Kimblesworth will be waiting to pounce on any slip up by their rivals. The champions are once again at full strength for their home match against Hylton. A few weeks ago the game would have been considered a formality for the hosts, but an upturn in Hylton’s form in the last few weeks is accompanied by the return of Kit Allan junior after an eight-week absence due to a knee injury.
Crook and Esh Winning are on the fringes of the title race, along with Evenwood, who Town entertain today. Crook’s Danny Wikinson is still unavailable and Peter Brown plays. An unchanged Esh team welcome Mainsforth, the visitors missing Nigel Milner, Dave Sherrington taking his place.
Two new players appear for Brandon – Blyth Spartans footballer Greg Brown and Ian Myers are both club juniors who haven’t played for a couple of years. And they couldn’t have chosen a more important game as fellow basement battlers Langley Park are the visitors.
In the day’s remaining game, Tudhoe tackle Ushaw Moor.
It’s Andrew Dixon Cup Final day tomorrow (2pm) in the 3D Durham Coast League, and there’s a great game in prospect at Murton where league leaders Castle Eden lock horns with Ryhope.
Both teams are enjoying strong league seasons with just one defeat between them and both expect to be at full strength with skipper John Spellman and Keith Bailey back for Castle, and Amur Purewal – now recovered from injury – joined by Ian White and Andrew Docherty in the final Ryhope party. On this afternoon’s league front, four of the top five clash, with Ryhope entertaining Bill Quay and Washington travelling to Castle Eden.
Mattie Dench is a Quay absentee, but Mark Cuskeran joins his twin brother Neil for the trip to Ryhope. Washington skipper Bill Plender misses the game at Castle, but Dan Talbot and Steve King return for the eagerly anticipated top-of-the-table clash.
David Batty makes his first appearance of the season for Boldon CA at Peterlee, and another first timer is Dawdon’s newly married Craig Price in their game at Murton, while Paul McGee and Jamie Kitto replace Mark Cowell and Andrew Price in the Easington line-up to play a Seaham Park side at full strength for the first time this season.
