NORTHERN LEAGUE: Seaham Red Star urged to kick on as Horden CW handed Sunderland West End warning

Seaham Red Star have been challenged to build on last weekend’s win at Tow Law Town and put together a run of form to take them away from the relegation zone.

Mark Collingwood’s men actually fell behind in the battle of the bottom two as James Hughes fired the Lawyers in front but goals from debutant Kaliem Beattie, Joe Hailes and Michael Annang-Colquhoun ensured it was Red Star that claimed a big three points at Ironworks Road. All eyes now turn towards Saturday’s home clash with Boro Rangers and assistant manager Michael Johnson wants more of the same against the Teesside outfit.

He told The Echo: “It’s just the start, that has to be just the start for us. We can’t rest on our laurels, we have to keep doing what we are doing, we have to keep getting those results. We are where we are in the table, we are better than that and we will be better than that but we have to pick up points. All credit to the lads because they put in a performance in a big game, we were delighted with the three points but we now have to back it up and start getting more points than we lose.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Easington Colliery are without the suspended Ryan Taylor for their home game with struggling Whickham. Leaders Redcar Athletic will have new signing Priestley Griffiths in their squad for their visit to Whitley Bay and Blyth Town are missing George Hayton as they prepare to travel to West Auckland Town. Shildon can tighten their grip on a play-off spot with a home win against Northallerton Town and Newcastle Benfield will hope to continue their upturn in form when they host Penrith.

There is a Cumbrian derby as Carlisle City entertain Kendal Town, in-form North Shields face Tow Law Town at the Daren Persson Stadium. Marske United are the visitors to Birtley Town and Crook Town take on Guisborough Town at Millfield in a battle of two sides sat just outside of the play-off spots.

Promotion chasing Horden handed West End warning

Assistant manager Andy Colledge has warned the Horden CW players of the threat posed by Sunderland West End ahead of Saturday’s Ford Hub meeting of the two sides.

Horden can actually move to the top of the Division Two table with a win over Steve Cockrill’s men this weekend - but Colledge knows securing all three points will be far from an easy task as he praised the attacking threat in the West End side.

He told The Echo: “It’s a very tricky fixture as on their day West End can beat any team in this league. They have some good players and a lot of pace at top end of pitch. They play on a 4G pitch, which means it becomes a different type of game so we have to be set up right and make sure we fully understand the game plan.”

West End will have recent signings Dan Wilds and James Hopkinson available after they joined the club from Birtley Town and Easington Colliery respectively.

Sunderland RCA kick off the Northern League weekend when they visit Ryton and Crawcrook Albion in one of three Friday night fixtures in the second tier. Elsewhere, Redcar Town host Bedlington Terriers and Billingham Town make the short trip to Grangetown Boys Club.

Washington will face Newcastle University at Northern Area, Chester-le-Street Town entertain Alnwick Town and Billingham Synthonia are the visitors to Darlington Town. Prudhoe YC host FC Hartlepool and leaders Yarm and Eaglescliffe face Thornaby at Bedford Terrace.

There is a South Tyneside derby on Saturday as Boldon CA entertain local rivals Jarrow at the Villa. Both sides warmed up for their second meeting of the season with impressive wins last weekend and Boldon joint-manager Dan Crooks is adamant his side can end their neighbours fine run of form.

He said: “We know they are bang in form but I am confident we can be effective and cause an upset. They are coming to our place and a lot of the lads are familiar with each other so maybe that can work in our favour. Derby or no derby, this is a game we feel we can win.”