MY footballing education isn't just restricted to my work with Willington.

Every Monday at Tow Law Recreation Centre, I am being given an object lesson in how to coach by Brian Fowler - known as Foxy to the lads that are benefiting from his expertise.

From 6.30pm until 8pm, Foxy runs a wonderful coaching session for an eager and talented group of teenagers - all for the bargain price of just 60p.

"We want to improve the kids' skill level," he said.

"Years ago, they used to practice in back streets by themselves, but that doesn't happen as much any more.

"It's a more relaxed environment than being with a team and all the lads are getting better every week."

Three of my players are already in regular attendance at Tow Law, and the fruits of his labour are in evidence whenever Willington play.

All players aged 12-16 are welcome.

FOR all of Willington Under-15s' qualities, a major criticism levelled at the players over a number of years has been that they have been slow starters in games.

Anyway, 25 seconds into last Sunday's match at home to Peterlee Oakley Travel we were 1-0 up...

What a start - especially from a team that, like I say, has a tendency to be caught cold early on in games.

I'd like to put the transformation down to their new coach - after all, they did particularly well to come haring out of the traps after the kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes.

This talented young boss also took Nicholas Elliott to one side before the game for finishing practice - and Willington's towering centre-forward scored a hat-trick.

But I can't take any credit away from the players, who are doing their club proud at the moment.

Played two, won two - what Sir Bobby Robson would give for such a record!

We beat Peterlee 6-2 in our latest Russell Foster Premier Division game and, in the words of one onlooker, "gave them a footballing lesson".

We were three goals to the good at half time - the pick of our strikes was the third, a flowing move involving Ryan Young, Elliott and Lewis Hope that ended with a superb volley from Harry Drummond.

The second half was more fragmented, and when Peterlee came back from 4-0 down to 4-2 in the space of three minutes I felt a mixture of worry and helplessness.

But we came through that examination and take a 100 per cent record into the stiffest test yet of our team's ability, at South Tyneside this Sunday.

It's fair to say, though, this week could have gone better.

Elliott is very doubtful for the game against the team that finished second last season and have also won their first two League matches.

Two key midfielders are also struggling with injury, while a possible replacement - Chris Marriott - is unavailable because he is with the Army Cadets this weekend.

Expect to see him patrolling an Iraqi town near you very soon...

I want to wish Lewis Hope all the best for his forthcoming trial with Sunderland.

Lewis is a cracking young player and, unlike most English players currently in the Premiership, has a wonderful left foot.

He will be with the Mackems for six weeks. Although we will miss him in our games, no one will be happier than myself and everyone else at Willington if he succeeds at Sunderland.