Wearside League: Stobbart demands improvement in Silksworth's home clash with Shields Reserves

Silksworth CW boss Andrew Stobbart is demanding an improvement in tomorrow's home clash with South Shields Reserves at Silksworth Welfare Park tomorrow (2.30pm).
Sunderland West End (red and white) battle against Jarrow last weekend.Sunderland West End (red and white) battle against Jarrow last weekend.
Sunderland West End (red and white) battle against Jarrow last weekend.

The fourth-top Wearsiders succumbed to defeat at Hartlepool last weekend, putting pressure on their fight to stay fourth.

Secretary David Steele said: “Manager Andrew Stobbart wasn’t impressed with the performance last week at Hartlepool, for the first time in 2017, and, in the dressing room afterwards, demanded more work especially to consolidate our position in the league.

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“We will still be missing Daniel Martin through injury, but otherwise have a full squad to choose from and are still looking for that one point to make Andrew the club’s most successful manager this far, but we still have seven games left to achieve it.”

Sunderland West End entertain Hartlepool at Ford Quarry and welcome back Kieran Martin and Matthew Halliday after suspension and injury.

However, Brad Foster and Kyle Young are missing through work commitments.

Manager Barry Cook said: “We are looking to turn our good performances into good results after our recent run of games, where we have lost to the odd goal.”

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Pool, fresh from beating Silksworth, have Matty Gardner and Alex Marshall returning to the squad.

Ashbrooke Belford House’s losing streak continued with a midweek home defeat, but they will hope to pick up a morale-boosting victory away to lowly Cumbrians Windscale.

Belford miss Harry Graham, Kyle Sumner and Mark Curry, while Windscale have Ryan Fitzwilliam, Jordan Bowness and Greg Stainton available, plus Mike Farrer may make his first appearance in three months. Dan Morgan and Stevie Walker face late fitness tests.

New-look Seaham Red Star Reserves travel to Stokesley SC, with confidence growing.

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They showed an improvement in last week’s defeat to Prudhoe Town and were only beaten 1-0 by Cleator Moor in midweek.

Official Dave Copeland said: “We were unfortunate not to get something from the game. We knew it would take a number of games to get the young side accustomed to the toughness of the Wearside League, but each game we can see improvement.”

Aaron Thompson picked up a knock last weekend and is doubtful, but Elliott Stephenson is expected to retain his place in goal and Alex Ramshaw and Kieran Parnaby should also be returning.

Stokesley will have a full squad to choose from.

Fifth-top Boldon CA are away to Leam Rangers.

Leam assistant manager Anthony Hubbard said: “This is our last home game of the season and Liam McVicar is returning following a month at Ryton & Crawcrook Albion. We expect to have a full squad available, are looking forward to the game and hoping to win.”

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Coxhoe Athletic have Gavin Brown suspended for the visit of Prudhoe Town, while Chris Foster remains sidelined by injury.

Coxhoe secretary Paul Charlton said: “We have 10 league games left and want to finish as high in the table as we can.

“We were knocked out the cup last week, but played well. It will be a tough game against Prudhoe, it always is. We’ve slipped down the table and want to finish in the top six, so we need to get a few more points on the board.”

Harton & Westoe CW, boosted by successive wins against Wolviston and Ashbrooke Belford House, host leaders Jarrow in a bottom v top derby.

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Daniel Sirrell is a doubt, but other than that the squad will be at full strength, as goalkeeper Dan Hebden returns following a muscle injury.

Manager David Crumbie, reflecting on the win at Wolviston last week, said: “I was delighted with the blooding of one of our junior players, Harley Davison, who slotted seamlessly into the squad and looks a genuine prospect for the future.

“We play the favourites for the title, Jarrow, and it will be a stern test for our young squad, but I am looking to gauge how far we have come in the past few weeks.”

Jarrow manager Dave Bell said: “We have Liam Bayles and John Murray unavailable, but Paul Burrell returns to the squad, having missed last week’s game.

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“We go into this game knowing that it is going to be a really tough one. We know we will need to work really hard, but we have prepared well.”

Second-top Redcar Athletic, who host Annfield Plain, have defenders Chris Atkinson and Chris Bivens close to regaining fitness.

Joe Blackburn’s work commitments rule him out.

Third-placed Richmond Town are desperate to beat visitors Wolviston to keep some pressure on front-runners Jarrow.

Full-back Mark Hemmingway and midfielder Liam Darville both miss out, due to ankle and groin injuries, but centre-half Sam Grainger returns after missing last week’s cup tie and forward Colin Anderson serves the last of his three-game suspension.

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Wolviston have defenders Luke Bennington and Robbie Gratton back, along with utility player Josh Chambers.

President Keith Simpson, reflecting on last week’s defeat to bottom club Harton and Westoe, said: “Although I was disappointed with the outcome, the result was correct, with Harton playing well above their position as bottom of the league and thoroughly deserving the three points.”

Cleator Moor Celtic travel to Darlington 1883 Reserves with a full squad. Manager Dene White welcomes back Brad Hatton and Jonathan Donat. Secretary Herbert Briggs said: It will be nice to get a game in regardless of the weather, with them having a 4G pitch.”