SWALES LEAVING NOTHING TO CHANCE FOR CUP CLASH
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales hasn’t left anything to chance ahead of their FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at Clitheroe.
Swales’ side beat saw off local rivals Ryhope CW to set up the tie with the Evo-Stik League West Division side.
That derby win set off a process to find out exactly what RCA would face in Lancashire and Swales revealed he has called upon some contacts.
“We have had them watched because we wanted to do things the right way,” explained Swales.
“I had a few contacts down there that involved in the game and they have watched Clitheroe.
“Hopefully that has helped us identify some weaknesses and we go there in confidence.
“They are a higher division opposition so it’s a tough test but we have shown well against sides like Scarborough Athletic and South Shields so we will give it a go.”
Swales is boosted by the return of Michael Charlton, Colin Larkin and Luke Page but Stephen Callen (suspended) and Greg Swansbury (injured) remain unavailable.
Seaham Red Star are also in FA Cup action as they travel to Belle View to face Northern League Division One rivals Consett.
Red Star boss Mark Collingwood has the rare luxury of selecting from an almost fully-fit squad.
Matthew Lowrie is the only absentee for the Red Star boss as Liam Hodgson and Liam Haley return.
Striker Warren Byrne was substituted after picking up a knock during the midweek defeat at Dunston UTS but is expected to be fit for the game.
Ryhope CW will hope to round off a frustrating week with a win at Hebburn Town.
Gary Pearson’s side fell to a 5-2 defeat at Bishop Auckland last Saturday but that loss had a bigger impact than just missing out on points.
Defender David Gordon was stretched off during the game and had surgery on a ruptured Achilles that could prematurely end his season.
New signing Carl Jones faces another two to three weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury and Joe Melvin is also ruled out of the trip to South Tyneside after suffering knee ligament damage.
Chris Trewick has undergone a hernia operation and captain Ben Riding is suspended.
A patched-up Ryhope side was beaten at Whitley Bay in midweek and that means they are without a win since the opening day of the season.
The injuries have compounded an already lengthy injury-list but assistant manager Stu Gooden still expects his side to go and challenge the big-spending Hornets.
“It’s a tough test as it is but going there with the injurylist makes it even tougher,” explained Gooden.
“We have 11 players missing from the squad but we can’t allow ourselves to use that as an excuse.
“There isn’t a lot of difference between the clubs at the top and bottom of this league so we have to go and fight for everything at Hebburn.”