STUNNING RESULT FOR CRAMLINGTON

By Bill Gardner
Wark and Heaton Stannington, two sides expected to figure largely in this season’s Premier Division title race, both suffered heavy and unexpected defeats. And current leaders Wark were soundly beaten 5-2 at home by third from bottom Cramlington Town.
Cramlington showed no signs of despondency after having four points deducted from their total last week and made their hosts look ordinary. Goals for Stuart Hepple, Kieran Parsons, Kevin Long and Danny Long (two) left Wark floundering and their two replies, both from leading scorer Marc Nixon, came late in the game.
Heaton Stannington have several games in hand to firm up their title bid but their progress was halted by Blyth Town at Grounsell Park where their visitors claimed a 3-0 victory. Heaton had been unbeaten in their seven previous outings but failed to score for the first time and Blyth fully deserved to wrap up the points. Neil Blades opened the scoring midway through the first half and two goals for Gary Day in the 86th and 90th minutes sealed Heaton’s fate.
As Wark slipped up, second-placed Walker Central narrowed the gap at the top to four points by winning 3-1 away to Newcastle University who are still facing possible relegation in their ninth season in the Premier Division. Liam Mulligan, Steve Forster and Paul Stoneman netted for the Central with James Swainston replying for the Students. But although Walker are showing signs of a recovery they’ve played more games than any of their top of the table rivals and a third championship on the trot now seems very unlikely.
Home games involving third-placed Killingworth Sporting and fifth-placed Harraby Catholic Club were both postponed although these two sides are poised for a late push in the title race. Their absence from league duty allowed Ponteland United to climb into fourth spot, their highest ranking this term.
Ponteland did the trick by beating Shankhouse 4-1 in a game switched to the Leisure Centre after Shankhouse’s pitch at Northburn was declared unfit.
Shankhouse had been hoping to repeat their 3-1 success in the second game of the season but instead they were trailing after only six minutes after Glenn Ford opened United’s account, heading home from Max Turner’s flag kick.
There was another blow for Shankhouse when Lee Gustard pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Craig Cook. And Pont were close to doubling their lead but Gavin Wood saw his header cannon off the crossbar.
After 25 minutes Dean Gate scored United’s second goal and when Richard Kent’s drive was blocked by Shankhouse keeper David Dent he volleyed the loose ball over Dent and into the top corner.
Only three minutes into the second half Ponteland were three goals to the good as Richard Kent capitalized on defensive problems caused by Billy Holden.
The game was effectively over with Pont in full control but Shankhouse got a little encouragement with when Michael Bell reduced the deficit with a diving low header. But their hopes were dashed again and Kent turned in Gavin Wood’s low cross to give United the last word.
Alnwick Town have moved up into the top half of the table after picking up five wins on the trot and bottom rung visitors Heddon were their latest victims. A 3-1 victory completed a league double for Alnwick whose scorers were Chris Moffatt, Dale Kennedy and Ben Keenan who took his season’s personal tally into double figures. Ben Haddock replied for Heddon but their situation is becoming increasingly perilous.

DIVISION ONE – PERCY MAIN REACH ANOTHER FINAL
There was another celebration for First Division outfit Percy Main. Still one of the promotion favourites this term following a three-year absence from the Premier Division the Villagers are already through to this year’s Northumberland FA Minor Cup Final. And they booked themselves another cup final appearance.
At Purvis Park the Main beat Berwick United 3-1 in their semi-final tie in the First Division’s Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup. Two goals inside a couple of minutes just before the interval tipped the tie in Percy Main’s favour. After a foul on Callum Colbeck they had Jason Ritchie scoring from the spot and then Joe Betts netted to round off slick work by Malcolm Morien and Chris Locke. After 84 minutes the Main’s lead was increased when Ritchie’s fine cross was hammered in by Callum Colbeck and a game Berwick could only managed a single 88th minute reply from Mike Robinson.
Two First Division league games at Amble and Gosforth had to be cancelled due to waterlogging and the top four sides in the division had their quest for points interrupted. But down in fifth place Cullercoats claimed only their fourth home win in ten by beating an out-of-sorts Wallington 5-3 with goals supplied by Alex Burnett, Craig Deighton (two), Ben Gardner and Dave Fairless.
Northbank’s hopes of avoiding the drop were improved by their well-earned 3-3 draw with visitors Peterlee Town. With wind assistance in the first half the Newtowners opened the scoring through Andrew Harrison but his goal was cancelled out by Sergio Royo’s leveller for the Cumbrians. Two further strikes by Peterlee’s Anthony Usher had them leading 3-1 at the break Northbank dominated the second half however and in the 71st and 72nd minutes a quick-fire brace for star man Royo completed his hat-trick and salvaged a precious point.
Chopwell Officials in mid-table have perked up recently, winning six of their last eight games, and a 2-0 victory at home to NFA Minor Cup finalists Morpeth Sporting Club was impressive. A goal in each half scored by Lee Best and Andy Smith saw Chopwell collecting the points.
Bottom rung side Seaton Burn were left still seeking a first away win after losing 4-2 to third from bottom hosts Newcastle East End. The Burn had Ian Armstrong and Matt Laing (penalty) on target but were never in front and the East Enders secured the vital points with goals by Paul Bright (two), Andy Weeks and Dieu Lomana. The result halted a run of ten straight defeats for the East End.
Sadly Hebburn Reyrolle failed in their bid to lift the Durham FA Trophy. They had Chris Morris and Michael Younger on target in the final at Eppleton but were eventually beaten 4-2 by Durham Alliance opponents Chester-le-Street Whitehills.

DIVISION TWO – MANGO GOAL FRUITFUL FOR LEADERS
North Shields Athletic are the form team in the Second Division and increased their lead in pole position to nine points although they were made to work hard for a 1-0 victory away to Swalwell. For the second time this term the Athletic had to be content with a single goal margin against a plucky Swalwell side and this time Antonio Mango claimed their 22nd minute winner with a shot that touched each upright on its way into the net.
While North Shields extended an unbeaten run to eight games, second-placed Wideopen & District have only managed to win once in eight recent outings and they slipped up once again. At home to Wallsend Boys Club a single goal by Adam Walker couldn’t stave off another defeat and the Boys Club emerged as 2-1 victors with goals put away by Steve Hedley and Andy McBride.
With Wideopen’s challenge apparently faltering teams like Amble and Forest Hall have seen their promotion chances improving and even fifth-placed Hexham are keeping their options open. Unbeaten in their eleven games at home the Hexham lads leapfrogged over Wallsend Town by beating the Tynesiders 2-1 at Wentworth Park. The Town had won five of six previous league games but came unstuck in this one. Darren Dobson and Tom Phillips netted in each half for Hexham before their single reply came from Paul McCutcheon.
Cramlington Blue Star secured only their second home win by beating visitors Willington Quay Saints 3-2 and avenging their earlier defeat at Willington. The Star had a hat-trick hero in Lindsey Collinson and Dale Johnson and Wes Fidler replied for the Saints who are yet to taste victory away from home.
Whitley Bay Town have only played five games on their own patch this season and were beaten 4-2 by fast improving Tynemouth United. The Town had Jamie Symington sent off after only five minutes and Chris Garwood immediately put Tynemouth in front with his penalty kick. Further United goals were added by Steve Matthews (two) and Lee Thompson. The Bay’s scorers were Chris Fairley and Chris Atkin but they were reduced to nine men by an injury to one of their players in the closing stages.
In the quarter-finals of the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup the tie between Amble and Cullercoats Custom Planet was washed out but Stobswood Welfare and Newcastle Chemfica both booked themselves places in the last four.
Stobswood won 3-2 away to last year’s cup winners and Josh Hay (two) and Steve Gibbard were their marksmen to outweigh the brace bagged by the Hall’s Robert Ruddick. And Newcastle Chemfica emphatically beat cup visitors Newcastle BT 4-0 to continue their progress. The goals were supplied by Martin Dixon, Liam Naulls (two) and Mike Crozier.
The Amateur Cup’s semi-final draw now reads: Stobswood Welfare v Amble or Cullercoats Custom Planet and Newcastle Chemfica v North Shields Athletic.

WARK ARE BACK ON SONG

By Bill Gardner
While second-placed Walker Central were lying idle, Wark increased their lead at the head of the Premier Division to seven points and still have two games in hand of their nearest rivals. After failing to score on successive Saturdays, Wark got back down to business with a convincing 6-2 victory at home to Seaton Delaval. Leading scorer Marc Nixon claimed a hat-trick for the league leaders who also had Tony Lancaster bagging a brace and Stuart Brown completing their tally. Replies from Delaval’s Steve Anderson and Jordan Fry failed to halt their recent slide.

It shouldn’t be long before Killingworth Sporting nudge Walker Central out of second spot and they improved their title prospects again as a 2-0 home win against Ashington Colliers extended their unbeaten run to six games. In what was the first meeting of these two sides this season Killy picked up the points with goals in each half scored by Paul Dunn and Stephen Telford.

Murton have climbed into the top half of the table and after winning 6-2 at Shankhouse in midweek they won by another four-goal margin away to Cramlington Town. The 4-0 victory was only the second on their travels for Murton and they avenged an earlier defeat by the Town with two goals each for Paul Wintrip and Stephen Turner.

Four league wins on the trot including a pegging back of league leaders Wark have hoisted Alnwick Town into a mid-table slot and with games in hand they look set to continue their progress. Their latest victims were Stocksfield and Alnwick improved on the earlier draw between the two sides by winning 3-0 at Kimberley Park.

Ben Keenan opened Alnwick’s account ten minutes before half time and slightly against the run of play. Stocksfield could then have changed the course of the game but Wayne Stewart wasted a great scoring opportunity and his colleague Graeme Hudspith sent his powerful header against the crossbar. Following these near misses Keenan bagged his second goal for the Town after 75 minutes. Then with five minutes to go a great goal by Tony Brown completed the visitors’ tally but the final score wasn’t a true reflection of Stocksfield’s overall performance..

Although Heaton Stannington’s game at Grounsell Park against Hebburn Reyrolle was washed out the three remaining quarter-final ties in the Kicks Leisure League Cup were able to go ahead.

Last season’s losing finalists Harraby Catholic Club made progress by beating cup hosts Blyth Town 4-3 but they needed a late recovery to book their place in the semi-finals. After 52 minutes Blyth were leading 3-1 with strikes by Tom Haigh (2) and Chris Lisle outweighing Harraby’s opener scored by Craig Thompson. But the Cumbrians battled back gamely and just edged it with further goals shared by Daniel Balmer, Rob Bainbridge and Mike Swift (penalty).

Heddon made it into the last four by beating Newcastle University 3-0 at Cochrane Park in a clash involving the two sides propping up the rest in the Premier Division table. In an earlier league game the two strugglers had shared six goals but this time Heddon emerged as 3-0 victors thanks to goals by Callum Hill (2) and Ben Haddock.

Ponteland United reached their second semi final of the season when they defeated Gosforth Bohemians 3 - 1 in their quarter final at Brunton Park. Ponteland started well and showed immediately that both Richard Kent and Max Turner had the pace to beat the opposing fullbacks.

Paul Hodge on the wing for Bohemians was a threat and he created an early chance for Steven Grey but he fired too high and too wide. And after 18 minutes a corner from Lewis Shiels resulted in Glenn Ford putting Pont in front with his firm header.

The visitors doubled their lead seven minutes later and when Bohs’ keeper David Herrington punched the ball out when under pressure it fell to Richard Kent who volleyed into the top corner from just inside the box. On the hour mark however the home side was offered some hope and Matt Atkin reduced the deficit with an unstoppable half volley from thirty yards out. But with fifteen minutes to go United’s progress was assured when Marc Dummett netted from a tight angle from Andrew Davidson’s free kick.

The semi-final pairings in this season’s League Cup will now be Ponteland United v Heaton Stannington or Hebburn Reyrolle and Heddon v Harraby Catholic Club.

DIVISION ONE – THREE TEAMS BOOK COUNTY CUP FINAL DATES
Percy Main are still chasing three items of silverware and a week before hosting Berwick United in a semi-final tie in the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup the Villagers booked themselves a cup final date with Morpeth Sporting Club in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup. They did the trick by beating Newcastle Chemfica 2-0 at Purvis Park and their first half opener was scored by Joe Betts who sent his curling drive into the bottom corner. The Main’s lead was doubled after 66 minutes when, from Malcolm Morien’s free kick, Callum Colbeck planted his header in the Chemfica net. And apart from their double-headed cup adventures the Villagers are well placed for a return to the Premier Division after an absence of three years.

Morpeth Sporting Club reached the NFA Minor Cup final by beating visitors Stobswood Welfare 5-1 after extra time. A spate of missed chances by Morpeth saw the scores level at 1- 1 after ninety minutes but they went on to over-run their league colleagues. Eventually the Welfare were soundly beaten by the efforts of Morpeth’s marksmen Chris Tate (hat-trick), Chris Ridgway and Mike Bowman.

South Shields United have emulated Percy Main and Morpeth Sporting Club by reaching the final of the Durham FA Minor Cup and last weekend beat semi-final visitors Winlaton Vulcan Inn 3-0. Tony Fenwick opened the scoring with his 27th minute penalty. Then, after the same player missed with another spot kick just before the break, Jack Lawton doubled United’s lead and also bagged his side’s third goal ten minutes after the interval. And South Shields will be facing either Hartlepool Millhouse or Gateshead Rutherford Reserves in the Durham final on 7th April.

On the First Division league front and with Percy Main snapping at their heels, current leaders Gateshead Rutherford spilled precious points and were beaten 2-0 away to third-placed Amble United. Ian Common bagged a goal in each half for the Seasiders while Rutherford failed to get on the score sheet for the first time this term.

Whitley Bay A remained in fifth spot after beating Wallington 6-2 at Scots Gap with goals provided by Jamie Lyndon (2), Mark Waite, Dean Porter, Josh Brooks and substitute Gavin Hattrick. Wallington’s replies came from Sam Walton and Dave Featherstone.

After losing six home games on the trot, Peterlee Town broke the mould by beating bottom rung opponents Seaton Burn 5-2. Only a week previously the Newtowners had won 1-0 at Seaton Burn but in this quick return fixture they looked much stronger. Four of their goals were put away by Andrew Harrison with Peter Crawford completing their tally. Seaton Burn had Dave Hewitt and substitute Stephen Baker on target but they were left still seeking a first win away from home.

Goals for Paul Wood ( 2), Leigh Walker and Jonathan Brown earned Berwick a 4-2 verdict at home to lowly Newcastle East End whose goals by Lee Chapman and Anthony Johnson couldn’t prevent a tenth successive defeat. Meanwhile, Cullercoats secured only their third home win by beating strugglers Northbank 3-1 with goals shared by Stewart Wright, Danny Nelson and David Owen. Tom Irving was a lone marksman for the Cumbrians as they slumped to their fifth defeat on the trot.

DIVISION TWO – TYNEMOUTH PUT THE BRAKES ON TABLE TOPPERS
Second Division games at Wideopen, Cramlington and Swalwell were postponed due to waterlogging but North Shields Athletic stayed six points clear of Wideopen at the top of the table. The Athletic had hammered visitors Tynemouth United 9-1 in the reverse fixture but were restricted to a 1-1 draw this time. Alan Armstrong was the North Shields scorer while Chris Garwood netted for Tynemouth who are no longer the whipping boys in the Second Division. Prior to last weekend’s draw they had recorded five straight league victories.

Third-placed Amble had their promotion prospects dented and were beaten 5-1 at home by New castle BT. Richard Beverley completed a hat-trick for the victors who also had Dan Sherliker and Scott Maddison on target to complete a league double. Wyn Fremlin replied for Amble.

Forest Hall are only three points short of a promotion slot and could have been much better placed if they had been better travellers this term. But they were good enough to beat hosts Cullercoats Custom Planet 3-0 with goals for Alan Kelly, Scott Parker and Jamie Gilbert.

Wallsend Town have won five of their last six games in the Second Division and were too physical for neighbours and visitors Wallsend Boys Club to cope with. The Town were 4-0 winners with goals by Ryan Arnott, Liam Anderson, Patrick Masuka and Mark Brewis but there was an unfortunate by-product and two of the Boys Club’s younger players had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

ALNWICK DOUBLE UP AGAINST WARK

By Bill Gardner

All of last weekend’s games in the Northern Alliance were preceded by a minute of silence as a mark of respect following the news that League Chairman George Dobbins had died suddenly in hospital last Friday afternoon.

Heaton Stannington and Alnwick Town booked themselves a head-to-head in this year’s final of the Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl. And Heaton avenged an earlier league defeat by beating cup visitors Killingworth Sporting 2-1 this time. First half goals for Adam Donaghey and Dan Thompson gave Heaton a handy interval lead. Killy’s Martin Patterson reduced the deficit straight after the break but a missed penalty five minutes later was a wasted opportunity.

Alnwick Town were impressive semi-final winners at Wark and beat the Alliance’s Premier Division leaders for the second time in a week. After winning 2-0 in the league at St James’ Park last Saturday the Town won 3-0 in the county cup. James Lang, Ben Keenan and Tony Brown netted for Alnwick who last lifted this trophy way back in 1987.

While some of their top-of-the-table rivals were on cup duty there were chances for Walker Central, Harraby Catholic Club and Carlisle City to make up some ground. And second-placed Walker ended a lean spell by winning 3-0 away to Cramlington Town. Their goals, all in the second half, were claimed by John Robson, Paul Stoneman and Liam Mulligan (penalty).
Harraby Catholic Club hoisted themselves up into fourth place and their several games in hand could make them real title contenders. The Cumbrians made it five wins on the trot by narrowly beating visitors Shankhouse 1-0 with a vital goal put away by Marc Shiel after 76 minutes.

Harraby’s neighbours Carlisle City however are still going through a bad patch and after losing three away games in succession they could only draw 1-1 with relegation-haunted hosts Newcastle University. George Coyle ended 65 minutes of deadlock with his goal for the Students but they were reeled back in and City’s Chris Major levelled with ten minutes to spare.
The University are now four points better off than Heddon who stayed on the bottom rung after losing 3-2 away to close neighbours Ponteland United. Although struggling, Heddon are under new management and have changed their playing personnel entirely since the teams last met back in September. Pont were without the suspended Glenn Ford and captain Craig Brown who was down with flu and recalled Lewis Shiels after a six month injury absence.

The first half was evenly contested with neither team creating any clear-cut chances but Ponteland still took the lead after half an hour when Billy Holden beat Heddon keeper Richard Swan after racing onto a great through ball from Andrew Davidson.

Ten minutes into the second half Paul Hodgson won the ball before passing to Dean Gate whose chip into the box was volleyed home by Richard Kent to double United’s lead. And only three minutes later Pont’s third goal was scored by Max Turner from a tight angle to leave Heddon with a mountain to climb.

The visitors were handed a possible lifeline on 65 minutes when David Tremble took a low free kick from 25 yards out which went through the defensive wall and past the unsighted home keeper Michael Havelock. With five minutes to go the deficit was trimmed again by Heddon’s Ben Haddock but the goal came too late to affect the final outcome.

Although Murton are clear of the basement they are still seeking a first away win after being beaten 4-2 by Blyth Town. Andy Kibble and Mark Smith were the Murton marksmen but they were always trailing and Blyth deservedly wrapped up the points with goals shared by Jeff Fuller, Tom Haigh, Ian Blades and Gary Day.

Third from bottom Ashington Colliers meanwhile eased their relegation worries by beating Seaton Delaval 1-0 at Wheatridge Park to make up for a defeat in the reverse fixture. A scrappy game of few chances was settled in the Colliers’ favour by James Patterson’s goal scored after only four minutes.

DIVISION ONE – CUP JOY FOR BERWICK

In the quarter-finals of the First Division’s Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup, Berwick United, Whitley Bay A, Hebburn Reyrolle and Percy Main all made progress and Berwick completed a league and cup double by beating visitors South Shields United 2-1. Simon Hargreaves and Mike Robinson netted for the Borderers with Tijan Kah replying for the losers.

Whitley Bay A’s quarter final victims were Cullercoats who didn’t benefit from having home advantage and were beaten 3-1. Rob Watson was a lone marksman for Cullercoats who had lost 3-2 in an earlier identical league encounter. The Bay made it into the last four with goals supplied by Ian Lee, Stephen Salters and Simon Reay.

At home to Amble United, Hebburn Reyrolle won 1-0 but cut it really fine and their winner was put away by Ray Oshin in the dying seconds of extra time. The Reyrolle lads now have a silverware double in their sights and have a Durham FA Trophy Final date to look forward to against Chester-le-Street Whitehills at Eppleton on Friday 26th March.

Percy Main also needed the luxury of extra time but finally overcame cup opponents Wallington to the tune of 4-1 at Purvis Park. Nathan Williamson opened the scoring for Wallington but straight after half time Lee Gray levelled for the Main. And the Villagers were stronger during the added half hour with Jon McEnaney bagging a brace and Malcolm Morien completing their goals tally.

The Combination Cup’s semi-final draw now has Percy Main at home again facing Berwick United while Whitley Bay will be crossing the Tyne to take on Hebburn Reyrolle. The ties are scheduled for 27th March although Hebburn’s county cup commitments may force a change.

On the league front in the First Division, Gateshead Rutherford have recaptured pole position from Percy Main although the latter have two games in hand with only a single point separating the two front runners. Rutherford overtook their rivals but needed a 75th minute goal by Kevin Hay to beat lowly visitors Northbank and didn’t look too convincing.

Gosforth Bohemians were looking for a fifth consecutive league win to improve their promotion bid but their visit to mid-table opponents Chopwell Officials proved unproductive. The Bohs were beaten 2-0 as Mark Fitzpatrick’s two goals for their hosts were put away in the 5th and 85th minutes.

In the third of only three league games down for decision there was another disappointment for bottom rung outfit Seaton Burn and they were beaten 1-0 at home by Peterlee Tow n. The Newtowners had just lost six games on the bounce themselves and were lucky to win this one with a vital strike by Wayne Sullivan in the dying second. Seaton Burn had merited at least a point but for the umpteenth time they were let down by woeful finishing.

In the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, Morpeth Sporting Club guaranteed themselves a place in this year’s semi-finals by beating visitors Blyth Town Reserves 3-1. Their scorers ensuring continued progress were Lee Donnelly, Karl Snow den and Ross Symington.

DIVISION TWO – THE WELFARE MAKE HAY

Second Division hopefuls Stobswood Welfare stayed on course in the Northumberland Minor Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory away to quarter-final opponents Gosforth Bohemians Reserves. Josh Hay opened the scoring immediately before the break and to wrap things up for the Welfare both Stephen Gibbard and Chris Graham were also on target later on. The two semi-final ties in the Minor Cup take place this weekend and feature Morpeth Sporting Club at home to Stobswood Welfare and Percy Main hosting Newcastle Chemfica.

Meanwhile, North Shields Athletic increased their lead at the top of the Second Division to five points by narrowly beating hosts Cullercoats Custom Planet 1-0 with a headed goal on the hour mark for John Mordey. The Athletic were also pleased to see second-placed challengers Wideopen & Districted restricted to a 2-2 draw up at Amble .James Bell scored two first half goals for Wideopen but they were reeled back in with their hosts replying through Wyn Fremlin and teenager Ben Lilburn who marked his debut with a fine headed equaliser.

In fourth place Forest Hall have suffered from poor away form but at home they’re still strong and beat bottom rung visitors Whitley Bay Town 3-2. Mark Knights, Mark Sandberg and Robert Ruddick were Forest Hall’sa scorers with Andrew Laird and Liam Hudson hitting back fruitlessly for the Town.

Like Forest Hall, Hexham have remained unbeaten at home in this campaign and at Wentworth Park claimed another scalp by beating Cramlington Blue Star 2-1. After Paul Avery gave the Star a second half lead youngster Curtis Harvey levelled for Hexham. But they had to wait until the fourth minute of stoppage time for their w inner scored by Scott Coates.

With games in hand Newcastle Chemfica continue d their climb up the table with a 4 -2 victory away to Wallsend Town whose four-match winning run came to a halt. And Wallsend Boys Club are clear of the basement after another promising performance produced a 2-0 home win against Willington Quay Saints. Andy Lau opened the scoring and the Boys Club had substitute Stephen Hedley doubling the ir lead with almost his first touch just before half time.

Swalwell’s recent winless run of five games was ended by their 1-0 success at home to Newcastle BT and they claimed the points with a crucial strike by regular marksman Chris Smith midway through the first half.

LEAGUE STUNNED BY CHAIRMAN’S DEATH


Local clubs, players and match officials in the Pin Point Recruitment Northern Alliance were shocked by the sudden death of long-serving league chairman George Dobbins.


George had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition when he sadly died suddenly at the Freeman Hospital last Friday afternoon.


It was too late to suspend the fixture programme but all clubs were requested by league secretary Derek Booth to observe a minute’s silence prior to kick off as a mark of respect.


George's wife Carol and his family bravely attended the touching minute’s tribute observed at the NFA Senior Bowl semi-final between Alliance teams Heaton Stannington and Killingworth Sporting at Grounsell Park where he had been a regular visitor over the years.


There is no doubt that George, a tireless league chairman for almost two decades, will be greatly missed in the Northern Alliance and on the wider football scene in the North East. His busy life had always revolved around football and he was involved as a player and club secretary before taking up the reins with the Northern Alliance.

ALNWICK APPLY THE BRAKES TO WARK

By Bill Gardner

The Premier Division’s runaway leaders Wark suffered a rare defeat and went down 2-0 away to Alnwick Town who have only lost once at home this term. Goals for Chris Moffat and Ben Keenan gave Alnwick revenge for their earlier 3-1 reverse at Wark.
Walker Central stayed put in second spot after drawing 2-2 with third-placed hosts Killingworth Sporting in a Tyneside local derby. Liam Mulligan and Stephen Foster netted for Walker and Frank Di Pietro and Kevin Grahamslaw were on target for Killy who stayed four points behind the Central but with four games in hand.
For the second time this term Stocksfield shared the spoils with Cramlington Town who ended a three-match losing streak away from home. In the 1-1 draw at Prudhoe Phil Murray claimed Stocksfield’s goal in the 85th minute to cancel out Stuart Heppell’s 55th minute penalty for the visitors.
Heddon, on the bottom rung in the Premier Division, were left still seeking their first victory at Bullocksteads after sharing eight goals with Seaton Delaval. This was a second stalemate featuring these two sides in this campaign but Heddon threw away a three-goal interval lead provided by Ben Haddock, Kevin Urwin and Mark McEwan. Delaval hit back strongly to snatch the lead after the interval with replies from John Fitzpatrick, Conal Reed, Stephen Howes and Jordan Fry but Urwin’s late second goal salvaged a point for Heddon.
Newcastle University, only three points better off than Heddon in the basement, have failed to win any of their last seven games and were beaten 3-1 by Shankhouse at Northburn. After losing four games on the trot themselves, Shankhouse turned the corner and after David Dormand, recently transferred from Walker Central, fired them into a half time lead further goals were added by Chris Rue and James Blacklock. Ben Burt’s single goal for the disappointed Students was scored in the 88th minute.
In the second round of the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup both Blyth Town and Carlisle City took advantage of being at home to make progress. Blyth avenged an earlier league defeat by beating cup visitors Ashington Colliers 2-1 this time. Two goals inside ten first half minutes, both put away by Neil Blades, put Blyth in charge and although Gareth Reece trimmed the deficit just before the break for the Colliers the Town clung on to their slender advantage.
In their Cumbrian local derby in the Challenge Cup’s second round Carlisle City managed to beat Harraby Catholic Club 1-0 in a close but untidy encounter. In what was a best-of-three clash between the two neighbours in this campaign City edged it with a goal by Chris Major midway through the opening half.
Meanwhile, drawn away to Second Division opponents in the third round of the Kicks Leisure League Cup, there were victories for both Ponteland United and Heaton Stannington. Ponteland made progress by beating Newcastle Chemfica 3-1 but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
The early stages belonged to Pont who forced a series of corners and from one of these Marc Dummett saw his 20-yard drive cannon off the upright. But Chemfica withstood the early pressure and they got a lucky break after twenty minutes. A slip by Pont’s Jeff Forsyth gave home striker Chris Lockerbie a sight of goal and he put his chance away very clinically.
Pont finally levelled after the break and when Andrew Davidson’s flag kick wasn’t cleared Forsyth atoned for his earlier error by drilling the ball home through a crowded goalmouth. Then with twenty minutes to go the Premier Division outfit got their noses in front as Paul Hodgson found the net with his glancing header from Davidson’s free kick. And in the 80th minute Chemfica were finally sickened by their visitors’ third goal scored by Billy Holden with a simple tap in from Richard Kent’s cross.
Gary Yates (2) and Kevin Carr were Heaton’s scorers in their more comfortable 3-0 victory over Stobswood Welfare in the League Cup.

DIVISION ONE – DOUBLE TARGET FOR PERCY MAIN
Percy Main are having a great season in the First Division and are now two points clear of second-placed Gateshead Rutherford with a useful game in hand. The Villagers took a break from league duties to continue their progress in the Northumberland Minor Cup and beat league colleagues Amble 3-0 to book themselves a place in this year’s semi-finals.
In an entertaining tie the Main were ahead after only four minutes w hen Malcolm Morien’s long range effort deceived the Amble keeper. In the 64th minute the lead was doubled when Morien’s flag kick was turned in at close range by Jon McEnaney and with six minutes to go Morien bagged his second of the game to wrap things up for the First Division leaders.
In the fourth round of the Minor Cup, Seaton Burn – playing their first game since 23rd January – bowed out after losing 4-2 against Cup hosts Blyth Town Reserves, Both of the Burn’s goals were claimed iby Chris Baker but the end result was disappointing.
Back on the league front there was more encouragement for Percy Main when their closest rivals Gateshead Rutherford were beaten at home for the first time this season. Visitors Hebburn Reyrolle beat Rutherford 4-2 to simultaneously extend their own unbeaten run to seven games. Simon Jacob, Chris Morris, Shannon North and Ray Oshin shared the Reyrolle goals with their hosts replying in vain through Robbie Frame and Michael Jeffares.
With games in hand Amble United are still promotion candidates and the third-placed Seasiders aided their cause with a 3- 1 victors away to Chopwell Officials. Chopwell’s Andrew Smith cancelled out United’s opener scored by Ian Common but after the break Amble ran the show and they completed a league double with further strikes by Lee Harker and Darren Riddell.
In fourth place at the moment Whitley Bay A may have to rely on their promotion rivals slipping up but they’re still helping themselves and a 4-2 victory away to Morpeth Sporting Club was impressive. Ross White’s two goals for Morpeth were outweighed by the efforts of Whitley’s marksmen Dean Porter (two), Jack Walker and Ian Lee.
Gosforth Bohemians claimed their fourth league win on the trot by beating lowly visitors Northbank 2-1. Craig Thompson and John Dunn netted respectively for the Bohs in the 9th and 29th minutes. A headed reply from Chris Grainger from Stuart McGarva’s cross early in the second half gave the Cumbrians some hope but they suffered from poor finishing in the latter stages of the game.
Berwick United won away from home for only the second time this term, beating Peterlee Tow n 3-1 and inflicting a sixth successive home defeat on their hosts. The Borderers were good value for their win achieved with goals by Leigh Walker (two) and Mike Robinson. Wayne Sullivan was a lone marksman for the Newtowners who remain static in mid-table.
Playing their first game in a month, Wallington looked decidedly ring-rusty and were soundly beaten 5-0 at Scots Gap by Cullercoats. Robert Watson opened the scoring in the first half and another four goals arrived after the break to make up the visitors’ nap hand. The scorers completing the tally were Watson again, Stewart Wright (two) and Craig Deighton.
Meanwhile, South Shields United have done the league proud by reaching the semi-finals of the Durham FA Minor Cup. They did the trick by beating quarter-final opponents Houghton Town B 3-0 with goals supplied by Kyle Yorston (two) and Carl Rutherford and will be hosting Winlaton Vulcans at the last four stage.

DIVISION TWO – THE TITLE RACE IS WIDE OPEN
Having not kicked a ball competitively for eleven weeks it wasn’t too surprising to see Wallsend Town losing interest in the Northumberland Minor Cup at the fourth round stage. The Second Division hopefuls featured in a 2-2 extra time draw away to Gosforth Bohemians Reserves with goals supplied by Ryan Arnott and Stephen Dodd. But in the resultant penalty shoot-out they were beaten 4-3.
With a game in hand compared to second-placed Wideopen & District, North Shields Athletic are sill enjoying a three-point lead at the head of the Second Division table. They retained their unbeaten home record and strengthened their promotion hand with a 4-2 victory over Cramlington Blue Star. The league leaders’ marksmen to complete a league double were Alan Armstrong (two), Antonio Mango and Dan Walton.
Wideopen kept the pressure on by claiming an identical 4-2 verdict away to Newcastle BT who had previously proved strong on their ow n turf. A James Bell hat-trick set Wideopen up for the kill and their fourth goal was tucked away by Liam Jubb. Mike Younger and Colin Galbraith replied for the disappointed losers.
Forest Hall’s travelling form has been letting them down this term and they were beaten 2-1 by hosts Tynemouth United after being given the lead by Robert Ruddick. A thirty yard power drive by Tynemouth full back Darren Turnbull got his side back on terms but they had to wait until the 80th minute for their winner scored by Kris Willis.
Hexham have been the Second Division’s draw experts this time around but there was nothing tentative about their 4-0 success away to Willington Quay Saints. After winning 4-1 in the reverse fixture Hexham’s four goals in this occasion were supplied by young Curtis Harvey (two), Jamie McNamee and Scott Coates who netted spectacularly with a direct free kick.
Wallsend Boys Club finally celebrated a first win on their travels after beating Swalwell 3-1 in the first meeting of the two sides this term. Darren Turbitt netted for Swalwell but his goal counted for nothing in the face of Wallsend replies by Michael Starkie (two) and Chris Thompson.
Points deductions have demoted Whitley Bay Tow n to the bottom rung in the Second Division and they weren’t overjoyed with their second draw of the campaign with visitors Cullercoats Custom Planet. This time they finished all square at 2-2 after the Town had wasted an early advantage. Debutant Liam Hudson, later taken off with a fractured arm, opened their account and their second goal was scored from the spot by Jamie Wallace. The Planet hit back through Tony Fawcett and Edmund Garrett to grab a share of the spoils.