NELSON: WE HAVE TO GET THE BETTER OF OUR BOGEY TEAM!
Sunderland West End will have to be at their best to keep their impressive form going with a win against Hartlepool FC.
That was the verdict of West End manager Anthony Nelson as they prepare to face Terry Hill’s side at Nissan Sports Complex.
West End go into the game in good form after winning their last five league game and will end the weekend on top of the table if they can avoid a home defeat.
Nelson told The Echo: “They keep beating us, I know that.
“You look at their results and they beat all of the top sides, but sometimes lose to the lesser clubs in the league.
“That makes them even more dangerous for us to face.
“They have a really good management team, and some great players, so it’s a big challenge for us and we will need to be at our best to get a win.
“It’s must-win for us because we can’t really afford to draw or lose games now. We need to keep the momentum going.”
Former Blyth Spartans and Whitley Bay striker Ash Davis comes into the West End squad after joining the club this week and both Jake Fowler and Andrew Brown are set to return.
In-form Silksworth CW are looking forward to a return to league action following last weekend’s Monkwearmouth Charity Cup semi-final win at Hartlepool.
A visit to former Northern League club Darlington RA is on the agenda for Will Crew’s side this weekend and assistant manager Michael Curtis admitted that the focus has changed following their cup heroics.
He said: “We are looking forward to the Darlington RA and we go into it on the back of a good run of form.
“We want to get back into the league games and get some points on the board as the cups have been the focus in recent weeks.”
Silksworth are without defender Ewan Colling due to work commitments, but his absence could hand a chance to the returning Mason Burton.
Lee Graydon also returns to the squad after dislocating his shoulder.
Boldon CA will look to continue their impressive run of form when they host Darlington Town.
John Pressling’s side are unbeaten in 2019 and have won five of their six fixtures since the turn of the year.
The visitors will be without suspended midfielder Ethan Brown.
Annfield Plain are without three key players for their visit to Windscale.
Carl Malpass, Chris Kileen and Daniel Johnson all miss the trip to Cumbria as they continue to serve suspensions following their red cards in the abandoned game against Wolviston.
Bottom of the table Coxhoe Athletic are missing Phillip Hayes and Stephen Clifford for their home game against Gateshead Leam Rangers.
New signings Stephen Bogie and Michael Coghlan could make their first appearances at Coxhoe look for only their second home win of the season.
Harton and Westoe CW duo Daniel Nolan and Jordan Fenwick will miss their side’s TWR Shipowners Charity Cup semi-final at Horden CW as they serve suspensions following recent red cards.
Their hosts welcome back captain John Bowes but are without defender Scott Davison and midfielder Ian Tumilty. League leaders Hebburn Town Reserves take a break from league action when they host Richmond Town in the last four of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.
Kevin Bolam’s side are looking for their first semifinal win of the season after recent defeats against Gateshead Leam Rangers in the Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup and Silksworth CW in the Durham Trophy.