Davidson leaves Stockton role

Davidson moved up from the reserves to take charge of the first team at Town Piece alongside former Stoke City professional Owen Lovelock in the summer.

However, the loss of key players left them struggling to compete and they find themselves bottom of the Premier Division table with just one win from 13 games.

Lovelock left his role in November, citing a lack of commitment from the players and now Davidson has chosen to walk away as well.

“When I took over from Tommy Young in the summer I lost 23 players to AEI Rugby as they were his lads so I always knew I’d be building from scratch,” said Davidson.

“But losing Luke Cole and Paul Wilkinson to Whitnash five days before the season started had a knock-on effect with others wanting to join them.

“They are the two best players I’d worked with and were impossible to replace.

“I’ve spent more time running this club than I do in my own job so nobody can question my commitment but I probably spent too long mourning the loss of Coler and Wilko and took my eye off things.”

Ami Panesar is looking after the first team until chairman Rick Musson appoints a successor, but Davidson believes that whoever inherits the role will have the basis of a good side.

“I told Rick that my intentions were to step down when the club was in a stable position and I’ve made sure that I have signed some very good players in the last month to leave any new manager with a healthy squad.”

Meanwhile, fellow Coventry Alliance side Whitnash moved into the semi-final of the Birmingham Vase with a 4-1 victory at Midland Combination Division One outfit Chelmsley Town.

Whitnash were ahead in the 15th minute when Ross Briscoe poked home Jake Montgomery’s cross.

Chelmsley equalised on the hour when Neil Stacey was deceived by a deflected shot.

The leveller shook the visitors into life and substitutes Josh Cole and Ryan Harris combined well for Luke Cole to slot home from ten yards.

Whitnash gave themselves a two-goal cushion when Briscoe reacted quickest to head home from close range after Lee Scott’s initial effort.

The game was effectively over in the 70th minute when Briscoe lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box to complete his hat-trick.

Whitnash are sure to face a sterner test tomorrow when they travel to fellow Coventry Alliance high-flyers AEI Rugby in the quarter-final of the Telegraph Cup.

Whitnash Reserves won by the same score line at home to Kenilworth Wardens Reserves in the Coventry Alliance Division Three.

Goals from Glen Webb (2), Lewis Scott and Harry Easterlow secured the three points to keep Scott Easterlow’s men in second, four points behind leaders Berkswell with four games in hand.