Northern League: Horden CW boss hails goalkeeper Robert Dean ahead of Newton Aycliffe test
There is a busy weekend across both levels of the Northern League lying ahead.
Horden CW manager Jonny Payne has praised experienced goalkeeper Robert Dean ahead of Friday night’s home game with Division One rivals Newton Aycliffe.
The former Spennymoor Town and Sunderland RCA stopper has been in impressive form this season and played a key role in helping the Marras securing a place in the FA Vase first round last weekend. After battling to a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes in their tie at Northern Counties East League club Route One Rovers, Dean saved two penalties in a shoot-out as his side held their nerve before being handed a home tie with Division Two club Billingham Town in Monday’s first round draw.
Despite what has been a largely positive opening two months to the season, Payne’s side will head into Friday’s meeting with Aycliffe on a low after they were narrowly beaten by title contenders Shildon in midweek. Dean will remain a key player throughout the reminder of the season as the Marras look to improve and Payne believes he possesses one of the best goalkeepers in the Northern League.
He told The Echo: “Deano saving two penalties is just Deano being Deano. He’s been a top goalkeeper for so long and we needed him to come up trumps for us in the game. He always does it, it’s why he’s so highly-rated. I said to the lads he will save penalties so we just needed to make sure we scored ours and we’d win and that’s how it worked out. He’s one of the best keepers in the Northern League and he will continue being a big player for us throughout the rest of the season.”
Fixtures
Friday: Birtley Town v Newcastle Benfield, Easington Colliery v Yarm & Eaglescliffe, Horden CW v Newton Aycliffe, Newcastle Blue Star v North Shields Saturday: Kendal Town v Whitley Bay, Carlisle City v Thornaby, Crook Town v Blyth Town, Marske United v Northallerton Town, Penrith v Shildon
FA Cup second qualifying round: Redcar Town v Darlington, Heaton Stannington v Trafford, Emley v Spennymoor Town, Dunston v Scarborough Athletic, Redcar Athletic v Macclesfield, South Shields v Witton Albion
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