Wearside League

Mar 15 2008 The Journal

CHAMPIONSHIP challengers Ryhope CW have received an unexpected bonus with the decision of the League Management Committee to award them three points from the game at Willington which was abandoned near the end when a player was injured.

The Wearsiders now have a four-point lead at the top of the table before their local derby with second from bottom Silksworth Community this afternoon.

Silksworth, who gained a useful point in midweek, are missing five players.

Coxhoe Athletic aim to stretch their unbeaten sequence to four matches but they will not find it easy against second-top New Marske.

Hartlepool are in third position before the visit of Ashbrooke Belford House. Belford House have Mark Lawton, Mark Green, Martin Deakin and Andy Dugdale are all out.

East Durham United are still bottom despite being unbeaten in their last four fixtures. They go to Windscale with renewed confidence, especially as Martin Lamb is added to a full-strength squad.

Cleadon SC’s game with Cleator Moor Celtic has been switched to Jack Clark Park because the Cumbrians’ pitch is unplayable. Player-manager Trevor Ball is absent from the Willington line-up at Boldon CA, while Harton and Westoe are again minus experienced defenders Chris Tatters and Kevin Lloyd. But Scott Graham and Dale Wells resume at home to Wolviston .

Annfield Plain have home advantage over Jarrow in the semi-final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup. Paul Henderson is banned.

Full-strength Jarrow are pleased that Scott Oliver, formerly with Cleadon SC, has joined their management team.

MALCOLM PRATT