Seaham Red Star boss relishing challenge of West Auckland Town showdown

Collingwood’s side have won just one of their opening nine games of the season and go into the game sat in the bottom five of the Northern League table.

Injury problems have disrupted Red Star’s plans for the opening months of the campaign – but Collingwood has come out fighting as his squad prepare to face a West Auckland side that were tipped to push for promotion this season.

He said: “This is why I do it, I do it knowing that in terms of finance, we can’t compete with these teams, but in terms of effort and endeavour we can.

“We haven’t had a bad couple of weeks to be fair.

“We played well against Thornaby and should have got something from the game.

“I was positive after that game and we are looking forward to the challenge on Saturday and we need to be better against the big clubs this season because we haven’t done ourselves justice.

“We haven’t laid a glove on those clubs yet, so we will give it our best shot starting this weekend.

“The old spirit it back, we aren’t dreading Saturday and we will look to carry our second-half display against Thornaby into the game.”

Collingwood has a number of selection issues to contend with after he confirmed that Scott Young (knee), Danny Sayer (knee), Thomas Bott (suspension), Matty Tumilty (knee) and Luke Sullivan (groin) will all miss the game.

Sunderland RCA are boosted by the return Nathan O’Neill and Layton Watts as they prepare to host Northallerton Town.

Both players were shown red cards in the recent defeat at Ashington – but they completed their three-match suspensions in time to return to aid their side as they look to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Ryhope CW have three key players returning to their squad for Saturday’s visit to out-of-form Billingham Town.

Jack Walker, Chris Trewick and Davey Gordon are all available once again after they missed the midweek Durham Challenge Cup win over Wearside League club Silksworth CW.

However, Denver Morris will miss out as he serves the final game of a three-match suspension.

League leaders Hebburn Town are boosted by the return of former Morpeth Town duo Michael McKeown and Tom Potter as they host Newcastle Benfield in a top of the table clash.

Three-time FA Vase winner Paul Robinson could make his Ashington debut when the Colliers host Consett after joining the club from North Shields in midweek.

Robinson’s former club travel to Bishop Auckland looking to secure a fifth win in their last six games against a Two-Blues side sat at the bottom of the table.

Stockton Town could move into the top four if results go there way and they collect all three points from their visit to Penrith.

Austin Johnson will serve a ban as Thornaby entertain Shildon and two in-form sides meet at Moore Lane as Newton Aycliffe host Whickham.

Gary Wood and Steve Dowling will take charge of Guisborough Town as they prepare to host Whitley Bay at the KGV Stadium following the midweek departure of former manager Gary Forster.