Horden have to be confident over promotion prospects, says Payne

Horden CW manager Jonathan Payne insists his side ‘have to be confident’ about their hopes of securing promotion from Northern League Division Two this season.

The Marras were held to a home draw by Redcar Town on Friday night as an opener from Charlie Upperton was cancelled out by a second-half penalty from visitors’ midfielder Nico

Weatherald.

The point temporarily moved Payne’s side to the top of the table.

But they dropped back to second on Saturday when Boro Rangers returned to the summit, despite being held to a home draw by Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

“We are in a good position but I think we have the hardest run-in out of all of the teams,” he explained.

“You’ve got to be confident but we have injuries at the moment and that doesn’t help.

"The lads are in good spirits, they are there wanting to win so you have to be confident.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, Chester-le-Street Town were condemned to a 1-0 defeat at Billingham Town by a first-half goal from Ben Riding.

Birtley Town romped to a 6-0 win at Newcastle University thanks to a Callum Smith hat-trick, an Alex Francis brace and a single strike from Matthew Ward.

Kris Hope scored a goal at each end as Willington battled to a rare point in their home game with Billingham Synthonia.

Byron Dagnall fired the hosts in front at Hall Lane on 18 minutes but a Hope own-goal and an Ash Lavan penalty looked to have handed all three points to Synners.

Willington would not be denied, however, and Hope made amends for his earlier error by netting an injurytime equaliser to earn his side a point.

Ben Shodeinde, Brandon Young and Alexander Fil all scored in Chesterle-Street United’s 3-1 home win against Prudhoe YC, and Lennox Magalahes and Jamie Nash goals were not enough for Brandon United as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Bedlington Terriers.

A Matthew Hayton brace and a Gilberto Chapim goal were enough to give the Terriers an invaluable win in their push for promotion to Division One.