POINTS RECORD’S IN SILKY’S SIGHTS
Silksworth CW are on course to create club history – and defend their seven-game unbeaten league record at Prudhoe Town tomorrow (2.30pm kick-off ).
Secretary David Steele said: “With nine games to go in the league, manager Andy Stobbart only needs four points to become the highest point taking manager in Silksworth CW history.
“The previous record was 58, set by manager Scott Cameron. This is Andy’s first season and he has done tremendously well.”
Fourth-placed Silksworth signed goalkeeper Jordan Harkness from Northern League neighbours Sunderland RCA, and he made his debut last week against Richmond.
Regular goalkeeper Joe Clayton was available for the 2-1 win, but he will return at Kimberley Park.
Dean Randall, who has had a groin injury, and Adam Storey, who has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury, will both have fitness tests.
Boss Stobbart said: “The team are performing very well and in last two away matches we have taken four points from the top teams.”
Sunderland West End welcome Leam Rangers to Ford Quarry after a disappointing run of three successive defeats.
West End manager Barry Cook said: “We have a big squad to choose from in what we expect to be a physical game.
“We’re hoping to get on the winning trail after the last three games, although we were unlucky not to get a draw last week against Redcar.”
Seaham Red Star Reserves entertain South Shields Reserves and a third management change of the season sees Jamie Wright in temporary charge.
A number of new signings will be made before the game, as Wright brings in some youngsters from the Sunderland Foundation of Light programme.
Official Dave Copeland said: “It’s been a very tough time since the start of the year when players were brought in by the previous management team, who only lasted for two games.
“For the last game against Jarrow (a 9-1 defeat to the leaders), we were forced into asking lads we knew from Seaham, to come back and help us out to keep the team going.
“I would like to thank all those players for doing that and we now look forward to completing our season.”
South Shields Reserves are looking to build on their victory over Ashbrooke Belford House to secure a league double against tomorrow’s hosts.
Manager Kevin Bolam will be without both Gary Crutwell and Iulian Petrache through suspension, while goalkeeper Curtis Richardson has left the club to join table-toppers Jarrow.
Ashbrooke Belford House entertain in-form Wolviston and have a full squad to choose from, including the returning Harry Graham and Dale Wells.
Wolviston – 2-1 winners away to Coxhoe and Sunderland West End in the last fortnight – have Luke Bennington returning, alongside striker Nathan Bayes, who has shaken off his ankle injury. But defender Karl Barry misses out with work commitments.
Wolviston president Keith Simpson said: “We are in the middle of a little run of good form at present which has seen us go unbeaten in three games, lifting us out of the bottom two for the first time this season. We hope to continue this when we visit Ashbrooke.”
Fifth-top Boldon CA make the long journey to Windscale and manager Paul Mossa said: “It’s that time of the season where the past hard work will mean nothing, if we can’t go on to finish in the top five.”
In his second year in charge, the three-year plan that Mossa suggested is well on track.
Boldon won the Shipowners Cup and finished 10th in the first year and, this season, they are through to the League Cup final and Shipowners Cup semi-final, and are fifth in the league.
Leaders Jarrow face a tough task at on-song Darlington 1883 Reserves.
Jarrow have Aaron Kah and Darren Morton injured, while Stevie Graham serves the last game of his threematch ban. Gary Frater, Paul Burrell and Grant Pressling are also unavailable.
Boss Dave Bell said: “Darlington have had some excellent results of late and, having played them not long ago at home, we know that they have a very good team.”
Bottom club Harton and Westoe CW will fancy their chances of a victory when they host Stokesley SC.
Coxhoe Athletic look to clinch their place in a second semi-final this season. But they face a difficult task away to Richmond Town.
Coxhoe, who reached the Durham County Trophy semis earlier this term, have Chris Foster and Mitchell McKenna Little out, but back into the squad come Robert Thompson and Philip Best.
Richmond centre-half Simon Pinkney is a doubt after twisting his knee in last weej’s defeat to Silksworth CW, while winger Colin Anderson and striker Scott Ryan are suspended.