Easington Colliery will travel to Penrith on the opening day of the Northern League season.

Olly Hotchkiss has challenged his Easington Colliery squad to show a new mentality during the new Northern League season.

After securing a top half finish last season, Hotchkiss has used the summer to freshen up his squad with the signings of the likes of experienced winger Joe Walton and midfielder Logan Herron. The campaign gets underway with a tough-looking trip to Penrith on Saturday in what will be an intriguing first test for Hotchkiss and his players as they face a home side that are traditionally strong on their home patch.

Easington Colliery manager Olly Hotchkiss (photo Konner Wells) | Konner Wells

placeholder image — Easington Colliery manager Olly Hotchkiss (photo Konner Wells) | Konner Wells

Ahead of the trip to Cumbria, the Colliers boss has warned his squad they must be ready for any challenges that come their way in their season opener and throughout a campaign that will provide a whole host of stern treats along the way.

He told The Echo: “It’s a difficult one to do your research so we have done what we can. Penrith are always better at home, they’re stronger on home turf and we found that out last season. It’s a mixed bag with them so we just have to focus on us really. We have to make sure we are prepared for whatever challenges come our way. I feel like football works in cycles and you have to refresh your squad sometimes and maximise the group. That’s what we have done this summer and we have that physical engine as well as being a good footballing side. We have a different type of player in the squad with the likes of Joe Walton and Logan Herron and we have to have a mentality of getting through games no matter what.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Horden CW get their season underway with a home game against a much-changed Crook Town.

Division One fixtures

Saturday: Blyth Town v Birtley Town, Carlisle City v Kendal Town, Horden CW v Crook Town, Marske United v Whickham, Newton Aycliffe v North Shields, Penrith v Easington Colliery, Newcastle Blue Star v Redcar Town, Shildon v Boro Rangers, Thornaby v Bishop Auckland, Whitley Bay v Northallerton Town, Yarm & Eaglescliffe v Newcastle Benfield

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