‘FAVOURITES’ WEST END OUT FOR REVENGE
Hartlepool FC manager Terry Hill has warned his players that Sunderland West End will be out for revenge when the two sides meet in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup tomorrow.
The Grayfields outfit became the first side to beat West End this season when two goals from David Wilson gave them a 2-0 Wearside League win in October.
But Hill isn’t reading too much into that game and is wary of a side he rates as one of the best in the league this season.
He said “West End were my favourites to win the league at the start of the season because they have a lot of experienced players that have played at a higher level.
“I’d expect that they are up for this and after a bit of revenge after we became the first team to beat them in the league this season in October.
“But we are as confident as usual, and we have 22 excellent players available.
“This is the last cup we have to play for this season and we are looking forward to the game.
“It should be a cracking cup tie between two of the best sides in the league.”
Dan Martin will be in the West End squad after completing a return to the club on Thursday.
Hebburn Town Reserves manager Kevin Bolam has hailed the improvement made by neighbours Harton and Westoe CW this season.
The Hornets head into the tie looking to extend their unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions. They will face a tough test according to Bolam, who will rotate his squad ahead of a hectic second half of the season.
He said “We are expecting a very tough game against Harton.
“They are a very improved side under David Crumbie and it’s also a derby game, which can be unpredictable.
“The squad will be rotated once again because we are still involved in every competition and we look forward to welcoming Harton for what will be a very good game.”
Bolam is without injured trio Nathan Richardson, Josh Houghton and Harry Simpson, but could hand a debut to new signing Phil Gray.
Harton are nearing fullstrength ahead of the game and only Aaron Coulson and Paul Trosh are missing from their squad.
Silksworth CW coach Michael Curtis is expecting a tough test when his side face Annfield Plain at Derwent Park.
The two sides are separated by just two places in the middle of the league table, although Silksworth hold a 14-point advantage over their opponents.
“We are expecting a tough game,” explained Curtis. “We played them earlier in the season and it was a tight 1-1 draw.
“If we can take our workrate and our form from last week’s win at Darlington RA into this game we have a great chance.
“We are looking forward to it and we are looking forward to getting back into league action as well.”
Joe Clayton will be in the Silksworth squad after joining the club from Whickham and he will replaced suspended goalkeeper Jak Wright.
League leaders Wolviston could stretch their lead at the top of the table to five points with a home win against West Auckland Tunns. Boldon CA could hand a debut to former Harton and Westoe midfielder Liam Mulvain in their home fixture against Windscale. Striker Jack Robinson returns after missing the last eight games with an ankle injury and Jon Basham could make another appearance after scoring on his debut in last weekend’s 3-1 home win against West Auckland Tunns. Coxhoe Athletic go looking for their first league win of the season when they host Darlington Town at Beechfield Park.