ALNWICK PRESS THEIR CLAIM

By Bill Gardner
While previous league leaders Gillford Park slipped down a notch, Alnwick Town climbed into fourth spot and ended a month’s enforced break with a 2-0 home win against Shankhouse. The Town showed no signs of being ring-rusty after their ‘holiday’ and secured the points with goals by Richard Brown and Scott McMullen. Shankhouse however have played half of their league games and may drop out of the title race if results don’t improve.

Seaton Delaval ended the year in pole position – the first time in twelve years that they’ve been top of the pile in the Premier Division. And they made it four wins on the trot by beating Ponteland United 3-2 at Wheatridge Park.

Terry Goicochea opened the scoring for Delaval and their lead was doubled by an own goal gift. Liam McIvor then got Ponteland off the mark but right on half time Stephen Howes restored the home side’s two-goal advantage. Midway through the second half Dean Gate trimmed the deficit for United and they forced Delaval to hang on grimly in the closing stages.

The postponement of their home game against Heddon was costly for Gillford Park who were replaced in second spot by defending champions Walker Central. The Central extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 2-0 victory over in-form visitors Newcastle University. Ian Dunn fired Walker into an interval lead but the Students always looked threatening and there was relief all round for the Central when leading scorer Dave Thompson claimed their second goal and his thirteenth of the season in the 80th minute.

Harraby Catholic Club – champions in 2007 – could soon be influencing the current title race. Despite being in sixth place the Cumbrians have five games in hand of the latest leaders and have lost only once so far. Away to Wark they won 2-0 but had to wait until the second half to wrap up the points.
Wark made their visitors fight all the way to clinch the points and both sides went close in the opening stages. Martin Hardy and Lee Telfer both hit the woodwork for Wark while Marc Shiel and Nick Routledge fired just wide for Harraby.

The Cumbrians finally broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when James Earl’s determined run down the right saw him brought down in the corner of the box and Shiel stepped up to score from the penalty spot. Inside another minute Harraby’s lead was doubled and, when the home keeper didn’t hold Earl’s cross, Routledge was able to steer the ball over the line.

Things are remaining tight in the Premier Division basement with only two points separating the bottom six clubs. And Murton lifted off the bottom rung after beating mid-table visitors Peterlee Town 4-1. Murton avenged their earlier 3-2 defeat by the Newtowners with goals supplied by Andy Somerville (2), Karl Garside and Michael Walton. John Pyle replied for Peterlee who have now failed to win any of their last six league games.

Heaton Stannington have gone seven games without a win and had to settle for a 2-2 home draw with Carlisle City with only a single point separating the two sides. Heaton were two up at the break thanks to Gary Yates and Chris Hutchinson but replies from Jamie Heath and Chris Kelleher gave City a deserved share of the spoils.

Meanwhile, Blyth Town’s renaissance continued and a 3-1 victory at home to lowly Ashington Colliers earned them some more breathing space. After 11 minutes Aaron Hicken opened the scoring for Blyth by volleying home from Danny Beresford’s cross. Eight minutes later Beresford himself doubled the Town’s lead after he raced onto a long ball from Scott Earle.

Blyth’s winning tally was completed midway through the second half as, set up by Jeff Fuller, Beresford slotted in his second goal of the game. Anthony Wright replied for the Colliers but they need to use their games in hand productively to get themselves out of trouble.

DIVISION ONE – SHOCK DEFEAT FOR SEASIDERS
In the First Division, second-placed Whitley Bay ‘A’ were lying idle and Cullercoats in third spot slipped up badly on their visit to Scots Gap to face Wallington. The Seasiders were hammered 6-1 and could have no qualms about the outcome. Femi Akinbolu was their lone marksmen while the goals for an impressive Wallington side were put away by Ashley McAlpine (2), Stuart Foreman, Jack Palmer, Darren Carr and Ross Donnelly.

Percy Main were limited to a goal-less draw at Purvis Park by Seaton Burn who had Dave Hewitt sent off rather harshly only ten minutes into the game. Burt there was no shortage of goals at Gateshead where Rutherford dished out a 7-0 lesson to Berwick United. The Borderers haven’t yet picked up a single point on their travels and were well beaten again. Andy Reay completed his hat-trick for Rutherford, Ross Taylor bagged a brace and the winning tally was topped up by Stephen Tumelty and debutant Ian Bell.

Although they’re in fourth spot at the moment, Chopwell Officials are not yet serious promotion candidates but they were certainly too strong for bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare. Still seeking their first point in this campaign, the Welfare were soundly beaten 6-1 and their single goal scored by Joe Moscrop was poor consolation. In a rather one-sided game Chopwell were never tested and their goals were shared by Kevin Morland, Andrew Smith, Lee Best, Mark Fitzpatrick and Stuart Rookes.

Stocksfield are now nine points ahead of nearest rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ at the top of the table. Having won eleven of their twelve games to date the Tyne Valley outfit added three more points to their coffers by beating hosts Killingworth YPC 4-2. Killy had Kevin Grahamslaw and Peter Mulholland on target but still suffered their second defeat of the season. Phil Murray (2), Bruce Vause and Pat Finnerty scored for the league leaders.

Newcastle East End also claimed a 6-1 victory at home to Hebburn Reyrolle whose recent dip in form has been dramatic. Having now claimed only one win in five most recent appearances, Hebburn’s only scorer was James Keeler. Anthony Johnson was responsible for four of the East Enders’ goals with the other two put away by Paul Bright and Dieu-Donne Lomana.

DIVISION TWO – HOT-SHOT GIBBARD RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS
Only four games went ahead in the Second Division and second-placed Amble United secured a crucial 3-0 victory at home to current table-toppers South Shields United. Ross Gair gave Amble an interval lead which was doubled by the same player straight after the break. Returning ex-player-manager Steve Gibbard scored United’s third goal and with two games in hand they now have a great chance to take over in pole position in the New Year.

Amble United’s position was further strengthened by the 6-2 defeat of third-placed rivals Wideopen & District at Hexham, Hexham, who look set for a climb away from the basement, looked very strong in this encounter and their winning marksmen were Iain Strachan (2), Neil Tiffin, Mark Gibson, Scott Robson and Ben Griffiths. Both replies for losers Wideopen came from Richard Curran.

With games in hand to aid their cause, Forest Hall’s promotion hopes can’t be written off and they retained their unbeaten away record by drawing 1-1 with Wallsend Boys’ Club. This was an entertaining game between two clubs level on points and in the top half of the table. Danny Parker found the net for the Boys’ Club with his goal cancelled out by Forest Hall’s Tom Carver.
Wallsend Town’s woes continued and they suffered a sixth successive defeat, going down 5-4 to visitors Willington Quay Saints. Despite having Willie Tindle, Kevin Rookes, Mark Brewis and Steve Cap on target the Town were just edged out of the points. In what was their first away win this term the Saints had a four-goal hero in Gareth Pugh to complete a league double over Wallsend. And their other marksman was Glen Gallon.

Tynemouth United meanwhile became the latest Alliance side to bow out of the Northumberland Minor Cup. They switched their home tie to the ground of opponents Berwick Town and, despite scoring through Stephen Bell (2) and Paul Neilson, were narrowly beaten 4-3.

There will now be only five teams in the fourth round of the Minor Cup with ties due to be played on 10th January. The surviving flag bearers are Cullercoats, Newcastle BT, Forest Hall, Amble and Wallsend Town.

ARE GILLFORD SLIPPING?

By Bill Gardner
Gillford Park were toppled from pole position in the Premier Division after suffering their first league defeat of this campaign. The Park were beaten 3-2 at home by defending champions Walker Central who built up an early two-goal lead through Dave Thompson and John Campbell. Steve Skinner (penalty) and Mark Butler restored parity for Gillford before the break but after 80 minutes Joe Kennedy scored the Central’s winner.

Seaton Delaval replaced Gillford at the top on goal difference after winning 3-1 away to bottom rung side Murton. Murton had been unbeaten in four previous home games and were fired in front by Karl Garside. John Fitzpatrick levelled promptly for Delaval but they had to wait until deep into the second half for their other goals put away by Phil Hildreth and Paul Baird.

Shankhouse held onto third spot just ahead of Walker Central and after a spell of five games without a win they beat hosts Blyth Town 3-1. Trailing at half time to Aaron Hicken’s opener for Blyth, Shankhouse were strong after the break and Andrew Sherlaw equalised on the hour. Later strikes by Kevin Gustard and Gavin Keen, who netted in the dying seconds, wrapped up the points.

Alnwick Town’s home game against Heddon was postponed and the rest of the action was in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup. Carlisle City’s long-delayed first round tie at Wallington finally went ahead but there was no joy for the Cumbrians. Despite having Stephen Bell and Jamie Heath on target at Scots Gap, City were beaten 3-2 by their First Division hosts whose scorers were Stuart Foreman, Sam Walton and Ashley McAlpine. McAlpine found the net for his winner in the 89th minute.

In the second round of the League Cup, six Premier Division sides were trying to make progress and five were successful against opponents from the lower ranks. The only exception was Cramlington Town who lost out 2-1 in extra time away to Hexham. Andrew Scott put the Town in front after a goal-less opening half but with a minute to spare a Tom Phillips goal earned Hexham a reprieve. And in the 98th minute Phillips bagged his second to settle the issue.

Harraby Catholic Club, Newcastle University, Peterlee Town, Heaton Stannington and Wark all booked places in the third round and Harraby hammered neighbours Northbank 7-1 with goals for Nick Routledge (3), Rob Bainbridge (2), Dan Anderton and Lee Otway.

Joe Foote and Dave Kewn netted to give the University a 2-0 home win against Benfield Chemfica and Peterlee Town’s scorers in their 2-1 extra time victory against visitors Wideopen were David Fisher and Alan Smith.

Heaton Stannington beat cup hosts Wallsend Boys’ Club 4-1 thanks to Kevin Carr (2), Lawrence McKenna and Derek Oman and Wark’s marksmen in their 3-0 success at home to Amble were Marc Nixon (2) and Lee Telfer.

In an all-Second Division tie, hosts Forest Hall were beaten 3-2 in extra time by Stobswood Welfare despite having Michael Reay and Terry McCarthy on the mark. Stobswood turned out to have a super-sub in Michael Hogg and after coming off the bench he bagged a brace to add an extra half hour to the proceedings. And his hero status was enhanced when he scored the Welfare’s winner to complete his hat-trick.

DIVISION ONE – LEADERS CHOP DOWN RIVALS
First Division leaders Stocksfield extended their lead at the top to six points and a 6-3 win over fourth-placed visitors Chopwell Officials allowed them to maintain their hundred percent home record. Phil Murray supplied four of the Stocksfield goals with the others scored by Ben Pearson and Scott Johnson. Chopwell’s replies came from David Purdy, Andrew Smith and Lee Best.

In another of only four games down for decision in the First Division, second-placed Whitley Bay ‘A’ slipped up again. After winning four league games on the trot the Bay have drawn their last three and featured in another - a 2-2 stalemate with hosts Gateshead Rutherford.

Two goals for Jamie Linden, including a 29th minute spot kick, had Whitley apparently coasting but they p[aid for later complacency. Ross Taylor rounded the keeper to get Rutherford off the mark and with five minutes to go Dean Stewart levelled with a fine header.

With useful games in hand Cullercoats kept the pressure on at the top of the table and, beaten only once this term, they ran out 4-2 victors at home to Berwick United. Paul Wood and Simon Hargreaves scored for Berwick but they’re still seeking their first points away from home. Cullercoats got these ones in the bag thanks to Craig Deighton’s hat-trick and a goal for Sean Smith.

Percy Main lost their fourth away game on the trot, going down 3-1 against Hebburn Reyrolle and they remained in mid-table. First half goals by Chris Morris and Marc Haire put Hebburn in the driving seat. James Ferguson trimmed the deficit for the Main midway through the second half but Haire scored his second in 86 minutes for the home side to see the points secured.

CHARITY CUP – PONT STROLL THROUGH
Two games were played in the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup and while one went true to form the other didn’t. As expected Ponteland United coasted through by soundly beating cup visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 6-1 at the Leisure Centre Ground.

Having played only two games since 1st November Pont were in no mood for charity in this first round encounter against Division One opponents. The visitors were stunned after only three minutes when James Hall chested down Andrew Davidson’s cross for Liam McIvor to fire low into the bottom corner. And five minutes later McIvor put Joe Dawson through to double the lead.

McIvor then got his second goal when David Redhead, making a return after four months of injury and suspension, played a through ball to young James Hal. Hall squared to McIvor who netted with a simple tap-in.

Gosforth nearly got one back after 20 minutes when Harry Tulip raced away from the defence but his shot was unluckily deflected onto the post. On the half hour Ponteland’s lead was increased again as McIvor completed his hat-trick, banging in the loose ball when Hall’s drive was parried out.

The impressive Hall got on the score sheet after 35 minutes and United were coasting. To bring a spectacular first half to a close at 6-0 to Ponteland, McIvor got his fourth goal of the game after slick passing between Glenn Ford and the overlapping Mark Dummett.

To their credit, Gosforth battled hard in the second half and never let their heads fall and with five minutes to go they got a deserved consolation goal for their grit and tenacity. John McDonald found the Ponteland net after his colleague Danny Sherwood had gone close.

Ashington Colliers meanwhile should have proved too strong for the First Division cup hosts Newcastle East End but it didn’t pan out that way. The East Enders beat their Premier Division opponents 4-2 and had Anthony Johnson and Paul Bright bagging a brace each to see them through. Both of Ashington’s replies came from David Brown.

With another two ties played to a finish the quarter-final draw in the Charity Cup now reads: Blyth Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ponteland United v Killingworth YPC or Alnwick Town and Carlisle City or Berwick United v Newcastle East End. Red Row Welfare are also still in the hunt after receiving a bye.

NORTHUMBERLAND MINOR CUP – TOO MANY EXITS
Third round ties in the Northumberland Minor Cup, continually held up by the bad weather, finally got the go-ahead to ease the threat of fixture congestion. Last Saturday’s only casualty was Tynemouth United’s home tie with Berwick Town which has been rescheduled for this weekend up at Berwick.

Four Northern Alliance sides – Amble United, North Shields Athletic, Whitley Bay Town and Willington Quay Saints – all fell at the third round hurdle.

At home to league colleagues Killingworth YPC, Amble United were level at 1-1 after extra time with Brad Wake on target for the Seasiders and Jorge Bollado finding the net for Killy. But at the end of the resultant penalty shoot-out Killingworth emerged as 4-3 victors.

In another all-Alliance clash Newcastle BT put paid to the hopes of cup visitors North Shields Athletic by winning 2-1. Dave Thompson and Simon Mattock were BT’s marksmen while Alex Burn replied for the losers.

There were ignominious ends for the Minor Cup aspirations of both Whitley Bay Town and Willington Quay Saints. With no regular keeper available the Town were hammered 6-0 at home by last season’s losing finalists Killingworth YPC Town while the Saints, who reached the quarter-finals last time, were also beaten at home and went down 5-0 against Blyth Town Reserves.

Wallsend Town however kept their flag waving with a comfortable 4-1 victory on their visit to Whitley Lodge Baptist Church. Paul McCutcheon and recent signing Kevin Smith scored two goals each for Wallsend to extend their progress in the competition.

At the Northumberland Minor Cup’s fourth round stage the Northern Alliance will have five clubs definitely in contention. They are Killingworth YPC Sporting, Cullercoats, Newcastle BT, Wallsend Town and Forest Hall. And Amble FC and possibly Tynemouth United could eventually be joining them.

WINTER CUP CHAOS CAUSING PROBLEMS

By Bill Gardner
The third round programme in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup – the County’s biggest competition – frequently causes problems as it coincides with the wintry weather. It’s living up to its reputation again this year and the postponements have a knock-on effect as far as fixtures are concerned in leagues like the Northern Alliance.

After two successive blank weekends due to ice, snow and rain, there are eight Alliance hopefuls caught up in the log jam and hoping that the weather relents for this coming Saturday.

Last weekend only three of the Minor Cup games went ahead, including two matches involving Northern Alliance sides. Cullercoats and Forest Hall managed to make progress and Forest Hall were 4-2 victors away to Wallsend Town Reserves to book themselves a last sixteen slot.
Cullercoats meanwhile won 2-1 away to league colleagues Hexham in a very competitive tie. Craig Deighton bagged both the Cullercoats goals in the opening half but they had to battle to retain their advantage. Just recovered from a bad knee injury, Tony Lancaster reduced the deficit for Hexham but they failed in their determined quest for an equaliser.

DIVISION ONE – STOCKSFIELD STENGTHEN POSITION
The league programme suffered badly again with every game in the three divisions wiped out except for the First Division clash between Stocksfield and visitors Hebburn Reyrolle.

Heading the table and only beaten once so far, Stocksfield increased their lead in pole position by winning 5-2 and they’re now four points clear of nearest promotion rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ with the added bonus of a game in hand.

Visitors Hebburn have suffered a recent dip in form and were soon in trouble, trailing to goals by Stocksfield’s Phil Murray and Ben Pearson at the interval. Pearson netted again after the break to take his personal tally to eleven league goals and Pat Finnerty scored the home side’s fourth. Hebburn rallied with replies from James Keeler and David Jeffers but their hosts still had the last word as Scott Johnson completed the scoring.

DISAPPOINTMENTS IN DURHAM
First Division side Gateshead Rutherford and South Shields United from the Second Division both bowed out of their respective Durham County competitions.

Rutherford, winners in the 2006-2007 season, switched their quarter-final home tie against Brandon British Legion in the Durham Trophy to the all-weather pitch at Gateshead International Stadium but were beaten 3-2. After half an hour they were two down to strikes by Lee Blades and David Hird for their visitors although Hird’s goal looked suspiciously offside.

Rutherford were by far the stronger side in the second half and two quick replies restored parity. Both were claimed by Steve Tumelty and after turning in a low cross at the near post he scored his second with a neat back-header. Steve Wood should have put Rutherford in front but was wide of the mark and his miss proved costly when, from a throw in, Andy Nicholson headed home Brandon’s 84th minute winner.

South Shields United were away to Hendon in the Durham Minor Cup and had their hopes dashed in a penalty shoot-out. Goals for Karl Kennedy (2), Kyle Yorston and Phil Enlund had Shields leading 4-2 at one stage but Hendon got back to 4-4 at the end of extra time. And in the spot kick contest the Sunderland outfit just shaded it to win 5-4.

WHITLEY CRUISE INTO SEMIS

By Bill Gardner

For the second week running the Northern Alliance programme was almost completely wiped out by the weather with concerns growing about a possible fixture backlog.

The only game played was at Hillheads where Whitley Bay ‘A’ entertained their First Division promotion rivals and current league leaders Stocksfield in a quarter-final tie of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup.

Whitley, the most prolific scoring machine in the league’s First Division along with Cullercoats, lived up to their free-scoring reputation by beating their Tyne Valley visitors 7-3.

Bruce Hogg and Dean Porter bagged a brace each for the Bay in this ten-goal thriller and their other marksmen were Gavin Hattrick, Darren Reay and Daniel Iredale. Stocksfield’s replies came from Wayne Stewart, Anthony MacDonald and Phil Murray but they can’t have envisaged this type of set-back.

Whitley’s convincing victory earned them a semi-final slot away to Cullercoats in the Combination Cup on Saturday 21st February when the other tie will involve Red Row Welfare entertaining Wallington.

Meanwhile, Wallington’s first round home tie against Premier Division opponents Carlisle City in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup suffered a third postponement and has been rescheduled for next Saturday – weather permitting. The winners are due to be at home to Stocksfield in the second round with games having been reduced to instalments because of the weather.

So far only Wallsend Town, Heddon, Walker Central, South Shields United, Amble United and Seaton Delaval are though to the League Cup’s third round stage. Most of the outstanding games will hopefully be played on the last Saturday before Christmas and are: Cramlington Town v Hexham; Forest Hall v Stobswood Welfare; Harraby Catholic v Northbank;
Newcastle University v Benfield Chemfica; Peterlee Town v Wideopen & District;
Wallington or Carlisle City v Stocksfield; Wallsend Boys’ Club v Heaton Stannington;
Wark v Amble and Whitley Bay Town v Cullercoats.

Apart from the League Cup log jam the Northern Alliance’s other main competitions have progressed smoothly. Along with the Combination Cup the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup and the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup have both reached the semi-final stage with ties due in February. The Challenge Cup draw in the Premier Division is: Gillford Park v Blyth Town and Heddon v Seaton Delaval. And in the Second Division’s Amateur Cup the semi-final pairings are Amble United v Amble, a real local derby, and Forest Hall v Benfield Chemfica.

TOO MANY CLUBS DEPRIVED OF ACTION
County Cup games are giving Northern Alliance fixture secretaries Derek Booth and George Davison a few extra headaches as the winter weather takes it’s toll. Most of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup games stalled last weekend with thirteen Alliance clubs involved. These rearranged games will take precedence this Saturday along with Gateshead Rutherford’s home tie against Brandon British Legion in the Durham Trophy and South Shields United’s visit to Hendon in the Durham Minor Cup.

Things have been progressing slowly this season as far as league fixtures have been concerned if the Winter proves to be severe then there will be worries about completing fixtures.

Four months into the campaign and with the passing of eighteen available Saturdays there are 24 clubs in the Alliance’s three divisions that haven’t reached a double figure total of league games played so far.

In the Premier Division, Harraby Catholic Club and Newcastle University have been the worst affected although Walker Central and Ashington Colliers will also have some catching-up to do. The First Division’s main laggards through no fault of their own are Killingworth YPC who have played only six league games to date while another five of their colleagues have managed only seven games each. With fewer member clubs the Second Division position isn’t as serious, although Tynemouth United, Stobswood Welfare and Amble FC may face a busy schedule when the lighter nights return.