by Jeff King
MONKWEARMOUTH CHARITY CUP FINAL - MONDAY 18th APRIL 2022
Chester-le-Street United v FCHartlepool
Kick-Off 11:30am
After the disappointment of Wednesday night's league defeat at Gateshead Leam Rangers, United have to lift themselves to take on FC Hartlepool in one of the Wearside League's showpiece events.
The sides have clashed twice already in the league this season with Chester coming out on top in both. A 5 - 1 win last September was followed by a 2 - 0 away win as recently as Monday 11th April.
Both sides have had brutal schedules recently which makes team selection a difficult thing to anticipate and assume. United will definitely be without influential midfielder Taylor Robinson who is off on holiday to Dubai.
Jaden Timmis and Josh Ward continue to be long-term absentees through injury but the rest of the squad should be available after a few days rest and recuperation. For Hartlepool top scorer Craig Linsel who has 27 goals in all competitions should be available from the start unlike Monday when he was only available from the bench.
The 'visitor's' will also hope to have experienced 11-goal midfielder Sam Cook back in the line-up as they face the first of two Cup Finals they have reached. They play Gateshead Leam Rangers in the Alan Hood Charity Cup Final on May 7th.
United go into the game as overwhelming favourites but in a two-team Cup contest anything can happen as history has proven time and time again. Admission to the game is £3 for Adults and £1 for Children with the gates opening at 10:00am for what should be a fantastic Easter Monday Eggstravaganza.