Regional round-up

Sep 13 2008 The Journal

WELLSTREAM NTSL clubs head into their last weekend of the season with fears that last week’s torrential downpours and flooding will put many games under threat today.

For those with nothing at stake it is probably fair to say there is little incentive to try and defy the elements one more time in a rain-blighted summer which has been one of the worst in living memory.

However, there will be a couple of grounds where staff will be working feverishly to try and ensure the matches go ahead as two teams battle for their top-flight lives. Only one point separates Benwell and Walbottle, who currently occupy the second relegation slot, and Newcastle City.

Both finish their programme with home games but that doesn’t provide immunity from the forces of nature. Benwell secretary George Gilroy said of his side’s game with Annfield Plain: “Last week’s weather has taken a tremendous toll and it’s going to be touch-and-go for Saturday. We have covers across the whole of the square, and the ground is on a slight slope so drains reasonably well, but it’s still totally saturated and won’t be able to take too much more rain.

“With only one point between us it’s a shame so much hinges on the weather, but if we do get played we are confident we can do well.

“We will have our normal side out and one thing I’m sure of – the telephone lines will be buzzing all afternoon between here and Newcastle.”

City’s Bob Brar is also upbeat ahead of his side’s home game with Lintz. “The ground’s soggy, but the forecast seems okay,” he said. “One thing’s for sure, we’ll be working flat out to try and ensure we play. We will have the same team as last week plus Ramanpreet Singh who has been released for the match by the Durham Academy.”

However, City will not find Lintz ready to lie down and skipper Gary Christie said: “We are able to name an unchanged side and it’s nice to be involved in a game where there’s something at stake, in fact it’s just nice to be involved in a game.”

In the Three Counties Northumberland League there are two more weekend programmes to complete, but almost without exception clubs were fearful that today’s penultimate matches were seriously threatened because of the state of grounds.

Five teams retain a realistic chance of winning the premier title, but that will probably be reduced to a maximum three come close of play tonight – whether there has been any or not.

Leaders Corbridge haven’t been able to work on their ground for two weeks but they will be making every effort to see that their home match with Bomarsund goes ahead. If it does Dean Robinson will step in to replace the holidaying Shaun Fenwick.

Surprise package Alnmouth are another whose ground has been severely hit, but again a home fixture will give them the chance to do everything in their power to get the game on – they play Heaton Park and may be unchanged.

Third-placed Kirkley are scheduled to play fourth-placed Stocksfield and the losers will be consigned to the title scrapheap, while unchanged Warkworth take on form team Clara Vale.

In the Readers Durham County League only three points separate the top three sides, and the second and third placed teams meet head on hoping that Etherley can pull off a major shock and topple leaders Kimblesworth.

The Etherley ground took a pounding from the elements last weekend, and again during the week, and with no covers available any more adverse weather will raise a question mark over the match. The home team will be without Michael Crane and Michael Chapman as they take on the full-strength visitors.

If there is any loss of points by Kimblesworth then Esh Winning’s home match against Shildon Railway will become a winner takes all contest. While the Esh ground is very wet they will be putting in every effort to ensure the game goes ahead and with both teams at optimum strength this clash could go either way.

CHRIS WEST