Easington Colliery are 'where they should be' - Hotchkiss

Easington Colliery manager Olly Hotchkiss has refuted accusations his side are inconsistent as they look to move within touching distance of the Northern League Division One play-off places this weekend.

The Colliers claimed a 1-0 home win against Newcastle Benfield last weekend as Liam Adamson’s stunning strike made it four wins in their last five games. The victory also ensured Hotchkiss’ side have now secured maximum points in six of their last ten league games and have lost just two games over that time.

With a visit to a Marske United side described as ‘a bit of an unknown quantity’ next on the agenda on Saturday afternoon, Hotchkiss has called on his players to focus on themselves as they aim to build momentum with a potentially decisive period in the season rapidly approaching.

He told The Echo: “They are a little bit of an unknown quantity but we have tried to do a little bit of homework on them and try to have that professional mindset. We speak about looking after ourselves a lot and focusing on what we do within our dressing room and on the pitch. We know we can give anyone a game in this league.

“We have a strong mentality in the dressing room and I have seen a few words saying we are inconsistent but I don’t think we are, I actually think that accusation is a little harsh. I say we are where we should be as a club in terms of spending and what we are competing against in this division with the budgets being thrown around - but we know we can beat anyone on our day. We have beaten Shildon, the best team I’ve seen in the league, and we’ve beaten Boro Rangers so we know what we can do when we focus on ourselves and go for it.”

Northern League Division One fixtures

Guisborough Town v Shildon, Marske United v Easington Colliery, Newcastle Benfield v Boro Rangers, Penrith v West Allotment Celtic, Thornaby v Kendal Town, Whickham v West Auckland Town, Whitley Bay v Birtley Town

Your next non-league read: Gateshead handed potential £200k boost as FA Cup tie with Walsall is selected for live broadcast