Baptism of fire for new Durham boss Harper

It all looked so promising for new Durham City manager Billy Harper.

The Citizens started brightly in his first game in charge against Easington Colliery and took the lead with a goal from Carl Pottinger.

But old failings came back to haunt Harper’s side as hat-tricks from Liam Adamson and Jack Pounder and a Dan Martin put the Colliers on their way to a 7-2 win over Division Two’s basement club.

Harper’s assistant manager Steve Durrant commented: “It is our first game in charge and we are still in the forming stage.

“We started well, but we didn’t finish effectively and wasted a number of goalscoring opportunities after going a goal ahead and then going in level at half-time.

“We lost a bit of our mentality in the second-half, but I have to say I think the scoreline was harsh and we deserved more overall.”

Billingham Town continue to top the Division Two table after a Craig Hutchinson hat-trick and a goal from Jamie Davis helped them see of local rivals Billingham Synthonia with a 4-0 win at Norton Sports Complex.

Joe Barwick put Birtley ahead just after half-time, but their lead was wiped out by quickfire strikes from Ben Jackson and Joe ScaifeWheatley.

James Davidson got the hosts back on level-terms as the game ticked into injurytime, only to see Thornaby claim the points thanks to Lewis Murphy’s injury-time strike.

Michael Hepplewhite and Owen Henderson were on target as Chester-leStreet Town won 2-0 at Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.

A second-half goal from Michael Leech condemned Washington to a fourth straight defeat against West Allotment Celtic.

Willington held in-form Heaton Stannington to a goalless draw at Grounsell Park and a Jay Redman brace helped Esh Winning come from behind to claim a 2-1 win at Bedlington Terriers.

Glen Hargrave scored a brace in Jarrow’s 3-1 home win against Tow Law Town and Jordan Rivis went on better as he struck a hattrick to help Redcar Athletic to a 4-2 win over Crook Town at Green Lane.