‘Underdogs’ Red Star aiming to win derby battle to extend run

Seaham Red Star manager Mark Collingwood wants his side to “win the battle” in their game at Sunderland RCA on Saturday.

Red Star make the trip to Sunderland LDV Park looking to secure a third consecutive league win.

But Saturday will present a stern test of their recent improvement as Martin Swales’ side are capable of testing anyone in the Northern

League’s top tier on their day.

With RCA and Ryhope CW currently sat just above Red Star in the table, it is possible that Collingwood’s side could end the season as Wearside’s top dogs.

Collingwood just wants to start looking up the table

He said: “I think our challenge is just to finish as high as we can.

“It is a derby, but it’s just another game for us and it’s another game that we have a chance of winning.

“We have a near fullstrength squad, and we will need that because we know what we will get from them.

“They play a lot of straight balls, their front two are a handful and they have four very good defenders.

“We are the underdogs, that is clear, even though they have had a disappointing season in my opinion.

“It’s going to be a battle and we will have to win that battle before we win the game.”

Michael Chilton (hernia injury) and Scott Young (suspension) are the only absentees for the game. Hull City youngster Tom Best will be in the RCA squad once again after agreeing to second loan spell with the club.

But Swales will be without defender Ross Preston with a late fitness test for captain Greg Swansbury.

Ryhope CW joint-manager Chris McCabe has revealed that confidence is high ahead of his side’s visit to Newcastle Benfield.

An impressive 1-1 draw at North Shields helped Ryhope extend their unbeaten run to four.

He said: “Benfield are a good side. It’s another tough game for us and we will have to see what some players are like.

“Elliott Woods played 90 minutes and so did Carl Jones, both players were superb. But two games in a week might be a bit too much for them.

“We are on a good little run at the moment and the confidence is high and we just need to carry on.”