There is a busy weekend across both levels of the Northern League.

Horden CW manager Jonny Payne is ‘expecting a reaction’ from his side when they host Thornaby at Welfare Park on Friday night.

The Marras have lost just one of their first seven league games this season and will head into their meeting with the Teesside outfit knowing a win will take them into the Division One play-off places for at least 24 hours. However, Payne was left irked by the events of his side’s midweek draw at Northallerton Town as a last-gasp equaliser prevented Horden from securing all three points in North Yorkshire. After taking a two-goal lead with efforts from Elliot Wilson and Chris Wallace, the Marras looked to be on their way to a win.

However, a Ben Creamer penalty on the hour-mark and a 96th minute equaliser from player-coach Dale Hopson ensured Northallerton claimed a share of the points in a frantic end to the contest. Payne stressed his players must improve their consistency if they are to impress this season and left them in no doubt over how disappointing he was by their midweek result and performance.

He told The Echo: “We can improve but we need to see games out. We are starting games well but we are ending them poorly. We are the opposite of where we were last season. We have been riddled with injuries and unavailability so I’ve yet to field my strongest team but that’s to be expected at this time of year.

“It clicked against North Shields but we are just too inconsistent and it’s good to change - and it has to change quickly. Our younger lads are improving but they are a little naive and they will learn. We just have to be better all over the pitch. I was disappointed after the Northallerton game, I let the lads know that and I am expecting a reaction on Friday night.”

Fixtures

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

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