WEST AMONG THE BEST BUT CA UP FOR THE CUP
WEARSIDE LEAGUE
Boldon CA manager Sean Butler has hailed Sunderland West End as “one of best sides in the Wearside League.”
The two clubs meet in Round One of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup at Nissan Sports Complex on Saturday, and Butler is under no illusions of the size of the challenge facing his side.
“I think they are one of the best sides in the Wearside League and they are probably up there with Hebburn Town Reserves as favourites for the title,” explained the Boldon boss.
“They have strength-indepth and it’s not just the starting eleven that you have to focus on.
“They have a number of players that could play in the Northern League and we have a very difficult test ahead of us.
“We have to stay in the game for as long as possible and play to our maximum ability.
“We have a gameplan and that is something that we worked on during training on Wednesday.
“Can we beat them? Who knows, but we will have a go.”
West End boss Anthony Nelson will be able to call on the services of Andrew Brown and John Butler for the last time before they start three-match suspensions.
Butler will have to do without injured keeper Ryan Graham but is boosted by the return of Liam McBryde, Michael Young and Scott Mould.
Joe Gill starts a threematch ban meaning he misses Annfield Plain’s Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Round One tie against Gateshead Leam Rangers.
Nicky Gray has also been ruled out but Jamie Price is available once again.
Leam Rangers are still awaiting news on the fitness of Shaun Bell, Chris Lowther and Carl Taylor ahead of the trip to Derwent Park.
There is one Preliminary Round tie in the competition as Darlington Town travel to Horden CW.
West Auckland Tunns manager Dean Whitworth insisted that his side will show “no fear” when they host Wolviston on Saturday.
The league leaders travel to PC Sports Pavilion looking to make it nine wins in as many games this season but Whitworth is relishing the challenge.
He said: “It’s a big test for us but we are up for the task.
“We look forward to it because we go into the game in good form.
“Wolviston look really good at the moment but we don’t fear anyone.”
A knee injury has ruled out Tunns midfielder Luke McGill and the game will also come too early for Nick Peterson to make a full recovery from a shoulder injury.
Wolviston travel without the injured Andy McCreesh and suspended Famara Jatta.
Top of the table Hebburn Town Reserves face a trip to the league’s bottom side Coxhoe Athletic.
Kevin Bolam’s side are heavy favourites for the game but the Hornets boss is hopeful that his side’s injury worries will clear any complacency.
“We have players missing for the game and hopefully that will make us erase any complacency,” he said.
“We are stretched and down to the bare bones but we want to continue our unbeaten start to the season.”
Bolam is without Dom Minchella, Dylan Nesbitt, Josh Houghton and Frankie Hucks and has doubts over Adam Sharpe and Gary Crutwell.
Their hosts also have injury worries, with 10 players missing and Alex Hird the latest to join the list after damaging his hamstring.
Harton and Westoe CW face a trip to Cumbria to face Windscale and Darlington RA host Richmond Town at Brinkburn Road.
Hartlepool FC’s defensive crisis eases as centreback Robbie Hammond returns for their Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup First Round home tie against Durham and Wearside Development Division club Farringdon Detached.