Easington in form and in command (From Durham Times)

Easington in form and in command

8:00am Saturday 7th July 2012 in News

Form side Easington expect to be back to full strength today as they look to step up their challenge for championship honours.

The stand-ins did the club proud at Seaham Park last week, victory lifting them to within 13 points of leaders Murton. But the return of Jason Moses, Andrew Price, David Tarn and Kevin Spanton for the match at Silksworth can only boost their chances of maintaining their progress towards what would be the first division one title in Easington's history.

Silksworth won't lie down for them - they halted Murton's progress with a battling draw last time out and have David Nield and Michael Waterson back, as well as knee injury victim Steve Wright.

They are desperate to get a game in on their home ground as the last time they played there being the opening day of the season.

Top dogs Murton continue their bid for honours with a trip to Bill Quay. The hosts have Dan Pearson returning, and also hand youngster Adam Rayner his first team debut as they continue to rotate players. The leaders hope to have Richard Bentley back.

Dawdon have to reckon without the two Purewals in their game at Peterlee. The twins are on football duty with their new club Darlington for pre-season training and are replaced by Craig Price and Nathan Newton. The home team are, for once, relatively settled and show just one change, Shaun Taylor coming in for Ben Green.

Seaham Park's defeat by Easington has left them with a lot of ground to make up in the second half of the season.

They dropped 34 points off the pace after that surprise loss and need to make the most of home advantage when they tackle Hylton today. Anthony Laidler and Thomas Ferguson miss out this week, with Michael Evans and Dave Moorhead drafted in.

Hylton will be missing skipper Kit Allan junior, so Darren Walton captains. With Graham Shovelin another absentee the return of Stephen Lee-Merrington and Gavin Barnes is timely.

Boldon CA are not quite sure what their team will look like when they entertain Ryhope.

Ian Male is in Ibiza for his own stag do, and alongside him are skipper Lee Jackson, Tommy Nixon, Dave Batty and Brian Conlon.

Washington hand a debut to new signing Ian Elliott, the seam bowler having recently joined them from Whitburn.

They entertain Seaham Harbour who are likely to be packed with youngsters with five top line players missing for a variety of reasons. Nathan Corkhill, Mark Marwood and Lewis Aiken are all handed an opportunity.