REFRESHED SILKSWORTH EAGER TO SEAL SEMI SPOT
TWR BIFOLDS WEARSIDE LEAGUE: DURHAM COUNTY TROPHY REACHES QUARTER-FINAL STAGE
Silksworth CW are gunning for a Durham County Trophy semi-final place when they visit Leam Rangers tomorrow (2pm kick-off ).
The Wearsiders had a free weekend last Saturday due to their game at Richmond being called off, so the squad should be well rested.
Goalkeeper Jak Wright is expected to miss a number of games, as he recovers from an operation to remove plates and screws from a previous ankle injury. All involved with Silksworth are wishing him a speedy recovery.
Forward Nathan Renton completed 90 minutes in a recent game and is expected to challenge for a place in the team, while fellow forward Stephen Moody continues to be a doubt due to a hamstring strain.
Manager Andrew Stobbart said: “It was good to get a rest last weekend, as the squad has been carrying a few injuries and, with the extra time, we expect to have a pretty full squad to select from.
“As always, Leam Rangers will provide us with a stern test, so we will have to be at our best to get into the next round of the cup.”
Sunderland West End host Gateshead Rutherford in a 1.30pm kick-off at Ford Quarry.
Manager Anthony Nelson is looking forward to ‘squaring up to’ his friend Paul Bennett, the manager of Rutherford. Nelson said: “They beat Hebburn Town Reserves 4-1 in the last round and it will be a hard game.
“I have a full squad to choose from, apart from Brad Forster, and we are looking forward to the game.
“The team is currently 14 games unbeaten and the lads are confident.” Boldon CA visit Hartlepool (1.30pm) for the third time this season, having lost twice in the league and the Alan Hood Memorial Cup semi-final.
Boldon manager Paul Mossa will have Frankie Hucks available after missing last Saturday’s win, while striker Adam Bell returns.
Wing-back Cam Foster misses the trip with a hamstring problem, while central midfielder Jack Lawton will have a fitness test, after his soft tissue injury.
Mossa signed midfielder Jack Young last week and he came on after only 15 minutes and impressed, so he has a chance of making the starting line-up.
Hartlepool expect Luke Naylor, Lee Jones and Ash Clark to return to the squad, while Sam Cook and Dean Cope could be back after missing three games.
Pool lost out in the last round at Birtley in a penalty shoot-out, but the hosts played an ineligible Northern League player, who came off the bench to score a late goal, so they have been reinstated.
Coxhoe Athletic face a difficult trip to Durham Alliance Combination League side West Auckland Tunns (1.30pm).
There are four league games scheduled.
High-flying Hebburn Town Reserves travel to bottom club Windscale, who are looking to bounce back from last week’s 10-0 trouncing at Sunderland West End.
South Shields Reserves entertain Wolviston and are boosted by the return of David Graham, Ali Aleagha and Jake McDermott. Thomas Conroy is facing a fitness test, following an ankle injury.
Wolviston manager Steve Cook can look forward to having his full squad available, excepting defender David Johnson, who is struggling to recover from a knee injury, sustained in a collision with a referee six weeks ago.
Bottom club Prudhoe TownhostRedcarAthleticand have put a new team together. Secretary Steve Pringle said: “We have two new managers in and are looking forward to playing all our matches with a ‘can win’ attitude.”
Redcar have Adam Preston back, following a hattrick for the reserves last week. Their only doubt surrounds Joshua Cooper.
Annfield Plain host struggling Stokesley SC.