RCA AIM TO CAPITALISE ON BISHOPS’ BACK PROBLEMS
NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Sunderland RCA manager Martin Swales wants his side to take advantage of Bishop Auckland’s defensive vulnerability at Meadow Park tomorrow.
RCA were the last side to beat the Two Blues with a 2-1 win at Heritage Park in October.
Since that day, Ian Chandler’s side have gone on a 14-game unbeaten run and catapulted themselves into the title race.
They currently sit four points behind leaders Dunston UTS in second place in the table, but Swales insists that his side can complete a league double over their visitors.
He told The Echo: “We are in a good run of form ourselves after winning our last three games and Bishops are a side we have always done well against.
“Obviously we beat them at their place, so it’s only natural that they will want to beat us tomorrow.
“They have some great players going forward with the likes of Andrew Johnson, Chris Winn and Kyle Fryatt. They have so much pace, but I think we can capitalise on a bit of weakness they have defensively.
“They aren’t as strong at the back and we have to ensure that we make the most of that and go and attack them.”
Swales will be without two key players as Kyle Davis starts a three-match suspension and Nathan O’Neill is unavailable due to work commitments.
There was some good news for the RCA manager as Craig Hodgson and Dylan Elliott are back in contention after injury. Ashington manager Ian Skinner has admitted he is looking forward to a reunion with some of his former Blyth AFC players when his side visit Seaham Red Star tomorrow. Red Star are looking to continue their impressive form and build on hardearned wins against topfour contenders Consett and North Shields, but the Colliers boss is hoping to prevent Mark Collingwood’s side from claiming a third consecutive victory.
He told the club’s official website: “It’ll be a nice game for myself to be fair because I think there’s about six or more of my old players from Blyth AFC at Seaham and it’ll be good to see them.
“However, from our point of view, we will be focussed and will be going there to win on what is a good pitch.”
Red Star have Bobby Taylor and David Robinson back from suspension.
Ryhope CW return to action after a break of 14 days with a visit to a Guisborough Town side sat two places below them.
Jack Walker and Robbie Bird are both unavailable and Elliott Woods and Corey Nicholson are both injured. Michael Rae and Chris Wallace could be available, but will undergo late fitness tests ahead of the game.
League leaders Dunston UTS are sweating on the fitness of Jack Elliott, Scott Heslop and Andrew GrantSoulsby ahead of their home derby against Whickham.
North Shields will hope to put last weekend’s home defeat at the hands of Seaham Red Star behind them when they host League Cup semifinalists Newcastle Benfield.
Stockton Town travel to Penrith and Hebburn Town can move into the top six of the table with a win at Whitley Bay.
The Northern League’s sole survivor in the FA Vase will hope to reach the last four of the competition this weekend.
West Auckland Town entertain Combined Counties Premier Division title contenders Chertsey Town at the Wanted Stadium and manager Gary Forrest has Arran Wearmouth, Adam Mitchell and Adam Burnicle available, while Ross Colquhoun faces a fitness test and Liam Hegarty is suspended.
“In the past, when I have reached Vase quarter-finals, I have focused on my own side,” said Forrest.
“I haven’t had our opponents watched but Brian Atkinson and Paul Connor have been to see Chertsey play recently.
“We know we are in for a tough game and we know that they have attacking players that can hurt us. But we can cause them problems too.”