RYHOPE UP FOR BIG FIGHT
ASSISTANT BOSS GOODEN WANTS WEARSIDERS TO SHOW THEIR BEST FORM AGAINST DEFENDING CHAMPS
Assistant manager Stuart Gooden wants Ryhope CW to repeat last week’s efforts when they host defending First Division champions Shildon tomorrow.
Ryhope edged out Newcastle Benfield 4-3 in a thriller last Saturday, but know they face an even harder task against the Railwaymen.
Gooden said: “We were very pleased with our performance last weekend – it was a very good performance against a good Newcastle Benfield side.
“We’re playing the champions, so it’s a massive game. Shildon need to win every game, so we’re expecting a tough one. We’re looking forward to it, it’s good to test ourselves against tough sides.
“Our form has been good lately so we’ll be going into the game with confidence, but the players will need to give 100% to get any kind of result against them.
“Callum Munro and Danni Lay made their debuts last Saturday. we’re very pleased with their performance and hope they continue on for the rest of the season.”
Stephen Francis (hamstring), Simon Ord and Matty Weirs (both ankle) are out injured, but David Gordon, Elliott Woods and Josh Home-Jackson return. Nathan O’Neill and Kyle Davis will be given fitness tests.
Third-top Shildon are likely to only miss the injured Amar Purewal.
Vice-chairman Jeff Ridley said: “We have a new manager, Daniel (Bobby) Moore and ex-Middlesbrough player Mick Barron will be coming in as assistant manager.
“He was at Hartlepool for 18 years, was captain and played just short of 450 games for them.
“We’re favourites to win, but we are taking nothing for granted.”
Sunderland RCA boss Martin Swales anticipates a testing afternoon away to fourth-top Morpeth Town.
Swales, whose side drew 2-2athometoMorpethinAugust, said: “It will be a tough game against one of the top sides in the league. We drew last year, but Morpeth’s always a tough place to go.”
Ross Preston, Colin Larkin and Clayton Davis are still out injured and James Armstrong will be unavailable with his injury. Greg Swansbury, Liam McBryde and Neal Bussey all face fitness tests.
But RCA have 17-year old Brad Wilson available again.
SeahamRedStar,inninth, host relegation-threatened Jarrow Roofing.
Red Star’s Andy Johnson is struggling to shake off a thigh strain suffered in last weekend’s defeat at Marske and Liam Hodgson is unavailable.
But Ryan Burton and Richie Goodman are in contention for starting places and Lewis Graham could be promoted from the reserve side, following his move from Darlington RA.
Striker Craig Lynch is also expected to return after missing last week.
Joint manager Paul Johnson said: “Despite the recent run of defeats, I am pleased with the performances. The last 15 minutes have been costly due to running with so many injuries and absentees.”
Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin said: “Our only doubt is Brad Varga, who has an injury. Jamie Marshall and Arjun Purewal should be returning.
“It will be a hard game, a tricky job and a big match for both teams – we’ll both be looking to win.”
West Auckland missed the banned Kerry Hedley at Dunston UTS, while Darren Richardson faces a fitness test.