Marske boss Ted Watts says he has a pleasant selection poser for their league-closing home game against Newcastle Benfield
Marske boss Ted Watts says he has a pleasant selection poser for their league-closing home game against Newcastle Benfield, after an under strength side reached the Northern League Cup final with a 4-1 Easter Monday drubbing of Ashington.
Marske were without key men Craig Gott, Jamie Clarke, Glen Butterworth and Andy Jennings, who is out for the season, for a game which they tried to get rescheduled after finding out about it on short notice.
But they used a sense of injustice to motivate them and rose to the occasion, with Austin Johnston scoring a hat-trick which included a rasping opener and Chris McGill on target.
Marske’s victory set up a glamour tie at Barclays Premier League Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground on Tuesday, May 6.
But they have got their last league fixture against Benfield to negotiate first, and although three of the four absentees who were unavailable at Ashington are back, Watts said picking a starting line-up will not be easy.
He said: “Ashington had more pressure than us and a lot of possession, but they never really hurt us.
“I knew that would happen because it was a cup tie semi- final where we are away from home and were down to the bare bones, numbers-wise.
“The lads who came into the side put in a performance and make it hard for me to pick the next team.”
Watts said Johnston had his best game of the season against Ashington.
He added: “I thought all 12 players performed well, but obviously man-of-the-match for us was Austin Johnston whose performance was outstanding.
“His shot for the opening goal was terrific; his header for the second was directed with power and although he doesn’t usually take penalties, he took one which enabled him to complete his hat-trick.”
After winning their Easter Monday derby at relegated Billingham Town 3-0 with a Matthew Dixon own goal and strikes from Fred Woodhouse and Michael Sweet, Billingham Synthonia wrap up their season with a Central Avenue clash against Penrith.
Synners surpassed last season’s 61 points total with their one-sided win at Bedford Terrace, although Town should have been awarded a consolation goal when Leigh Guthrie’s late shot hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.
And Synners can still finish in the top 10 if they do a season double over Penrith and other results go their way.
Synners assistant Lee Tucker said: “We’ve already beaten last year’s points total, and another three against Penrith would help us in terms of a top 10 finish.
“Bishop Auckland are a place above us in 10th but have still got to play West Auckland and Dunston.
“Whitley Bay are a place and a point behind but have got games left as well.
“There’s a chance of a top 10 finish and that would be a good end to the season for us.
“We are depending on other teams slipping up, but to stay on course for that target we have got to win tomorrow.”
Tucker was pleased with a clinical Synners win at demoted Town, which included a 30th goal of the campaign for Sweet.
“We should have probably won more convincingly, but we have got to be pleased with three goals and a clean sheet. It was a chance for Town to go down with a bang in a derby.”
Fourth-placed Guisborough are at title-chasing leaders Spennymoor in their penultimate league game.
In the second division, Norton, Thornaby and Stokesley sign off against Northallerton, West Allotment and Whitehaven.
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