

Washington had to withstand a serious amount of pressure though and did, as Brad Chisholm looked to make things happen. He did too, as Washy won a penalty mid way through the first half, as a fierce strike hit a Crook arm. Lewis McGeoch made no mistake, and confidently stood up to smash home.

Harry Archer was forced to make a few saves in the Washington goal, and made a world class save to deny Crook's Corey Nicholson.

Washy kept pushing though, and doubled their lead as the dangerous Brad Chisholm found Ethan Barella, who stroked the ball home from close range on the brink of half time.

That's where the positivity ended for Washington though, as the visitors pulled one back early into the second half through Matt Crossen.

They continued to pile on the pressure and levelled the game soon after, as Jamie Tumilty converted for the visitors.

The turnaround was complete late in the day, as Crook made sure they went back home with all three points.