Northern League Division Two
Washington manager Olly Hotchkiss remains “very confident” that his side can improve after a poor start to the season.
The Mechanics have lost their first four games of the league season and were knocked out of the FA Cup at the Extra Preliminary Round by Division One side West Auckland Town. Things don’t get any easier for Hotchkiss and his side as they travel to face a Heaton Stannington side that were tipped for promotion ahead of the season.
The Tyneside outfit haven’t quite lived up to those lofty expectations so far and have only won one of their opening four games.
Hotchkiss admitted that his side face a battle to get anything from their Grounsell Park but insisted that they will get it right.
“It has been a frustrating season so far and it doesn’t get any easier at Heaton Stannington,” said the Mechanics boss.
“We were under no illusions that it take time for the squad to bed in because we have a lot of new, young players here now.
“It can take time to get our philosophy across to them but we have shown signs of improvement.
“We have players coming back, some more new players have come in and we are nearer to the squad that we want to work with here.
“I am still very confident that we will get things going here.”
Hotchkiss could hand another start to new signing James Norton after he made his debut in the midweek defeat at West Allotment Celtic. Durham City go looking for their first home win of the season when they entertain a Chester-le-Street Town side that are protecting a perfect start to the campaign. The Cestrians have won all four of their league games so far this season and sit second in the table with only Billingham Town’s superior goal difference keeping them off top spot.
Adam Lee-Shield could be handed a start by Durham after joining them from Brandon United earlier this week.
Easington Colliery are another side with an unblemished record so far this season and that will be tested when they travel to Norton Sports Complex to face Billingham Synthonia.