AMBITIOUS WEST END GO LOOKING FOR DERBY DOUBLE
TWR Bi Folds Wearside League
It’s a huge derby clash in the first round of the Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup tomorrow when Sunderland West End take on Silksworth CW.
The two Wearside League teams have had good starts to the season though West End have the bragging rights.
Manager Anthony Nelson said: “We beat them earlier on in the league, and are now hoping to progress in the cup.
“Jordon Cook misses through injury and will be out for the next six weeks,
“Mark Robinson is back from holiday and is looking to get back into the squad and top goal scorer Anthony Ross hopes to keep us on top of the goal charts.”
Anthony added: “I am very happy with the way things are going at the start of the season.
“We are looking to have a really good season, and hope to finish on top. We also have developments going on at the ground, and will be going ahead with a 4G pitch.”
Silksworth have injury problems ahead of the game and assistant manager Willie Crew said: “Injuries have disrupted some of our continuity in terms of selection and formation.
“With a bit of luck the majority of those missing in recent weeks will hopefully return and increase our options both on the pitch and from the bench.”
Willie added: “Injuries and availability has affected midfield choices with Kieran Mitchell, Harry Munday, Martin Metcalfe and Michael McVay have all been missing from the squad in recent weeks.
“Late fitness tests will determine whether injuries will prevent selection. The forward options have been bolstered however, with the return of Paul Muir and last season’s top scorer Stephen Moody.”
In the second round, Hebburn Town Reserves journey to Gateshead Leam Rangers and Rangers have suspensions for Anthony Huddart and Joe Hunter, with David Ridley expected to miss out due to injury.
In the Wearside League, Boldon CA are at Coxhoe Athletic and manager Paul Mossa welcomes midfielder Frankie Hucks back in to the squad after missing six of the first seven games with a knee injury.
Tom West is on holiday, Jonny Gage is working, centre back and midfielder Jack Lawton and Aron Burn are both missing, but striker Dominc Mossa is available, after a three match ban.
Coxhoe Athletic have four players returning after injury, Kai Willis, Chris Hardy, goalkeeper Robert Clerihew (late fitness test) and Philip Best available after injury.
South Shields Reserves travel to Annfield Plain and hope to return to winning ways, following a creditable performance at Richmond last Saturday.
Manager Leepaul Scroggins will give Jordan Reed a late fitness test and captain Tommy Conroy should be available after missing out last week due to injury.
Hartlepool welcome Darlington Reserves and manager Terry Hill makes six changes from the team that won 7-1 in midweek. Jamie Tumilty, Mike Snowdon are back in after being substitutes in that
game and Sam Cook, Ashley Clark, Mattie Gardner and Andy Blackburn, who were all left out of the squad for the cup-tie, return to the squad.
Prudhoe Town travel to Windscale and the Cumbrians manager Dave Wilkinson should have a full squad to choose from for the first time in three weeks.
Only defender Luke Smith and wide man Dean Fox (both hamstring) should be missing.
Wilkinson said after last Saturday’s defeat: “Although we conceded six again, there was a lot of positives in the game and if our finishing had been more clinical, it might have been a closer scoreline!”
Wolviston travel to Redcar Athletic and have defender Nathan Bonar back in the squad. He has been in great form, but had to miss last Saturday, due to a vehicle breakdown.
Utility player Robbie Gratton, will hopefully have recovered from an ankle injury.
Manager Steve Cook said “Our bubble has burst just recently, with back to back defeats and our cause wasn’t helped by Nathan’s problem, we badly missed his dominance in the air which could have resulted in not conceding two of the goals at Silksworth.”
Also back in contention will be utility player Robbie Gratton who will hopefully have recovered from an ankle injury.
New league leaders Redcar Athletic will be without new signing Jack Simpson, as he is attending a family wedding. However, Lance Skelton returns from a three match suspension and Anthony Jones who has missed the same three games due to family and work commitments, also returns.
Harton &Westoe travel to Richmond Town and the Dalesmen have new signing Chris Foster from Coxhoe Athletic in the squad. Forward Adam Lee-Shield is in contention to start, but centre half Jason Newall is missing due to holidays.