A busy weekend lies in wait as the Northern League Division One and Division Two season continues.

Olly Hotchkiss has called for focus from his Easington Colliery players as they look to extend their impressive start to the season with a home win against Division One rivals Penrith.

The Colliers actually kicked off their league campaign with a 1-0 against the Cumbrian outfit as a first-half goal from Liam Adamson gave them all three points at the Leo Group Stadium. Since then, Hotchkiss’ men have taken seven points from nine in an away game at Marske United and home clashes with Newcastle Blue Star and Carlisle City.

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

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

There was further good cheer for Easington in midweek when they produced a stunning comeback in an FA Cup extra preliminary round replay against Whitley Bay as they hauled themselves back from the brink of defeat in the most dramatic of circumstances.

After falling two goals behind other efforts from Lennox Magalhaes and Nathan Nkunku, a 70th minute goal from Adamson and an injury-time equaliser from Dom Agnew set the platform for Liam Cooke to fire the Colliers through in the fourth minute of added-on time.

A preliminary round visit to Northern Counties East League side Knaresborough Town was their reward - but Hotchkiss is only focusing on Saturday’s home league game with Penrith as he challenged his players to get ‘on the front foot’ to extend their promising start to the season.

He told The Echo: “We are delighted with the start but we know we must keep focused as the league is unforgiving. We are really proud of the players as they are giving absolutely everything and as a manager that’s all you can ever ask. We know Penrith will be another tough game as they always are a tricky opponent. We played them on the opening day and it was a tight affair but we will be ready for the challenge ahead and will tackle it as we always do, and that’s on the front foot.”

Fixtures

Jarrow celebrate after scoring in their big win at Northern League Division Two rivals Seaton Carew (photo Kieran Gough) | Kieran Gough

Division One: Birtley Town v Whitley Bay, Easington Colliery v Penrith, Newcastle Benfield v Horden CW, North Shields v Bishop Auckland, Shildon v Newcastle Blue Star Division Two: Jarrow v Seaton Carew, Tow Law Town v AFC Newbiggin

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