Washington provide the second away day test for West Auckland. Washington, promoted last season, lost to Seaham on Thursday night but have raised eyebrows previously with an excellent 5-1 win at Tow Law.
West will be without Darren Kokes who has handed in a transfer request whilst Lee Ellison and Leigh Grant are still carrying injuries so are unavailable for selection.
No Match Poster for this game
WASHINGTON 2-1 WEST AUCKLAND
Sat 25 Aug, 3:00PM, LgeWashington made for more away day woes for West Auckland after clinching a 2-1 victory. West though will look back on a strange game and think of where it went wrong as they could have come away with at least a point.
Yet the game started in positive fashion for West and they could have lead in only the third minute when Dale Jardine flicked a header on, Ian Maddison nicked ball from the defender on the half way line before racing clear but pulling his final shot wide.
Washington came close to levelling when a shot across goal was nearly turned in at the back post by Stephen Burns. However disaster struck in the 15th minute when Mark Bell, rising to claim a cross, clashed with another West player and the goalkeeper threw the ball into his own net to give Washington a bizarre lead.
West tried to hit back and five minutes later came close to levelling the scores when Brian Fairhurst's free kick flashed narrowly wide. Scott Nicholson then headed over following Jamie Middleton's header into the centre as West kept up the pressure.
Washington were still dangerous going forward and Craig Marron saw his volley fly into Mark Bell's arms after coming in late and unsighted of Michael Waller. Both sides were creating opportunities for themselves - Dale Jardine created space before firing over before a Ross Preston 35 yard effort whistled just over the bar.
3 minutes before the break, Scott Nicholson provided a good opportunity to level with a perfect pass to set Dale Jardine clear and he duly obliged with a well taken finish.
West Auckland should have led in the 59th minute when Kevin Bromley raced onto a long ball, lobbed the keeper but, with the ball heading in Dale Jardine made sure with a 3 yard header - however to the despair of West, the forward was ruled offside and the certain goal was chalked off.
Washington themselves had a goal chalked off for offside 4 minutes later before Liam McBryde lashed a shot over when well placed after a good move as the hosts started to dominate proceedings. After Mark Bell made another save he was helpless in the 69th minute when David Lee's excellent free kick left him rooted to his spot as it flew into the top corner.
This woke up West and they could have levelled for a second time three minutes later when Dale Jardine beat the keeper to the ball, turned him whilst managing to stay on his feet after being clipped, fed the ball back to Kevin Bromley who in turn knocked it onto Danny Robinson and the midfielder was unfortunate to see his goal bound shot headed away for a corner by Ian Davison with the goal unguarded.
As the game entered 7 minutes of stoppage time mainly due to unsportmanship play by Washington, keeper Leonard French, West pushed hard for an equaliser. Danny Robinson's low effort was pushed round the post, from the corner Jamie Middleton headed over. Still West Auckland continued to press - Scott Nicholson fired wildly over whilst Kevin Bromley's shot was held as Washington rode out the pressure and claimed the three points.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. James Middleton, 5. Michael Waller, 6. Scott Nicholson, 7. Danny Robinson, 8. Danny Richmond (12. Kevin Bromley 55 mins), 9. Dale Jardine, 10. Ian Maddison (14. Garry Barnes 45 mins), 11. Stuart Owen (16. Lee Ellison 80 mins)