Silksworth in good form ahead of ‘very interesting’ Darlington clash

Silksworth Colliery Welfare manager Jamie Cole insists his side will not take Darlington RA lightly when the two sides meet this weekend.

Silksworth remain in the top five of the Wearside League table after a strong run of form, and will head into Saturday’s game as favourites to further boost their push for a top-three place.

RA lie in the bottom five but they did push Cole’s men all of the way as they battled to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at Brinkburn Road back in October.

Cole described meetings with RA as “very interesting”, but revealed his squad are in a very confident mood ahead of the game.

He told The Echo: “We had a weekend off and we trained well on Wednesday night so we go into Saturday full of confidence.

“We have a strong squad available for the game, which is a big help and we have a number of big decisions to make.

“But we won’t be taking Darlington RA lightly because it’s always a very interesting and challenging game against them.”

Cole confirmed Joe Jones is the only absentee from his squad for the game.

Farringdon Detached – who stand sixth in the table, five points behind Silksworth – will be without the suspended Connor O’Neill for their trip to Wolviston as he serves the second game of a three-match ban for the red card he received in the recent defeat against Silksworth.

Their hosts are without injured duo James Stanger and James Dowson, but midfielder Ben Larkin and striker Mikey McGee will return to contention.

Elsewhere on Saturday, leaders Chester-le-Street United are without Dillan Short for their visit to West Auckland Tunns, and Cameron Hall is missing for fellow title challengers Darlington Town as they host Richmond Town.

Durham Corinthians face Shotton Colliery at Kepier School, Windscale are the visitors to Gateshead Leam Rangers, and Washington United will hope to end a poor run of form when they take on Shildon Reserves.

Two sides in the bottom six meet as Norton and Stockton Ancients host Annfield Plain, and ninthplaced FC Hartlepool will hope to continue their fine form when they entertain bottom-of-the-table Coxhoe Athletic.