Northern League: Easington Colliery determined to bounce back from Birtley hammering

Easington Colliery manager Olly Hotchkiss has insisted his players are excited to be back in league action as they look to bounce back from their worst result of the season.

The Colliers slipped from the top of the Division One table after a Liam Wotherspoon hat-trick and a goal apiece from Matthew Ward and Charlie Aitken condemned them to a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Birtley Town last weekend. That was only the fourth league defeat Hotchkiss’ side have suffered in what had previously been an incredible opening three months of the campaign.

The surprising nature of the defeat was further increased by the fact it came just days after Easington had battled back from three goals down to earn an excellent point at promotion rivals Shildon. However, all focus is now on what lies ahead as they return to Welfare Park for the first time since they landed a 3-1 win against Newcastle Benfield when they host a Marske United side sitting in the bottom six of the table.

Speaking ahead of the game, Hotchkiss warned his players they must be at their best to claim a win against the Seasiders as they look to move on from what he described as ‘a crazy result’ at Birtley just seven days earlier.

He told The Echo: “We are excited to get back to league action after a disappointing result. The wind and mental fatigue from the Shildon game made it difficult against Birtley in a crazy result - and we know Marske will be a tough game and they are off the back of a good away draw at Aycliffe. We will have to make sure we are at if and bounce back once again which we have done really well so far this season. The lads have trained tremendously well and we are looking forward to being back at home.”

Division One fixtures

Blyth Town v Whickham, Thornaby v Whitley Bay, Crook Town v Birtley Town, Easington Colliery v Marske United, Kendal Town v Newcastle Blue Star, Redcar Town v Newton Aycliffe, Northallerton Town v Newcastle Benfield

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