Skilltraining Ltd Northern league

Aug 23 2008 The Journal

MANAGER Jon King is aiming for a top-six finish for Morpeth Town and, following a busy close season on the transfer front, is confident of achieving his objective.

He brought in Lawrence Prior, who played in the Conference with Accrington Stanley, together with Joe Race and Tom Haige from Hartlepool.

This week, he added Alex Benjamin to his squad, snapping up the striker from Tow Law Town, with whom he netted 34 times last season.

But although Stephen Young trained at Craik Park on Tuesday night, it appears he is on his way out after being placed on the transfer list.

Young, whose registration was still held by Morpeth, joined Newcastle Blue Star in the close season but was recently released by the Kingston Park club. Morpeth face a difficult test at Consett.

Dunston Federation visit newly promoted Penrith, hopeful that Stephen Preen will have recovered from injury, especially as they are still minus David Wells and Fergal Harkin.

South Shields also returned to the top flight at the end of last season and for their attractive fixture with Tow Law Town at Filtrona Park, cannot name David Graham, Simon Fitzpatrick or Dean Patton.

Ashington line up at Ryton, the other side to gain top flight status this season. Gareth Bainbridge misses out for the Colliers but fortunately Robbie Cockburn can play.

Ryton skipper Barry Forbes is expected to be declared fit, even though he had to miss training in midweek.

Two sides are hoping to play their first league fixtures of the season.

Because it was found that Chester-le-Street’s pitch is too short, they travel to West Allotment Celtic, where former player Damien Maw, signed from Sunderland RCA, comes into contention alongside Stephen Stewart and Andy Armstrong.

Seaham Red Star almost folded on the eve of the season but have survived and go to Bedlington Terriers, where recently-appointed manager Andy Toman will have a full squad to choose from.

Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics will be looking for revenge against Shildon, who hammered them 7-1 last season. Dean Fuller and Pat Collins resume, but former Chester-le-Street player Scott Emmerson is banned.

In Division Two, Birtley Town are hoping their game with Crook Town can go ahead after Wednesday’s fixture was the only one in the programme to be washed out.

Manager Dave Smith, in his seventh season at the helm, has just one injury doubt with Barry Smith struggling to play.

Whickham are involved in the potential match of the day at Horden CW but manager Tony Ainley will need to assess the fitness of Kevin Hay, Paul Anderson and Paul McQuillan, who were all substituted in the first half of the midweek fixture.

Horden CW, expected to be strong challengers for promotion, cannot name Anthony Dobell, Johnny French or Michael Ford but Kevin Devine and Craig Hubbard come into the plans of manager Simon Corbett.

Jarrow Roofing, buoyed by their winning performance against Spennymoor Town in the FA Cup last week, are at Thornaby minus Craig Fannon and David Tate but Paul Hodgson is available.

Stephen Holliday and Andrew Boyes are back for Sunderland RCA but Ashley Davies is banned for the game with North Shields at Ralph Gardner Park.

MALCOLM PRATT