Penrith v Newcastle Benfield
Ebac Northern League First Division
The Leo Group Limited Frenchfield Stadium
Saturday 15th October 2022
Newcastle Benfield make their second successive weekend trip over to Cumbria on Saturday as Penrith await for Col and the team in the Ebac Northern League First Division (15.00 kick off).
PREVIEW/FORM GUIDE
Penrith come into this contest sitting second from bottom in the table after a slow start to the season. All connected with the “Bonny Blues” will be hoping fortunes turn around soon, as the club look to avoid a long hard winter at the wrong end of the table.
Cumbrian form in particular has been a concern with no victories recorded on home soil and indeed no home league goals scored since the home opener back in August.
Overall our hosts have won 2 of their opening 14 fixtures, with 2 draws and 10 defeats recorded. Penrith who play their home games at their impressive Frenchfield Stadium just off the M6 have drawn 1 at home (Carlisle City 0-0), whilst losing the other 5 (Thornaby 1-3, Sunderland RCA 0-5, Northallerton Town 0-2, Ashington 0-2 & Guisborough Town 0-2).
Although on paper the Cumbrians are slightly more successful away from home, nobody from Tyneside will be taking anything for granted at the weekend and a tough contest awaits.
Penrith were most recently in action last Saturday afternoon when they made the trip to West Auckland Town but unfortunately a 4-2 reverse was the outcome despite pegging back the team from the Wanted Stadium on several occasions. Captain Jonny Murray and Luke Hunter were the visitors goal scorers.
For Benfield, the management team will be in a much better frame of mind having moved on quickly from the defeat to Heaton Stannington. After winning 4-2 at Carlisle City last weekend the team overcame what was potentially a huge banana skin on Tuesday night as they progressed to the next round of the Northumberland Senior Cup at the expense of high flying Bedlington Terriers.
Away from Sam Smith’s Park in the Northern League, the lads have 3 victories, 2 draws and 2 defeats and have generally looked solid on their trips away from NE6. At time of writing the Lions sit in 7th position in the league table.
A good number of Lions are expected to make the journey and it is hoped the long trip home up the M6 and across the A69 is just as happy as last weekends shorter journey back from the same county.
TEAM NEWS
Benfield have no suspensions to contend with and with longer term injuries now starting to see positive end results, it is hoped a strong travelling party will give Col and his management team some tough decisions to make ahead of kick off.
Our hosts also have no suspensions to consider but may look to make changes as the management team seek a formula to start lifting the club up the league table.
GROUND ADDRESS/DETAILS
The Leo Group Limited Frenchfield Stadium, Carleton, Frenchfield, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8UA
Adults £6 / over 65’s £3
Clubhouse Bar / Blues Cafe – both open
NEXT UP
After Saturday we make the tough trip up to Woodhorn Lane to face Ashington in the league on Tuesday evening (18th) for a 19-30 kick off. However, with the Colliers away at King’s Lynn Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, things could change should that contest end in a draw.