Horden CW assistant manager Lee Bogan has this bold message to his players

Horden CW assistant manager Lee Bogan wants his side to “right some wrongs” when they travel to Darlington Town in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup this weekend.
Horden CW (red) v Silksworth CW (blue) at Hordon Welfare Park.Horden CW (red) v Silksworth CW (blue) at Hordon Welfare Park.
Horden CW (red) v Silksworth CW (blue) at Hordon Welfare Park.

The round one tie will be the third meeting between the two sides in the last seven games – and surprisingly league leaders Horden are yet to beat their title rivals.

Town came out on top with a 1-0 win in the Durham Trophy in early December and they followed that up with a 3-0 home win in a league fixture just over a month ago.

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But Bogan insisted that his side are ready to raise their standards to make it third time lucky in a competition they are treating with respect.

He told The Echo: “Whilst the league is paramount for us, we are treating the two remaining cup competitions with great importance.

“We see Saturday as a chance to get a home semi-final, and a chance to right some wrongs.

“We travel there for the third time in eight games and we are fully aware that they’ll have the big guns out and there will be special offers on the gate to get a crowd in.

“But our lads relish that and we see it as a compliment.

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“At the same time, we know that we haven’t performed in the previous two games and we have slipped below our standards.

“We need to put that right from the off this time around.”

Horden are boosted by the return of Peter Crawford after he completed a suspension.

There is one other cup tie on Saturday as Wolviston entertain Durham United in the semi-final of the Alan Hood Charity Cup.

The two sides will meet at Metcalfe Park for the right to face Hebburn Town Reserves in the final.

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And the Hornets are back in league action this weekend as they host Silksworth CW at the Energy Check Sports Ground.

However, manager Brian Johnson is facing up to the possibility that up to eight key players could miss the game.

Boldon CA manager David Crumbie is preparing his in-form side for a “difficult test” when they host Annfield Plain.

A run of just one defeat since the turn of the year has taken Boldon into the top eight of the table and confidence is high ahead of their meeting with an unpredictable Annfield side.

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And Crumbie is adamant that his side won’t have things their own way when Mattie Thompson’s men visit South Tyneside.

He said: “They are a strong team and they always make games hard for opposition.

“But we know if we stick to our game plan and work hard, we have a chance of getting three points.”

FC Hartlepool will hope to continue their own impressive form with a win at Farringdon Detached.

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Elsewhere on Saturday, Gateshead Leam Rangers go looking for a first win in nine games when they host Darlington RA and two sides sat in the bottom five meet at Beechfield Park as Coxhoe Athletic entertain Windscale.

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