RYHOPE EYE FINAL FLOURISH
ASSISTANT GOODEN LOOKS TO SINK DUNSTON WITH REPEAT OF FIGHTING DISPLAY AGAINST SOUTH SHIELDS
Ryhope CW are aiming for a final flourish in the final three games of the First Division season, with all at home.
First up, they entertain Dunston UTS tomorrow looking to avenge a 2-0 away defeat.
Assistant manager Stu Gooden said: “We had an excellent performance against South Shields last Saturday.
“They beat us 2-1, but we matched them all the way. It’s just unfortunate we didn’t get the result we wanted.
“We have three home games to finish the season and need the points. We’ve been getting a few draws lately, but feel the last three games are winnable.
“If we keep the same attitude we showed last week against South Shields, I’m confident that going into the game we’ll do well.”
Elliott Woods is unavailable due to work commitments, while Kyle Davis is out with a back injury and Nathan O’Neill is still injured, but Matthew Weirs returns.
Dunston UTS picked up some injuries in a hardfought midweek win against West Auckland.
Chris Youldon and Carl Jones will be missing and late fitness tests will be required for Dale Burrell, Liam Thear and Dan Capewell. Official Bill Montague said: “Hopefully we are now clear of any relegation threat, but we must play with pride in the final six games to reach a respectable finish in the table.”
Seaham Red Star manager Chris McCabe will have to wait for fitness tests on Craig Lynch, Andy Johnston and Liam Hodgson ahead of Ashington’s visit, their penultimate game of the season.
All three received treatment during the week following injuries sustained in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Sunderland RCA.
Bradley Staunch and Lewis Murphy should return after missing that game, but David Palmer is definitely out through injury. Ashington’s midfielder Shaun Bell will have a late fitness test.
Sunderland RCA – fresh from last night’s impressive display in their 2-1 defeat to South Shields – travel to fourth-bottom Washington, who are desperate for points in the battle for survival.
Meadow Park manager Martin Swales said: “We will be missing Craig Hodgson with a knee injury, ex-Washington player Reece Noble with an ankle injury and Liam McBryde, who is getting married.
“Nathan Cummings has got the flu, but will hopefully be recovered. We’re playing Washington, which is a bit of a local derby, and a few lads played for them last year who play for us now.
“They’re fighting for their lives at the bottom, so we’re expecting a tough game. We’re trying to secure a place in the top 10, so hopefully we’ll get the three points.”
Bottom club Chester-leStreet will be all but relegated if they lose at home to thirdbottom Guisborough.
Chester miss Joe Hailes (injury) and Aaron Reynolds (suspension).
Title-chasing South Shields, who host Bishop Auckland, have passed their ground inspection for promotion to the Evo-Stik League, so a top-three finish will be enough to take the step up the pyramid.
They are eight points behind leaders North Shields, with three games in hand.
North Shields have a full squad available at lowly neighbours West Allotment Celtic tonight (7.30pm).
Consett travel to Whitley Bay, who are unbeaten in six games but miss banned midfielder Callum Patton. Ryan Keltie should be available after returning from holiday.
Shildon host Marske United without suspended player-boss Daniel Moore.
Official John Atkinson said: “We have signed two new players in Daryll Hall from Dunston and Ethan Grayson from Sunderland Development Centre, who’s only 17, but looks to be a promising player..”