Northern League
Chester-le-Street boss Colin Wake has slammed his under-performing players ahead of their Division Two clash at Jarrow tonight.
Wake is looking for a big improvement from his players in a rare Friday night runout.
He said: “The only injury concern we have is with Michael Hepplewhite – all the other players are fit and available.
“After last Saturday’s dreadful performance there are a lot of shirts up for grabs, with the substitutes pushing for a start.
“We need to get back to basics, working hard, keeping the ball better and stopping them from playing, too many at the minute think they are better than they are and aren’t earning the right to play at this level.”
Jarrow manager Dave Bell said: “We are hoping to attract a good crowd to the game to come along and give us support in our first Friday game for the club. We have had great support this season and we are greatly appreciative for this.
“We have worked hard in training this week to get us back to winning ways, having lost our last three league games.
“Every game is tough in this league and we need to get back to playing to the level we know we can do together. The lads know what they have to do and are really looking forward to this game against a team that was in the First Division last season and have a great history in this league.”
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales has a few injury problems ahead of their huge Division One clash at home to unbeaten Shildon tomorrow.
Clayton Davis, captain Greg Swansbury, Craig Hodgson, Jonny Davies and Ross McNab are all out injured while there will be fitness tests for Ross Preston, Reece Noble and Stephen Callen. Swales said: “It will be a very tough game. Shildon are always very strong and it will be an interesting game, but hopefully we can put on a show. It’s just unfortunate that we’ve got quite a few injuries.” In Division Two, Easington Colliery host Ryton & Crawcrook Albion and following the departure of Paul Frame as manager, the club hope to keep most of the players together. Kyle Donaldson and Reece Kenney will return to the side following their suspensions. Chris Freeman is expected to return to the squad having missed last week’s game at Heaton Stannington and Chris Bell should return after illness.
Ryton are without long term absentees Mark McMeekin and Callum Turnbull. Also missing due to university are Andy Collins and Ben Shaw.
Esh Winning travel to Alnwick Town with a depleted squad. They have nine players missing for the game, due to the late fixture change.
Brandon United are at home to West Allotment Celtic while Crook Town’s home game with Billingham Town has had to be cancelled due to some damage to the pitch during some floodlighting