Ryhope boss vows to play waiting game with striker
Ryhope CW joint-manager Gary Pearson wants to show patience with striker Connor Slack after the former Sunderland youngster grabbed a hat-trick in his side’s preseason win at Durham City.
Goals from Morghan Dart and Brad Hird put Ryhope in control at Hall Lane and they eased to a win thanks to a second-half hat-trick from Slack.
The 20-year-old forward was released by the Black Cats last summer and spent time with Northern League Division Two club Easington Colliery last season.
He joined former Colliers management team Craig Hughes and Dave Pounder at Ryhopeaheadofpre-seasonas he looks to establish himself in the league’s top tier.
But Pearson believes the club will have to play a waiting game as Slack adjusts to life outside of the professional game.
“It is very difficult for players that have been full-time at a pro club to find levels.
“Connor is struggling to find his fitness because he is in full-time work, so he is having to adapt to that side of being a semi-professional player.
“They were routine finishes on Saturday, but he was in the right place and the right time.
“He will come good, he’s just young, hopefully he will find his feet, we just have to wait and see what happens.”
New signing Michael Colquhoun stole the show as his hat-trick helped Sunderland RCA to a 4-0 pre-season win against Billingham Synthonia.
The former South Shields and Whitley Bay forward was in scintillating form as his treble and a goal from veteran strike partner Andrew Johnson gave Steve Riley’s side a second win inside four days.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Dean Briggs continued his fine pre-season form with a hat-trick in Ashington’s 6-0 win against Jarrow and Bryan Norton and Aidan King’s goals led Sunderland West End see off Alnwick Town with a 2-1 win at St James Park.
Easington Colliery came from behind to claim a 4-1 win at Wearside League club FC Hartlepool with new signings Jaden Cahill-Taylor and Dylan Elliott were both on the score-sheet and Northern League newcomers Boldon CA fell to a 2-0 defeat at Winlaton Vulcans.
Danny Earl netted twice in Billingham Town’s 3-1 home win against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion and new signings Charlie Exley and Steven Callen netted in Consett’s 6-2 home win against Blyth Town.