Liddle: Northern League so different – but we’re learning all the time
Sunderland West End jointmanager Darren Liddle believes his side were taught a lesson by in-form Heaton Stannington in Division Two of the Northern League on Saturday.
The Tyneside outfit claimed all three points at Nissan Sports Complex thanks to a brace from Danny Sayer and a goal from French midfielder Thibault Charmey.
The defeat was West End’s first in five league games and Liddle was keen to stay positive as they look to bounce back with a win against Whickham in the Mitre Sports Brooks Mileson League Cup in midweek.
He told The Echo: “I think they’ve been the best team we have played this season. They looked so organised and so experienced.
“We did ok for half an hour – but then they just took control when they hit us on the break.
“It’s a learning curve for us – and it’s completely different to the Wearside League, but we will get there and we have been in good form.”
New Durham City management team Andy Inness and Ross Flintoft failed to get their reign off to a winning start after they fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Jarrow.
A goal in each half from Jonathan Wightman and James Norton were enough to help the visitors to all three points – although they had to play the last half-hour with just ten men after goalscorer Wightman was shown a red card.
Easington Colliery came out on top in an eight-goal thriller against Tow Law Town.
A Jack Pounder brace and a goal apiece from Jake Dunn, Rhys Turnbull and Simon Todd gave the Colliers a 5-3 win as the Lawyers were left empty-handed despite scoring with a penalty from Dale Milburn and two goals either side of half-time from Lewis Teasdale.
Two Michael Hepplewhite goals helped Chesterle-Street Town to a win by the odd goal in five against Willington.
Luke Collins also found the target for the Cestrians – who had been pegged by from two goals ahead as Ash Davis and Jordan Lee scored for the visitors.
Washington lost at Carlisle City, who led 3-1 at half-time after goals from Sam Atkinson, Josh Simpson and Robert McCartney. Elliott Salicki replied. McCartney extended the lead just after the interval with Craig Hennis pulling one back in injury-time.