Match Preview: Penrith (a)

We took a look at the Cumbrians of Penrith in our latest Match Preview.

Its back to the Northern League this afternoon for Redcar Athletic, who travel to a typically unhappy hunting ground in The Frenchfield Stadium to face Penrith.

WHO ARE YA?

Penrith

Tucked away in the scenic Cumbrian countryside, Penrith are a club with a long-standing history in the Northern League.

Formed in 1894, the Bonny Blues plied their trade in local and district leagues before joining the Northern League ahead of the 1948/49 season, where they remained for almost 40 years.

The inception of the new North West Counties Football League drew the Cumbrians away from the division, with the promise of more local games an enticing prospect for a club marred with masses of travel.

Penrith’s greatest success has come outside of the league structure, with the club proud to boast 16 titles in the Cumberland County Cup, the most recent in 2010.

The Bonny Blues returned to the Northern League in 1997, facing fluctuating fortunes across both divisions since.

Unfortunately, the club’s location is tantamount to their shortcomings, as chariman Billy Williams expressed to programme editor, Ash Stone, before last year’s fixture at Green Lane.

“Geographically we struggle to sign experienced players,” Billy said. “Therefore we are often left with a young squad.”

CURRENT FORM

It hasn’t been an easy ride this season for the Cumbrians of Penrith. The Bonny Blues sit just above the relegation fight, but do have a cup final to contend with.

A 3-1 victory over Aspatria at the weekend was their first since the Cumbrian derby in February, defeat to Blyth Town and draws against Easington Colliery and Tow Law Town completing their current record.

Redcar Athletic also make a return to league action following cup exploits this weekend, as defeat to Scarborough Athletic on Tuesday night leaves just five games to go.

The loss – albeit to National League North opposition – was the Steelmen’s first of the year, also only the second to finish without a Redcar goal.

PREVIOUS HISTORY

The Frenchfield Stadium has proved a rather unhappy hunting ground for Redcar Athletic in the past two years.

I needn’t mention that dark day in the January of last year, although it does certainly show a great deal about how far the club has come on in a short space of time.

Almost two years ago to the day, however, the Steelmen were dealt another damning defeat on Cumbrian soil, a red card for Joe Thompson costly, and not just on the night.

PENRITH 3-2 REDCAR ATHLETIC

Click below to read our report.

Danny Boyle opened the scoring with a quick double, his efforts seeing to a half time lead for Redcar Athletic.

Thompson’s dismissal handed Penrith the edge on a bitterly cold evening, such a slip-up costing the Steelmen ground in the fight for the top six.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

See Redcar Athletic’s upcoming fixtures, and previous results.

TEAM NEWS

The loss of Bryan Taylor deals a huge blow to Carl Jarrett and his team selection, especially with no true replacement readily on offer.

The likelihood is a return to fullback for Curtis Round, offering license to Oscar Fletcher to move higher up the pitch, but other options are also available.

Priestley Griffiths is likely to hold his place in the midfield, alongside Chay Liddle.