WALKER SEE OFF ASHINGTON CHALLENGE

By Bill Gardner

Reigning champions Walker Central are now six points ahead of second-placed Gillford Park at the head of the Premier Division table. Unbeaten at home, the Central made visitors Ashington Colliers their latest victims and won 3-1.

A hard fought game was played out on a heavy pitch which had an effect on Walker’s usual sharp-passing methods. And Ashington arrived at Monkchester with a team including at least half a dozen first team regulars from the Northern League so praise has to be given to Walker for their attitude and commitment in difficult circumstances.

Two goals in the opening half lifted the Central’s spirits. The first resulted from Gary McCartney’s through ball that was driven in low by John Campbell and the second was claimed by Ian Dunn. He netted from the edge of the box following some determined work by Paul Gardiner.

On the hour Walker’s lead was increased and when Campbell supplied the cross, McCartney found the net from only six yards out with a clinical left-footed effort. Midway through the second half Alan Hogg finally got the Colliers off the mark but they posed few threats in the later stages.

Three draws and a defeat in their last four home games have slowed down Gillford Park’s progress and Heaton Stannington restricted their Cumbrian hosts to a 2-2 stalemate. Gary Yates claimed both Heaton goals, scoring first and last while the Park salvaged a point in the interim with strikes by Mike Riding and Steve Skinner.

The bottom of the table clash involving hosts Cramlington Town and Murton resulted in a 2-1 victory for Murton who lifted off the bottom rung to leave Cramlington propping up the table. Jonathan Maxwell and Stephen Turner netted in each half for the winners with the Town’s token reply coming from Thomas North.

In a delayed second round tie in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup, Cullercoats won 4-3 away to Whitley Bay Town. Rob Watson, Steve Hart and Craig Deighton who bagged a vital brace inside the last ten minutes provided their goals. Whitley Bay Town, leading 3-2 before Deighton’s rescue act, had Kevin Gray, Mick Welford and Richard Biggs (penalty) on target and were very unlucky losers. And Cullercoats now face a testing visit to holders Walker Central at the next stage.

In the third round of the League Cup there were successes for Shankhouse and Seaton Delaval. Shankhouse’s Craig Johnson bagged himself a brace in his side’s 2-1 win away to Peterlee Town whose reply came from Robert Huntley.

Seaton Delaval also won 2-1 to end the cup hopes of Newcastle University at Wheatridge Park. Terry Goicochea’s goal ended nearly an hour of stalemate in Delaval’s favour but Edwin Tizard hit back in the 70th minute for the Students to make it all square again. Delaval player-manager Nicky Gray was on target to settle the issue with only three minutes to spare.

In three second round ties in the Alliance’s Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup there was only one upset as Carlisle City were beaten 4-3 at home by First Division opponents Newcastle East End.

Chris Kelleher fired City into a first minute lead but the Tynesiders then had Anthony Johnson (2) and Dieu-Donne Lomana on target to take control. Lee Chapman completed the East Enders’ tally and although Jamie Heath and Ollie Driver added further goals for Carlisle they were chasing a lost cause.

Because of waterlogging up at Blyth, Blyth Town’s home tie against Whitley Bay ‘A’ in the Charity Cup was switched to the Bay’s ground at Hillheads and the Town won 3-2. Jeff Fuller opened their account on the half hour mark with a curling free kick round the defensive wall and into the top corner.

Five minutes after the break Joe Race doubled Blyth’s lead by turning in a low cross from Fuller. Malcolm Morien trimmed the deficit almost immediately with his opener for the Bay and there was some excitement in the final minutes of the tie. Jonathan Mann scored Blyth’s third when a long kick from keeper Scott Earle caught out the Whitley Bay defence and he raced through to score. Mark Fenwick then claimed a second reply for the hosts but by then time was running out.

Meanwhile, in an all-Premier Division Charity Cup encounter, Ponteland United’s last chance of silverware evaporated after their 1-0 defeat by visitors Alnwick Town whose first half winner was put away by Mark Cockburn.



DIVISION ONE – RARE SUCCESS FOR BORDERERS

Still second from bottom in the First Division rankings, Berwick United earned themselves some breathing space by beating visitors Hebburn Reyrolle 3-2. This was a fifth successive defeat on their travels for Hebburn, both of whose goals were scored by James Keeler. Sean Phillips (2) and Andrew Godsell were Berwick’s marksmen to give them only their second league victory.

The top three teams in the First Division – Stocksfield, Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Cullercoats – were all absent from league duty, and fourth-placed Killingworth YPC reduced the points gap. Killy, with games in hand of all of their pace-setting rivals, picked up three easy points by winning 5-0 away to the division’s bottom club Red Row Welfare. They completed a league double against their hosts with goals supplied by Daniel Snee (2), Frank Di Pietro, Kevin Westphal and Callum Colback.

Northbank and Percy Main improved their respective rankings and Northbank were 2-1 winners at Seaton Burn where their hosts were left seeking their first home win. Johnny Mason gave the Cumbrians a very early opener but this was cancelled out before the break when the Burn’s Rob MacDonald headed home from Dave Hewitt’s cross. In the 85th minute a corner kick fell to Northbank’s substitute Lewis Gallagher who scored his side’s winner from close range.

Percy Main are yet to be beaten at Purvis Park this term and shared the spoils in an exciting 2-2 draw with Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. The game’s early kick off attracted over a hundred spectators and the Bohemians made a bright start with Matt Atkin bagging himself a first half brace.

Straight after the interval the Villagers reduced the deficit with Jonathon McEnaney scoring from well outside the area when his chance was set up by Sean Potts. Then, midway through the second half, parity was restored and, following Pierre Coiffait's long throw, Jason Ritchie crossed from the left for Joe Betts to steer the ball home.

In a mid-table local derby south of the Tyne, Gateshead Rutherford improved on the earlier draw with their visitors Chopwell Officials and won 2-1 this time. Goals in each half for Stephen Tumelty and Ross Taylor gave Rutherford a useful lead. In truth however Chopwell had the better of the exchanges after the break but their pressure only resulted in a single reply from Craig Foster.



DIVISION TWO – BENFIELD SHOCK FOR FOREST

Only four league games were scheduled in the Second Division and, with leaders Amble United and closest rivals South Shields United taking a break from chasing league points, third-placed Forest Hall wasted a great opportunity in the promotion race.

Forest had enjoyed a six-match unbeaten run before entertaining Benfield Chemfica but their visitors beat them 2-0 to earn their first points away from home. And for the first time in this campaign Forest Hall failed to get a name on the score sheet as they were hit by Martin Dixon’s and Ryan Stobbard’s strikes for a delighted Chemfica.

In their last seven games Wallsend Boys’ Club have five times and there was another 1-1 deadlock on their visit to Newcastle BT. The BT lads had won their two previous matches on home turf but were happy to share the spoils in this one. They had Andy Mackay on target with Stu Bell replying for the Boys’ Club who had Andy Lau going close to claiming a late winner.

Wideopen & District are looking ready to climb back up the table following a damaging lean spell and a 3-2 home win against North Shields Athletic was a morale-booster. Gary Lamb (2) and Martin Roper found the net for Wideopen with Ronnie Kay and Simon Moslemi replying for the visitors.

Willington Quay Saints are yet to be beaten on their own patch and struggling Tynemouth United never looked like ending that record. The Saints coasted to a 4-1 victory after being 3-0 up at the interval thanks to strikes by Mark Henderson, Andy Duffield and Chris Lowes. John Meehan’s spot kick for Tynemouth reduced the deficit but in the dying seconds Glen Gallon weighed in with the home side’s fourth goal of the game.

A BIG LEAP BY PONT

By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United hoisted themselves from the Premier Division basement fringes up into mid-table with a 2-0 home win against Ashington Colliers, only their second league victory at the Leisure Centre Ground this season.

After Shaun Gibson spurned a great scoring opportunity for Ashington, Pont started to play some attractive football with Marc Dummett and Andrew Davidson linking up well on the left flank, Joe Dawson chasing everything up front and Liam McIvor always looking dangerous in front of goal.

After 25 minutes Ponteland took the lead when McIvor was brought down just outside the box. A cleverly worked free kick involving Scott Fenwick & Dummett resulted in Dummett's dangerous cross being turned away for a corner. And from Davidson’s inswinging flag kick McIvor managed to poke the ball home.

It was still 1-0 to the hosts at the interval but Pont continued to attack after the break with Andrew Davidson involved in almost every move. And in the 65th minute the home side’s lead was doubled when the pressure paid off. A free-flowing move involving Dummett, Davidson, Dawson and McIvor resulted in Fenwick playing in McIvor who made no mistake, firing low into the net for his second goal of the game.

Heddon were away to a Harraby Catholic Club side which had lost only one league game and on the half hour the Cumbrians were leading 2-0. Both goals in the space of two minutes were scored by Lee Otway. His first was driven home from thirty yards when he intercepted a poor throw out from the Heddon keeper. And his second was claimed from the edge of the area from Matthew Blake’s clever back-heeled pass.

The second half saw Heddon take advantage of the wind as they pushed the home team back and on the hour they reduced the deficit. John Dunn was brought down just inside the Harraby box and Max Turner scored from the spot. Then almost immediately Heddon got back on terms when Dunn slotted in a square pass from Craig Horsfall. But after 77 minutes Harraby snatched their winner. Heddon’s Martin Lamb brought down Otway only to be red-carded for his tackle and Mike Swift despatched the vital penalty to make it 3-2 for the Cumbrians.

Walker Central increased their lead at the head of the Premier Division to four points by beating bottom rung hosts Murton 3-1 and despite trailing to Lee Doyle’s opener after only five minutes. Ian Mills equalised promptly for the Central and before the break John Campbell bagged a brace as Walker extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

Behind the current pace setters there are now four sides – Gillford Park, Shankhouse, Seaton Delaval and Alnwick Town – all sharing second spot on 24 points each. Delaval’s game away to Blyth Town was postponed and Alnwick Town took a break from league duty to beat hosts Killingworth YPC 3-0 in the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup. Their scorers were James Lang, Mark Richardson and substitute Scott McMullen.

Unbeaten in their four away games so far, Gillford Park were almost restricted to a draw for the second time this season by Cramlington Town. There were no goals as the game entered the second minute of stoppage time and Steve Skinner gave the Park a 1-0 win with his spot kick to spark a round of protests. As a result the Town had two players red-carded.

Shankhouse still have only one home win to their credit after drawing 1-1 with Heaton Stannington at Northburn. Heaton themselves have won only once on their travels and were lucky to share the spoils in this game. Craig Johnson put Shankhouse in front midway through the first half and only five minutes were left when Adam Donaghey levelled for the visitors.

Without a win in their last eight outings Peterlee Town drew 2-2 with visitors Carlisle City after strikes by Philip Hickman and Robert Huntley gave them a clear lead. Chris Kelleher (penalty) got City off the mark before the Newtowners’ Paul Carter presented them with an own goal equaliser.

Wark’s first away win, 4-3 against Newcastle University, lifted them above their hosts in the basement. Lee Telfer completed a hat-trick for Wark whose other scorer was Phil Robinson. Dave Kewn, Oliver Heywood and George Coyle netted for the unlucky Students.

DIVISION ONE – THE BAY ARE BLOCKED
Despite lying idle once again, Stocksfield are still comfortably heading the First Division table, a clear nine points a\head of nearest rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ and with a game in hand. And Whitley Bay slipped up, beaten for the first time this season at Hillheads. Newcastle East End did the damage and they clinched a 2-1 verdict to give themselves their own first away win of the campaign. Lee Chapman and Dieu-Donne Lomana opened and closed the scoring for the Eastenders with Malcolm Morien replying for the Bay.

With Cullercoats on County Cup duty, Chopwell Officials had a chance to replace them in third spot but were beaten 3-2 at Percy Main. The Main, still unbeaten at Purvis Park, were given the lead in a thrilling game by Tony Browell as he rifled in Jason Ritchie’s flag kick at the back post but their visitors hit back. Goals for Craig Foster and Stuart Rook on either side of the interval put Chopwell in command but with twenty minutes to go the Villagers responded emphatically. Joe Betts got them back on terms when Sean Potts created his opportunity and then in the 81st minute Jason Ritchie grabbed their winner. He controlled Jonathan McEnaney’s cross brilliantly to give Chopwell keeper Kevin March no chance.

Northbank climbed into mid-table and ended a lean spell by beating visitors Hebburn Reyrolle 3-2. Despite having James Keeler and Craig Walton on target Hebburn still suffered their fourth successive defeat away from home. Assisted by an own goal by Hebburn’s Keith Simpson, the Cumbrians sealed the points with strikes by Andy Rogerson and their top scorer Mark Worrall.

In a match switched to Lobley Hill, Gosforth Bohemian Garnett shared four goals and the spoils with Gateshead Rutherford. Both sides have struggled a bit this season but the Bohs were trying to complete a rare league double. They were fired in front twice by Harry Tulip and then Dan Corcoran but allowed Rutherford to respond with two replies by Ross Taylor.

Still seeking their first home win, Seaton Burn had to field a weakened team against bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare who were pointless before the kick off. But the Welfare won 2-1 to finally give themselves something to celebrate and had Bradley Smith and Arron Sayer scoring in each half before Dave Hewitt headed home from a free kick for the Burn’s consolation goal.

DIVISION TWO – GAIR IS GREAT FOR AMBLE
Amble United have a three-point cushion in pole position in the Second Division where South Shields United and Forest Hall are now their most threatening rivals. Both Amble and Forest Hall picked up maximum points but South Shields, beaten only once in their last nine games, were restricted to a 3-3 draw by hosts Wideopen & District. Wideopen had won 3-2 in the reverse fixture and looked set for a repeat when Gary Lamb (2) and Richie Curran (penalty) found the net. Shields recovered however with a Phil Ormond brace, including a spot kick and a vital strike by Phil Elund.

League leaders Amble United extended their unbeaten run to eight games by winning 2-1 away to Benfield Chemfica. Two goals, both put away by Ross Gair, were enough to complete a double for the Seasiders but Chemfica caused some anxious moments after Liam Naulls reduced the arrears.

In third spot, Forest Hall have enjoyed a successful run and it continued with a convincing 4-2 victory over struggling visitors Tynemouth United. Forest’s match-winning marksmen were Michael Reay (2), Mark Knights and Mark Nicholson. Tynemouth, stuck on the bottom rung with only a single point to their credit so far, were far from over-run and deserved their two replies put away by Mark Carey.

After drawing four of the preceding six games, Wallsend Boys’ Club got back to winning ways at Hexham where their hosts had been unbeaten in three previous encounters on their own patch. An Andy Lau hat-trick did the major damage for the Boys’ Club whose other marksman was Dan Parker. Ironically, the best goal of the game was blasted home from over thirty yards by Hexham’s Tony Lancaster.

North Shields Athletic made it four home wins on the trot at the expense of poor travellers Whitley Bay Town and won 2-1 in another close game between these two sides. After only managing a draw in the reverse fixture the Athletic picked up all three points this time thanks to goals by Michael Cunningham and Dan Walton. The Town’s single reply came from Jamie Wallace.

Willington Quay Saints have become the Second Division’s draw experts and shared the spoils again in a 2-2 draw with fast-improving visitors Stobswood Welfare. Goals in each half for David King and Chris Graham gave the Welfare a clear lead but they surrendered their advantage. Glen Johnson’s successful 66th minute spot kick got the Saints off the mark and only seven minutes later and having had a player sent off, their equaliser was scored by Chris Lowes

NFA MINOR CUP – FOUR OUT OF EIGHT ISN’T BAD
In delayed ties in the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup, another three Northern Alliance flag bearers earned places in the forthcoming quarter-finals. And while Amble FC bowed out after losing 2-1 away to Lynemouth Miners’ Welfare FC, their colleagues Cullercoats, Newcastle BT and Wallsend Town all made progress.

Cullercoats coasted through and after leading 5-0 at half time in their home tie against Blyth Town Reserves they finally clinched an outstanding 8-0 victory. Femi Akinbolu (hat-trick) and Ben Gardner (2) led the Cullercoats charge and the other scorers were Craig Deighton, Stewart Wright and Rob Watson.

Newcastle BT made the cut by beating cup hosts Killingworth Station 4-2 and all four of the winners’ goals were put away by Dave Thompson. Meanwhile, Wallsend Town had to be content with a more modest 1-0 success at home to Newcastle RVI Lochside. Paul McCutcheon claimed the Town’s vital winner.

Last weekend’s three winners from the Northern Alliance will be joining league partners Killingworth YPC Sporting in the last eight of the county competition. The surviving ‘outsiders’ in the draw will be Blakelaw Crofters Lodge, Killingworth YPC Town, Lowick United and Lynemouth Miners Welfare SC.

CUP SUCCESS FOR KILLY

By Bill Gardner

On a day when the entire league programme was frozen out, only two Northern Alliance sides saw any action and they had to travel north to slightly balmier climes.
Forest Hall and Killingworth YPC Sporting were both taking on North Northumberland League hosts in the fourth round of the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland FA Minor Cup and had differing fortunes in their respective ties.

Forest Hall had last won this trophy way back in 1978 and they bowed out yesterday after losing 2-1 away to Lowick United. In an even game that was a credit to both sides in the windy and difficult conditions Lowick were fired into an interval lead when Neil Jefferson punished a defensive error.

Early in the second half Tom Carver restored parity for Forest Hall but there were still few chances at either end. Then, with only two minutes to go, Lowick sealed what had seemed an unlikely victory and when Richard Coupland was floored in the area Anthony Murray made no mistake with the resulting penalty.

Killingworth YPC’s tie away to Berwick Town was a much more frantic affair played out on a very constricted pitch. Killy’s normal free-flowing style was badly effected while the Town relied heavily on physical tactics. And Killingworth did well to finally emerge as 3-0 victors.

On the half hour an overhead kick by Kevin Westphal was palmed off the line by a Berwick defender who was red-carded for his unorthodox save. And David Borley stepped up to put the visitors in front with his spot kick.

After the break Killy held onto their slender advantage in what was turning into a rather ugly game and they killed off their hosts in the closing stages. In the 80th minute Daniel Snee doubled the visitors’ lead after racing onto a lofted pass and five minutes later the Borderers were caught out again. Killy broke quickly from defence and Westphal, one on one with the home keeper, picked his spot from just inside the box.

So Killingworth YPC became the first Northern Alliance side to book their place in this season’s quarter-finals of the Minor Cup. Because of the freeze another four of their league colleagues will have to try to make progress again next Saturday. Weather permitting, Cullercoats and Wallsend Town have respective home ties against Blyth Town Reserves and Newcastle RVI Lochside. Amble FC will be visiting Lynemouth Miners Welfare SC while Newcastle BT will make the short trip to face Killingworth Station.

This stop-start season will undoubtedly eventually result in several clubs having fixture backlogs and facing up to a busy time in the second half of the campaign. In the Alliance’s Premier Division only Shankhouse have completed half of their league fixtures while the worst hit by postponements have been Harraby Catholic Club, Newcastle University, Gillford Park and Ashington Colliers.

The teams with similar problems in the First Division are likely to be Killingworth YPC, Wallington, Newcastle East End, Seaton Burn and Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. Meanwhile, with fewer clubs in the Second Division things are not quite as critical but the likes of Tynemouth United, Stobswood Welfare and Amble FC may have some catching up to do.

LEAGUE SECRETARY ENDS LONG ASSOCIATION
At a Management Committee Meeting last Thursday, members considered the shock resignation of league secretary John McLackland who had held the position for two decades. John, who was also a previous secretary of the former Northern Amateur League, has been a selfless and very efficient official for the Alliance and is sure to be badly missed. He gave no reasons for his sudden decision to end his time in charge.

His resignation has been reluctantly accepted and the post is likely to be filled by assistant secretary Derek Booth who has recently been dealing with players’ registrations and Premier Division fixtures.

SHANKHOUSE UPSET DELAVAL AGAIN

By Bill Gardner
Seaton Delaval surrendered pole position to Walker Central after going down 2-1 at home to Shankhouse who have proved to be a jinx team for the Wheatridge Park outfit over the years. Things looked bright for Delaval when Steve Anderson fired them in front straight from the kick off. But just after the break Lee Gustard got Shankhouse back on terms and Craig Johnson put their 69th minute winner away.

Defending champions Walker Central are now leading the field although only four points are separating the top four title contenders. After their earlier 1-1 draw over in Cumbria the Central did considerably better and hammered Carlisle City 6-1 at Monkchester.

City’s Ollie Driver opened the scoring after 35 minutes but Walker were impressive after the break. In the space of fifteen devastating minutes the ball ended up in the Carlisle net five times. The home side’s marksmen were Paul Gardiner, John Campbell (2) and David Thompson (2) and with a minute to go Gardiner scored again to complete the winners’ tally.

In third spot behind Walker and Seaton Delaval, Alnwick Town completed a league double at the expense of visitors Cramlington Town. After winning 3-2 in the reverse fixture, Alnwick won 2-0 this time and have lost only one of their last six home games. Goals in each half for Ben Webster and Tony Brown did the damage in this one.

Gillford Park’s home game against Wark was postponed, giving their Cumbrian neighbours Harraby Catholic Club a chance to overtake them. But Harraby, beaten only once this term, missed out and were restricted to a 1-1 draw by fast-improving hosts Blyth Town. Blyth had won three of their four previous home games and were given the lead by Chris Lisle. Nick Routledge levelled on the stroke of half time for Harraby but they couldn’t make any further headway.

After eight games without a win Heaton Stannington avenged an earlier defeat by Newcastle University by beating the Students 2-1 at Grounsell Park. Strikes by Sean Graham and Kevin Carr earned Heaton a long-awaited but impressive victory and the visitors’ single reply came from Ben Burte.

The bottom of the table clash between hosts Murton and Ashington Colliers was won 4-0 by the Colliers to rid themselves of any immediate problems. Richard Brown and David Brown scored in the first half and Anthony Wright and Lee Scott in the second to wrap up the points for the Northumbrians.

Peterlee Town have picked up only a single point in their last seven appearances and were soundly beaten 6-0 at home by Ponteland United. Pont ended their own short lean spell in style with three goals in each half shattering the Newtowners and hoisting them clear of the basement.

With Andy Rendall unavailable and James Hall absent with a dislocated shoulder, Craig Daglish came into the centre of defence with young Scott Fenwick replacing Hall. The match was evenly contested in the first 15 minutes but Pont opened the scoring midway through the first half. Dean Gate’s cross into the box enabled Scott Fenwick to touch the ball over the line.

Ponteland’s lead was doubled on the half hour when good approach work by Liam McIvor and John Redhead was neatly finished off by Andrew Davidson. And almost immediately United claimed their third goal as Joe Dawson’s headed pass was put away by the speedy McIvor.

On the stroke of half time Pont got a fourth goal scored by Gate and it was game over. Peterlee made two substitutions at half time but this made little difference as Ponteland continued to be at their free-flowing best. The Newtowners conceded another two goals midway through the half as McIvor bagged his second with his colleague Dawson also on target.

DIVISION ONE – LEADERS BOTH CLAIM NARROW VICTORIES
Stocksfield have won every one of their five home games so far and are leading the field in the First Division, nine points clear of nearest challengers Whitley Bay ‘A’. Both won to preserve the status quo and Stocksfield completed a league double by beating visitors Gateshead Rutherford 2-1. Their scorers this time were Wayne Stewart with a diving header from Phil Murray’s cross and then Murray himself who grasped a simple tap in opportunity set up by Ben Pearson. Andy Reay replied for the losers.

After three successive draws, Whitley Bay ‘A’ beat third-placed rivals Cullercoats 2-1 at Hillheads to extend an unbeaten run to eight games. The Bay had Gavin Hattrick and Malcolm Morien on target in a hard-fought game in which Femi Akinbolu replied for the visitors.

Percy Main are still unbeaten at Purvis Park after their 3-0 win against Northbank but they had to wait almost an hour for their opener. Michael Freathy did the trick in a goalmouth scramble resulting from Pierre-Luc Coiffait’s flag kick. The lead was quickly doubled by Coiffait himself when he got on the end of Wyn Fremlin’s corner and with ten minutes to go Jason Ritchie completed the Main’s tally. His chance was set up clinically by Joe Betts.

Against the general run of play, Killingworth YPC beat hosts Chopwell Officials 2-1 and a goalkeeping error led to Kevin Westphal’s opener for Killy. The home side hit back through Andrew Smith to signal a possible revival but with Chopwell piling on the pressure Paul Ridley snatched a winner for their opponents.

Hebburn Reyrolle and visitors Seaton Burn had both been suffering from a dip in form prior to meeting up at Hebburn. Reyrolle were fired in front twice by Mark Haire (penalty) and Matt Donwall but replies from the Burn’s Ian Armstrong and Dave Hewitt restored parity. Then in the dying seconds, Armstrong netted again to make it 3-2 to Seaton Burn.

Red Row Welfare are still propping up the First Division table and seeking their first league point after eleven league appearances. They lost again, 3-2 on their visit to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett, to give their hosts a first home win of the season. The Welfare’s scorers were Bradley Smith and Josh Gilmartin but Gosforth harvested the points with goals shared by John McDonald, David Robinson and Paul Menton.

Berwick United, just four points better off than Red Row in the basement, were also beaten 3-2 by Wallington at Scots Gap. With no points from away games so far the Borderers conceded goals to Wallington’s Tom McPherson, Sam Walton and Ashley McAlpine before replying too late through Lee Walker and Chris Falconer.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE BACK IN POLE POSITION
Former Second Division leaders South Shields United had an idle Saturday and they were nudged out of pole position by new pace-setters Amble United.

Amble United and fourth-placed Stobswood Welfare, who have several useful games in hand, are both sitting pretty as far as possible promotion is concerned. Both were enjoying hundred percent home records and Amble retained theirs by beating Wideopen & District 1-0. After several glaring misses in the first half United were happy to see Darren Riddell claiming their winner shortly after the break.

Stobswood Welfare spilled their first home points in a 2-2 draw with North Shields Athletic after throwing away a two-goal lead provided by Dean Hope and Josh Hay. The determined visitors were allowed to salvage a point with replies by Matthew Donkin and Glen Churchman.

Third-placed Forest Hall stayed in contention and beat hosts Wallsend Town 3-1 to remain unbeaten on their travels. Michael Reay bagged himself a brace for the winners whose other marksman was Kevin Baldwin. Paul McCutcheon netted for Wallsend as their misery continued; they’ve now lost seven league games on the trot.

Wallsend Boys’ Club have drawn their last four games on home turf so a goal-less stalemate with bottom rung side Tynemouth United wasn’t good news. The result however boosted Tynemouth’s morale as they picked up their first point of their campaign.

Benfield Chemfica and Hexham both secured vital victories to hoist themselves clear of the basement. In their bottom-of-the-table clash with visitors Whitley Bay Town, Chemfica clinched a 2-0 verdict with both of their goals put away in the first half by Liam Naulls.

Hexham are proving difficult to beat on their own patch and emerged as 3-2 winners against Newcastle BT. Dave Thompson and Anthony Bruce found the net for BT but their goals were just outweighed by the strikes of Ian Strachan (2) and Orin Parkinson for Hexham.