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.