Northern League: Malia wants more from Jarrow despite Sunderland RCA win

Jarrow manager Kennie Malia admitted his side weren’t at their best after they boosted their push for promotion into the Northern League’s top tier with a 3-1 win at Sunderland RCA.

The two sides were level as the hour-mark passed after a first-half opener from Jarrow’s Jack Honour was cancelled out by RCA midfielder Owen Imeson five minutes after the restart. However, Malia’s men secured all three points and secured their place in third place in the Division Two table after Luke Hudson and Ryan Hardie both found the net inside the final ten minutes of a hard-fought contest.

The win means Jarrow have now gone unbeaten in 13 league games and appear to be well set in their bid to secure what would be a historic promotion into the fifth tier of the non-league game. Malia made a frank admission over his side’s performance at Meadow Park - but insisted the points could prove pivotal come the business end of the season.

He told The Gazette: “We have to be honest and say we were just not at our best today - but three points is three points no matter how they come about and that’s the positive for us I guess. We have been very good recently and you just never know who things play out here because those three points could be a very, very important three points come the end of the season.”

Malia and his players now have a free midweek to prepare for next Saturday’s home clash with Stokesley SC as they look to continue their push for promotion with another win.

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