Northern League: Horden CW boss wary of 'wounded' Easington Colliery

Horden CW manager Jonny Payne has warned his players to be wary of a reaction from local rivals Easington Colliery when the two sides meet at Welfare Park on Friday evening.

The Marras took the local bragging rights on their home patch on Boxing Day as a late strike from Philly Angus gave his side a dramatic 2-1 win in front of a crowd of over 600. Despite that result, there has been little to separate the two sides during the campaign and they head into their Good Friday clash level on points inside the top half of the Division One table. However, Horden will head into the game looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat at North Shields as goals from Jordan Lashley, Dean Holmes and Blair Adams condemned Payne’s side to a 3-1 defeat at the Daren Persson Stadium.

Payne was quick to move on from that loss against the Robins and has stressed his players must be prepared to face a ‘wounded’ Easington side following their derby defeat over the festive period.

He told The Echo: “Friday is a big one and there’s a lot at stake. We played them earlier on in the season and it was a good game with two strong sides going at each other. We got a late winner and I’m sure they will be wounded from that going into Friday so I am expecting a big reaction from them.

“It’s very tight between us, I know they’ll be up for it, there’s a lot at stake. It’s a late kick-off, there will be a good attendance with it being a Bank Holiday. We need to bounce back after that defeat at North Shields and we will be doing everything to make sure we do in what will be a big occasion for the clubs and the local area."

Fixtures (3pm unless stated)

Friday: Birtley Town v Whickham (1pm), Easington Colliery v Horden CW (6pm) Saturday: Newcastle Blue Star v Carlisle City (2.30pm), Boro Rangers v Marske United, Kendal Town v Penrith, North Shields v Whitley Bay Sunday: Crook Town v Shildon (2.30pm)

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