CUP SUCCESS CAN HELP INSPIRE LEAGUE FORM
WEARSIDE LEAGUE
Silksworth CW need to use their Durham Challenge Cup win at Brandon United to kick on in the Wearside League.
That was the verdict of the club’s assistant manager Michael Curtis.
A brace from Harry Munday and a goal from Adam Storey helped their side to a 3-0 against the Northern League’s basement club.
That gave them the perfect preparation for tomorrow’s trip to Hartlepool and Curtis wants his young side to take confidence from a “good experience” in midweek.
He said “It was a really good performance and a really good win.
“We felt in control of the team, we defended very well and our finishing was excellent.
“We have a young squad, that is well known but they have had a good experience in beating a Northern League club.
“Brandon are struggling but they are still a decent side and we should take confidence from beating them at their place.
“We have to take that confidence into Saturday at Hartlepool because we always find it difficult against them.
“Every game in this league is tough but this is one of the toughest.”
Silksworth were handed a triple boost ahead of the trip to Grayfields as Jak Wright, James Cook and Josh Perry all return to the squad.
Hartlepool striker John Paul Tumilty serves the last game of a three-match ban.
Sunderland West End will look to extend their unbeaten league run to a ninth game when they travel to Darlington Town.
Manager Anthony Nelson is without suspended duo Andrew Brown and John Butler and Mark Robinson is unavailable.
Nelson is delighted with his side’s recent improvement and is in a positive mood ahead of the trip to Eastbourne Sports Complex.
“I don’t think we are quite at our best yet but we have improved recently.
“It will be tough down at Darlington but our confidence is growing and we have key players coming back.
“It won’t be easy but we can get a good result if we play how we can.”
Wolviston are sat top of the table after their midweek win at Boldon CA and they will hope to extend their stay at the summit with a win at Gateshead Leam Rangers.
Hebburn Town Reserves will be looking to take advantage of any slip-ups by the leaders when they travel to face an improving West Auckland Tunns.
The Tunns have a fully-fit and available squad for the game.
Hornets manager Kevin Bolam has a number of injury concerns over the likes of Ewan Simpson, Shaun Reay, Shaun Carroll and Ryan Lamb.
Annfield Plain are without the suspended Joe Gill for their trip to Harton and Westoe CW.
Their hosts have confirmed that injured trio Paul Trosh, Seb Hanratty and Andy Hill will all miss the game.
Former Seaham Red Star striker Liam McBryde returns to the Boldon CA squad for their away game at Darlington RA. Boldon boss Sean Butler believes his side will provide Darlington RA with a different test to the one they were given in their first meeting this season. The former Northern League club left Boldon with a 3-2 win in the second game of the season but Butler has been hard at work overhauling his squad and is hopeful that he can avenge the defeat in early August.
He said “We played them in our first home game and they beat us but we are a totally different side, with a totally different attitude to the one they faced last month.
“They haven’t really hit form since joining the league but barring a few sides nobody is really in great form.
“A few wins and you can shoot up the table, hopefully we can do that and start that process tomorrow.”
New signings Martin Butterworth, Steve Smith and Nigel Hanson have been included in the Richmond Town squad for their game at Horden CW.
However, manager Jonathan Kellett has confirmed that he is without a number of key players including Simon Pinkney, Adam Emson and Ryan Booth.
Coxhoe Athletic go looking for their first league win of the season when they host Windscale at Beechfield Park.