SILKSWORTH BOSS WARY OF WOLVES AHEAD OF CUP SEMI
WEARSIDE LEAGUE
Silksworth CW will have to overcome Wearside League leaders Wolviston if they are to reach the final of the Alan Hood Charity Cup.
The two sides meet at Welfare Park tomorrow as Silksworth look for another surprise victory over the visitors after romping to a 4-1 league win on Teesside earlier in the season.
That defeat will provide Wolviston with extra focus and motivation ahead of Saturday’s meeting according to Silksworth coach Michael Curtis.
He said: “I think we caught them on the hop a bit in September to be honest.
“I don’t think they could understand just how they had lost that game and how they had lost so heavily.
“They are a great side and they have plenty of pace and power in attack.
“We know their strengths and we know that they will find extra motivation from the win we got against them in September.”
Curtis recently revealed that winning a cup competition was one of his side’s priorities this season and tomorrow’s tie is the first of two semi-finals they will face either side of the festive break.
They will face title-challenging Hebburn Town Reserves in the last four of the Durham Trophy in the New Year and Curtis admitted that his side will have to beat the best to get through to the final in either competition.
“They are two tough draws,” explained the Silksworth coach.
“Ideally you would want a slightly easier tie, but that doesn’t tend to happen when you get to a semi-final.
“We are probably playing two of the best sides in the league in both ties, so it is a case of, to be the best you have to beat the best.
“But we are up for the challenge.”
Silksworth are boosted by the news that long-term injury-victim Mason Burton is the only absentee from their squad for tomorrow’s game.
Sunderland West End are also in cup action as they host Darlington Town in round one of the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup.
Midfielder Daniel Nelson will miss out for the visitors as he serves a one-match ban.
Hebburn Town Reserves can close to within two points of league leaders Wolviston with a win at Horden CW.
Hornets manager Kevin Bolam has a number of injury concerns ahead of the game and is expected to be without Harry Simpson (knee), Gary Crutwell (ankle) and Nathan Richardson (groin).
Boldon CA will have a new face in the dugout when they host Richmond Town.
Harton and Westoe CW assistant manager John Pressling will work alongside Under-23s manager Ian Dunbar over the remainder of the season.
Former Boldon assistant Barry Roberts will also return to the club. New signings Matthew Lee and Daniel Price could make their debuts against Richmond, but Boldon will hand a fitness test to Reece Blakey ahead of the game. Basement club Coxhoe Athletic travel to face a Gateshead Leam Rangers side that are looking to end a poor run of form. The hosts are boosted by the news that manager Anthony Huddart has a full squad available for the game. Two sides separated by only goal difference meet at Brinkburn Road as 11thplaced Darlington RA entertain an Annfield Plain side that are sat just one place below them in the table.