GILLFORD READY TO STEP UP

By Bill Gardner
Saturday marked the end of a long and gruelling Northern Alliance season with the same three clubs as last year – Walker Central, Gillford Park and Harraby Catholic – filling the leading places in the Premier Division.

On their way to claiming their second successive league title Walker Central suffered only one defeat and were unbeaten at their Monkchester base. They came very close to losing that record on the final day before snatching a 1-1 draw with visitors Heddon.

Heddon seemed set for an impressive victory after Daniel Dunn put them in front straight after the break. But midfielder Paul Gardiner rescued Walker with his successful spot kick in the dying seconds. And at the end of their last game in charge at Walker, manager Paul Bennett and his assistant Andy Wood – set to take over at West Allotment Celtic next term – paid tribute to the successful squad they’ll be leaving behind.

The outgoing Monkchester management team stated, “After three enjoyable years we’d like to thank all of the players for their enthusiasm, hard work, commitment and style of football. They have been great to work with week by week and have shared our aspirations. We’d also like to give a special mention to David Thompson who has worked hard both on and off the pitch in helping us to build our teams in our spell at Monkchester. So, to sum up, thanks to every single player who has played their part in the last three and we wish them good luck in the future.”

While Walker will be under new management for next season, runners-up Gillford Park will be leaving the Alliance’s ranks after gaining promotion to the Northern League’s Second Division.

Gillford finished ten points behind Walker and marked their exit with a 4-1 win away to Newcastle University who had Tom Ward opened the scoring. Ian Grainger restore parity for the Park and his colleague Steve Skinner finished the job with his second half hat-trick.

Gillford Park’s neighbours Harraby Catholic Club have finished first, second and third in successive seasons in the Premier Division. They ended up four points behind their fellow-Cumbrians after beating visitors Blyth Town 2-1 in a very competitive match. Aaron Roberts netted to give Harraby a fourth minute lead which was cancelled out by Blyth’s Michael Robinson ten minutes later. David Wallace claimed the home side’s winner in the 65th minute.

Seaton Delaval brought the curtain down with a 3-1 win away to Ashington Colliers to confirm a fourth place finish. Their first half opener put away by Nick Scott was wiped out by Anthony Wright’s 48th minute leveller for the Colliers. Steve Howes restored Delaval’s lead and John Fitzpatrick completed the winners’ tally.

Wark signed off by beating last day hosts Shankhouse 4-2 with goals supplied by Lee Telfer (2), Phil Thompson and Edward Brazier. Michael Bell and James Armstrong replied for the losers.
At the wrong end of the table Peterlee Town and Murton finished up filling the two relegation slots with Murton facing the drop after only one season back in the top flight.

DIVISION ONE – ANOTHER TITLE TRIUMPH FOR KILLY
There was a grandstand finish to the season in the First Division with championship and promotion issues only settled in the final week.

Killingworth YPC, who were Second Division champs last term, clinched the First Division title with a resounding 8-0 home win against Berwick United. Signing off in style their scorers were Liam Callaghan (hat-trick), Francesco Di Pietro (2), Kevin Westphal, Jorge Bollado and substitute Paul Dunn.

Stocksfield’s 1-1 draw with visitors Cullercoats was enough to earn them the runners-up spot while ending the promotion hopes of the Seasiders. Phil Murray gave the Tyne valley outfit an interval lead and the Cullercoats equaliser was put away in the 80th minute by James Leggett.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ missed out on possible promotion by only a single point, finishing third and just ahead of Cullercoats in fourth place.

Despite their disappointment, Cullercoats ended their tiring campaign with a 5-0 victory away to Gateshead Rutherford. Craig Deighton weighed in with a last day hat-trick and the other Cullercoats marksmen were Stuart Wright and Femi Akinbolu.

Red Row Welfare ended their campaign on the bottom rung in the First Division with Seaton Burn just above them and three points better off. These two strugglers had opposing fortunes on the last day. While the Welfare beat visitors Northbank 3-0 with goals for Michael Latimer, Chris Tait and Ben Lavender, there was no luck for Seaton Burn and they lost 5-2 away to Wallington. Ashley McAlpine (2), Peter Southern (2) and John Angus netted for the winners at Scots Gap with Seaton Burn’s replies coming from Stuart Taylor and Nick Hara.

Berwick United finished a disappointing season third from bottom and lost 5-1 on their visit to Hebburn Reyrolle. After a goal-less opening half David Jeffers gave Hebburn the lead but within another four minutes Lee Walker got the Borderers back on terms. This was their last shout however and Hebburn stormed to a convincing win with further strikes by Ray Oshin (2), Craig Malley and Andy Shotton.

DIVISION TWO – TYNEMOUTH ARE STAYING PUT
New champions Amble United and runners-up South Shields United have secured the promotion places in the Second Division. After being third in the previous campaign Amble made it all the way this time with a final eight-point advantage over their nearest rivals.

Stobswood Welfare claimed third place but were well behind the two pace-setters and the Welfare brought the curtain down with a 2-2 draw away to Wallsend Town. Michael Harmer scored both goals for Stobswood with their Tyneside hosts replying through Alan Errington and Paul McCutcheon.

Willington Quay Saints passed up the chance to replace Forest Hall in fourth spot and finished fifth after losing 4-2 away to Amble FC. Amble, who have struggled for most of this campaign, have ended with a successful run and saw off the Saints with goals by Adam Shanks (hat-trick) and Connor Miller. Willington’s scorers were player-manager Trevor Ford and David Smith.

After winning only one game and drawing another four, Tynemouth United have ended up on the bottom rung in the Second Division but are reported to have withdrawn their earlier letter of resignation. In what would have been their swan song, United were beaten 3-0 at Hexham where the home side’s marksmen were Darren Dobson, Tom Phillips and Luke Parkinson.

With Tynemouth deciding to carry on and a decision having also been made to restrict the Second Division to sixteen teams next term, there may be only two vacancies to be filled. And applications have been received from Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet, Kicks FC Wallsend, Swalwell and Throckley United.