by Jeff King
After a successful week, United travel to Esh Winning in the Ebac Northern League Division 2 for their last game before Christmas. A tough encounter on the cards against a side in 4th place in the table and having a really good season.
Esh's 24 games have brought 17 wins 3 draws and 4 defeats for 54 points. They've scored an impressive 59 goals in those games and conceded 24. Top League scorer is Charlie Twinn with 10 although Cobi Jones who has 9 in the League also has 2 in The Cups to have 11 overall for the season.
Esh's recent league form since losing 5 - 1 at Horden in October has been very impressive. They have 4 wins and 2 draws in their last six League games. They have however gone out in both Cup competitions on penalties.
On Tuesday they drew 1 - 1 at Jarrow in the Ernest Armstrong Cup and lost 3 - 0 on pens and of course earlier this month they fell to United in the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup 5 - 4 on pens after a 2 - 2 draw in the 90 minutes.
That was a modicum of revenge for United who lost back in August at home to Esh 2 - 0 with the goals coming from ex-United reserve midfielder Benji Jackson and Twinn.
United got back to winning ways in the League last Saturday with Kobe Bewicke's rocket giving us a 1 - 0 victory at Alnwick Town and we followed that up with a 2 - 0 home win in midweek in the Ernest Armstrong Cup over Sunderland RCA.
Goals from Harley Lawton and Stephen Siyanbola seeing United into the next round. Add in that win on penalties last time at Esh Winning and it's a three-match unbeaten run for United at the moment.
Brandon Young returns to the matchday squad but United will be without Ben Gallagher and Dom Hughes. No Reserves game on Saturday also means Harvey Lawrence and Olly Dixon remain in the squad and are joined by Kymani Sevrin.
It's a crucial game for both side's in the race for the Play-Offs. Esh look comfortable in that position whilst United are trying to make a run for a place. Kick-off at The WindowPlusRoofs Arena is at 15:00pm.
Comments