Wearside League: Silksworth, Belford fired up for big Friday night derby

Silksworth CW and Ashbrooke Belford House hope to entertain a big crowd in tonight's Sunderland derby at Silksworth Welfare Park (7.30pm).
Wolviston (yellow) take possession in last week's clash with Ashbrooke Belford House. Picture by Tim RichardsonWolviston (yellow) take possession in last week's clash with Ashbrooke Belford House. Picture by Tim Richardson
Wolviston (yellow) take possession in last week's clash with Ashbrooke Belford House. Picture by Tim Richardson

The two teams have already played each other twice this season, and the honours are even.

Belford House won their Durham Trophy meeting, while fourth-top Silksworth won the previous league clash.

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Silksworth manager Andy Stobbart was disappointed that last week’s game at Prudhoe Town was called off.

He saw that as an opportunity to keep the momentum going, as Silksworth are unbeaten in the last seven league games.

But Stobbart added: “It gives time for Adam Storey to have another week’s recovery and I have a full strength squad available. We’re on schedule and only have nine games left.”

The manager only needs four points to beat the record haul of 58 points achieved two season ago.

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Secretary David Steele said: “We have good rapport with Adrian Forster, Ashbrooke Belford House’s secretary.

“We both agreed that Friday night football would be beneficial to both teams and we can see if we can get a good crowd in.”

Ashbrooke Belford House secretary Adrian Forster said: “It’s always a good game against Silksworth and on a Friday night as well, you tend to get a lot more people attending.

“Normally they are really good competitive games between us.”

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Harry Graham and Callum Hope are back in the squad, but David Scott and Marc Eggleston are missing and Jordan Stewart is an injury doubt.

Tomorrow, Sunderland West End – boosted by the 4-1 midweek victory at Seaham Red Star Reserves – travel to Prudhoe Town (2.30pm).

Manager Barry Cook said: “We have a huge squad to choose from and plenty of competition for places, against a very physical Prudhoe team. Hopefully we can get all three points and get back on a run.”

Prudhoe secretary Colin Thompson said: “We should be at full strength.

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“It’s all down to the pitch – it was wet last weekend so hoping it will be dried out for this weekend. They beat us in the semi-final of the cup, so the lads will be hoping to reverse that and get the three points.”

Fifth-top Boldon travel to Darlington 1883 Reserves without Jack Lawton (ankle) and Danny Symington (work commitments), but Jonny Gage is fit to return after an ankle problem.

Secretary Kevin Oliver said: “Darlington 1883 Reserves have an artificial pitch, so the lads are looking forward to playing on that.

“We’re looking for a good result to consolidate our results this season. We’re still in the top five – it’s been a productive season.”

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Coxhoe Athletic entertain second-bottom Seaham Red Star Reserves at Beechfield Park.

Chris Foster is out injured for the hosts, while Philip Best, Chris Baxter, Mykel Summerson, and Steven Fothergill are unavailable.

However, Robert Thompson and Mitchell McKenna-Little are back into the squad.

Visiting stand-in manager Jamie Wright has brought in a number of youngsters from the Foundation of Light scholars team. Their first outing for Seaham was in midweek and it is hoped that these youngsters will complete the season’s fixtures for Red Star.

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South Shields Reserves make the journey to Cumbria to face Windscale and secretary Philip Reay said: “Manager Kevin Bolam hopes that he will have a full squad to select from, and not pick up any injuries in the meantime.”

The home side have a doubt over midfielder Darren Donald (neck injury), although he did not break a bone as previously feared. Other than that, manager Dave Wilkinson should have a full squad to choose from.

Hartlepool hope that the weather lifts for their game at near-neighbours Wolviston, as they have had the last four away games postponed.

On-song Wolviston have goalkeeper Chris Davidson returning to the squad, alongside Luke Bennington, club captain Shaun Gregory, defender Nick Robinson and utility player Nathan Summersgill.

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Manager Steve Cook said: “With five of my regular players missing from the squad last week, it proves what a good result we obtained at Ashbrooke Belford House and how the team will be strengthened now they have all returned.”

Leaders Jarrow are away to Stokesley SC without injured pair Darren Morton and Aaron Kah.

Gary Frater returns from injury and Stevie Graham from a three-game suspension, while Paul Burrell and Grant Pressling are available again and new goalkeeper Curtis Richardson joins up.

Jarrow await news on Gordon Hutchinson’s fitness, following a knock picked up last week.

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Jarrow boss Dave Bell said: “Stokesley beat us at their ground in the cup earlier this season so we know what we have to do to get something from the game.

“Our work rate last week again was brilliant and we go into this game knowing that we need to keep the consistency in this aspect of our game.”

Second-top Richmond Town, 12 points behind with four games in hand, go to Cleator Moor Celtic without centre-half Sean Radford and full-back Mark Hemmingway, while Simon Pinkney and Chris Pattison are rated doubtful with knee injuries.

Annfield Plain host Leam Rangers.

Bottom club Harton and Westoe CW face their biggest game of the season when they visit Redcar Athletic in tomorrow’s Monkwearmouth Charity Cup sem-final.

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Harton will be without the suspended Dan Hebden, veteran Nick Pain and striker Brandon Kirkbride.

On the positive side, skipper Paul Trosh, defender Steven Usher and striker Brodie Simpson are all available.

Official Kevin Gibson said: “It’s a semi-final which nobody expects us to win, but manager David Crumbie is confident this emerging young squad will give a good account of themselves.

“He said it is a lot of the players’ first season at this level and they are learning every game and developing both individually and as a team.”

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Lewis Wood and Joe Blackburn could both be available again for Redcar, who wait to see whether Chris Bivens will recover in time from his ankle injury. Striker Sam Garvie should be fit, despite picking up a knock last week.