ALNWICK SEE OFF ONE OF THEIR RIVALS

31st October

By Bill Gardner
With other top-of-the-table results going their way, Alnwick Town also helped themselves to go a massive twelve points clear at the head of the Premier Division table. The Town’s 5-3 victory over Percy Main maintained their hundred percent home record and was their tenth league win on the trot.
Dale Kennedy gave Alnwick a very early opener and two quick-fire penalties put away by Ben Keenan just before the interval extended their lead. Percy Main had Jason Ritchie (penalty), Mick Haley and Liam Knox on target but were always chasing the game and Alnwick’s winning tally was completed by Neil Catlow and James Swordy.
Percy Main’s defeat, their first away from home, allowed Heaton Stannington to nudge them out of second spot and also overtake Ponteland United who they beat 3-1 at Grounsell Park. But with keeper Gareth Powell replacing the injured Michael Havelock and new signing Scott McDonald making his debut Pont looked the better side in the opening exchanges. And on the quarter hour they went ahead with Andrew Davidson scoring from the spot after Harry Tulip was fouled.
There was an immediate response from Heaton however and only three minutes later they were back on terms, Kye Waters seizing on a half clearance to beat Powell with his low 25-yard drive into the bottom corner.
Only 25 minutes had elapsed when Heaton went in front for the first time. Adam Donaghey completed a fine run down the right by firing across the Ponteland keeper and just inside the back post. And ten minutes into the second half the home side claimed their vital third goal. Andrew Weeks did the spadework and when he pulled the ball back from the bye-line full back Ian Mills was able to pick his spot.
While both Percy Main and Ponteland dropped down a notch there was renewed hope for the Cumbrian contingent of Harraby Catholic Club and Carlisle City who moved up to occupy fifth and sixth places respectively.
Harraby were fortunate to win 1-0 away to Walker Central but had to survive a strong last minute penalty appeal after Rob Bainbridge had fired them into a 13th minute lead with his first goal of the season. And Carlisle City were happy to draw 1-1 with improving visitors Ashington Colliers. James Hartley was quick to give City an early lead when a cross from Robbie Mather came to him off the head of Colliers defender Gareth Rees. Michael Hogg levelled midway through the first half for Ashington after robbing Steve Bell and beating advancing keeper Bradley. The Colliers had won their three previous games away from home but both sides squandered second half chances in this one and a draw was probably the fairest result.
Blyth Town climbed into the top half of the table after winning 4-1 at home to Murton who are now on the bottom rung and without a single win on their travels. Jeff Fuller’s opener for Blyth was cancelled out by Liam Gill but that was Murton’s last shout. Fuller, Jonny Mann and Gary Day added to Blyth’s tally and they had a chance to make it five but Mark Waugh missed from the penalty spot.
Shankhouse shared the spoils from their 1-1 draw with hosts Gateshead Rutherford after having James Armstrong on target straight from the kick off. Rutherford’s 70th minute leveller was claimed by Linton Smith.
Stocksfield’s recent problems were eased when second half goals earned them a 2-0 home win against Killingworth Sporting. Jamie Sharkey opened the scoring on the hour with his low drive after receiving from Ben Pearson. And within another three minutes the home side’s lead was doubled by Scott Johnson. Once again Pearson initiated the move and, when his flag kick was helped on by Pat Finnerty, Johnson almost broke the net from close range.
Lowly Cramlington Town did well to get a 2-2 draw at Wark. Aiden Armstrong and Dale Telfer scored for the home side but two successful penalties by Andrew Carr earned Cramlington a deserved and welcome point.
In their second round tie away to Hebburn Reyrolle in the Kicks Leisure League Cup, Seaton Delaval were beaten 3-2 by their First Division hosts. Delaval had Andy Johnson and Jordan Fry on target to lead 2-0 but Reyrolle hit back successfully through James McCoy, James Wood and Craig Watson who scored from the spot in stoppage time to settle the issue.

DIVISION ONE – WHITLEY ARE READY FOR HEBBURN CHALLENGE
While their top of the table rivals Hebburn Reyrolle were on League Cup duty, Whitley Bay A increased their lead at the head of the First Division table to four points although Hebburn now have two useful games in hand.
The Bay are still unbeaten and have a hundred percent record in six away games to date and they continued on their merry way with a 2-1 victory over Heddon at Bullocksteads. After a goal-less opening half Ian Lee got Whitley off the mark and their lead was increased by Gavin Hattrick with seven minutes to go. A last minute reply from Heddon’s Kevin Urwin came too late to affect the outcome.
Cullercoats won 3-0 away to Amble United and overtook their hosts to settle into third spot. For the first time in this campaign Amble failed to find the net and the visitors picked up the points with second half strikes by Steve Hart (penalty), Peter Bradley and Alex Burnett. And this was a welcome result for Cullercoats who, despite remaining unbeaten away from home, had drawn three and lost one of their previous four games in the First Division.
Newcastle East End made it three wins out of four by beating out-of-sorts visitors Morpeth Sporting Club 2-0 with goals by Lee Stephenson and Andy Graham. And Wallington’s progress continued when they beat lowly hosts Stobswood Welfare 4-2. The Wallington goals shared by Tom McPherson, Jordan Nellis, Sam Walton and Justin Millican extended their side’s unbeaten run to five games. Replies from Adam Shanks and Chris Graham weren’t enough to save the Welfare from another defeat.
After losing three games on the bounce South Shields United returned to form in spectacular fashion by winning 8-2 at home to Peterlee Town. Aristote Guerin led the way for Shields by banging in four of their goals and the rest were claimed by Richard Pinkney (2), Mark Davies and Phil Enlund.
North Shields Athletic recovered their winning touch following a long lean spell but only managed a 1-0 success at home to a Forest Hall side still seeking its first league point. Promotion has proved a step too far for the Hall and a goal for Athletic’s Dean Wear left them disappointed once again.
Gosforth Bohemians had only picked up two points from three appearances prior to entertaining Berwick United Ultras but they just edged it by 3-2 thanks to goals scored by Craig Allen, Tavis Couling and Andy Parkinson. And Newcastle University’s 4-2 victory away to troubled Chopwell Officials hoisted the Students clear of the basement. Their match-winning marksmen were Tim Rakshi, Ed Savitt, James Swainston and Andrew Hartley and a quick climb up the table is promised.

DIVISION TWO – NO WORRIES AT WALLSEND
The top three teams in the Second Division all won to keep things tight with leaders Wallsend Town, Wallsend Boys Club and Tynemouth United all adding to their points tally. And Wallsend Town, the most prolific scorers in the league’s three divisions, were at it again in a 5-1 victory at home to Cramlington United. Derek Graham completed his hat-trick for the Town whose other scorers were Craig Burke and Ronnie Kay.
So far unbeaten, the Town are setting the hottest of paces and with three games in hand are two points better off than second-placed Wallsend Boys Club. In an entertaining game away to fourth from bottom Amble the Tynesiders emerged as 3-0 victors with goals by Rob Haney (2) and Ben Pollock. Amble belied their lower status in the Second Division but lost some impetus after Shaun Jobson suffered an injury and was taken to hospital.
Tynemouth United in third spot seem to have recovered from a recent dip in form and the improvement was obvious in their important 5-4 home win against Simonside SC. The visitors had just won four league games in succession but despite having Shaun Edwards and Sean Flood bagging a brace apiece they still lost out in this one. Lee Garwood also netted twice for Tynemouth and their other three goals wrapping up the points were claimed by Alex Nisbet, Steve Matthews and Michael Armstrong.
After winning three games on the trot Newcastle Chemfica were brought back down to earth and were narrowly beaten 4-3 at home by Red House Farm who had in direct contrast just lost three games. The Farm just edged it in a thrilling encounter with goals supplied by Rob Nolan ( 2), Zack Brogden and Chris Davison. Unluckiest man on the field had to be Chemfica’s Steve McLaughlin who had nothing to laugh about after hitting a hat-trick.
Cullercoats Custom Planet have remained unbeaten in five games at home so far and hammered lowly visitors Whitley Bay Town 5-0. Martyn Hepple scored four of the winners’ goals but spurned a chance for his fifth with a penalty miss and the Planet’s nap hand was completed by Andrew McCartney.
Newcastle BT had drawn four and lost one of five games prior to entertaining Northbank Carlisle. They would have settled for another stalemate but instead were beaten 1-0 by the Cumbrians whose 75th minute winner was slotted in by John Slaven from Ross Irving’s low cross.
Seaton Burn secured their fourth win, beating Willington Quay Saints 1-0 with a close range header from Sean Barker with only a minute to spare. But Wideopen & District are still without a league win and stayed perched on the bottom rung despite their battling 1-1 draw with mid-table visitors Hexham. Sean Hay was on target for Wideopen with Steve Coates replying for Hexham whose travelling form has been letting them down so far this term.