West Auckland welcome back Michael Heckley and Kevin Bromley back into the squad following their unavailability for Saturday's cup tie. It is hoped Ian Maddison will be fit in time for the match as he struggles with a back injury.
Meanwhile Lee Ellison is a week away from a return from injury despite his suspension being completed.
WEST AUCKLAND Vs NORTHALLERTON TOWN
Wed 22 Aug, 7:30PM, LeagueMatch Sponsor: Fred Smith - Specialist Timber & Roofing Products Ltd
Ball Sponsor: Smiths Fish & Chips
Kevin Bromley came off the bench to smash home the winner against a dogged Northallerton team. West looked out of sorts against the resilient visitors, perhaps boosted by their early lead through a penalty. However they dug deep and did well to grind out their first League win of the season.
Northallerton took the early initiative with Luke Bythway sending Mark Bell the wrong way from the penalty spot after Scott Nicholson had barged into the back of the forward going for the header. This gave Northallerton the confidence and West had no answers for the opening 25 minutes of the match. Northallerton had a couple of further opportunities to extend the lead - sending shots and headers just wide and were made to pay shortly afterwards.
Ian Maddison inspired a West Auckland revival to break through the wall of defense. In the 26th minute, he glanced a header inches past the post to his anguish before making amends seconds later by levelling the scores. Stuart Owen's through ball did well to set Garry Barnes away down the left, he took on the defender, pulled the ball back to the edge of the area where the in rushing Maddison steered the ball expertly past Paul Clements.
Danny Earl nearly gave Northallerton a quick fire lead three minutes later with his dipping 18 yard shot tipped wide by Mark Bell. West's Ian Maddison again was the man in the thick of the action in the 34th minute when, in a move similar to his goal, forward Dale Jardine held up the ball, knocked it back to Maddison on the edge of the box and the midfielder fired narrowly the wrong side of the post.
The second half brought out an improved display by West Auckland and the could have lead with a quick counter attack in the 56th minute when Jamie Middleton released Garry Barnes but the forward saw his shot across goal blocked by keeper Paul Clements' legs.
Kevin Bromley entered the fray in the 63rd minute coming on for Stuart Owen. It was Bromley who then grabbed the headlines just 7 minutes later. Dale Jardine did the hard graft to begin the move for the winner. Firstly he charged down the keepers clearance, before winning possession from the recovering left back. Jardine then put in a good cross for Bromley to take one touch and smash the ball into the top of the net from 12 yards.
Northallerton still stayed tight at the back and allowed little space for the midfield and forward line although Garry Barnes did manage to create a couple of chances. The first was blocked and the other, with a couple of minutes left, flew wide however the first win of the season was still secured.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Ian Maddison, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. Jamie Middleton, 5. Michael Waller, 6. Scott Nicholson, 7. Danny Robinson (12. Darren Kokes 79 mins), 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Garry Barnes, 11. Stuart Owen (15. Kevin Bromley 63 mins)
13. Lee Hutton, 14. Michael Heckley, 16. Bradley Woods
Pictures