ABSENTEES RETURN AS RCA BOSS EYES WINNING RUN
EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE: NINE BACK TO BOLSTER MEADOW PARK SQUAD FOR SYNTHONIA CLASH
Sunderland RCA have received some good injury news ahead of their home clash with bottom club Billingham Synthonia tomorrow.
RCA’s ’s injury woes have subsided and manager Martin Swales said: “Returning this week are Craig Hodgson, player-coach Colin Larkin, Ross McNab, Adam McGuiness, Nathan O’Neill, Clayton Davis, Stephen Callen, Neil Bussey and Jak Ashton.
“Greg Swansbury and James Armstrong are still out injured, however, we have a new goalkeeper signed in exShildon and West Auckland player Keith Finch.”
Swales added: “We have Billingham Synthonia, who we beat at their place an,d with numbers back up, I might be able to give a few lads a rest.
“We’re looking forward to the game this week, and with plenty of bodies back, hopefully we can get on a bit of a run going and pick up some points.”
Synners secretary Graham Craggs said: “Scott Howes is still out with an ankle injury and Tom Gavin is close to returning, but probably won’t make this match due to a groin injury. Apart from that, everybody else will be available, including the return of Kieran Edwards.
“At the moment, we haven’t won a game yet and going into the game with Sunderland RCA, it will be a tough, but we need to find a win and push on from there.”
Ryhope CW assistant manager Stuart Gooden was in buoyant mood ahead of their trip to Newton Aycliffe. He said: “I am very pleased with an excellent away win against Penrith last Saturday.
“We face another hard away game at Newton Aycliffe this weekend, but we go there full of confidence.
“Elliott Woods is out with a thigh strain, Lewis Turnbull is still out, and Thomas Bott is away. However, Ben Riding and Christopher Wallace return to the squad.”
Third-bottomWashington host Penrith, the team just below them in the league, desperate for a victory to move them away from the relegation zone. The Mechanics are desperate foronly their second win of the campaign. Penrith secretary Ian White said: “It’s a vital game and we want to come away with something and hopefully a win. “We played fairly well at Ashington in midweek, but we did not take our chances.
“We have to keep it tight – it’s a big game for the club.”
Shildon welcome Marske United and vice chairman Jeff Ridley said: “Marske will be a hard game, it will be very close.
“They’re a good side and that being said, there are a lot of good sides at the top of the league this year. We’re doing very well so far this year, and haven’t lost a game yet.
“We have brought a lot of young players in that are coming through, particularly Dominic Curl, who is an outstanding player and just 17 years old.”
Manager Daniel Moore: “We have a really good squad with young players coming through, and the results speak for themselves.
“We have the best changing room atmosphere that I have ever experienced and we don’t fear anybody.”
The Seasiders are also in great form and have only lost once in the league so far this season, but they will be without Adam Wheatley and Ashley Coffey and there are fitness doubts surrounding Lee Brockbank, Mikey Roberts and Glen Butterworth. West Auckland entertain Stockton Town and the visitors travel with a full squad, as Dale Mulligan and Tom Coulthard both return.
Consett travel to Newcastle Benfield and chairman Frank Bell said: “We lost against Jarrow Roofing in midweek and played very well, but they defended manfully so they definitely deserved the win.
“Their goalkeeper was outstanding, and ours wasn’t.”
Bell added: “Our goalkeeper, David Knight, is still not available, and Nathan Convery has a broken bone in his foot, so he is still a few weeks away from playing at the moment.
“Matthew Slocombe is coming back to fitness, Joshua Scott is coming back from a broken ankle, and Nathan Lawrence is also coming back from injury, so it’s likely that they will be included in the squad and play some part in the game.”
Bell spoke about their opponents and said: “Newcastle Benfield are an excellent side, and have put a very good squad together this year. In terms of their achievement in the FA Cup, it’s been nothing short of extremely good.
“They are currently sitting in 16th and if they win the games they have in hand, they’ll move up to the top eight, so we are expecting a tough challenge.
“They have a quality side and we will need to keep a close eye on Paul Brayson, however, we are going into the game looking to pick up points.” Benfield lost 3-1 to leaders Morpeth last night.