PHYSICAL APPROACH NEEDED BY WEST END
WEARSIDE LEAGUE PREVIEW: LEAM RANGERS WILL OFFER TOUGH TEST
Sunderland West End manager Anthony Nelson knows exactly what to expect when his side travel to Gateshead Leam Rangers tomorrow.
Rangers have lost just one of their last six games in the Wearside League and that run of form was kicked off by a hard-earned 2-2 draw against West End.
Ahead of the return meeting between the two sides, Nelson stressed that his side must match the physicality of their opponents if they are to secure a win that would lift them into the top four of the table.
“Leam Rangers always raised their games against the top sides and that is what we are facing tomorrow,” explained the West End boss.
“I sometimes look at their results, when they have lost against struggling teams, and you wonder why it has happened.
“That’s only because the next week they will go and give one of the top teams a tough game.
“They are tough, they are physical, they will be in our faces all game and we have to be prepared to match all of that if we want to win the game.”
Nelson is without suspended duo Jon Butler and Andy Brown and winger James Cassidy is still continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The only other league game taking place this weekend sees Annfield Plain looking for only their second home win of the season when they host Horden CW.
In-form Silksworth CW are in cup action as they head to Richmond Town in Round One of the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup. The trip to Earls Orchard offers Silksworth a chance to extend their winning run to six games.
Assistant manager Michael Curtis is expecting a difficult test but can take heart from a 2-0 league win over Richmond in August.
“It’s always a tough place to go to and we know that from previous seasons,” he said. “They just know how to win games at home but we are positive.
“We will take the hard work we have shown in training and the rest we have had from not having a midweek game.
“We are in good form and we are full of confidence after our recent run of good results.”
Silksworth defender Lee Graydon has been ruled out with a hamstring injury but midfielder John Maddison returns to the squad. Dan Thompson faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury.
Richmond captain Jason Newall is unavailable but new singings Shaun Smith and Nigel Hanson are in Jonathan Kellett’s squad.
League leaders Hebburn Town Reserves take a break from league action when they host Darlington RA in the First Round of the Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup.
South Tyneside neighbours Harton and Westoe CW face a Preliminary Round tie against Darlington Town in the same competition.
Harton boss David Crumbie could hand a start to new signing Michael Fenwick, but is without injured duo Paul Trosh and Seb Hanratty.
Harton became the first side to take a point from Wolviston in midweek and the Harton boss now wants his side to build on that impressive display.
“It was a weird game against Wolviston because they controlled the ball but we didn’t really look threatened,” explained Crumbie.
“Nobody could have complained if we had won the game but if I am honest a draw was probably a fair result.
“Now we have to keep the good run going against Darlington on Saturday.
“They are always a difficult game for us so we know we go into the game knowing that we are well-prepared.”
West Auckland Tunns will hand fitness tests to Luke McGill, Rhys Porter and Mason Steed ahead of their Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Preliminary Round tie at Coxhoe Athletic.
Hartlepool FC will have to become the first team to beat Wolviston this season if they are to progress beyond the TWR Shipowners Charity Cup Preliminary Round.
Manager Terry Hill is boosted by the return of a number of players including Patrick Mulvey, Andy Blackburn and Craig Garthwaite.