Jarrow manager Dave Bell wants no more slip ups from players in Northern League Division Two promotion push ahead of Easington Colliery match

Jarrow manager Dave Bell has warned his players that they can’t afford any more slip-ups in their push for promotion in Northern League Division Two.
Jarrow FC manager Dave Bell.Jarrow FC manager Dave Bell.
Jarrow FC manager Dave Bell.

Last weekend’s impressive 2-1 win at top-four contenders Ryton and Crawcrook Albion left Bell’s side sat five places and six points outside of the promotion places.

Crucially, they do hold at least one game in hand on the sides immediately above them in the table as they prepare to entertain Easington Colliery at Perth Green on Friday night.

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A win would put pressure on their fellow promotion contenders, who are all in action on Saturday afternoon.

But Bell is adamant that his side have left themselves with little leeway as they as they look for a first-ever promotion into the Northern League’s top flight.

He told The Gazette: “We have talked about the fact that last Saturday’s result will mean nothing if we get beat on Friday.

“I don’t think we can have any more slip-ups and we will just be too far behind. A defeat would jeopardise our push for promotion – but we have to be positive.

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“With a couple of wins, you can be pushed right up in the table, we need to be closing that gap.

“Easington is a must-win game for us – and the players are aware of that.”

Friday night’s fixture will be the third between Jarrow and the Colliers this season. They a 4-2 defeat in County Durham in the reverse league fixture but did claim some measure of revenge with a 7-1 hammering of a much-changed Colliers side in an Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup fixture in December.

“I don’t know what we will get from them in the game,” said Bell.

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“We went down there earlier in the season and got beat. They deserved it too, they were very good, and they were excellent going forward.”

Bell confirmed that Max Kirkham has re-joined the club and will be available for selection.Jonny Wightman (hamstring) and James Norton (groin) have been ruled out of the game, but there was some good news on the injury front as Liam McBryde and Tom Bailey back from injury.