Graydon: Chester’s never an easy place to go – but we are confident
Sunderland West End jointmanager Keith Graydon is hoping to remain in the promotion picture with a win at Chester-le-Street Town this weekend.
Successive 3-1 victories against Horden CW and Esh Winning have kept West End in second place in the Division Two table - although they lie eight points behind runaway leaders Heaton Stannington.
Graydon admits the Cestrians’ Moor Park home – though the team are third bottom of the table with just three wins from 15 league games – is “never an easy place to go”.
But the two-time FA Vase winner insists confidence is high amongst the West End squad as they look to continue their impressive start to the season.
He said: “We are looking forward to the game and we just want to keep trying to stay in and around where we are in the table.
“We are confident ahead of the game at Chester-leStreet but we can not take anything for granted because it’s never been an easy place to go.
“We keep wanting more from the players and that will be the same throughout the season, so it’s down to them to show us what they can do.”
Fifth-placed Easington Colliery have added Sunderland RCA midfielder Tom Best to their squad ahead of their game at Billingham Synthonia, and a suspension has ruled Michael Brown out of Tow Law Town’s visit to out-of-form Bedlington Terriers.
Boldon CA manager David Crumbie is hoping to complete a new signing ahead of his side’s trip to struggling Washington.
Liam Hodgson (suspension) and Olly Hotchkiss and Jak College (both injured) will miss Horden CW’s home game against Carlisle City, and Nick Marley is out of Esh Winning’s meeting with Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
Leaders Heaton Stannington will be strong favourites to continue their outstanding form when they welcome Brandon United to Grounsell Park, and midfielder Ryan Cummings returns to the Willington squad for their trip to Blyth Town.
Bottom-of-the-table Durham City go looking for their first win of the season at home against Birtley Town, and Newcastle University can move into second place with a win at Redcar Town.