Neighbours clash again after 21 years
TWO local rivals meet in a league game for the first time in more than two decades tomorrow as Dunston UTS make the short trip to Whickham.
The last league fixture between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw in March 1997, but they will renew their rivalry at the Glebe this weekend.
Whickham are without injured duo Mark Doninger and Matty Pattison and will hand a late fitness test to Ross Peareth.
The Lang Jacks could also hand a debut to striker Damien Stevens after he joined them from Marske United on Tuesday.
Dunston could hand another start to Tom Bexton after he made his league debut in Tuesday night’s 4-1 win at Shildon.
Newcastle Benfield manager Tom Wade could hand a debut to new signing Richard Pell in their game at Ryhope CW. Pell joined the Sam Smith’s Park club from North Shields last week and remained on the bench in the 2-0 FA Vase win against 1874 Northwich.
His former club are without defenders Kevin Hughes and Chris McDonald for their home game against Sunderland RCA.
Ashington boss Steve Bowey has called on his side to put the disappointment of being knocked out of three cup competition in 10 days behind them, starting with a home win against Newton Aycliffe.
The Colliers have exited the Northumberland Senior Cup, the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup and the FA Vase in recent weeks, but Bowey is determined to take something from the season.
He told the club’s website: “We’ve still got 20-odd league games to play and I don’t want the season to fall away. We can hopefully have a good run in the league. Our aim was to finish in the top ten and that remains the case.”
Bowey will take a late check on the fitness of Liam Armstrong and Jake Cunningham ahead of the game.
League leaders Consett are without injured trio Aksel Juul, Daniel Hawkins and Matty Slocombe for their trip to Bishop Auckland.
West Auckland Town will look to close the gap to the top six when they travel to Cumbria to face bottom-of-the-table Penrith.
Whitley Bay defender Luke Taylor misses their game at Guisborough Town as he serves a suspension.