WEST END FIRED UP TO MAINTAIN SURGE
Sunderland West End look to complete a quickfire double when Leam Rangers visit Ford Quarry on league duty tomorrow.
West End were impressive 3-1 winners away to the Gateshead outfit on January 21 and are aiming to extend their perfect record in 2017 – four wins out of four in all competitions so far.
Joint manager Anthony Nelson, proud of last weekend’s progress to the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup final, said: “We have a full squad to pick from after a good win last weekend, apart from Barry Turton, who may have work commitments.
“We’ve won eight of the last nine games and are looking to keep our good run going.
“Goalkeeper Lee Burrell has been in great form – he’s made some excellent saves and has been a great signing for us this season. Young 17-year old Matty Halliday has also been excellent, and he’ll be looking to keep his place up front.”
Fellow joint manager Barry Cook added: “We’re looking to carry on our recent good form and run of results and also on the club’s achievement of reaching our first final, after a few near misses.
“We know it will be a hard game, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Leam Rangers travel with new signings Jack Burns and Carl Taylor both hoping to be involved.
Seaham Red Star Reserves travel to North Yorkshire to face Stokesley SC looking for their first points under the new management team of Lee Ellison and Mark Proud.
Joint manager Ellison said: “We have brought in a few new faces recently and we really need the games to get the lads to gel.
“We know it will take a few weeks to get where we want too, but we are going in the right direction.”
Philip Hayes and David Baker return alongside Aaron Wood and Jack Pearson and Rhys Tapner had encouraging debuts last week.”
The management team are expecting to bring in two new signings before the game.
Stokesley have Craig Winter and Connor Campbell back from suspension, while Caleb White and Danny Jones are available again.
Ashbrooke Belford House’s game at Boldon CA has been postponed.
Prudhoe Town, in need of points to steer clear of the foot of the table, host leaders Jarrow in what will be a very difficult game for the home side.
Jarrow have Gary Frater injured, so Mark English again steps in, having played in last week’s win at Hartlepool. Max Kirkham and Darren Morton are not available, butKai Elliott returns to the squad, having missed last week’s game.
Bottom club Harton and Westoe CW travel to Cumbria to face Windscale, while South Shields Reserves aim to get back to winning ways against visitors Annfield Plain.
Coxhoe Athletic, disappointed by the end of their Durham County Trophy final dream last weekend, host Richmond Town in the second round of the TWR Shipowners Cup (1.30pm).
Coxhoe have David Gibson suspended, but Michael Connelly returns to the squad.
The visiting Dalesmen have goalkeeper Harry Wray cup-tied, so Karl Latcham will step in. Chris Pattison should be available after recovering from an ankle injury, while forward Colin Anderson returns, after missing last weekend due to work.
Redcar Athletic are at home to Cleator Moor Celtic in the same competition, with a final place up for grabs.
Athletic will be without the suspended Michael Woodhouse, but David Abel is available again, after completing his four-match ban.
Silksworth CW have no game this weekend as they have been granted the day off by the league.
Tonight, the club are part of the celebrations to mark secretary David Steele’s 65th birthday.
Steele, who has been with the club in all its various guises for years, is hoping that a lot of his old management and players attend.
He was assistant manager to Steven Smith before the club ceased operating, due to Smith’s work commitments. Steele was not idle for long, though.
He was offered the secretary’s role at newly-formed Silksworth Rangers when they took their place in the Wearside League. After 18 months, he found himself chairman of the club, who were rock bottom of the league at the time.
With a new committee on board, he appointed Mark McGinley as manager and the transformation to the present successful Silksworth CW side started.
They finished eighth that season and the progress continued when McKinley left, with assistant Scott Cameron taking over and winning the Durham County Trophy in his first season.
Andrew Stobbart is in charge this season, with Silksworth fourth in the league.
Steele said: “I’m proud of my team and the position we are in and I’ve got great people around me – Phil Tye, Gordon Mason, Wendy Stevens and Premier referee Geoff Eltringham all work as one to make this club successful off the field and that is showing on the pitch.”