LEWIS RUTHERFORD

PLAYER SPONSORSRUTHERFORD EARNS CHANCE

Seventeen-year-old Lewis Rutherford was delighted to make his first senior start on Tuesday.

The young forward has climbed through the ranks of Hebburn Town and impressed for the U18s during the last year. He came off the bench five times last season, before Daniel Moore handed Rutherford a first start in Durham Challenge Cup action against Jarrow. “It was a great feeling, ” Rutherford admitted. “I’ve been training with the first-team for quite a while and I’ve been in and out of the squads, which has been a good opportunity to impress. “Getting a start under my belt was a different feeling I really enjoyed being out there. “I thought I played well

when I got at the full-back and put a few decent crosses in. “I probably could’ve kept the ball better and tested the keeper a bit more, but I’m happy with my performance all round. ” The teenage striker also spent pre-season in the firstteam set-up, and has made the matchday squad a few times since. “There’s a massive difference compared to youth football, ” he stated. “You learn quickly with match experience - some of the defenders are quite physical so it’s about what you can do on the ball as well as off it. “The lads are great in training and I feel as though I’m developing well - I’ve obviously still got a few years to go. “I learnt a lot in pre-season, it was a chance to impress under the new gaffers and play against different teams. “I took a lot of different things away - when we played Sunderland for example, it was about pressing at the right moments and being strong off the ball. “Then when we played against rougher teams, the focus was on winning the battle and being clean in possession. “Alongside the squad, I definitely benefited from coming up against a mixture of opponents and grew several aspects of my game. ” Rutherford has shone for the U18s this term, scoring seven in his last two appearances for Stephen Hymers’ outfit.

The frontman missed the start of the campaign due to suspension, but was pleased to come back all guns blazing. “We’ve had a good start to the season, ” he commented. “The league is a bit different this year as quite a few teams dropped out late. “I was suspended for the first few games after getting sent off against Morpeth in the FA Youth Cup, but I’ve come back fresh and ready. “I’ve scored a few goals and we’ve won quite a few so it’s really positive at the minute. “That experience with the first-team has definitely helped me and the U18 coaches are pushing me on to get even more game time. ”