by Jeff King
Tonight at The Ford Hub Football Centre, Chester-Le-Street open their home league campaign with a very tough game against high-flying Silksworth Colliery Welfare. It's an early season test for the youngsters against a so-far unbeaten side.
United's 4 - 1 away win at Annfield Plain on Saturday was certainly a performance full of flair, energy and endeavour but there were, as always, areas for improvement. Tonight's encounter will see their concentration levels tested to the full.
Silksworth have started the season in superb style winning all four league games they've played and all away from home. Victories at Wolviston by 4 - 1, a narrow 1 - 0 win at FC Hartlepool, a convincing 3 - 1 defeat of Gateshead Leam Rangers and a 5 - 1 hammering of Richmond Town have seen them take maximum points so far.
It leaves them second in the early season table just behind Shotton Colliery who have a one-goal superior advantage having also won all four of their games.
For Silksworth forward Liam Mulvain has already hit the ground running and grabbed 3 goals this season and been matched by midfielder Callum Patton. Their other six goals being shared amongst four other players.
There is no doubt that Silksworth provide a stern test for United tonight and they certainly aren't afraid of playing away from home. Kick-off tonight at The Ford Hub is at 7:30pm and it should be a cracker of a game.