Northern League: Easington Colliery new boy praised after two-goal debut

Olly Hotchkiss described himself as ‘really proud’ of his Easington Colliery players after they returned to winning ways in the league by seeing off Kendal Town at Welfare Park.

The Colliers were without a win in their last four league games - but that all changed with an impressive display against the Mintcakes that got underway with two first-half goals from Aiden Stanton and Denny Tapping. However, there was still work to do during the second-half as the visitors looked to find a way back into the game. Hotchkiss looked to his bench for inspiration and it came in the form of recent signing Lennox Magalahaes as the versatile forward came off the bench to score twice inside the final seven minutes just days after joining from Division One rivals Whitley Bay.

The result keeps Easington within three points of leaders Bishop Auckland after a day when all four clubs sitting in the top four took maximum points from their games. For Hotchkiss, seeing off a ‘dangerous’ Kendal side was a source of pride as his players produced what he described as ‘an impressive home display’.

He told The Echo: “We are really pleased with the win and to get back to winning ways in the league. I thought we controlled large aspects of the game and looked a danger all afternoon and we are especially pleased with another clean sheet and that’s now four in a row. I have to pay credit to Kendal, they are a very good side and shouldn’t be down there at all because they are dangerous. But we are really proud of the group as it was an impressive home display and I have to say I am delighted for Lennox getting a brace on his debut because he’s going to be a real asset for us moving forwards.”

Results: North Shields 4-0 Marske United, Bishop Auckland 4-0 Birtley Town, Blyth Town 0-1 Redcar Town, Crook Town 3-3 Newcastle Blue Star, Easington Colliery 4-0 Kendal Town, Northallerton Town 1-2 Shildon, Whickham 1-2 Newton Aycliffe, Whitley Bay 1-2 Penrith, Yarm and Eaglescliffe 2-3 Carlisle City

Your next football read: Sunderland and Newcastle United Women fail to break the deadlock in ‘El Lassico’ stalemate