CLUBS TAKE FIRST STEPS ON ROAD TO WEMBLEY
NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
The road to Wembley starts this weekend with FA Vase first qualifying round games.
Ryhope CW are at home to fellow Northern League side Guisborough Town as assistant manager Stuart Gooden is expecting a ‘tough game’.
He added: “Overall, we are really happy with the start we’ve had to the season with five wins out of seven.
“We still have a lot of injuries, Elliott Woods with his foot, Jake Cairns with his groin, James Ellis with his ankle and David Gordon with his knee. Also, Dale Milburn is unable to play and Josh Home-Jackson is at a wedding, however Danni Lay returns from suspension.”
Seaham Red Star host Albion Sports, from Bradford, although last Saturday’s excellent result against Morpeth Town has left its toll, with captain Craig Lynch very doubtful following an ankle injury which forced him out of that game, while Andy Brown is still unavailable through injury.
On the plus side, Liam Hodgson has completed his fire service training, so he is now available. Two of the younger players, 17-year-olds Arron Thompson and Josh King, have been loaned out to Chester-le-Street as they continue their step up into senior football.
Co-managers Chris McCabe and Paul Johnson were both full of praise for the team, following last Saturday’s win.
McCabe said: “It was one of the best team performances I had seen since taking on the manager’s role a year ago, with some outstanding individual performances, Callum Munro and Aaron Croft in particular.”
Johnson added: “I knew this squad were capable of competing with the best teams and last Saturday proved that. The lads must take things from this win into the FA Vase tie against a very good Albion Sports team.”
Chester-Le-Street manager Colin Wake has 21 fit players to choose from when they entertain West Yorkshire outfit Silsden.
Craig Marron is a doubt with a thigh strain picked up in midweek.
Colin said: “We have big decisions to make for the starting 11, never mind the squad for the game.
“Silsden are flying high in the North West Counties League and sit top of that league, so we will have to be all fired up and ready for them if we want to stay in the FA Vase.
“Improved performances lately have given us confidence that we are starting to move in the right direction.”
Easington Colliery travel to Ashington and David Paul will return to the squad after a three match suspension. Jack Pounder will also be in the squad despite picking up a nasty head injury at West Allotment Celtic last week.
However, Jordan Hailes is likely to miss out with an injury that he’s been struggling with, for a couple of weeks now.
Ashington have James Harmison, Shaun Bell and Shaun Henderson all ruled out through injury. Paul Antony returns to the squad, whilst skipper Craig Scott and Ben Harmison will undergo late fitness tests.
Hebburn Town manager Scott Oliver has a few injuries ahead of their game against Stokesley.
He said: “Paul Chow is injured, alongside Craig Malley, Jason Blackburn, Chris Feasey and Reece Williams, who will all miss the game.
“It’s a game we expect to win, with Stokesley being in the Wearside League, but it is never going to be as easy as that. We look forward to going there for a good afternoon and a good game.”
Stokesley SC have a doubt over Sean Davis and Craig Winter, otherwise they will be at full strength.
Crook Town travel to Tow Law Town and have a lot of players returning from holidays and injury over the past week.
However, they are without Matthew Stephenson for the long term, as he is out injured with a wrist problem.
Daniel Pigg is back from his holidays and scored on his return to action against Bedlington and Luke Hogan is back amongst the goals, with a brace against Bedlington.