Riley: Forget FA Cup – let’s get a first league win under our belts
Sunderland RCA manager Steve Riley wants his side to move on from their FA Cup heroics by claiming a first league win of the season on Saturday.
RCA produced a stunning performance to send Northern Premier League side Hebburn Town out of the FA Cup last weekend.
But they returned to league action with a late home defeat against West Auckland Town in midweek.
That loss means Riley’s side travel to Penrith on Saturday look to rack up their first league win after only claiming two points from their opening three fixtures.
Ahead of the trip to Cumbria, Riley told The Echo: “We were desperately unlucky against West on Wednesday after they scored in injurytime - but we need to start putting wins together in the league.
“We need three points on the board, we are playing quite well but we need that win.
“We have to take the same attitudes into Saturday because it’s difficult to see Penrith and see what they are about.
“They are always strong at home and that’s the challenge for us.”
Seaham Red Star will also be in Cumbria on Saturday when they visit Carlisle City.
Mark Collingwood will have Jordan Patterson available for the final time before he starts a suspension for the red
card he received in the midweek home draw with Heaton Stannington.
However, experienced defender Daryll Donnelly will miss out as he continues to serve a ban for his dismissal in
the recent 1-0 defeat at Newton Aycliffe.
The Division One weekend gets under way tonight when in-form Whickham make the short trip to Grounsell Park to take on Heaton Stannington.
Elsewhere on Saturday, table-topping Ashington entertain Crook Town and there is a big derby at the Wanted Stadium as West Auckland Town face local rivals Bishop Auckland.
Whitley Bay are without the suspended Elliott Day for their home game with Redcar Athletic, and Alfie Gordon will be available for Newcastle Benfield as they visit Thornaby.
FA Cup heroes Tow Law Town head to Newton Aycliffe, and West Allotment Celtic will look to bounce back from their midweek defeat against Ashington when they face Pickering Town.