Pearson hoping Spenny win can help side stay in touch with elite
Ryhope CW joint-manager Gary Pearson is relishing the challenge of staying in touch with “the elite of the Northern League” as his side prepare to visit West Auckland Town on Saturday.
Ryhope head into the game fifth in the Division One table, and were further boosted by an impressive win at National League North club Spennymoor Town in the Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Depending on results elsewhere, a win on Saturday could lift them to third place in the table, and Pearson is hopeful the win against the Moors can give his players a boost ahead of a tough-looking visit to the Wanted Stadium.
He told The Echo: “They are all big games when you are where we are in the table.
“I want us to stay in and around the elite of the league but we have been in a poor run of form.
“The win at Spennymoor gives us confidence going into the game and we played well on a beautiful pitch.
“People may not think we can play that sort of football, and it’s difficult on our own pitch.
“Hopefully, they can take something from that win and have a good go on Saturday.”
Pearson will assess his squad following the win at Brewery Field before finalising his plans for the game.
Seaham Red Star have a
full squad available as they prepare to entertain Guisborough Town in the first of three home games within a week.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Thornaby will hope to close
within eight points of league leaders Consett with a win at Whitley Bay.
Third-placed Newton Aycliffe head to Teesside to take on Redcar Athletic, and North Shields will hope to boost their own promotion bid when they entertain struggling Billingham Town.
Midfielder Paul Robinson could return to the Ashington squad for their visit to Newcastle Benfield, and
Crook Town are without onloan Gateshead youngster Eddie Thomas as they visit Penrith.
New signing Oliver James will be in the Bishop Auckland squad as they prepare to entertain bottom-of-thetable Northallerton Town.
The Northern League weekend gets underway on Friday night when in-form Whickham host West Allotment Celtic.