Despite being seventh from top of the Wearside League, Wolviston believe they are still in with a chance of clinching a double after reaching the final of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup last week.

The Teessiders go into tomorrow's game against bottom-of-the-table Ferryhill Athletic nine points adrift of leaders Boldon CA but with seven games in hand.

"The championship is all to play for with at least another three clubs in contention," claimed Wolviston secretary Keith Simpson.

"Only Birtley Town have played fewer games than ourselves and they, together with Stokesley SC and possibly Darlington RA are still in the race.

"We still have to play five of the six teams above us and if we were to beat them all then we would be in with a great chance. Whatever happens, we are certainly going to have a bearing on the destination of the title," added Simpson.

Wolviston are mindful of the fact that most teams will be playing two or three times a week in the closing stages of the season and past experience has shown that anything can happen.

"It will be really difficult for a lot of teams who have a backlog of fixtures as a result of the awful weather, especially before Christmas. Those with the strongest squads will have the best chance and at the moment we are one down.

"One of our lads has got a job at Heathrow Airport and another has moved into the Albany Northern League while on the credit side we have signed Richard Hill from Darlington RA and he has yet to make his debut."

Last Saturday, Wolviston took another step towards success in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup when they defeated second-from-top Stokesley SC although Simpson considered his side was flattered by the final 3-1 scoreline.

"At 1-1 it was difficult for us and to be honest Stokesley were on top but Guy Whatmore scored a tremendous goal which turned the game. There will not be a better goal scored at Metcalf Park for a very long time," enthused Simpson.

With Stokesley pushing up in an attempt to level the score and take the tie into extra time, David Dowd broke clear to wrap up Wolviston's place in the final in which they will meet Darlington RA.

"I rate RA very highly. They ran us ragged in an early-season game when they hammered us 5-0 and currently, they are the most successful side in the League having won 14 and drawn one of their last 15 league and cup matches.

"Still, on the day, we can give any side a good game and we hope to emulate our cup final victory a couple of years ago when we defeated Harton and Westoe 3-1.

Brian Wake scored all three goals and has gone on to play for Carlisle United," Simpson said.