SUNDERLAND might be out of the League Cup, but Willington Under-15s' run in our version of the competition continues unhindered.

We followed up our 7-1 win in the first round with a victory by the same scoreline against Jarrow YMCA last Sunday.

Ryan Young, usually a right-sided midfielder, played as a striker and showed what a shrewd coach he has by scoring a hat-trick.

That manager even allowed Craig Alston, our first-choice goalkeeper, a 20-minute run-out off the bench as a centre-forward.

That was strictly as a fun exercise, rather than a trial run ahead of our crucial forthcoming League fixtures.

Not that Harry Drummond, the player replaced by our keeper-cum-striker, was too enamoured by the identity of his replacement!

THIS Sunday will be a defining moment in Willington's season.

When Redby visit for our Premier Division game, I will discover whether I coach a team of wimps or warriors.

OK, so that's an exaggeration. But I want to see we have made progress in the three months since we capitulated to the same opposition.

That day in July, some of our players appeared to lack the stomach for the fight against a rugged Redby team that beat us up before beating us 4-0.

The Willington side that began that game will bear only a partial resemblance to the one that will take on Redby this weekend.

And as ever, particularly following our strong start to the season, I'm confident my lads won't let themselves down.

MY thigh muscles have seized up, my feet are covered in bruises after they were inadvertently trodden on and I've got a sore shin.

The FA's coaching courses should come with a Government warning, for they can seriously damage the participants' health.

I've had a hectic but mightily satisfying week studying for my Level Two coaching certificate.

And just as important is that I've thus far managed to avoid sustaining a serious injury.

Several other players/coaches have fallen by the wayside at Chester-le-Street's Riverside (one fella from Jarrow even hurt his ankle in a five-a-side match with his mates on Tuesday night).

But I was fit enough to take part in yesterday's training session that would determine whether former Sunderland and Middlesbrough star Stan Cummins would be granted a prestigious UEFA B licence.

I've loved every minute of the last few days. But from this weekend, I'll leave the playing to the players.

MANY thanks to everyone at Sunderland for giving my squad a great afternoon out at last Saturday's 1-0 win over Walsall.

The lads really enjoyed their tour of the ground, which included a visit to the home dressing room and pictures pitchside.

And may I also pay tribute to those working in the Stadium of Light's East Stand bars, who serve a wonderful pint of lager.

Eight wonderful pints, to be exact, that were devoured by a parent and myself before and during the game. Cheers!

JUST as my large squad has given me an embarrassment of playing riches, one unfortunate by-product is that two lads have quit the squad.

Goalkeeper Adam Robinson and striker Gareth Walton, both of whom have been on the periphery this season, told me last week that they are leaving.

Good luck to them as they further their careers with Willington Under-16s, who have themselves been depleted by a number of departures.