Northern League: Kennie Malia delighted by Jarrow attitude in Ryton win

Jarrow manager Kennie Malia hailed his players for moving on from double cup disappointment and boosting their promotion hopes with a dramatic late win at Northern League Division Two rivals Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

Malia’s men were sent out of the Durham Challenge Cup by Division One leaders Easington Colliery just under two weeks ago before suffering a defeat at local rivals Boldon CA in a historic FA Vase first round tie last weekend. Far from allowing that disappointment distract them from their push for a first ever promotion into Division One, Jarrow got themselves back to winning ways against a hardworking Albion side.

The two sides looked to be on their way to a goalless draw as the clock ticked into second-half injury-time - but Jarrow defender Jack Armstrong popped up with a winner to leave his manager to deliver an understandably positive assessment of his side’s reaction to their cup heartache.

He told The Gazette: “The reaction from everyone today was brilliant after the disappointment of two cup exits we suffered over the last couple of weeks - and to be honest, to show we can bounce back from those is a real positive for everyone involved. We are now 16 games unbeaten in the league, which is unbelievable, and what a way to do it with a last-minute winner.”

Malia’s men now have a free midweek schedule to prepare for next weekend’s visit to Grangetown Boys Club, who have been without a game since they claimed a 5-1 home win against Newbiggin last weekend.

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