Northern League: Jarrow on learning curve ahead of play-offs

Jarrow manager Kennie Malia wants his players to learn from Monday’s derby disappointment against Boldon CA as they prepare to face to visit title contenders Redcar Town on Saturday.

Malia’s men dropped two valuable points during second-half injury-time in the derby clash with Boldon as their feint Northern League Division Two title hopes were officially brought to an end. However, if there was a positive from the last ten days, it came with Jarrow securing a play-off spot for the second consecutive season and all thoughts are now on a fine push for promotion.

The former Prudhoe YC manager admitted there were lessons to learn from the draw with their local rivals and stressed he and his coaching staff are aware of where they can improve before the play-offs get underway later this month.

He told The Gazette: “We’ve always said every game is a learning curve for us throughout the season. We can learn a lot of things from the play-offs last season and we know roughly what we need to change and what we can improve. Things like Monday, could we have changed things late on? Would that have helped? Maybe it would have, who knows? But we will have a sit down and have a chat about things as a coaching team and with the lads - but this is all a learning curve for us.”

Malia could consider recalling Jay Barber to his starting eleven after he found the net during a substitute appearance in Monday’s derby draw.