SEASON-DEFINING RUN OF GAMES FOR WEST END
Sunderland West End manager Anthony Nelson believes that his side are facing a season-defining run of the fixtures.
West End lost their unbeaten start to the league season with a 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool FC on Saturday.
Two second-half goals from midfielder David Wilson ended a 14-game unbeaten run from Nelson’s side on a windy day at Grayfields.
But the West End boss challenged his side to move on from the defeat and focus on a month of big fixtures against a number of their fellow title challengers.
He said “We are disappointed, especially after doing so well against the wind in the first-half.
“I thought we would come out and dominate the second-half, but we had five or six players off their game and you aren’t going to win games when that happens.
“Now it’s a case of putting it behind us and starting another unbeaten run.
“We will move on and take the positives, with the big one being that we have gone this long unbeaten.
“We have a big month coming up with tough games against Harton and Westoe, Wolviston and Hebburn Town Reserves.
“That could really define our season.”
Next up for West End is Wednesday night’s Durham Challenge Cup tie against Hartlepool United at Nissan Sports Complex.
Silksworth CW also suffered a defeat on Saturday and four second-half goals condemned them to a home loss against Harton and Westoe CW.
Both sides went into the clash sat in the top five of the table and it all looked positive for Silksworth when Will Cook gave them the lead at half-time.
But a second-half brace from Paul Burrell and single strikes from Levi Collins and Aaron Coulson helped David Crumbie’s side to all three points. Silksworth travel to Northern League Division One leaders Consett in the Durham Challenge Cup on Tuesday night. Hebburn Town Reserves extended their lead at the top of the table to four points with a 2-0 win against South Tyneside rivals Boldon CA.
The Hornets claimed the points thanks to goals from Nathan Sinclair and Adam Sharp as Kevin Bolam’s men extended to their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions.
Scott Ryan’s brace inspired Richmond Town to a comprehensive win against struggling Annfield Plain.
Chris Pattison, Dylan Wardale, Kallum Holbrook and Shaun Smith also found the net in a 6-1 win for the North Yorkshire outfit.
Two goals from Reece McEwan and one from Davey Stevens helped Horden CW to a win by the odd goal in five at Darlington Town, despite Connor Lowes twice putting the hosts ahead at Eastbourne Sports Complex.
WolvistonthrashedDurhamandWearsideDevelopment Division side Durham United in the First Round of the Total Sport Alan Hood Charity Cup.
Top scorer Michael McGee led the way with a hattrick for Wolviston, with two goals from Ryan Hebb and one from Phil Otele rounding off a 6-0 win for the Metcalfe Park club.
Two goals from Chris Tarn helped Darlington RA to a 2-1 win against Coxhoe Athletic in Round One of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and a Ben Graham hat-trick gave Windscale a 3-0 win at Gateshead Leam Rangers in the same competition.