Gate get season back on track

9:24am Saturday 7th June 2008

THE fortunes of Leadgate have suddenly improved following two victories which came on the back of a disastrous start to their Wellstream NTSL season.

Leadgate were one of the clubs involved in the thrilling four way battle for the title in 2007 and their lethargic beginning to the new campaign had people scratching their heads, but consecutive wins over Backworth, and Ryton, have them back on course.

And they have the boost of Dominic McCabe returning to the team for today's home game with Tynedale. McCabe has been in fine form of late, with a century and a 98 not out in his last two games.

Tynedale have not set the world alight this time around and have an exactly similar record to date as Leadgate - two wins and five defeats. Paul Scandle and Alex Thompson are back in their side at the expense of Joe Mills and Mark Armstrong.

The Leadgate defeat brought high flying Ryton back to earth and they have dropped 30 points behind the leaders. They travel to Annfield Plain today with Adam Wilkins coming into the side for Andy Sutton. Plain, nestled comfortably in mid-table, show three changes from the team that lost at Ashington with Graham Brinton, Andrew Donnelly and Mark Small replacing Graham Carr, Kevin Dixon and John Maughan.

Benwell & Walbottle and Backworth are already some way adrift of the rest at the foot of the table, but one of them will improve their position this afternoon as they go head to head.

Only one point separates the two sides but then there is a mighty gap of 34 points to the third bottom club. Benwell have the experience and home advantage so will probably start slight favourites.

Second-placed Sacriston entertain Swalwell. The home side will be at full strength for the first time this season with the return of Harry Hubber, Ian Pattison and Phil Peel. A win for Swalwell would see them disappear into the mists at the summit of the league.

The sound of wedding bells at Lintz means their team to face Shotley Bridge will be shorn of a number of players. Four are out in total with Gary Johnson, Ryan McVitie, Anthony Ward and Trevor Wilson absent, their places being taken by Adam Tinnion, Richard Moody, Chris Jones and Michael Christie.

In the final game of the day Newcastle City entertain Ashington, the visitors strengthened by the return of Neil Wood, Scott Dunn and all-rounder Michael Thewlis. City are missing Hamad Hussain and Paritosh Kashyap, their replacements being Andy Jennison and Sultan Khan.

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