Cole heads to Durham United in search of first win as Silky boss
The Wearside League weekend will get underway on Friday night when Silksworth CW travel to New Ferens Park to face Durham United.
The game will offer Jamie Cole a chance to get his first win as manager of the visitors after they secured a 2-2 draw against Gateshead Leam Rangers in his first game in charge last weekend.
Their hosts will be playing their first league fixture since a 2-1 home defeat against Boldon CA in early December, and will head into the game looking to move away from the bottom two in the table.
Dean Smith’s side are three points clear of second-bottom Farringdon Detached, but Silksworth boss Cole refuses to pay too much attention to league positions ahead of the game.
He told The Echo: “We played them earlier in the season and beat them, but we can’t take anything for granted.
“They have applied for the Northern League, so they are heading in the right direction.
“We want to build on a positive result against Leam Rangers and it was great to see the lads with smiles on their faces after the game.
“I think we lost that in recent weeks and we have a few characters around the place again.
“I couldn’t fault anyone in that game to be honest.”
Cole confirmed that Harry Graham and Joe Jones will both miss the trip to New Ferens Park.
Josh Perry will undergo a late fitness test, but Liam Mulvain is expected to return.
Fraser Colling will also be available for selection after returning to the club from Northern League Division Two club Tow Law Town.
League leaders Horden CW face a tough test of their title credentials on Saturday when they travel to fifthplaced Leam Rangers.
Horden will be boosted by the return of several key players, including Andrew Lonsdale, Barney Dobinson and David Paul – but they will be without top goalscorer Robbie Renwick.
In the Durham Trophy semi-finals, Hebburn Town Reserves face Northern Alliance club Winlaton Vulcans at the Energy Check Sports Ground, and the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup also reaches its lastfour phase as Boldon CA entertain Darlington RA.