Northern League
Sunderland RCA assistant manager Mark Cowan won’t be paying too much attention to opponents Newcastle Benfield ahead of his side’s visit to Tyneside tomorrow.
The two sides have already met this season as Benfield left Meadow Park with all three points after a 1-0 win on the opening-day of the season.
Since then Mark Convery’s side have won just two games in all competitions and lie fifth from bottom in the Northern League Division One table.
Cowan still expects his side to face a tough test at Sam Smith’s Park but preferred to focus on RCA’s current form, rather than that of their opposition. “We said after the first game that Benfield would be a threat this season,” he said. “They made some good signings in the summer and have some very good young players.
“They’ll still be there and thereabouts this season but we aren’t putting too much attention on them ahead of the game.
“We feel we are starting to turn a corner and that started at Clitheroe in the FA Cup.
“We look better, we look more confident and we believe we are a better side than the one that ended last season so well.
“People like Mark Davison have come in and improved us.
“We have important players back in the squad and we are ready to kick on now, starting at Benfield tomorrow.”
RCA could hand a debut to former Ryhope CW captain Kyle Davis after he joined the club this week.
A suspension rules out Craig Hodgson and Stephen Callen misses out with a hernia. Captain Greg Swansbury will face a late fitness test.
Elsewhere in Division One, Shildon player-manager Daniel Moore is suspended for his side’s trip to North Shields.
West Auckland Town could top the Division One table if they can Stockton Town and Shildon fail to take maximum points at the Daren Persson Stadium.
Division Two leaders Chester-le-Street Town are boosted by the return of Kevin Dixon and Michael and Dan Hepplewhite for their home game against Heaton Stannington.
Thornaby will hope to take advantage of any slipups by the Cestrians when they travel to Willington.
Jarrow FC have a number of injury problems ahead of their trip to Esh Winning.
Jonny Hirst and Mick Watson have already been ruled out of the game and an injury suffered in the midweek home defeat against Heaton Stannington means that James Wilson also misses the visit to West Terrace.