Wearside League: Ashbrooke Belford House out to strengthen, despite six-goal midweek cruise

Ashbrooke Belford House enjoyed a six-goal blast on Wednesday night to make it two wins out of three '“ but they're not resting on their laurels.
Departing Silksworth CW defender Phil Hall climbs highest against Harton and Westoe. Picture by Tim RichardsonDeparting Silksworth CW defender Phil Hall climbs highest against Harton and Westoe. Picture by Tim Richardson
Departing Silksworth CW defender Phil Hall climbs highest against Harton and Westoe. Picture by Tim Richardson

The Wearsiders aim to strengthen their squad by signing two players before they travel down the A19 to meet Hartlepool at Grayfields Enclosure tomorrow.

Secretary Anthony Golden confirmed that it’s possible two newcomers could be included, though Adam Hopps is definitely out.

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Connor O’Neil will require a fitness test, though Belford have Mark Moon, Mason Burton and Mark Green back in the frame.

Pool have made an uncertain start, taking just four points from a possible 12.

Official John Ward said: “We are giving away too many easy goals, especially in the second half when our performances have been poor. We need to get back on track soon.”

Captain Alex Marshall, Luke Naylor, Kieron Campbell and Rhys Tapner return to boost Pool’s chances of a second victory.

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Sunderland West End meet Jarrow at Perth Green with the sides level on points, third and fourth top, respectively.

West End, buoyant after toppling Coxhoe Athletic from pole position with Wednesday’s win, will field a strong starting line-up.

Jarrow will hand debuts to Robbie Colman and Nicholas Quinn and the returning Max Kirkham also comes into contention – but Kris Allen, Josh Allen, Grant Pressling and Jason Pressling are unavailable.

Silksworth CW – one of six sides with nine points from four games - are at the seaside for their tough fixture against Redcar Athletic, who, with 15 goals, are the leading scorers.

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Silksworth manager Andrew Stobbart said: “I was disappointed when we lost to Leam Rangers, but we’ve bounced back and two consecutive wins gives us confidence going into tomorrow’s match.”

Stobbart cannot call upon Craig Stewart, Mark Robinson or Phil Hall, who is leaving for a new career in Qatar. Fortunately, Adam Storey and Paul Muir are able to make the journey.

Redcar are strongly fancied to challenge for the championship but, after convincingly winning their first three games, suffered a setback in midweek, going down 1-0 at Richmond Town.

Chris Bivens, who has scored five goals from the right-back position, is unavailable, but Mattie Dunford, Chris Atkinson, Joe Blackburn, Charles Brockbank, Josh Cooper, Joel Callender and Nathan Mohun will be competing for places in the starting line-up.

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Seaham Red Star Reserves have managed just one win so far and they could again find the going difficult at leaders Richmond Town, the only side with an unbeaten record.

Anthony Watson’s cricket commitments means his name is absent from Star’s team sheet and also out is Connor Williams, who will be sidelined for at least two months with a knee injury.

Jonathan Hodgson is doubtful because of work commitments but Star hope that Brendan Ball will shake off a knock which kept him out of the midweek game.

However, there’s better news for captain Marc Ruddock and Paul Henderson, who are expected to resume.

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Richmond, with three wins and a draw from four games, lead by a single point but they go into the fixture with a weakened squad.

Recent signing Sean Radford, Liam Darville, James Coatsworth and Alex Caisley are definite absentees. The unavailability list will grow to five should Jason Newall fail a late fitness test.

Coxhoe Athletic were in top spot until the midweek programme when they suffered a first defeat.

They’ll aim to return to winning form at home to Harton and Westoe, but they miss Kyle Morris and Steven Fothergill and Mitchell McKenna-Little is a doubt.

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Andy Hall is getting married in Italy, while also ruled out for Harton is Jak Quantrill.

South Shields Reserves go to Stokesley SC just a point off the top.

With Jack Donaghy back into a full strength pool of players, the Mariners are confident of extending an impressive start to their first season in the league.

Boldon CA manager Paul Mossa names the returning Adam Bell in his team sheet, but Jonny Gage is away and misses the game at Prudhoe Town.

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Horden CW, with one win and two draws from four outings, will be hoping to catch Annfield Plain on the bounce after the hosts were hit for six in midweek.

Leam Rangers field a much stronger side for the visit of Cleator Moor Celtic, with midfielders Stephen Edwards and Anthony Brewis, along with striker Michael Young, available.

Wolviston will unveil three new signings – midfielders Luke Hallett and Kai Mathews and striker Joel Gordon – at Windscale.