Northern League: Jarrow boss relishing meeting with former club Prudhoe YC
Jarrow and Boldon CA will both hope to claim positive results in their Northern League Division Two fixtures on Saturday.
Kennie Malia believes Jarrow’s performance in Saturday’s visit to his old club Prudhoe YC will tell him a lot about how his players have looked after themselves during a frustrating period in the season.
The Perth Green outfit returned to action for the first time since Boxing Day when they claimed a dramatic late win against Northern League Division Two leaders Redcar Town on Wednesday night and will hope to follow that up with another victory at Essity Park on Saturday. With just one game and very little time on the training pitch behind them, Malia is keen to assess the fitness levels of his players as they look to continue their bid for a play-off spot against his former club this weekend.
He told The Gazette: “Anytime you play against a team you’ve been part of as a player or a manager, it’s always means a little bit more to get the win and that’s obviously what we will be aiming for on Saturday. It’s been difficult because we’ve only had one game since Boxing Day but it’s hit training too because we couldn’t get a facility to train so it’s going to be all about who has been working away from the club and who has been keeping themselves fit as we look to push on.”
Malia will assess his options following the impressive midweek win against the current league leaders.
Meanwhile, Boldon CA will return to action for the first time since their Boxing Day loss against Jarrow when they visit bottom of the table Esh Winning on Saturday. As it stands, Boldon are sitting just five points and three places above the Division Two relegation zone - but will hope to boost their bid to remain in the Northern League by claiming the points against a home side that have won just three of their 27 league games this season.
Division One fixtures
Friday: Easington Colliery v West Allotment Celtic Saturday: Horden CW v Whickham, Newcastle Blue Star v Boro Rangers, Northallerton Town v Kendal Town, Penrith v Newcastle Benfield, Shildon v West Auckland Town, Thornaby v Marske United, Whitley Bay v Guisborough Town
Division Two fixtures
Saturday: AFC Newbiggin v Durham United, Billingham Town v FC Hartlepool, Chester-le-Street Town v Grangetown Boys Club, Darlington Town v Tow Law Town, Esh Winning v Boldon CA, Prudhoe YC v Jarrow, Redcar Town v Alnwick Town, Ryton and Crawcrook Albion v Park View, Seaham Red Star v Yarm and Eaglescliffe, Sunderland West End v Newcastle University
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