by Jeff King
Match Preview - Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Wednesday 9th August 2023
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v Chester-le-Street United
United travel to Ryton on Wednesday night looking to kick-start their season after two defeats in their opening two games have left them at the foot of the Northern League Division 2.
Saturday's game at Newcastle Blue Star having been called off due to a waterlogged pitch Chester will be hoping to find some form and positivity as they hope to take their first point or points of the season.
An opening home game minus 13 first-team players saw Boldon CA defeat United 3 - 1 at The Riverside. Four days later it was Easington Colliery who were the visitors and again the away side came away with a win this time to the tune of a 3 - 0 score line.
Ryton though are also pointless after two games. A 1 - 0 home loss at the hands of highly fancied promotion chasers Horden was then followed up by a defeat on Saturday at Division 2 new boys FC Hartlepool 3 - 1.
Ryton also losing a game to the weather when their midweek fixture scheduled between the two losses at Jarrow was called off. They therefore are also looking to get off the mark on Wednesday night.
Whilst this early in the season the game could hardly be called a relegation six-pointer both sides will be hoping that they can get their season's kick-started and start to look up rather than down.