SILKSWORTH ‘ABSOLUTELY’ AIMING FOR TOP-FIVE SPOT
WEARSIDE LEAGUE
Silksworth CW coach Michael Curtis has reiterated his claim that they should be targeting a top-five place in the Wearside League this season.
The Welfare Park club travel to West Auckland Tunns tomorrow knowing that they could end the weekend in fifth-place, if they can better Hartlepool FC’s result in their home game against league leaders Wolviston.
The trip to the PC Sports Pavilion offers a tough test according to Curtis, but one that they have to pass if they are to challenge the Wearside League’s elite come the end of the season.
He told the Echo: “The top five is absolutely the aim for us this season and even higher than that if we can.
“We have lost games like this in the past and we need to get ourselves on another good run of form.
“That is the only way we will get to where we want to be at the end of the season, so it’s a big game and it’s one that we have to win.
“It won’t be easy because they are a hard-working, physical side and they have settled into life in the Wearside League well.
“We have to match their work-rate and we have to play to our maximum potential.
“We are ready for it, but we are under no illusions just how sizeable the task will be.”
Silksworth are boosted by the news that they are almost at full-strength for the game.
A knee injury means that long-term absentee Mason Burton is the only player missing from the squad.
Defenders James Dawkins and Dean Cope return for Hartlepool FC as they look to continue their good form when they host leaders Wolviston.
Terry Hill’s side are unbeaten over 90 minutes since a home defeat against Richmond Town in late-October and the Hartlepool boss wants his side to continue that run against the league leaders. “It should be a cracker and there are no excuses for not knowing what to expect from them,” explained Hill. “We are playing well and we are making lots of chances. “We have worked hard in training on making better decisions in the final third and hopefully that comes through on Saturday. “Wolviston are excellent as an attacking force but we feel they can be got at defensively. “We are confident and we are looking forward to another tough game against a very good side.” Boldon CA begin life without manager Sean Butler when they travel to Annfield Plain in a battle of two sides in the bottom four. Butler left the South Tyneside club on Monday night and Under-23s manager Ian Dunbar will be in charge at Derwent Park tomorrow.
RichmondTownarewithout long-term injury victim Kallum Holbrook for their home game against bottomof-the-table Coxhoe Athletic.
Holbrook dislocated a knee in the 4-3 win against Gateshead Leam Rangers two weeks ago.
Leam Rangers will look to bounce back from last weekend’s away defeat at Wolviston when they travel to Cumbria to face Windscale.
New signing Decklin Moss could start for Darlington Town in their Durham Trophy tie at Hebburn Town Reserves.
Their hosts have injury doubts over Nathan Richardson and Gary Crutwell and will be without Aron Burn as he is on first-team duty.
There is one TWR Shipowners Charity Cup second round tie taking place as Horden CW entertain Darlington RA at Welfare Park.