WEST END READY TO FACE LEADERS
Sunderland West End must give fitness tests to three players ahead of tomorrow’s attractive home clash with table-toppers Jarrow (2.30pm kick-off ).
Ford Quarry manager Barry Cook said: “We are looking forward to a difficult game against the league leaders.
“We are hoping to have a full squad to choose from, although there will be fitness tests given to Matthew Halliday, Stephen Lax and captain Lee Smith.
“Hopefully they come through the tests and will be available for selection.”
Jarrow have Paul Burrell missing, with Darren Morton and Aaron Kah out injured, but John Murray is back from an 18-month injury lay-off, managing 20 minutes last weekemd. Gordon Hutchinson and Stevie Graham also return.
Manager Dave Bell said: “We go to Sunderland West End knowing that they have a very good home record, so we are expecting a very hard game in which we know they will work really hard and are a good side.
“Again, this is a big game for us and another one that we know we have to be at our best.
“We have again worked well in training to prepare for this game and know it is again a big challenge for us.”
Fourth-top Silksworth CW travel to sixth-placed Hartlepool and expect a tough game.
Silksworth secretary David Steele said: “Michael McVay, Daley Clarke and Dean Randall are all available for this week’s game, but Dan Martin has a hamstring injury.
“We remain unbeaten this year so far, but Hartlepool will be a tough challenge.”
Pool expect Alex Marshall and Ashley Clark to be fit.
Barring any injuries from the midweek win at Seaham Red Star Reserves, the same squad will be available.
Official John Ward said: “It was great to get a game in last week and we played some good football after the lay-off on a heavy, boggy pitch and deserved more than a last -minute penalty win after dominating for long periods.”
Ashbrooke Belford House travel to Leam Rangers and welcome back Jordan Stewart from injury, while David Sewell and Shaun Fisk return from work commitments.
Second-bottom Seaham Red Star Reserves are at home to Prudhoe Town.
Star official Dave Copeland said: “The young lads brought in from the Sunderland Foundation are still finding their feet in this tough league, but are constantly learning.
“We have a lot of games scheduled for the next few weeks and will be looking to start picking up points to get the side away from the foot of the table.
“A number of the lads have already shown how good they can be and I have no doubt that they all will be up to speed soon.”
Boldon CA have centrehalf Jonny Gage and Daniel Nolan available again for the visit of Annfield Plain.
Oliver Bone also returns after his holiday.
Annfield Plain goalkeeper John Chrostowski returns from injury and they have centre-half Robert Smith and Dean Pearceback, while Jake Stafford has joined from Consett.
Assistant manager Chris Connell said: “We’re hoping to keep it going as we have been successful recently and we are trying to finish at the high end of the league.”
South Shields Reserves have Gary Crutwell back for the visit of Windscale, a week after beating the Cumbrians 5-2 away last week. Ryan Bolam is out injured.
Wolviston entertain bottom club Harton & Westoe CW, looking to get back to winning ways.
Manager Steve Cook said: “Losing our little four-match unbeaten run last Saturday against Hartlepool, in controversial circumstances, was hard to take, but we were not helped by the fact that I had to make six changes from the previous week.
“The players returning are defenders Spencer Nicholson, Andrew McGirr, Matthew Bayston and David Johnson, along with midfielder Anthony McCardle and striker Ross Eaglesham.
Defender Mark Lilley, who made his debut last week, will keep his place in the team.
Harton goalkeeper Dan Hebden returns from a ban, but he faces a fitness test on a thigh strain before regaining his starting slot. Dominic Solman, Tarudzwa Mawoko and Cameron Kirkham also return
Manager David Crumbie said: “We have eight games left this season and we can win at least half of them. If we can, it will be a solid base to build from next season.”
Coxhoe Athletic head to title hopefuls Richmond Town in the second round of the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup (2pm) without the unavailable Chris Foster and suspended Gavin Brown.
Philip Best, Chris Baxter, Steven Fothergill and Mykel Summerson return.
Redcar Athletic visit Cleator Moor Celtic in their semi-final, with doubts surrounding Joshua Cooper, Chris Bivens and Chris Atkinson.