Hooper urges Mariners to make the most of home comforts

SOUTH Shields striker JJ Hooper has challenged his team-mates to make the most of their Premier Division home fixtures in their bid for promotion.

The former Newcastle United academy frontman has made a positive start to life with the Mariners after scoring three goals in his first three games for the club.

Two of those strikes came in a frustrating 2-2 draw at Whitby Town earlier this week, but Hooper is hoping to boost his side’s promotion push with a home win against another North Yorkshire club when Scarborough Athletic visit the 1st Cloud Arena tomorrow.

After the draw against Whitby, he told the club website: “I think it only matters where you come at the end of the season so you can look at it now, obviously we aren’t top, that’s fine.

“As long as we are winning the games we need to win, take the points we need to take and at the end of the season we are promoted, that’s the most important thing.

“It was a frustrating day and the home games, we have to get maximum points.”

Recent signing Mitch Rose is in line to make his home debut after making his first appearance in the draw at Whitby. Jordan Hunter remains unavailable with a broken arm but Darius Osei returns after completing a suspension.

Morpeth Town could move to within three points of a place in the top eight if they continue their impressive run of form with a home win against Whitby Town.

A late equaliser denied Craig Lynch’s side a victory at Scarborough on Tuesday – but the 1-1 draw did ensure they extended their fine run of form to just two defeats in 20 games under the former Sunderland forward.

Liam Henderson could return following the head injury he sustained in the FA Trophy win against Lancaster City, and defender Stephen Forster is back in contention for a starting place after he made his comeback from injury in as a substitute at Scarborough.

Tomorrow’s game is likely to come too soon for centre-back Callum Morris – although the former Dundee and Ross County defender is hoping to make a return from injury in the coming weeks.

In the East Division, Dunston UTS and Marske United will look to bounce back from midweek defeats when they meet at the UTS Stadium.

A 2-1 reverse at Hebburn Town extended Dunston’s poor run of form and they will hope to end a run of five consecutive defeats against the promotion-chasing Teessiders, who lost to Stockton Town in midweek.

Chris Swailes will be boosted by the return of key forward Liam Thear and is hoping to add two new faces to his squad ahead of the game.