City chairman has high hopes for season despite opening-day defeat

Durham City chairman Gary Hutchinson is hoping for a “m u c h - i m p rove d s e a s o n” despite seeing the Citizens get their campaign underway with an eventful defeat against Willington.

Former Celtic and Aston Villa star Didier Agathe got his first taste of Northern League football as his side “hosted” their landlords at Hall Lane.

One of the many new signings made during a hectic summer impressed as Bermudan strikerD’AndreWainwrighthit a hat-trick on his league debut for the club.

But his effortswere to count for nothing as a Luke Bailey brace and a goal apiece from Kurt Seymour and Lewis Martin helped Willington to a 4-3 win.

Hutchinson told The Echo: “It was a great advert for the Northern League and it’s a shame we were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller.

“I am so pleased for D’Andre Wainwright for getting a hattrick on his debut.

“The club are hoping for a much-improved season and hopefully we can finish in the top half and compete against the likes of Willington.

“We are hoping that Didier and his ambitions can take us up the league and bring a professional attitude to the club.”

Local rivals Birtley Town and Washington shared the spoils as Mechanics striker Jak Hanson cancelled out a firsthalf penalty from Kaleb Young and Jarrow got their season underway with a goalless draw at home to promotion contenders West Allotment Celtic.

Easington Colliery edged a 2-1 home win against Billingham Synthonia as goals from Colliers duo Josh Home-Jackson and Simon Todd sandwiched an equaliser from

Daniel Chapman.

Crook Town won the early season battle of two promotion challengers as Christian Holliday’s first-half brace and a second-half strike from Daniel Kent secured them a 3-0 home triumph against Redcar Athletic.

Jay McLean scored twice as Esh Winning won by the odd goal in five at home against Brandon United.

Kai Hewitson and Connor

Brown scored for the visitors – but McLean’s brace and a Channon North strike gaveEsh all three points.

Mackenzie Sharp’s late goal gave Bedlington Terriers all three points in their home game against Ryton and Crawrook Albion and Heaton Stannington earned a home point against Carlisle City after Regan Paterson’s early strike was cancelled out by City striker Robert McCartney.