KIERAN HUNTER

PLAYERHUNTER ONSPONSORSDEVELOPMENT

Young shot-stopper Kieran Hunter believes he’s developed well in Northern League Division Two.

The 21-year-old is currently on a dual-registration deal with Chester-le-Street Town, after making five first-team appearances for Hebburn last season. “It was a good experience to play games last season, ” Hunter explained. “I always wanted to make a good impression with the new management coming in during the summer, and I feel like I’ve progressed well. “I’m communicating better and making my presence known - all the areas of my game are being improved. “Carl [Morris] has been very welcoming and his training sessions are excellent they’re very high standard. “All the goalkeepers are improving and helping each

other - myself, Shaun [Newbrook] and Andy [Coulson] are gaining valuable experience. “It’s not just about helping one keeper - we’re getting the best out of each other and progressing together. ” Hunter linked up with The Cestrians in September, and reveals former Hebburn goalkeeping coach Chris Errington played a big part in that move. “I wanted to go out and play in the Northern League, ” he said. “It was about proving myself at that level because I believed in my ability. “Chris Errington knew Chester-le-Street’s manager at the time and they were looking for a keeper, so Chris put my name forward. “I’m really happy with how it’s going - they welcomed me in and I’m playing week in and week out. “It’s a good standard and the squad is a decent mix of youth and experience - it’s also good to experience a new dressing room. ” After departing the youth set-ups of Sunderland and Gateshead, Hunter had spent the last few seasons playing in the Northern Alliance with Hebburn Town U23s “The standard is quite different, ” commented the goalkeeper. “You could be comfortable all game in the Northern League but all it takes is one chance to lose. “You need to be a lot more concentrated and communicate constantly it’s so close and just one

moment can change a game. “The strikers are more clinical so it’s really important to organise the team and make sure they don’t get through. “In the Northern Alliance, it’s a lot easier to keep possession and see a game out - strikers might need a few chances before they score as well. ” Hunter joined Chester-leStreet under Colin Wake, who was manager since 1995, however they recently appointed Steve Bowey as gaffer in October. Bowey is a household name with over a decade of experience in the Northern League, while also playing professionally for the likes of Gateshead, York City and Queen of the South. “He’s been good with me, ” Hunter stated. “He came to watch a game before he was appointed and we won 1-0, I kept a clean sheet. “On his first game in charge, he wanted to see the other keeper in goal to compare us both. “He also kept a clean sheet so we were both doing decent - it was down to me to kick on and fight for my place. “I proved myself in training and I’ve been rewarded with a run of games over the last few weeks. ” After a defeat to Dunston in the Durham Challenge Cup,

Chester-le-Street have won their last two league fixtures. The Cestrians scraped a win against Sunderland West End, who featured another Hebburn youngster in Dylan Archer, before a 2-1 victory against Ryton & Crawcrook. “I’m looking forward to the next few weeks, ” said Hunter. “We were putting in good performances without getting results - now we’re getting those wins. “The last few games haven’t been pretty - we’ve battled well and took our chances,

@SPORTSTEESSIDE and had to dig in for the results. “We’re building a good run of form, especially at home, so I can’t wait to continue my development. ” Archer has spent time with Sunderland West End since October, having also experienced a month with Crook Town in Northern League Division One. Left-back Gabriel Bada made his Northern League debut with Whickham at the weekend, coming off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland RCA.