Ryhope set to make changes for derby-day showdown with RCA
It’s derby day on the opening day of the Northern League Division One season as Ryhope CW make the short trip to face local rivals Sunderland RCA.
Both sides experienced contrasting fortunes in midweek as they got their season underway in FA Cup extra preliminary round ties.
R C A s aw o f f No r th e r n League Division Two side Durham City with a 3-1 win at Sunderland LGV Park, but a 3-2 defeat at FA Vase semi-finalists Consett ensured that Ryhope’s cup run fell at the first hurdle.
Saturday’s meeting is expected to be a tight affair with little separating the sides in the meetings last season and Ryhope joint-manager Gary Pearson doesn’t see that changing this weekend.
He said: “We will make changes, it’s early, I wouldn’t say it’s pre-season, the season has started, but the lads had a heavy run-around at Consett.
“There will be some fresh lads coming in for Saturday, so we will look at what we can do.
“It’s a different type of pitch, it’s a different style of football.
“It will be interesting, it can go either way, we shared the spoils last season, but they have been heaps and bounds better than us over previous seasons.”
Pearson will check on the fitness of defender Tom Price and goalkeeper James Winter ahead of the game.
Sunderland RCA boss Martin Swales could hand a league debut to new signing James Fairley after he scored in the
FA Cup win over Durham.
Swales wants his side to “have a good go” against their local rivals as they look to build on the momentum gained by progressing in the cup.
“It’s a huge game for us and Ryhope. It’s always a tough game, they are strong and physical, and we have to give as much as they give during the game.
“You have to compete with
them and then hope that your quality comes through in the end. We will have to be on our toes, use our experience and have a good go at them to get a win.”
Mark Collingwood wants Seaham Red Star to get their league season underway with a positive performance in their home game against Whickham.
Red Star will go into the
game looking to move on from theirFACup exitatthehandsof NewcastleBenfield–butwillbe heartened by the fact that they are unbeaten in their last five games against the Lang Jacks.
Collingwood told The Echo: “We need to get off to a good start. Despite what happened on Tuesday in the cup, we go into Saturday with a bit of a lift.
“We tried a brand-new system, it was make or break, so
now we look at Saturday as a new start, a new season. We need to keep the back door shut, because we always scored goals and if we do that we will win the game.
Collingwood will take a late check on the fitness of Paul Weldon, but Scott Young has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Stockton Town get their bid for promotion underway with a home game against Guisborough Town and Shildon host West Auckland Town. North Shields host Newton Aycliffe and Billingham Town make the short trip to Teesside rivals Thornaby.
Whitley Bay could hand a start to cup hero Adam Shanks whentheytravelto Penrith and Bishop Auckland face Northallerton at Heritage Park.