NE Premier League: Fired-up Burnmoor won't give up on title ambitions

Their next four games are against sides below them in the league and they need to keep winning to maintain the pressure on the top four.

This Saturday, they entertain a Washington side just 25 points above Tudhoe in bottom place.

Burnmoor vice-chairman Ian Linsley said: “We have not written our chances off just yet and the next four games are crucial to see where we will end up.

“Washington can be a dangerous side on their day and I still maintain that anyone can beat anyone in this division this season.”

Ross Hodgson comes into replace Daniel Unsworth, who is unavailable.

Washington kept in touch with the teams above them with a vital win at Brandon last week and, with Blaydon losing, Seaham Harbour drawing and Sunderland winning, the pack above them is getting really compact.

Secretary Nick Rayner told the Echo: “It was a good win last week and we need to be more confident in our approach to games, particularly the batsmen who need to get a few on the board for us.”

Willington, in fourth, also need to keep their run going with a win and higher scoring draw in their last two games.

They have Connor Hodgson back for their game at home to Seaham Harbour, but lose Jamie Blackmore, who is unavailable. Skipper James Stock said: “We just have to keep going to maintain our challenge on the leaders.”

Seaham Harbour have also found some form, with a win and three higher scoring draws in their last four games.

They have Mark Marwood back, but lose Dylan Bacon and Stuart Lacey, the club’s cricket manager, said: “We should have beaten Sacriston last week and we were very disappointed that we didn’t.

“They put on 53 for the ninth wicket and we dropped a few vital catches, however, we are competing a bit better now and the confidence is growing.

“It’s great having Jack Lacey around as well, that has helped.”

Sunderland will be hoping to build on last week’s shock win over Felling.

They travel to third-top Boldon and will be at full strength. Peter Crane, from the club, said: “We welcome Sunderland and feel the game will be very competitive.

“We are playing very well and we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted. Calum MacLeod and Umar Waheed have been tremendous for us this year and we are very pleased with the season so far, but we need to push on until the end.”

Leaders Sacriston entertain Blaydon, who need points to get to safety, but the home side will be strengthened by the return of Callum Appleby, Daniel Anderson and Reece Carr.

Skipper Ian Jones insisted: “If we continue to work hard, we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. The club is on a high at the moment.”

Bottom club Tudhoe travel to high-flying Felling and expect a very tough game, while Mainsforth entertain Brandon in a mid-table clash at Morrison Terrace. The hosts welcome back Glenn Donaldson and Kevin Strange, but they miss the unavailable Jonathan Colledge and Jamie Appleby.