Benjamin on verge of Hebburn move
MOVE ... Alex Benjamin.
ALEX Benjamin is on the brink of completing a remarkable hat-trick – playing for all three of the borough’s Northern league sides in the same season.
The much-travelled striker has fallen out of favour at Jarrow Roofing after just a month, and is on the verge of signing for neighbours Hebburn Town.
Should the move go through, it will see him complete a unique set, with Benjamin having started the season with South Shields.
He was a hit at Filtrona Park before being shown the door by new boss Jon King when he took over from former manager Gary Steadman.
Hebburn were interested in signing the player then, but Benjamin opted to join Division One title-chasers Sunderland RCA instead, but lasted just a few weeks before going on the move again.
He spurned the advances of Hebburn once more to sign for Roofing, with boss Richie McLoughlin hoping his goals would help pull his side away from the relegation zone, but after an instant impact where he scored two penalties on his debut, his performances dipped with McLoughlin revealing he was being troubled by a knee injury.
The Roofers’ supremo has now decided to cut his losses with the forward, admitting: “It just hasn’t worked out with Benji.”
And it appears to be a case of third-time lucky for Hebburn boss Paul Bennett, who will be looking for Benjamin to help fire them to promotion from Division Two this season.
Hebburn travel to promotion rivals Esh Winning tomorrow hoping to bounce back from their midweek defeat at West Allotment Celtic.
Roofing, minus Benjamin, make the trip to title-chasing West Auckland knowing that they desperately need to start picking up points if they are to avoid the drop.
Roofing are three points from safety, having played two games more than fourth-bottom Billingham Town.
McLoughlin welcomes back defender Dave Anderson into the squad, and he is likely to partner Michael Hedley in the centre of defence.
Shields, meanwhile, could hand a debut to new signing Adam Drysdale when they travel to Norton & Stockton.
The centre-half has been signed from Seaham Red Star to provide competition for Lee Bell, Jamie Scope and Jordan Fraser.
Boss King said: “He is only 20, good in the air, quick and very good at defending, so he should be a great signing for us.”
Just as much of a boost is the return of striker Jonny Wightman from injury, but Denver Morris is unavailable due to work commitments.
Twitter : @rossgregory9
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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