SILKSWORTH AIMING FOR A CUP SEMI-FINAL HAT-TRICK
Silksworth CW are full of confidence ahead of their Monkwearmouth Charity Cup second-round tie at Darlington RA.
That is the verdict of Silksworth coach Michael Curtis as his side look to extend their impressive performances in cup competitions this season.
A Durham Trophy semifinal against Hebburn Town Reserves is on the horizon, along with a tie against league leaders Wolviston in the last four of the Alan Hood Charity Cup.
A win at former Northern League club Darlington RA would see Silksworth reach a third semi-final of the campaign, and Curtis admitted that his side are relishing fixtures in cup competitions this season.
He told the Echo: “We have two semi-finals coming up and we seem to be enjoying the cup competitions this season.
“Winning a cup competition was one of our targets this season and hopefully we can do that.
“Darlington RA beat us in the league in November at home, but we beat them at their place in the Durham Trophy earlier this season.
“Hopefully the fact that away teams have won both of those games is a bit of an omen for us on Saturday.
“We know it’s a tough test but we are going into the game with confidence, but we will have to be at our best against a good side.”
The unavailable Josh Farqhuar is the only absentee from the Silksworth squad for the trip to Brinkburn Road.
The Wearside League’s top two clubs meet at Metcalfe Park as leaders Wolviston host unbeaten Hebburn Town Reserves.
Hornets manager Kevin Bolam has described the game as “our biggest test of the season”.
But the Hornets boss admitted that his side will have to be at their best if their unbeaten run of 23 games is to be extended. He said: “This is without doubt our biggest test of the season. “We will be facing the best forward line in the league and we know we will have to be at our best. “We are unbeaten and we are full of confidence. “We don’t concede many goals and that will be key on Saturday. “Everyone has to be at their best, it’s as simple as that really.” Bolam could hand a debut to new signing Jack Young and will have goalkeeper Andy Hunter available once again. However, he has confirmed that Gary Crutwell is unavailable and Nathan Richardson has been ruled out with a groin injury.
Two sides with top-four aspirations meet at Earls Orchard when Richmond Town entertain Hartlepool FC.
The visitors will be able to call upon the services of midfielders Luke Naylor and Ash Clark as they look for a win that would move them above their opponents and into fifth place in the table.
Aaron Coulson is unavailable for Harton and Westoe’s trip to Horden CW, but manager David Crumbie could hand a debut to new signing Darren Morton.
Former Harton striker Jonathan Basham could make his Boldon CA debut when they host West Auckland Tunns.
Gateshead Leam Rangers are boosted by the return of key players Shaun Bell and Chris Lowther for their home game against Annfield Plain.
However, Leam manager Anthony Huddart has confirmed that Carl Taylor and Adam Byron are unavailable for the game.
New signing Peter Wakefield will be in the Darlington Town squad for their home game with ninth-placed Windscale after joining from Durham City Reserves during the Christmas break. Town are second bottom.
17 Silksworth are 17 points - but only four places ahead of Darlington RA