STOBBART URGES HIGH WORK-RATE
Silksworth CW have their penultimate home match of the season tomorrow – and boss Andy Stobbart is seeking big improvement.
Silksworth, who dropped to fifth place in midweek, lost 2-0 at home to South Shields Reserves last week.
Ahead of the visit of Stokesley SC tomorrow (2.30pm), manager Stobbart said: “Last week was our worst performance of the season – it saw us slack all over pitch and I’m demanding more work-rate from my team.”
Michael McVay and Adam Storey are available, having missed out last week, due to holiday. Daniel Martin is the only injury casualty.
Ashbrooke Belford House are eager to end their seven-match losing streak when they visit Wolviston.
Belford manager Stuart Burton said: “We welcome a couple of players back in Jordan Stewart from injury, John Coomber from work commitments, and Kyle Sumner.
“Mark Curry is missing due to work and Connor O’Neil will be missing through injury for a while, with a broken foot.
“We went to Windscale last week with 15 players, which I was happy about, but, unfortunately, the result wasn’t there. We’ve had seven games and lost seven games, so hoping to get a win and find the momentum to get on a roll and get our confidence back.”
Wolviston hope that defender Nick Robinson and sweeper Spencer Nicholson will be available. Defender Luke Bennington is still offshore and striker Ross Eaglesham is struggling to shake off an ankle injury.
Sunderland West End welcome South Shields Reserves to Ford Quarry, looking to get back to winning ways after the midweek defeat at Boldon CA.
Apart from Luke Taylor, who is not available, and late fitness tests for Brad Forster and Reece Thompson, West End have a big squad to choose from. Visiting manager Kevin Bolam must check on son Ryan’s fitness.
Seaham Red Star Reserves, in second-bottom spot, face the long journey to Windscale. who are four points and one place better off.
Skipper Aaron Thompson, Callum Redpath and Harry Johnson return after missing out last week, but Ross Cunningham is suspended.
Coxhoe Athletic journey to table-toppers Jarrow without Aidan Hart, but Ross Morrow and Michael Summersgill should return.
Boss Paul Cooper said: “It will be very, very tough. They are top and look to be the ones who will win it. We’ll have to be at our best to get anything out of it.”
Jarrow have Liam Bayles, John Murray and Josh Allen back, and are hopeful that Darren Morton can return, but Andy Wilkinson and Kai Elliott are unavailable.
Boss Dave Bell, whose side are 15 points clear at the top, said: “Coxhoe beat us 5-4 in the league just before the Christmas break, so we know they represent a threat going forward and what they are capable of.
“We know we need to improve our performance significantly from last week, as we gave the ball away too much.”
Leam Rangers travel to Annfield Plain without Dean McCullum
Bottom club Harton and Westoe CW head to Prudhoe Town. Influential centrehalf Jason Pressling returns after missing last Saturday’s defeat to leaders Jarrow, as does speedy midfielder Daniel Sirrell.
Young keeper Dan Hebden is still struggling with injury, so Brodie Simpson looks likely to have to continue between the posts.
BossDavidCrumbiesaid: “He’s been fantastic in the games he’s played there for us, so it won’t weaken the team in any way.
“Despite the defeat by Jarrow last week, there were a lot of positives taken out of the game. Nobody at the game thought the better team won.” Nick Pain is away with work again.
Holders Boldon CA have problems ahead of tomorrow’s TWR Shipowners Charity Cup semi-final away to Richmond Town.
Manager Paul Mossa will be without centre-back Niall Thubron and centreforward Adam Drysdale, as both are cup tied.
He also had to draft in a goalkeeper for the game, as Brett Wilson has gone on holiday. Club captain Jack Lawton looks like he will not play again this season, as his ankle is not responding to treatment.
On the positive side, defender Aaron Williams returns after a one-game ban, while Ben Cooper is back from holiday.
Richmond miss full-back Mark Hemmingway (ankle), but Colin Anderson returns after a three-match ban.
Forward Sam Joyce and midfielder Alex Caisley both return to the squad.
The other semi sees Redcar Athletic away to Cleator Moor Celtic. The Teessiders hope that Adam Preston will be fit, having suffered a groin strain in the warm-up before last Saturday’s game against Annfield Plain.