WEEKEND PREVIEW AND STATS
Updated attendance and leading scorers, suspensions and transfers
If the weather turns a bit milder during the day, the weekend action should start with three games tonight – new Redcar Athletic manager Carl Jarrett in charge for his first home game as the Steelmen take on West Auckland – the visitors looking to break a run of just one point out of nine. Carlisle City entertain Whitley Bay only a couple of weeks after the two teams met at Hillheads when Bay edged it 1-0. In Division Two Billingham Town are at home to Washington, with Town on a run of seven losses and one draw since their last win two months ago. Meanwhile, Washington will be hoping to play their first game of the new year.
Division One: The standout game on Saturday is first v fourth when Birtley Town travel to table toppers Bishop Auckland. Second-placed Shildon are at Penrith who are coming off back-to-back wins. Boro Rangers are fifth and they’re at home to West Allotment Celtic, while Heaton Stannington have their first home game for almost a month, with Northallerton Town the visitors.
Sunderland RCA secured their first win of the season the last time they were at home and have only lost three other recent games by a single goal. They face Guisborough Town who are on an unbeaten run of four wins and two draws in the last six. The Division One fixtures are completed by: North Shields v Crook Town, Tow Law Town v Newcastle Benfield and Whickham v Seaham Red Star.
Division Two: Three of the top four are away. With Bedlington Terriers not playing, Newcastle Blue Star, Blyth Town and Horden CW are all on their travels, at Chester-le-Street United, Redcar Town and Jarrow respectively. There’s only a point between Blue Star and Blyth, but Blyth have got three games in hand over the leaders. Jarrow’s last home game was back in October.
The rest of the fixtures are: Billingham Synthonia v Prudhoe YC Seniors, Brandon United v Chester-le-Street Town, Easington Colliery v Sunderland West End, Esh Winning v Boldon CA, Newcastle University v Yarm & Eaglescliffe and Ryton & Crawcrook v FC Hartlepool. Synners are one of the form teams – with six wins and three draws in their last nine league games.
Stats (up to and including January 13):
The latest attendance grids are here:
The latest goal scorer charts are here:
The current list of suspensions is here:
And the latest transfers are here: