NELSON: WE’LL BE READY FOR BIG RICHMOND TEST
WEARSIDE LEAGUE
Sunderland West End manager Anthony Nelson believes that his side will take on a “real contender” when they face Richmond Town on Saturday.
The North Yorkshire outfit sit third in the Wearside League table after winning four of their opening six fixtures this season.
They sit one place and three points ahead of West End, although Nelson’s side have played two games fewer than their opponents.
The game will be an early test of both sides’ title credentials and Nelson insisted that his side will be ready for the challenge.
“We know we are heading into one of the hardest games of the season and probably the most difficult game so far,” explained the West End boss.
“They have been inconsistent over the past few seasons but they have brought in a number of good players this summer.
“That means they are a real contender in the league and we will have to be at our best for the game.”
West End are without winger James Cassidy as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and defender Brad Forster is unavailable.
Silksworth CW could move into the top four with a win at Darlington Town but coach Michael Curtis has warned his side they face a trip into the unknown.
The Quakers have won only one of their first four games this season but Curtis believes that his side will need to go into the game with the correct attitude if they want to build on their midweek win at Horden CW.
“It will be an interesting game to see what they offer,” said Curtis. “Usually a good, young side but maybe we can get the upper-hand physically.
“They are an unknown quality so we don’t know what to expect. We are confident but we know that if we don’t perform, the teams in our league will punish us.
“Our attitude has to be right, so we are looking to deliver a result and performance like we did on Wednesday.”
Josh Perry and James Farquah are both missing for Silksworth but midfielder John Maddison returns from injury.
Coxhoe Athletic are missing a number of key players as they go looking for their first win of the season against Hartlepool FC.
Mark Brown, Harry Dowding and Stefen Wares will all miss the game at Beechfield Park as Athletic look to improve on their record of just one point from
their first four games of the campaign.
There is a South Tyneside derby as Harton and Westoe CW travel to bottom-of-thetable Boldon CA.
The hosts are without Daniel Dunbar and Reece Blakey as manager Sean Butler continues to work hard to build a squad for the season.
Harton boss David Crumbie is boosted by the news that brothers Grant and Jay Pressling are available once again.
He said “It will be a tough game against Boldon as it’s a derby so we need to be up for it.
“We are hoping to keep our decent run of form going with three points.”
League leaders Wolviston travel to Annfield Plain looking to extend their winning streak to seven games.
They lead Hebburn Town Reserves by two points and Kevin Bolam’s side will hope to take advantage of any Wolviston slip-ups when they travel to Darlington RA. Bolam is without skipper Gary Crutwell, Max Nelson and Frankie Hucks.
Windscale make the trip from Cumbria to Tyneside to face Gateshead Leam Rangers and West Auckland Tunns host Horden CW in the First Round of the
Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup.