GOODEN: WE MUST START TO PICK UP POINTS AGAIN
EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE: HUGE GAME FOR RYHOPE CW, WITH JUST A TWO-POINT GAP TO RELEGATION ZONE
Ryhope CW are desperate to turn their form around, starting with tomorrow’s crucial Division One clash at home to Newton Aycliffe (3pm kick-off ).
The Wearsiders, with just one point secured from the last seven matches, are just two points above the drop zone.
Ryhope have 16 games still to play, with games in hand on all the teams around them, but the need for points is still a high priority.
Assistant manager Stuart Gooden said: “We know we’ve got to start picking up points, as we are near the relegation zone at the moment.
“We have a lot of games in hand to other teams, but we have to start picking up points.
“I am expecting a hard game this weekend, but we are going to give it a good go.
“Hopefully people coming back from long term injury, will put us at an advantage.”
Kyle Davis and David Gordon will be having fitness tests as they bid to return after long-term injuries,
James Ellis and Jake Winship are back in the squad, but Chris Wallace and Michael Rae are missing.
Aycliffe are 16th, five points above Ryhope, having played three games more. Ryhope lost 2-1 away to tomorrow’s opponents back in October.
Seaham Red Star, down to 14th place and only eight points above the relegation zone, head to Whitley Bay, who are searching for a new manager after the midweek departure of Marc Nash and his team of coaches.
New Red Star boss Craig Lynch saw positives in his first game in charge, a 3-1 defeat to Team Northumbria last week.
Lynch said: “It was not the start I hoped for, but, at the end of the day, what I said to the lads was that we created chances for both teams.
“We created chances for ourselvesbutthenwecreated chances for the opposition, which is one thing we need to cut out. “As I said to them, mistakes are going to happen for everyone, but the mistakes we’re making at the minute can be easily resolved.” Red Star have Callum Munro returning from suspension, but Liam Hodgson is unavailable. Is it too late for Washington, as they are 13 points adrift of the safety mark?
With only 10 matches left in their season, they entertain Ashington at the Nissan Sports Complex and are without long -term injury victim Corey Barnes, with a dislocated shoulder.
However, the Mechanics welcome back captain Alex White and there will be a late fitness test for Callum Dent.
The visiting Colliers have striker Dale Pearson unavailable, but skipper are available again. Craig Scott returns to the Shildon, in sixth despite squad. just one win in their last five
Eighth-placed league games, are at home to Sunderland RCA have no fourth-bottom Penrith, who match this weekend, but they are just a point above the will be back in action away to drop zone. Whitley Bay on Tuesday. Third-bottom Jarrow
Second-top Consett Roofing visit North Shields, welcome Newcastle Benfield who will have Marc Nash to the Belle View Stadium, in charge for the first time. with both sides having won Nash left Whitley Bay this four of their last six games. week to replace Brian Smith
Consett manager Mark at the Robins. Ecclessaid:“RyanMcKinnon, Roofing miss Chris Dan Hawkins, Calvin Smith, Winn, Shaun Vipond, Iulian Matty Slocombe and Josh Petrache and Davey Palme, Gray are all out injured. while Lewis Walton is a
“It will be a tough game doubt. Olly Martin returns. with those players out Roofing supremo Richie injured and no other lads McLoughlin said: “If the coming back in to replace lads play as well as they did them, but it will give lads who at Consett (in Tuesday’s 3-2 have been on the fringe a defeat), then what more chance to get a start.” could we ask of them?
West “They gave their all for Auckland, up the club and had more clear to third after chances to win the game, hitting 12 goals which gives heart to take into in their last two Saturday’s match.” games, face a Morpeth Town, beaten in difficult task at three of their last four league Dunston UTS. games, but still 16 points Dunston clear at the top, visit Bishop definitely miss David Auckland, while Team Hiftle and have doubts over Northumbria, unbeaten in Niall Harrison, Ben Pollock, their last six matches, with Dale Burrell. However, Dan 18 goals scored, head to Lowther and Kelvin Thear Guisborough.