Newcastle Benfield – Ryhope CW Football Club

Match Preview: Ryhope CW vs Newcastle Benfield

It could be a close encounter at Recreation Ground this weekend, two teams with very similar starts to their seasons coming up against each other.

Added to that is the fact it is a Wear-Tyne game, Colliery Welfare coming up against Newcastle Benfield in a Northern League Division One clash.

Benfield sit a place above us on goal difference, the two sides occupying 11th and 12th after taking 16 points from 14 games.

Ryhope will have the home advantage, and Benfield’s main struggles have been away from home having taken just five points from six games compared to 11 from eight at home.

That will hopefully play a part, however they may be spurred on by last week’s FA Vase second round victory over 1874 Northwich who were semi-finalists last season.

Their recent form has been much improved under the guidance of new manager Tom Wade, and they have some very strong players in their squad, the obvious example being attack Paul Brayson who has been a top striker at this level for many years.

Ryhope’s form has been up and down, having gone from four league wins in six to winless in our last two. Last week we were held to a point at home against Newton Aycliffe.

Colliery Welfare did the league double over Benfield last season, winning both games 2-1.

Both games were fiery, entertaining encounters, Colliery Welfare edging Benfield away from home when goals from Joey Melvin and Kyle Davis gave us a 2-0 lead heading into half-time. Benfield came out stronger after the break and got a goal back through Joe Hailes in the 47th minute, but RCW held out for the win.

A 90th minute Corey Nicholson winner gave Ryhope a home win earlier in the season. Nat Skidmore gave RCW the lead with a thunderous effort, before Paul Brayson cancelled it out in the 70^th minute. A Kyle Davis cross set-up Nicholson at the back post to win it for Welfare in dramatic circumstances.

It wasn’t all joy against Benfield last season, the Newcastle side knocked us out of the Northern League Cup at the quarter-final stage, goals from Jack Devlin and Paul Brayson cancelling out Joey Melvin’s first-half goal.

It was always a tense, narrow encounter between these two last season, and the signs all point to another fantastic game of football on Saturday. Hopefully, with Sunderland playing away from home on Sunday, we can get a few more people through the gates to watch a Wear-Tyne clash.

Northern League Division One

Venue: Ryhope Recreation Park, Sunderland, SR2 0AB

Date: Saturday, November 10th

Kick-Off: 3:00PM

Northern League round-up: Dunston smash Whitley Bay and FA Cup replays

We round-up the midweek Northern League action, less league fixtures going ahead than scheduled due to FA Cup replays.

Eight teams remain unbeaten in Northern League Division One, following the midweek action.

The pick of the action was at the UTS Stadium, where Dunston smashed Whitley Bay 8-0. Mark Fitzpatrick could have had a hat-trick, scoring two and missing a penalty. Jack Elliott and Liam Brooks also hit doubles for the Gateshead club.

Dunston remain unbeaten, as well as Shildon who beat us 2-0 at Recreation Park.

In the FA Cup game featuring Northern League clubs on Tuesday, Guisborough beat Newton Aycliffe 2-0 away.

Wednesday’s action saw an added time winner at the Daren Persson stadium, Gerard Richardson converting for Ashington to give them a 1-0 win away at North Shields.

Another one came at Blyth AFC, David Robinson scoring in the 93rd minute to down West Auckland.

The other Newly-promoted teams Whickham and Hebburn faced off, Hebburn getting a 3-0 away win.

Consett smashed Penrith 6-1 away, Daniel Craggs scoring a hat-trick

Wednesday’s FA Cup replay action saw Heaton Stannington and Seaham Red Star go to extra-time following a 3-3 draw. The scores were level at 4-4 after extra-time and it took penalties to decide the tie, Seaham winning 4-2 on penalties.

Newcastle Benfield beat Stockton Town at Bishopton Road 3-0 to progress to the preliminary round.

Higher up the leagues, the North-East derby in the National League North between Darlington and Blyth Spartans ended in a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, Spennymoor lost away from home to Bradford Park Avenue 1-0.

Gateshead remain unbeaten in the National League, earning a 1-1 away draw at Boreham Wood. Hartlepool also drew 1-1 away at Braintree.

Ryhope CW complete triple swoop

Ryhope CW today announced a triple signing.

Joining the club are midfielder Nicky Kane, and defenders Carl Jones and Corey Barnes.

Nicky Kane joins following a spell at Seaham Red Star. Unfortunately he had an injury hit 2017/18 season, but is looking to bounce back from that with Ryhope.

The midfielder, whose former clubs include Dunston UTS and Newcastle Benfield, is known for his energy and covers a lot of ground.

A hard-working midfielder, his skills come in attack and he has been deployed as a winger in the past.

The 29-year-old, who also represented neighbours Sunderland RCA, is also described as having great ball skills and an eye for goal.

Also joining is defender Carl Jones from Shildon.

Carl is a versatile defender, mostly deployed at centre-back but capable of playing across the back four. He won the Northern League with Shildon in 2015-16.

Jones during his spell at Blyth Spartans

Among the 31-year-old’s former clubs are Hartlepool United, York City, Gateshead, Blyth Spartans, West Auckland and Dunston UTS.

The final signing of the triple swoop is Corey Barnes.

Corey is a right-back, who broke through the ranks at Darlington and was once nominated for League Two apprentice of the year.

He dropped into non-league initially with Spennymoor, before joining Crook Town in 2011.

The 26-year-old spent a number of years at Jarrow Roofing and was at Washington last season.

The full-back is said to have some attacking flair to go with his defensive prowess, and loves to get down the right to support the attack.

Corey is unavailable for selection for another two weeks.