Ryhope’s focus must now be on more cup success – Gary
Gary Pearson has urged Durham Challenge Cup winners Ryhope CW to ‘leave nothing out on the pitch’ as they target further cup success this weekend.
A penalty shoot-out win against Northern League Division One rivals Crook Town ensured Ryhope claimed the Challenge Cup for only the second time in their history on Wednesday night.
Celebrations began as soon as the full-time whistle was blown, but Pearson has urged his squad to move on as they prepare to host Newcastle Benfield in the semifinal of the Northern League Division One Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Pearson said: “I spoke to the chairman and he was ecstatic. This was the one we wanted to win, it stuck out for me and we were all buzzing after the game.
“This is something we have to do, we celebrated the moment, and we go again on Saturday. We have done what we wanted, so now it’s on to Saturday and we have to forget about Wednesday and how great would it be to be in another final.
“We have to want that feeling again and that means leaving nothing out on the pitch to get into another cup final.”
Pearson confirmed Tom Price and Paul Braithwaite are not available for the game.
Sunderland RCA have a strong squad available as Steve Riley prepares to round off his first season in charge with a visit to Northern League Division One rivals Redcar Athletic.
Elsewhere in the top tier, champions North Shields
travel to West Auckland Town and Guisborough Town make the short trip to Thornaby.
Easington Colliery will look to hand a further boost to their Division Two play-off hopes and avenge a recent 3-1 home defeat when they visit
Brandon United.
Carlisle City remain in contention for a late push for the league title and they will expect to secure all three points when they head to basement club Durham City.
Two sides in the bottom three meet as Esh Winning entertain fellow strugglers Washington and Tow Law Town are without Ethan Bewley as they host Willington.
Chester-le-Street Town face their penultimate game of the season when with a trip to Northumberland as they take on Bedlington Terriers.