Northern League: Experience can help Jarrow FC in Division Two promotion push
There is a busy weekend lying in wait across both divisions of the Ebac Northern League.
Kennie Malia believes Jarrow’s experience of qualifying for last season’s Division Two play-offs can aid their bid to secure a top five spot over the coming weeks.
Wednesday night’s impressive home win against fellow play-off contenders FC Hartlepool has left Malia’s men in third place in the table and they are sitting just three points adrift of leaders Yarm and Eaglescliffe. However, both Yarm and second placed Redcar Town hold a number of games in hand on Jarrow and that will mean Malia and his players will focus their attentions on tightening their grip on a play-off spot in Saturday’s home game with Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
The Jarrow manager has insisted his players can keep their promotion hopes alive if they ‘stay focused’ throughout what will be a thrilling final month to the season.
He told The Gazette: “Experience of it all last season is definitely a massive help and we have definitely spoke about a few things we will change and tweak in certain situations - but we are not going to get carried away until it’s confirmed that we are in the play-offs.
“Every game in this league gives you a different test so we need to make sure we stick to the plan, stay focused and hope we can reach play offs for the second time in a row. Players from last season have definitely made their feelings known to the group about how important it is to not to get carried away - but made it very clear standards have got to stay as high as possible from this moment on.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Boldon CA will hope to build on their hard-earned draw at Park View in midweek when they travel to Darlington Town. A win could take the Villa outfit as many as seven points clear of the relegation zone if results elsewhere fall in their favour.
Division One fixtures
Friday: Newcastle Blue Star v Birtley Town Saturday: Boro Rangers v Thornaby, Easington Colliery v Penrith, Guisborough Town v Crook Town, Horden CW v Carlisle City, Kendal Town v Whitley Bay, Shildon v Marske United
Division Two fixtures
Saturday: Alnwick Town v Billingham Town, AFC Newbiggin v Redcar Town, Chester-le-Street Town v Esh Winning, Park View AFC v Newcastle University, Darlington Town v Boldon CA, Durham United v Seaham Red Star, Grangetown Boys Club v Sunderland RCA, Jarrow v Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, Prudhoe YC Seniors v FC Hartlepool, Tow Law Town v Sunderland West End, Yarm & Eaglescliffe v Billingham Synthonia