Wearside League: West End face tough cup task as they look to regroup

The Seasiders will aim to make home advantage count and, in a bid to boost their chances of ending the season on a high, beat the transfer date deadline by signing John Priestner.

The full-back is expected to make his debut and another boost for Redcar is the news that James Swann has shown no after affects following his comeback from long-term injury last week.

West End, who lost ground in the championship race, losing at the death to Stockton Town last week and delay announcing their side, will have to curtail the scoring instincts of Andy Jennings who is targeting his 40th goal of the season.

It’s the turn of Boldon CA to try to restrain Stockton Town, who are well-placed to replicate last season’s magnificent achievement when they won the championship and the three domestic cus.

Manager Paul Mossa cannot name leading scorer Adam Bell or James Pickering. A shortage of strikers has meant that Alex Kempster, Jack Lawton and David Conroy have been moved into the attack and the trio could again feature in their new roles.

Stockton, who won the Monkwearmouth Cup on Monday, go without Chris Dunwell and Adam Nicholson. Youth team players Dillon McAvoy and Mark Stonehouse could be given their chance.

Hartlepool – defeated by Cleator Moor last weekend – will be looking for revenge when they again have home advantage in a re-match. Their chances are enhanced with the inclusion of skipper Alex Marshall, Kalon Lloyd and Jonny Murray.

Spennymoor Town Reserves visit Richmond Town minus James Leeds, David Atkinson and Kai Willis, but Connor Dunlavey, Neil Charlton, David Gibson and Mitchell McKenna-Little come into the frame.

As reported last week, secretary Paul Charlton has announced that next season the club will revert to Coxhoe Athletic since Spennymoor Town have decided not to run a reserve side.

Long-term injury casualty Liam Darville could return for Richmond Town, who have signed Ben Clarke from Esh Winning and Sam Bamber-Lister from local football.

In the league, Ashbrooke Belford House will be looking to bounce back from the 6-1 mauling they endured at Cleator Moor Celtic on Wednesday night.

The Wearsiders travel to Annfield Plain and, although Lee Owens, Shaun Petch, Corey Steele and Lee Andrews are listed on the team sheet, Jordan Birnie, Mark Green and Kevin Humble are ruled out.

Jarrow and Leam Rangers meet for the second time in seven days – this time at Perth Green, where Jarrow will aim to repeat a 5-0 win.

They go without the suspended Brodie Simpson and injured Kris Allen, while Leam are pleased that defender Ben Miller has completed a one-match ban, especially as centre-half David Stevens begins a three-game suspension.

Seaham Red Star Reserves manager Kevin Dixon names a strong squad at home to Prudhoe Town, with Christian Wilkinson, Mark Ruddick, Adam Wilson, Matthew Mustard and Kyle Bell coming into his plans.

Prudhoe have Reece Davies suspended, but Wayne Dunn and newcomer Lee Best are expected to feature.

Willie Crew takes charge of Silksworth CW in the absence of manager Michael McVay when Horden CW are the visitors.

A blow for Crew is the unavailability of leading scorer Adam Storey, while Stephen Moody is also ruled out. Michael Dunning and Daley Clarke are available.

Injuries are starting to take their toll for Harton and Westoe players, some of whom are playing as many as five games a week since they are involved with other clubs.

Carl Evans, David Graham, Andy Hall and Shaun Reay are all absentees for the long journey to Whitehaven, but skipper Shaun Carroll and David Bulman come in.

Murton, with only three points out of a possible 90 during their first season in the league, go to second-bottom Wolviston, who have won two in a row after seven months without a victory.

Thomas Laverick becomes the seventh keeper to be signed by Wolviston this season and he is set to play his first game alongside Nick Robinson, who has completed a two-match ban.