By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United and Alnwick Town added some gloss to their respective seasons by claiming prestigious items of silverware. Ponteland lifted the Alliance’s Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup while Alnwick added the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl to their trophy shelf.
Ponteland United took on past winners Shankhouse in the Premier Division’s Challenge Cup Final played at Killingworth and United’s 3-1 victory made a bit of club history. This was the first ever triumph in an Alliance competition for Pont who, since 1983, had appeared fruitlessly in six previous League Cup finals as well as being ‘bridesmaids’ in the Challenge Cup five times.
At Amberley Park it wasn’t plain sailing for Ponteland and Shankhouse looked the stronger in the opening half. Only two fine saves by United keeper Sam Harris-Green, replacing the injured Michael Havelock, kept the black-and-whites in the game. Just before the interval Ponteland had their first scoring opportunity when Richard Kent fired wide after charging down the middle.
United looked much brighter after the change-over and took the lead after 50 minutes when centre back Ross Phillips – the eventual man-of-the-match – scored with a bullet header from a well-placed free kick.
Shankhouse however, Challenge Cup winners in 2001 and 2002, came back strongly to equalise with fifteen minutes to go and another flag kick led to Michael Bell heading home. Despite some further threats from Shankhouse the game entered extra time with Pont introducing substitutes Andrew Davidson and youthful striker Scott Fenwick. The switches paid off and five minutes into the extra period it was Fen wick who restored United’s lead with a clever flick from a free kick into the area. And after only another five minutes the youngster bagged his second to make sure that Ponteland’s long wait for silverware was finally over.
Alnwick Town secured the Northumberland Senior Bowl by beating Northern Alliance colleagues Heaton Stannington 2- 1 in the final at Whitley Park. Their last success in this county competition was back in 1987 when current manager Albert Straughan was in the Town’s winning squad.
Tony Brown headed Alnwick in front five minutes before the break but after an hour Ben Telford’s powerful low drive from a corner kick got Heaton back on terms. Heaton were reduced to ten men by a sending off before extra time ensued and Alnwick had to wait until the second extra period for their winner put away by Mark Cockburn.
With Premier Division leaders Wark out of action, Harraby Catholic Club trimmed their lead to two points as the title race approaches a nail-biting climax. For the second Saturday running Harraby had their guns spiked by Ashington Colliers and after losing 2-0 at Ashington last weekend they were restricted to a 1-1 on their own patch. Harraby’s 39th minute opener was a David Wallace free kick which was deflected off the head of Ashington’s Scott Blandford to end up in the net. The Colliers’ efforts were rewarded after 76 minutes when Andrew Johnson levelled with an unstoppable 25-yard free kick.
Wark were set to complete their season at Bullocksteads this week against already-relegated Heddon and Harraby will then know what’s required to overtake their championship rivals. If Wark sign off with a win the Cumbrians would need another six points from their three remaining games to clinch the title. They were away to Shankhouse on Monday, at home to Newcastle University on Wednesday and complete their gruelling season with a visit to Heaton Stannington this Saturday.
While the title is being fought over by Wark and Harraby and with Walker Central certain to finish third, Blyth Town have just edged out Ashington Colliers on goal difference to take fourth spot, their highest ever ranking in the Premier Division. The Town brought the curtain down with a 2-1 victory over visitors Heddon but needed late goals to secure the points. Dave Edwardson had ended 80 minutes of stalemate in Heddon’s favour but Blyth’s Patrick Allen restored parity with five minutes to go and Chris Lisle scored their winner with the last kick of the match.
Carlisle City had to come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with visitors Killingworth Sporting who had been fired in front in the first half by Kevin Westphal. With only seven minutes remaining Tom Foster got City back on terms.
Four days before their daunting trip to face Harraby, Newcastle University were beaten 5-2 by Shankhouse at Cochrane Park. The Students, due to take the drop along with Heddon, had George Coyle and Ed Savitt on target but were well beaten in the end. Dave Dormand helped himself to four of the Shankhouse goals and the other was claimed by Mark Watson.
DIVISION ONE – RUTHERFORD ARE CHAMPS
The First Division title race went right down to the wire with all three promotion candidates recording last day victories. Gateshead Rutherford are the new champions, finishing one point ahead of runners-up Percy Main and four points better off than third-placed Amble United.
Rutherford, heading for their first ever season in the league’s top flight, signed off in this one with a 2-1 victory away to Gosforth Bohemians. Both of their first half goals were bagged by Kevin Hay to set up the celebrations. Danny Sherwood’s reply for the Bohs was his 200th for the Benson Park outfit and marked his retirement from the game.
Percy Main made sure of promotion after four years absence from the Premier Division by winning 3-1 away to Berwick United. The Villagers’ goals in a vital victory were shared by Pierre Luc Coiffait, Malcolm Morien and John Amos with the Borderers’ single reply coming from Simon Hargreaves.
The Main had gone down 1-0 to Chris Tate’s 75th minute strike for opponents Morpeth Sporting Club in the Northumberland Minor Cup Final at Whitley Park. Now however, with promotion in the bag, the Villagers have another opportunity to claim some silverware. This Saturday at Ponteland Leisure Centre Ground they will be taking on Hebburn Reyrolle in the final of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup kicking off at 2 .00 p.m.
Because Percy Main didn’t slip up in their last league game, Amble United just missed the promotion cut despite bringing the curtain down with a 2-1 win away to relegation-threatened Northbank. Amble’s first half goals across in Carlisle were scored by Brad Wake and Paul White. In what was also their last game Sergio Royo netted for Northbank who will only retain the First Division status if fellow-strugglers Wallington fail to pick up a point from their two matches this week. The lads from Scots Gap were signing off with tough trips to Hebburn Reyrolle and Morpeth Sporting Club, two sides in the top half of the table.
Wallington were left praying for survival after losing 3-1 at home to Durham FA Minor Cup winners South Shields United. Ashley McAlpine gave the home side the lead just after the interval but their joy was short-lived. Two replies from Mark Davies put the Shieldsmen in front and they wrapped up the points with a penalty. Wallington had Alex Slack sent off for a handling offence and Tony Fenwick scored from the spot.
Seaton Burn are already relegated, having only picked up eight points from the entire campaign and in their final match away to Hebburn Reyrolle they were soundly beaten 4-0. The Reyrolle goals were supplied by Channon North (2), Simon Jacobs and Ray Oshin.
DIVISION TWO – STOBSWOOD WIN PROMOTION
The Second Division title was secured a couple of weeks ago by North Shields Athletic with a couple of games to spare and the second promotion slot has been filled by Stobswood Welfare who finished well clear of third-placed Forest Hall. In their penultimate game of a long and strength-sapping season the Welfare won 2-1 away to wooden spoonists Whitley Bay Town. Paul Smith and Josh Hay were Stobswood’s marksmen and Liam Hudson claimed the Bay’s token reply.
Cramlington Blue Star could avoid a bottom two finish but only if they take a point from their last game away to Stobswood and that may be a tall order. The Star were soundly beaten 4-0 in their second last game at home to Wallsend Boys Club who have been impressive in the last few weeks of the campaign. At Cramlington the Boys Club’s goals were supplied by Chris Thompson (2), Michael Starkie and Rob Nolan who scored with a helpful deflection.
If Cramlington do manage to get something out of their clash with Stobswood they’ll leapfrog over Cullercoats Custom Planet in the basement with the Planet just ahead of their fellow-strugglers on goal difference. The Cullercoats lads failed to rescue themselves against Hexham and were beaten 4-0 at Wentworth Park. Mark Gibson bagged a brace for the mid-table hosts and their tally was completed with strikes by Curtis Harvey and Steve Coates.
Friday, 28 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
IT LOOKS LIKE WARK OR HARRABY
By Bill Gardner
With six games outstanding and with the Premier Division title still in their sights as they continue to wade through a strength-sapping backlog, Harraby Catholic Club encountered a hitch. They were 4-1 victors against visitors Murton in midweek when Marc Shiel (2), Mike Swift and Aaron Roberts bagged their goals. But the Cumbrians were brought back to earth and were then beaten 2-0 by hosts Ashington Colliers who they entertain this Saturday in the return fixture. Mark Richardson had scored the only goal in Ashington’s 1-0 win away to Alnwick Town as the latter finished their own season. And it was Richardson again who gave the Colliers an early opener against Harraby with their second goal being a stoppage time penalty put away by Scott Smith.
Harraby, due to entertain defending champions Walker Central this week, had their disappointment eased when their title rivals Wark drew 4-4 with their bottom rung visitors Newcastle University. In their previous outing at Ponteland, Wark had only been saved from defeat by Matthew McLoughlin’s equaliser after Richard Ken t had put Pont in front. Against the University the Wark goals were shared by Mark Wright, Phil Thompson, Marc Nixon and Daniel Carter. Ed Savitt (2), Dave Kewn and Andy Hartley struck for the Students who, despite their heroics against the current league leaders, are still facing relegation along with Heddon.
Wark will be ending their campaign away to Heddon next Wednesday night but drawing half of their last ten Premier Division games could have cost them the championship.
Last Monday night’s game against Harraby across in Cumbria was set to be the last for defending champions Walker Central. They had hoped for a top two finish to pave the way for promotion to the Northern League but with Harraby and now Ashington Colliers snapping at their heels their ambitions may be thwarted. The Tynesiders could learn their fate this week.
Stocksfield switched their scheduled home game from Prudhoe to the Leisure Centre base of opponents Ponteland United and ended up losing 4-0. The first half ended goal-less but there was then a three-goal blast from Pont who had Joe Dawson, Scott Fenwick and Paul Hodgson all on target in the space of six minutes. Fenwick completed the scoring with his second of the match in the 84th minute.
Shankhouse, fifth from bottom in the current rankings after only winning one of six most recent games, effectively ended Heaton Stannington’s title hopes last Wednesday night by beating their opponents 2-1 at Northburn. Gifted an early own goal by Heaton’s Ben Telford, they had Anth Moran doubling their lead before Christian Collins pulled a goal back for the visitors.
The Shankhouse lads then had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Killingworth Sporting. Ex-Walker Central striker David Dormand fired the visitors into an interval lead but Jorge Bollado then weighed in with Killy’s equaliser. And Shankhouse were due back at Amberley Park in Killingworth this week to take on Ponteland United in the Premier Division’s Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final.
DIVISION ONE – RUTHERFORD CONFIRM PROMOTION
It’s now certain that either Gateshead Rutherford or Percy Main will end up as First Division champions with Amble United possibly just missing out. In their penultimate game away to Berwick United, Rutherford won 4-1 to confirm their promotion with goals by Kevin Hay (2), Michael Jeffares and David Loughlin while Chris Falconer was Berwick’s lone marksman. Meanwhile title rivals Percy Main are only a point worse off and are up at Berwick this Saturday while Rutherford ending their campaign simultaneously away to Gosforth Bohemians.
Amble United were once backed for promotion this term but the third-placed Seasiders have suffered a dip in form at a critical stage, only picking up three points from four games prior to last weekend’s visit of Hebburn Reyrolle. United did well to beat their powerful opponents 1-0 with a 59th minute strike by Ian Common but the damage had already been done.
Whitley Bay A stayed in fourth spot and were in top form to hammer Chopwell Officials 8-1 at Hillheads where Dean Porter banged in four of their goals. Simon Reay bagged himself a brace in this one-sided encounter and the Bay’s other marksmen were Michael McMullen and Jack Walker. Games away to Seaton Burn and Hebburn Reyrolle will complete Whitley’s season and they’ll have fallen well short of promotion.
Events at the bottom of the First Division table have now come into focus with Seaton Burn already doomed to relegation after only winning two games in this campaign. The Burn were beaten once again, 2-1 by visitors South Shields United, and they are now bound to finish on the bottom rung.
The remaining dreaded relegation slot will be filled by Newcastle East End, Wallington or Northbank with only a single point separating the three strugglers.
Northbank did themselves a massive favour by beating Wallington 1-0 at Scots Gap with a Lee McDermott goal, his first of the season and this result could turn out to have ensured the Cumbrians’ continued First Division status.
Newcastle East End however stayed in trouble after losing 3-1 away to Cullercoats whose goals were supplied by Alex Burnett, Stewart Wright and David Owen. And the remaining crucial fixtures at the bottom of the table are: Hebburn Reyrolle v Newcastle East End, Northbank v Gosforth Bohemians, Northbank v Amble United, Wallington v South Shields United and Hebburn Reyrolle v Wallington. However, if Newcastle East End lose in their final clash away to Hebburn Reyrolle they’ll be joining Seaton Burn in taking the drop.
DIVISION TWO – STOBSWOOD IN THE OVERTAKING LANE
Second Division champions North Shields Athletic will be ending their successful campaign with a visit to Wallsend Town this Saturday in a game where only local pride is at stake. Second-placed Amble brought their curtain down in disappointing fashion by losing 1-0 away to Newcastle Chemfica whose winner was put away by Mark Fenwick. And Amble can only watch now as Stobswood Welfare threaten to claim the second promotion space in the lower division.
With four games still to play the Welfare are only three points short of Amble’s final total and are unlikely to waste this perfect chance of stepping up. The Welfare continued their late-season climb by beating hosts Wallsend Boys Club 3-1. Their goals, two of them from set pieces, were scored by Mark Sinclair, Josh Hay and Paul Smith with Rob Nolan replying for the losers.
The Welfare can book themselves a new life in the First Division by picking up only another four points from outstanding games against Hexham (home), Swalwell (home), Whitley Bay Town (away) and Cramlington Blue Star (home). They were capable of achieving their target this week.
Both Cramlington Blue Star and Cullercoats Custom Planet look like finishing in the bottom four in their first season in the Northern Alliance. But when the two met up at Cullercoats last weekend Cullercoats recorded a resounding 8-2 victory. The Planet’s marksmen were Martin Hepple (hat-trick), Andy McCartney (2), Kevin Knox ( 2) and Nigel Morris and the Blue Star’s replies came from Johnny Wardle and Sam Robinson.
Wallsend To wn’s promotion bid may have come to an end but in their penultimate game of the season they hammered hosts Newcastle BT 10-0 with five of their goals tucked away by Paul McCutcheon. Their other scorers were Liam Bell ( 2), Ryan Arnott, Ben Miley and Martin Nicholson.
Wideopen & District finished in the top half of the table despite losing their final game, going down 2-1 at home to Swalwell. The Swalwell goals were both claimed by Matthew Scott and Paul Booth scored his first of the season for Wideopen.
With six games outstanding and with the Premier Division title still in their sights as they continue to wade through a strength-sapping backlog, Harraby Catholic Club encountered a hitch. They were 4-1 victors against visitors Murton in midweek when Marc Shiel (2), Mike Swift and Aaron Roberts bagged their goals. But the Cumbrians were brought back to earth and were then beaten 2-0 by hosts Ashington Colliers who they entertain this Saturday in the return fixture. Mark Richardson had scored the only goal in Ashington’s 1-0 win away to Alnwick Town as the latter finished their own season. And it was Richardson again who gave the Colliers an early opener against Harraby with their second goal being a stoppage time penalty put away by Scott Smith.
Harraby, due to entertain defending champions Walker Central this week, had their disappointment eased when their title rivals Wark drew 4-4 with their bottom rung visitors Newcastle University. In their previous outing at Ponteland, Wark had only been saved from defeat by Matthew McLoughlin’s equaliser after Richard Ken t had put Pont in front. Against the University the Wark goals were shared by Mark Wright, Phil Thompson, Marc Nixon and Daniel Carter. Ed Savitt (2), Dave Kewn and Andy Hartley struck for the Students who, despite their heroics against the current league leaders, are still facing relegation along with Heddon.
Wark will be ending their campaign away to Heddon next Wednesday night but drawing half of their last ten Premier Division games could have cost them the championship.
Last Monday night’s game against Harraby across in Cumbria was set to be the last for defending champions Walker Central. They had hoped for a top two finish to pave the way for promotion to the Northern League but with Harraby and now Ashington Colliers snapping at their heels their ambitions may be thwarted. The Tynesiders could learn their fate this week.
Stocksfield switched their scheduled home game from Prudhoe to the Leisure Centre base of opponents Ponteland United and ended up losing 4-0. The first half ended goal-less but there was then a three-goal blast from Pont who had Joe Dawson, Scott Fenwick and Paul Hodgson all on target in the space of six minutes. Fenwick completed the scoring with his second of the match in the 84th minute.
Shankhouse, fifth from bottom in the current rankings after only winning one of six most recent games, effectively ended Heaton Stannington’s title hopes last Wednesday night by beating their opponents 2-1 at Northburn. Gifted an early own goal by Heaton’s Ben Telford, they had Anth Moran doubling their lead before Christian Collins pulled a goal back for the visitors.
The Shankhouse lads then had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Killingworth Sporting. Ex-Walker Central striker David Dormand fired the visitors into an interval lead but Jorge Bollado then weighed in with Killy’s equaliser. And Shankhouse were due back at Amberley Park in Killingworth this week to take on Ponteland United in the Premier Division’s Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final.
DIVISION ONE – RUTHERFORD CONFIRM PROMOTION
It’s now certain that either Gateshead Rutherford or Percy Main will end up as First Division champions with Amble United possibly just missing out. In their penultimate game away to Berwick United, Rutherford won 4-1 to confirm their promotion with goals by Kevin Hay (2), Michael Jeffares and David Loughlin while Chris Falconer was Berwick’s lone marksman. Meanwhile title rivals Percy Main are only a point worse off and are up at Berwick this Saturday while Rutherford ending their campaign simultaneously away to Gosforth Bohemians.
Amble United were once backed for promotion this term but the third-placed Seasiders have suffered a dip in form at a critical stage, only picking up three points from four games prior to last weekend’s visit of Hebburn Reyrolle. United did well to beat their powerful opponents 1-0 with a 59th minute strike by Ian Common but the damage had already been done.
Whitley Bay A stayed in fourth spot and were in top form to hammer Chopwell Officials 8-1 at Hillheads where Dean Porter banged in four of their goals. Simon Reay bagged himself a brace in this one-sided encounter and the Bay’s other marksmen were Michael McMullen and Jack Walker. Games away to Seaton Burn and Hebburn Reyrolle will complete Whitley’s season and they’ll have fallen well short of promotion.
Events at the bottom of the First Division table have now come into focus with Seaton Burn already doomed to relegation after only winning two games in this campaign. The Burn were beaten once again, 2-1 by visitors South Shields United, and they are now bound to finish on the bottom rung.
The remaining dreaded relegation slot will be filled by Newcastle East End, Wallington or Northbank with only a single point separating the three strugglers.
Northbank did themselves a massive favour by beating Wallington 1-0 at Scots Gap with a Lee McDermott goal, his first of the season and this result could turn out to have ensured the Cumbrians’ continued First Division status.
Newcastle East End however stayed in trouble after losing 3-1 away to Cullercoats whose goals were supplied by Alex Burnett, Stewart Wright and David Owen. And the remaining crucial fixtures at the bottom of the table are: Hebburn Reyrolle v Newcastle East End, Northbank v Gosforth Bohemians, Northbank v Amble United, Wallington v South Shields United and Hebburn Reyrolle v Wallington. However, if Newcastle East End lose in their final clash away to Hebburn Reyrolle they’ll be joining Seaton Burn in taking the drop.
DIVISION TWO – STOBSWOOD IN THE OVERTAKING LANE
Second Division champions North Shields Athletic will be ending their successful campaign with a visit to Wallsend Town this Saturday in a game where only local pride is at stake. Second-placed Amble brought their curtain down in disappointing fashion by losing 1-0 away to Newcastle Chemfica whose winner was put away by Mark Fenwick. And Amble can only watch now as Stobswood Welfare threaten to claim the second promotion space in the lower division.
With four games still to play the Welfare are only three points short of Amble’s final total and are unlikely to waste this perfect chance of stepping up. The Welfare continued their late-season climb by beating hosts Wallsend Boys Club 3-1. Their goals, two of them from set pieces, were scored by Mark Sinclair, Josh Hay and Paul Smith with Rob Nolan replying for the losers.
The Welfare can book themselves a new life in the First Division by picking up only another four points from outstanding games against Hexham (home), Swalwell (home), Whitley Bay Town (away) and Cramlington Blue Star (home). They were capable of achieving their target this week.
Both Cramlington Blue Star and Cullercoats Custom Planet look like finishing in the bottom four in their first season in the Northern Alliance. But when the two met up at Cullercoats last weekend Cullercoats recorded a resounding 8-2 victory. The Planet’s marksmen were Martin Hepple (hat-trick), Andy McCartney (2), Kevin Knox ( 2) and Nigel Morris and the Blue Star’s replies came from Johnny Wardle and Sam Robinson.
Wallsend To wn’s promotion bid may have come to an end but in their penultimate game of the season they hammered hosts Newcastle BT 10-0 with five of their goals tucked away by Paul McCutcheon. Their other scorers were Liam Bell ( 2), Ryan Arnott, Ben Miley and Martin Nicholson.
Wideopen & District finished in the top half of the table despite losing their final game, going down 2-1 at home to Swalwell. The Swalwell goals were both claimed by Matthew Scott and Paul Booth scored his first of the season for Wideopen.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
PARTING SHOT FROM HEDDON
By Bill Gardner
While front runners Wark were lying idle, Walker Central had a chance to nudge their rivals out of pole position but things didn’t go according to plan. The Central slipped up, only managing a 1-1 draw at home to Heddon who are facing a drop into the First Division.
A John Campbell free kick took a wicked deflection to guide the ball into the net for Walker’s opener. Heddon responded with an equaliser from Peter Holland and had to be given credit for hanging on after having Dave Tremble red-carded in the 70th minute.
The main threat to Wark’s hopes of claiming their first Premier Division title is now being posed by Harraby Catholic Club who stormed to a 5-0 victory over third-placed visitors Heaton Stannington. Two goals up after only eight minutes thanks to Aaron Roberts and Andy Douglas, Harraby never let up and James Earl increased their lead with a tremendous 35-yard volley before the interval. Earl went on to complete his hat-trick with another long range strike and an 87th minute penalty.
The result all but ended Heaton’s title hopes although they’re still capable of a top two finish while Harraby still have hopes of catching current leaders Wark. The Cumbrians have nine games outstanding but may find their tough schedule taking its toll before the finish line.
Both Blyth Town and Murton are finishing strongly with Ashington Colliers also hoping to clinch a place in the top six. All three secured maximum points and Blyth were 4-1 victors away to Stocksfield.
Over an hour of stalemate was ended by Blyth’s opener scored by Neil Blades when he was put through by Gary Day. The Town’s lead was then doubled after 78 minutes when Mark Waugh’s cross behind the home defence allowed Damon Mullen to pick his spot.
Stocksfield responded almost immediately and Scott Johnson trimmed the deficit, tapping in the rebound after Blyth keeper Scott Earle blocked his first effort. But another two Blyth strikes inside the last ten minutes put the seal on their victory. For the first Chris Lisle netted from close range from Danny Beresford’s low cross and the tally was completed when Rob Eastway chipped over the home keeper from Beresford’s headed pass.
Murton made it five wins on the trot at the expense of hosts Carlisle City who were soundly beaten 4-0. First half strikes by Karl Garside and Marc Smith put Murton in the driving seat and there was no way back for City after Stephen Turner bagged himself a second half brace.
Ashington Colliers were fairly comfortable 3-2 winners at home to Newcastle University who will be filling the other relegation slot along with Heddon. Marc Pattie and Jamie Patterson (2) found the net for the Colliers and the Students’ replies were both claimed by Ed Savitt deep in stoppage time.
Games in hand could improve the position of Shankhouse, currently third bottom, but despite having Chris Rue and James Blacklock on target within five minutes of the kick off they were finally beaten 5-3 by Alnwick Town at Northburn. Martin Roper completed Shankhouse’s tally but Alnwick came back with a vengeance with goals by Richie Brown (2), Mark Baston, Neil Jefferson and Tony Brown.
Killingworth Sporting had Anthony Burns on the mark to beat visitors Seaton Delaval 1-0 and Ponteland United won by the same narrow margin at home to Cramlington Town. United’s 15th minute winner was put away by Dean Gate.
Next Monday night at Amberley Park in Killingworth, Ponteland United and Shankhouse have a chance of claiming a prestigious item of silverware when they come face to face in the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final kicking off at 7.00 p.m. Shankhouse have lifted this trophy on two previous occasions in 2001 and again in 2002 but Ponteland are still waiting for a first success after five abortive cup final appearances.
Seaton Delaval have announced that they are seeking a new club secretary for next season, inviting interested parties to contact either Bill Fellows on 01670-731833 or Phil Hildreth on 0191-2373237.
DIVISION ONE – TWO-HORSE RACE FOR THE TITLE
Percy Main may need to win both of their remaining games – at home to Morpeth Sporting Club and away to Berwick United – to claim the First Division title ahead of Gateshead Rutherford. The Villagers have been unbeaten in their last seven games as they target the major prize and promotion back to the top flight. And they were impressive once again in their 5-1 success away to lowly Northbank. Graeme Smith fired the Main into a slender interval lead but they overpowered their Cumbrian hosts after the changeover. Jon McEnaney, Malcolm Morien and Chris Doig also found the Northbank net before Smith scored again to complete the tally. Matt Read was the home side’s only scorer. Second-placed Gateshead Rutherford were lying idle after their narrow 4-3 home win against Wallington in midweek but look like at least pipping Amble United in the race for the second promotion slot. They will be ending their campaign with three away games against neighbours Chopwell Officials, Berwick United and Gosforth Bohemians.
Amble United in third place look like losing out on promotion and have picked up only three points from their last four outings, going off the boil at a critical time. They were beaten 3-0 at home by Morpeth Sporting Club in midweek before drawing 3-3 at Hillheads against fourth-placed Whitley Bay A whose scorers were Michael McMullen, Josh Brooks and Jamie Lyndon.
At the bottom end of the table four teams – Seaton Burn, Northbank, Wallington and Newcastle East End – are all involved in a last ditch battle to avoid the drop with two of these hoping to rescue themselves. Seaton Burn are in the gravest danger and a 3-0 defeat at Chopwell didn’t help as they were sunk by goals put away by Dave Fitzpatrick, David Purdy and Rowland Lee.
Northbank’s hammering by championship candidates Percy Main didn’t help their cause while Wallington and Newcastle East End also emerged pointless from their respective games. Wallington had Nat Williamson on target at home to Peterlee Town but went down 2-1 after conceding goals to the Newtowners’ Peter Crawford and John Pyle.
Newcastle East End scored three times away to Morpeth Sporting Club, only to be finally and narrowly beaten 4-3 by their hosts whose winning marksmen were Richard Latimer (2), Dean Nicholson and Chris Tate. Meanwhile, Berwick United’s recent losing streak was extended by their 2-0 downfall away to Cullercoats with both of the winners’ goals tucked away by Alex Burnett.
After beating midweek visitors Whitley Bay A 1-0 with a goal by Alex Chapman, South Shields United showed their frugality again with another single goal victory at home to Gosforth Bohemians. This time their important 65th minute clincher was down to Adam Bell.
DIVISION TWO – NORTH SHIELDS ARE CHAMPS
With a game to spare and unbeaten on their own patch this term, North Shields Athletic have been crowned as Second Division champions but still had a bitter-sweet week. Last Thursday at Swalwell the Athletic lost out to Stobswood Welfare in the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final. The Welfare were 2-0 winners to lift the silverware and were headed in front by Steve Gibbard after 40 minutes. And despite having a player sent off midway through the second half the Stobswood lads refused to give way and a second strike by Gibbard six minutes from the end was conclusive.
North Shields’s disappointment was short-lived and two days later their 2- 1 home win against Newcastle Chemfica was enough to hand them the title. Goals for Matt Donkin and Michael Hall did the trick with Chris Lockerbie replying in vain for the visitors.
Amble are favourites to earn promotion along with North Shields and only Stobswood Welfare with several games in hand can thwart their ambition. Things went Amble’s way when Wyn Fremlin’s brace earned them a 2-1 verdict away to Cullercoats Custom Planet while Stobswood were beaten 2-1 at Forest Hall. Mark Knights claimed both of Forest Hall’s goals to keep them in third place with Jonathan Towns scoring for the losers.
If Amble manage to win both of this week’s home games against Stobswood and then Tynemouth United they’ll have kept their promotion bid on track but it may be a tall order and things could yet go to the wire. And Forest Hall could even come into the reckoning.
At the wrong end cof the Second Division rankings Whitley Bay Town are still propping up the table but could yet lift themselves off the bottom rung. After three straight defeats Whitley produced an impressive performance to secure a 3-0 victory at Swalwell. Star man Liam Hudson bagged two of the Bay’s goals with the other supplied by Chris Atkin.
In their second from last game at home to Willington Quay Saints there was a 4-3 win for Wideopen & District. The Saints made a losing end to their own campaign despite having Mike Beever, Chris Lowes and Gareth Pugh on target and haven’t won away from home in the entire season. Wideopen picked up the points with strikes by Liam Jubb ( 2 ), Adam Walker and Dave Heatley.
With two games to go Wallsend Boys Club extended an unbeaten run to six matches with a 4-0 victory away to Hexham, becoming the first team to win at Wentworth Park this term. Andy McBride bagged a brace for the Boys Club whose other scorers were Chris Thompson and Rob Nolan.
Sam Robinson netted for Cramlington Blue Star in their 1-1 draw with visitors Newcastle BT whose reply came from Kevin McDougal. And Tynemouth United marked their last home game with a 5- 1 victory over Wallsend Town whose sole scorer was Ryan Arnott. Lee Garwood was a hat-trick hero for United who also had Kris Whillis and Lee Brady finding the net.
While front runners Wark were lying idle, Walker Central had a chance to nudge their rivals out of pole position but things didn’t go according to plan. The Central slipped up, only managing a 1-1 draw at home to Heddon who are facing a drop into the First Division.
A John Campbell free kick took a wicked deflection to guide the ball into the net for Walker’s opener. Heddon responded with an equaliser from Peter Holland and had to be given credit for hanging on after having Dave Tremble red-carded in the 70th minute.
The main threat to Wark’s hopes of claiming their first Premier Division title is now being posed by Harraby Catholic Club who stormed to a 5-0 victory over third-placed visitors Heaton Stannington. Two goals up after only eight minutes thanks to Aaron Roberts and Andy Douglas, Harraby never let up and James Earl increased their lead with a tremendous 35-yard volley before the interval. Earl went on to complete his hat-trick with another long range strike and an 87th minute penalty.
The result all but ended Heaton’s title hopes although they’re still capable of a top two finish while Harraby still have hopes of catching current leaders Wark. The Cumbrians have nine games outstanding but may find their tough schedule taking its toll before the finish line.
Both Blyth Town and Murton are finishing strongly with Ashington Colliers also hoping to clinch a place in the top six. All three secured maximum points and Blyth were 4-1 victors away to Stocksfield.
Over an hour of stalemate was ended by Blyth’s opener scored by Neil Blades when he was put through by Gary Day. The Town’s lead was then doubled after 78 minutes when Mark Waugh’s cross behind the home defence allowed Damon Mullen to pick his spot.
Stocksfield responded almost immediately and Scott Johnson trimmed the deficit, tapping in the rebound after Blyth keeper Scott Earle blocked his first effort. But another two Blyth strikes inside the last ten minutes put the seal on their victory. For the first Chris Lisle netted from close range from Danny Beresford’s low cross and the tally was completed when Rob Eastway chipped over the home keeper from Beresford’s headed pass.
Murton made it five wins on the trot at the expense of hosts Carlisle City who were soundly beaten 4-0. First half strikes by Karl Garside and Marc Smith put Murton in the driving seat and there was no way back for City after Stephen Turner bagged himself a second half brace.
Ashington Colliers were fairly comfortable 3-2 winners at home to Newcastle University who will be filling the other relegation slot along with Heddon. Marc Pattie and Jamie Patterson (2) found the net for the Colliers and the Students’ replies were both claimed by Ed Savitt deep in stoppage time.
Games in hand could improve the position of Shankhouse, currently third bottom, but despite having Chris Rue and James Blacklock on target within five minutes of the kick off they were finally beaten 5-3 by Alnwick Town at Northburn. Martin Roper completed Shankhouse’s tally but Alnwick came back with a vengeance with goals by Richie Brown (2), Mark Baston, Neil Jefferson and Tony Brown.
Killingworth Sporting had Anthony Burns on the mark to beat visitors Seaton Delaval 1-0 and Ponteland United won by the same narrow margin at home to Cramlington Town. United’s 15th minute winner was put away by Dean Gate.
Next Monday night at Amberley Park in Killingworth, Ponteland United and Shankhouse have a chance of claiming a prestigious item of silverware when they come face to face in the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final kicking off at 7.00 p.m. Shankhouse have lifted this trophy on two previous occasions in 2001 and again in 2002 but Ponteland are still waiting for a first success after five abortive cup final appearances.
Seaton Delaval have announced that they are seeking a new club secretary for next season, inviting interested parties to contact either Bill Fellows on 01670-731833 or Phil Hildreth on 0191-2373237.
DIVISION ONE – TWO-HORSE RACE FOR THE TITLE
Percy Main may need to win both of their remaining games – at home to Morpeth Sporting Club and away to Berwick United – to claim the First Division title ahead of Gateshead Rutherford. The Villagers have been unbeaten in their last seven games as they target the major prize and promotion back to the top flight. And they were impressive once again in their 5-1 success away to lowly Northbank. Graeme Smith fired the Main into a slender interval lead but they overpowered their Cumbrian hosts after the changeover. Jon McEnaney, Malcolm Morien and Chris Doig also found the Northbank net before Smith scored again to complete the tally. Matt Read was the home side’s only scorer. Second-placed Gateshead Rutherford were lying idle after their narrow 4-3 home win against Wallington in midweek but look like at least pipping Amble United in the race for the second promotion slot. They will be ending their campaign with three away games against neighbours Chopwell Officials, Berwick United and Gosforth Bohemians.
Amble United in third place look like losing out on promotion and have picked up only three points from their last four outings, going off the boil at a critical time. They were beaten 3-0 at home by Morpeth Sporting Club in midweek before drawing 3-3 at Hillheads against fourth-placed Whitley Bay A whose scorers were Michael McMullen, Josh Brooks and Jamie Lyndon.
At the bottom end of the table four teams – Seaton Burn, Northbank, Wallington and Newcastle East End – are all involved in a last ditch battle to avoid the drop with two of these hoping to rescue themselves. Seaton Burn are in the gravest danger and a 3-0 defeat at Chopwell didn’t help as they were sunk by goals put away by Dave Fitzpatrick, David Purdy and Rowland Lee.
Northbank’s hammering by championship candidates Percy Main didn’t help their cause while Wallington and Newcastle East End also emerged pointless from their respective games. Wallington had Nat Williamson on target at home to Peterlee Town but went down 2-1 after conceding goals to the Newtowners’ Peter Crawford and John Pyle.
Newcastle East End scored three times away to Morpeth Sporting Club, only to be finally and narrowly beaten 4-3 by their hosts whose winning marksmen were Richard Latimer (2), Dean Nicholson and Chris Tate. Meanwhile, Berwick United’s recent losing streak was extended by their 2-0 downfall away to Cullercoats with both of the winners’ goals tucked away by Alex Burnett.
After beating midweek visitors Whitley Bay A 1-0 with a goal by Alex Chapman, South Shields United showed their frugality again with another single goal victory at home to Gosforth Bohemians. This time their important 65th minute clincher was down to Adam Bell.
DIVISION TWO – NORTH SHIELDS ARE CHAMPS
With a game to spare and unbeaten on their own patch this term, North Shields Athletic have been crowned as Second Division champions but still had a bitter-sweet week. Last Thursday at Swalwell the Athletic lost out to Stobswood Welfare in the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final. The Welfare were 2-0 winners to lift the silverware and were headed in front by Steve Gibbard after 40 minutes. And despite having a player sent off midway through the second half the Stobswood lads refused to give way and a second strike by Gibbard six minutes from the end was conclusive.
North Shields’s disappointment was short-lived and two days later their 2- 1 home win against Newcastle Chemfica was enough to hand them the title. Goals for Matt Donkin and Michael Hall did the trick with Chris Lockerbie replying in vain for the visitors.
Amble are favourites to earn promotion along with North Shields and only Stobswood Welfare with several games in hand can thwart their ambition. Things went Amble’s way when Wyn Fremlin’s brace earned them a 2-1 verdict away to Cullercoats Custom Planet while Stobswood were beaten 2-1 at Forest Hall. Mark Knights claimed both of Forest Hall’s goals to keep them in third place with Jonathan Towns scoring for the losers.
If Amble manage to win both of this week’s home games against Stobswood and then Tynemouth United they’ll have kept their promotion bid on track but it may be a tall order and things could yet go to the wire. And Forest Hall could even come into the reckoning.
At the wrong end cof the Second Division rankings Whitley Bay Town are still propping up the table but could yet lift themselves off the bottom rung. After three straight defeats Whitley produced an impressive performance to secure a 3-0 victory at Swalwell. Star man Liam Hudson bagged two of the Bay’s goals with the other supplied by Chris Atkin.
In their second from last game at home to Willington Quay Saints there was a 4-3 win for Wideopen & District. The Saints made a losing end to their own campaign despite having Mike Beever, Chris Lowes and Gareth Pugh on target and haven’t won away from home in the entire season. Wideopen picked up the points with strikes by Liam Jubb ( 2 ), Adam Walker and Dave Heatley.
With two games to go Wallsend Boys Club extended an unbeaten run to six matches with a 4-0 victory away to Hexham, becoming the first team to win at Wentworth Park this term. Andy McBride bagged a brace for the Boys Club whose other scorers were Chris Thompson and Rob Nolan.
Sam Robinson netted for Cramlington Blue Star in their 1-1 draw with visitors Newcastle BT whose reply came from Kevin McDougal. And Tynemouth United marked their last home game with a 5- 1 victory over Wallsend Town whose sole scorer was Ryan Arnott. Lee Garwood was a hat-trick hero for United who also had Kris Whillis and Lee Brady finding the net.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
SUDDICK HASN’T LOST HIS TOUCH
By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United’s manager Jarrod Suddick is hoping that a horrendous injury list clears up to some extent before he leads his side out at Killingworth on 17th May to take on Shankhouse in this season’s Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final.
Pont also have six league games to plough through which doesn’t exactly improve the situation and Suddick had to give himself a first start of the campaign to face Killingworth Sporting at the Leisure Centre Ground.
The Ponteland boss made the brightest of starts and gave his side the lead only five minutes after the kick off. Utility player Lewis Shiels sent in a great cross that cleared Killy’s back line and, after controlling the ball with his thigh, he calmly picked his spot wide of the visiting keeper.
Neither side excelled aftert the interval but with twenty minutes to go the black-and-whites scored a second goal to wrap up the points. It was a first of the season for Kevin McGorie who had been sidelined by injury for a year-and-a-half.
This was a much improved display of late by Pont whose man-of-the-match was Ross Phillips but there was also a downside. Keeper Michael Havelock sustained fractures to two of his fingers in the first half and will miss the rest of the season including the Challenge Cup Final.
While Premier Division leaders Wark were standing idle, Walker Central drew level on points with their rivals although Wark now have three games in hand. Walker’s 1-0 victory at home to third-placed Heaton Stannington was a massive result for Mike Jeffels’ side who are hoping for a top two finish and promotion. Their vital 80th minute winner was scored by Paul Chapman.
Both Heaton and Harraby Catholic Club are still threatening Walker Central’s hopes due to their games in hand and Harraby made it five home wins on the trot by beating Blyth Town 2-1. Blyth’s Martin Robinson cancelled out Daniel Wordsworth’s opener for the Cumbrians to make it all square at the break. After 76 minutes Andrew Douglas struck to seal the points for sixth-placed Harraby who still have eleven games outstanding.
Although they’re out of the running, Murton are finishing their season with a bang and have climbed up to fifth spot. With only two games left they made it four wins on the trot, defeating hosts Seaton Delaval 3-1. Two first half goals for Stephen Turner put Murton in charge and he went on to complete his hat-trick after Luke Newton got Delaval off the mark.
Like Murton, Ashington Colliers are finishing strongly and have lost only one of their nine most recent league games. The Colliers kept their run going with a 2-1 win away to Shankhouse who opened the scoring through David Dormand straight after the interval. Joe Moscrop quickly restored parity and Marc Richardson snatched Ashington’s winner with only a minute to spare.
After drawing their last three games at Sheepmount, Carlisle City picked up maximum points with an impressive 3-1 victory over visitors Alnwick Town. Dan Gawith fired City into a half time lead and later goals were added by Chris Major and Stuart Hill before Tony Brown claimed Alnwick’s 73rd minute consolation goal.
Newcastle University only have the slenderest of chances of avoiding the drop along with Heddon who are now doomed to finish in one of the bottom two places. The University went down to Jordan Watson’s single early goal for hosts Cramlington Town and haven’t won a league game since last November. And it looks as though the Students will be going through the trapdoor after spending ten years in the league’s top flight. Sadly they have been almost perennial strugglers at this level.
Heddon lost 3-2 at home to Stocksfield but should of at least had a share of the spoils. After Anthony McDonald put Stocksfield in front Heddon snatched the lead with replies from Dave Tremble and Ben Haddock. An own goal gifted by Andrew Hall got the visitors back on terms and their winner was put away by Phil Murray in the dying seconds.
DIVISION ONE – RUTHERFORD FEEL THE HEAT
The fascinating battle for the title in the First Division is continuing with Percy Main holding the aces but with several crucial games still to be played. The Villagers nudged Gateshead Rutherford out of pole position and went two points clear thanks to their 2-0 victory away to lowly Newcastle East End who were sunk by goals by Malcolm Morien and John Amos.
A second defeat on the trot has harmed Gateshead Rutherford’s chances and after losing 1-0 against Percy Main in midweek they were beaten 4-2 by Whitley Bay A at Hillheads. Ian Lee with his hat-trick inflicted the major damage for Whitley whose remaining goal was put away by Sean Jobson. Richard Biggs and Craig Horsfall responded in vain for Rutherford, three of whose four remaining games are away from home.
Amble United, Whitley Bay A and Hebburn Reyrolle haven’t ruled themselves out yet and all three are eying up possible promotion if any of the current favourites slip up in the final stages of this long campaign. Amble United however have drawn their last two matches and featured in a goal-less stalemate away to Gosforth Bohemians.
Whitley Bay A and Hebburn Reyrolle are each relying on games in hand to boost their chances of sneaking up on the rails with Hebburn having a massive eleven games to fit in, including two cup final appearances.
The Hebburn lads haven’t lost a league game since last September and they extended an unbeaten run to twelve games with their 3 -1 victory away to Morpeth Sporting Club. Ray Oshin, Channon North and Simon Jacobs were their scorers with Richard Latimer scoring Morpeth’s consolation goal.
Durham FA Minor Cup winners South Shields United are just playing out their season but applied the brakes to improving Peterlee Town and restricted their visitors to a 0-0 draw. And a very weakened Chopwell Officials team did well to beat Wallington 2-1 at Scots Gap. Chopwell only had the bare eleven players to kick off the game including manager Alan Brown who was taken off injured after only ten minutes. The depleted visitors showed a lot of spirit which was rewarded with goals by Lee Best (penalty) and veteran Kevin March. Tom McPherson came up with an 80th minute reply for Wallington but they looked very jaded in this encounter.
Northbank leapfrogged over Newcastle East End in the basement to give themselves a chance of avoiding the drop and the Cumbrians’ 3-2 home win against Cullercoats was hugely welcomed. Tom and Ross Irving along with Paul Fiddler netted for Northbank with both of the Cullercoats replies by Peter Bradley scored from the penalty spot. Thanks to a Chris Baker goal and a brace claimed by Steven Lee on his home debut, Seaton Burn drew 3-3 with Berwick United but stayed stranded on the bottom rung and now face the real possibility of dropping through the relegation trapdoor.
DIVISION TWO – ATHLETIC READY TO CROSS THE LINE
North Shields Athletic are on the verge of being crowned as Second Division champions and need only three points from two remaining games at home to Newcastle Chemfica and away to Wallsend Town to make absolutely sure. They secured a crucial 3-1 victory over visitors Stobswood Welfare to keep the momentum going with goals shared by Matt Donkin, Liam Vaughan and Craig Boyle. Stephen Gibbard replied for the Welfare who are facing a gruelling fixture backlog.
Assuming that North Shields gain promotion in their fourth Northern Alliance season the remaining lift-off spot is being fought over by second-placed Amble and Stobswood.with Wallsend Town as outsiders in the race.
Amble kept their options open but spilled two valuable points when they could only draw 3-3 with mid-table visitors Swalwell. Matthew Scott, Craig Wood and David Waugh were on the mark for Swalwell. Adam Shanks celebrated his birthday with two of Amble’s goals and Michael Straker snatched their equaliser with his last minute header.
Wallsend Town probably need to win all four of their remaining games to keep their already vague promotion hopes alive. The outstanding matches are at home to champions-elect North Shields and away to Newcastle BT, Tynemouth United and Whitley Bay Town. After two damaging defeats on the trot Wallsend got their act together again and goals for Dave Houghton (2), Ben Miley and Paul McCutcheon allowed them to beat visitors Cramlington Blue Star 4-1.
Before reshaping their squad, Tynemouth United were struggling in this campaign but now look like finishing in a respectable mid-table slot with a much brighter future. They won their sixth home game in succession, beating Hexham 5-3 in a real thriller. United’s goals were supplied by Kris Whillis, Mike Armstrong, Steve Matthews, Chris Hutchinson and Lee Brady. Hexham’s replies came from Steve and Scott Coates and Curtis Harvey.
But for their disappointing early away record Forest Hall could have been involved in the promotion battle. They’ve been unbeaten in their last six games on the road however and were good enough to beat hosts Newcastle BT 4-0 with goals supplied by Michael Reay (2), Jamie Matthews and Robert Ruddick.
Willington Quay Saints haven’t managed to claim a single away win with their only hope of correcting the situation now resting on their final game against Wideopen & District. The Saints suffered yet another defeat, losing 4-1 against hosts Newcastle Chemfica whose marksmen were Paul Brown (2), Jonathan Ireland and Colin Cooney.
Wallsend Boys Club have won three and drawn one of their last four games and were 3-2 victors away to Cullercoats Custom Planet. The Planet had Andrew McCartney and Liam Graham finding the net to lead 2-0 at the interval but the Boys Club came back strongly to secure the points with replies from Andy McBride, Rob Nolan and Gareth Ayers.
Ponteland United’s manager Jarrod Suddick is hoping that a horrendous injury list clears up to some extent before he leads his side out at Killingworth on 17th May to take on Shankhouse in this season’s Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final.
Pont also have six league games to plough through which doesn’t exactly improve the situation and Suddick had to give himself a first start of the campaign to face Killingworth Sporting at the Leisure Centre Ground.
The Ponteland boss made the brightest of starts and gave his side the lead only five minutes after the kick off. Utility player Lewis Shiels sent in a great cross that cleared Killy’s back line and, after controlling the ball with his thigh, he calmly picked his spot wide of the visiting keeper.
Neither side excelled aftert the interval but with twenty minutes to go the black-and-whites scored a second goal to wrap up the points. It was a first of the season for Kevin McGorie who had been sidelined by injury for a year-and-a-half.
This was a much improved display of late by Pont whose man-of-the-match was Ross Phillips but there was also a downside. Keeper Michael Havelock sustained fractures to two of his fingers in the first half and will miss the rest of the season including the Challenge Cup Final.
While Premier Division leaders Wark were standing idle, Walker Central drew level on points with their rivals although Wark now have three games in hand. Walker’s 1-0 victory at home to third-placed Heaton Stannington was a massive result for Mike Jeffels’ side who are hoping for a top two finish and promotion. Their vital 80th minute winner was scored by Paul Chapman.
Both Heaton and Harraby Catholic Club are still threatening Walker Central’s hopes due to their games in hand and Harraby made it five home wins on the trot by beating Blyth Town 2-1. Blyth’s Martin Robinson cancelled out Daniel Wordsworth’s opener for the Cumbrians to make it all square at the break. After 76 minutes Andrew Douglas struck to seal the points for sixth-placed Harraby who still have eleven games outstanding.
Although they’re out of the running, Murton are finishing their season with a bang and have climbed up to fifth spot. With only two games left they made it four wins on the trot, defeating hosts Seaton Delaval 3-1. Two first half goals for Stephen Turner put Murton in charge and he went on to complete his hat-trick after Luke Newton got Delaval off the mark.
Like Murton, Ashington Colliers are finishing strongly and have lost only one of their nine most recent league games. The Colliers kept their run going with a 2-1 win away to Shankhouse who opened the scoring through David Dormand straight after the interval. Joe Moscrop quickly restored parity and Marc Richardson snatched Ashington’s winner with only a minute to spare.
After drawing their last three games at Sheepmount, Carlisle City picked up maximum points with an impressive 3-1 victory over visitors Alnwick Town. Dan Gawith fired City into a half time lead and later goals were added by Chris Major and Stuart Hill before Tony Brown claimed Alnwick’s 73rd minute consolation goal.
Newcastle University only have the slenderest of chances of avoiding the drop along with Heddon who are now doomed to finish in one of the bottom two places. The University went down to Jordan Watson’s single early goal for hosts Cramlington Town and haven’t won a league game since last November. And it looks as though the Students will be going through the trapdoor after spending ten years in the league’s top flight. Sadly they have been almost perennial strugglers at this level.
Heddon lost 3-2 at home to Stocksfield but should of at least had a share of the spoils. After Anthony McDonald put Stocksfield in front Heddon snatched the lead with replies from Dave Tremble and Ben Haddock. An own goal gifted by Andrew Hall got the visitors back on terms and their winner was put away by Phil Murray in the dying seconds.
DIVISION ONE – RUTHERFORD FEEL THE HEAT
The fascinating battle for the title in the First Division is continuing with Percy Main holding the aces but with several crucial games still to be played. The Villagers nudged Gateshead Rutherford out of pole position and went two points clear thanks to their 2-0 victory away to lowly Newcastle East End who were sunk by goals by Malcolm Morien and John Amos.
A second defeat on the trot has harmed Gateshead Rutherford’s chances and after losing 1-0 against Percy Main in midweek they were beaten 4-2 by Whitley Bay A at Hillheads. Ian Lee with his hat-trick inflicted the major damage for Whitley whose remaining goal was put away by Sean Jobson. Richard Biggs and Craig Horsfall responded in vain for Rutherford, three of whose four remaining games are away from home.
Amble United, Whitley Bay A and Hebburn Reyrolle haven’t ruled themselves out yet and all three are eying up possible promotion if any of the current favourites slip up in the final stages of this long campaign. Amble United however have drawn their last two matches and featured in a goal-less stalemate away to Gosforth Bohemians.
Whitley Bay A and Hebburn Reyrolle are each relying on games in hand to boost their chances of sneaking up on the rails with Hebburn having a massive eleven games to fit in, including two cup final appearances.
The Hebburn lads haven’t lost a league game since last September and they extended an unbeaten run to twelve games with their 3 -1 victory away to Morpeth Sporting Club. Ray Oshin, Channon North and Simon Jacobs were their scorers with Richard Latimer scoring Morpeth’s consolation goal.
Durham FA Minor Cup winners South Shields United are just playing out their season but applied the brakes to improving Peterlee Town and restricted their visitors to a 0-0 draw. And a very weakened Chopwell Officials team did well to beat Wallington 2-1 at Scots Gap. Chopwell only had the bare eleven players to kick off the game including manager Alan Brown who was taken off injured after only ten minutes. The depleted visitors showed a lot of spirit which was rewarded with goals by Lee Best (penalty) and veteran Kevin March. Tom McPherson came up with an 80th minute reply for Wallington but they looked very jaded in this encounter.
Northbank leapfrogged over Newcastle East End in the basement to give themselves a chance of avoiding the drop and the Cumbrians’ 3-2 home win against Cullercoats was hugely welcomed. Tom and Ross Irving along with Paul Fiddler netted for Northbank with both of the Cullercoats replies by Peter Bradley scored from the penalty spot. Thanks to a Chris Baker goal and a brace claimed by Steven Lee on his home debut, Seaton Burn drew 3-3 with Berwick United but stayed stranded on the bottom rung and now face the real possibility of dropping through the relegation trapdoor.
DIVISION TWO – ATHLETIC READY TO CROSS THE LINE
North Shields Athletic are on the verge of being crowned as Second Division champions and need only three points from two remaining games at home to Newcastle Chemfica and away to Wallsend Town to make absolutely sure. They secured a crucial 3-1 victory over visitors Stobswood Welfare to keep the momentum going with goals shared by Matt Donkin, Liam Vaughan and Craig Boyle. Stephen Gibbard replied for the Welfare who are facing a gruelling fixture backlog.
Assuming that North Shields gain promotion in their fourth Northern Alliance season the remaining lift-off spot is being fought over by second-placed Amble and Stobswood.with Wallsend Town as outsiders in the race.
Amble kept their options open but spilled two valuable points when they could only draw 3-3 with mid-table visitors Swalwell. Matthew Scott, Craig Wood and David Waugh were on the mark for Swalwell. Adam Shanks celebrated his birthday with two of Amble’s goals and Michael Straker snatched their equaliser with his last minute header.
Wallsend Town probably need to win all four of their remaining games to keep their already vague promotion hopes alive. The outstanding matches are at home to champions-elect North Shields and away to Newcastle BT, Tynemouth United and Whitley Bay Town. After two damaging defeats on the trot Wallsend got their act together again and goals for Dave Houghton (2), Ben Miley and Paul McCutcheon allowed them to beat visitors Cramlington Blue Star 4-1.
Before reshaping their squad, Tynemouth United were struggling in this campaign but now look like finishing in a respectable mid-table slot with a much brighter future. They won their sixth home game in succession, beating Hexham 5-3 in a real thriller. United’s goals were supplied by Kris Whillis, Mike Armstrong, Steve Matthews, Chris Hutchinson and Lee Brady. Hexham’s replies came from Steve and Scott Coates and Curtis Harvey.
But for their disappointing early away record Forest Hall could have been involved in the promotion battle. They’ve been unbeaten in their last six games on the road however and were good enough to beat hosts Newcastle BT 4-0 with goals supplied by Michael Reay (2), Jamie Matthews and Robert Ruddick.
Willington Quay Saints haven’t managed to claim a single away win with their only hope of correcting the situation now resting on their final game against Wideopen & District. The Saints suffered yet another defeat, losing 4-1 against hosts Newcastle Chemfica whose marksmen were Paul Brown (2), Jonathan Ireland and Colin Cooney.
Wallsend Boys Club have won three and drawn one of their last four games and were 3-2 victors away to Cullercoats Custom Planet. The Planet had Andrew McCartney and Liam Graham finding the net to lead 2-0 at the interval but the Boys Club came back strongly to secure the points with replies from Andy McBride, Rob Nolan and Gareth Ayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)