MILLS GUNS DOWN CUMBRIANS

By Bill Gardner
On a weekend when there was a profusion of goals the top of the table clash between Harraby Catholic Club and current Premier Division leaders Walker Central over in Carlisle proved to be the opposite. The game was settled in Walker’s favour by the only goal scored just eight minutes after the kick off.

Both teams had to contend with a strong cross wind and Walker opened the scoring when their first corner was only half cleared. Ian Mills hit a low ground shot from 18 yards through a crowded area to beat the unsighted home keeper Aaron Taylor. Although Harraby’s Brett Swift managed to knock the ball up against the underside of the crossbar from his position on the line and Taylor claimed the loose ball the assistant referee, after appearing to wave play on, then signalled that the ball had crossed the line. And Walker held on grimly to their slender advantage to secure their sixth league win on the trot.

The result left Walker with a six-point lead at the head of the Premier Division table while Harraby, champions a couple of seasons ago, stayed in fifth spot but with several games in hand at their disposal.

Harraby’s neighbours Gillford Park also have useful games in hand and hoisted themselves up into second spot by winning 2-0 away to Murton who remained on the bottom rung. The Park, yet to be beaten on their travels, secured the points with second half goals put away by Darren Addison who scored just after the interval and Steve Skinner who netted with a minute to spare.

Shankhouse are currently in sixth place but have played more games than any other team in the Premier Division and results have been far from ideal. They suffered another setback in going down 4-2 against Newcastle University at Cochrane Park. The Students had taken only two points from their previous five outings but gave themselves hope of getting clear of the basement with strikes by Will Deledicq, Oliver Haywood, Edwin Tizard and Ben Burt.

Carlisle City’s new manager Stephen Bellas has won his first two games in charge and City beat Peterlee Town 6-4 at Sheepmount. The Newtowners seemed on course for a rare success when early goals for Alan Smith, Greg O’Brien and Steve Monaghan put them well clear.

Carlisle finally responded with replies from Ollie Driver (2) and Carl Armstrong restoring parity but in the 44th minute Peterlee were nudged in front again by Anthony Cook. After the break City came back again to kill off their visitors with Driver scoring his second penalty of the game to complete his hat-trick and Jamie Yallop and Jamie Heath also on target.

On a day of high scores Wark claimed maximum points to ease their relegation worries and in a real cliff-hanger they beat visiting Ponteland United 6-5. An own goal by United’s Marc Dummett allowed Wark to edge it after they had John Famelton, Marc Nixon (hat-trick) and Jamie Pell on target. Dean Gate, James Hall, Jarrod Suddick, Andrew Davidson and Richard Kent shared the goals for unlucky Ponteland.

There was also an abundance of goals in a third round tie of the Longhorn Hardware League Cup with hosts Heaton Stannington drawing 6-6 with First Division leaders Stocksfield after extra time. Heaton’s marksmen were Gary Yates (2), Paul Hodgson, Kevin Carr, Joe Wear and Lawrence McKenna. Stocksfield, who had Phil Murray and Ben Pearson each claiming a hat-trick, emerged as 7-6 victors in the resulting penalty shoot out.

Meanwhile Heddon booked themselves a place in this season’s Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup Final by beating Seaton Delaval 3-2 in their semi-final at Bullocksteads. Goals for Joe Kerry and Craig Horsfall gave Heddon an early advantage but their keeper Alex Curran was injured and midfielder John Pearson had to deputise. Delaval took advantage and replied through Craig Johnson and Stephen Anderson straight after the interval. But with 75 minutes on the clock David Edwardson claimed Heddon’s winner and they will be meeting either Gillford Park or Blyth Town in the forthcoming final.

DIVISION ONE – CHOP FOR THE BURN
In the First Division, Gosforth Bohemian Garnett and Killingworth YPC have only played eleven and nine league games respectively and postponement of their game at Benson Park wasn’t exactly welcomed. And in an already restricted programme only three games went ahead.

Seaton Burn should have been hosting Chopwell Officials but the game had to be reversed and the move wasn’t a fortunate one for the Burn who are still facing a relegation battle. Chopwell comfortably beat them 3-0 to hoist themselves into third place although they’ve played more games than all the teams at the top of the table. Hat-trick hero Stuart Rook claimed all their goals.

The other two games down for decision were both draws and Newcastle East End shared the spoils from a 4-4 draw with visitors Gateshead Rutherford. The Eastenders’ scorers were Anthony Studholme (2), Craig Crosby and Shaun Douglas with strikes by Joe Hindmarch, Robbie Frame, Stephen Tumelty and Ross Taylor maintaining parity for Rutherford.

After losing five games on the trot Hebburn Reyrolle were happy with their 1-1 draw at home to an improving Northbank outfit. Andrew Sanko fired the Cumbrians in front on the half hour mark and Mark Haire equalised for Reyrolle six minutes into the second half.

DIVISION TWO – SHIELDSMEN STAY IN POLE POSITION
While second-placed Amble United were on cup duty, South Shields United seized the opportunity to strengthen their position as leaders in the Second Division. They won 1-0 away to Hexham who suffered again from poor finishing in front of goal. South Shields, beaten only once on their travels this season, had substitute Tijan Kah scoring their vital winner seven minutes from the end.

North Shields Athletic have been coming up on the rails and slipped into third spot after beating visitors Stobswood Welfare 2-0. The result ended the Welfare’s seven-match unbeaten run and gave the Athletic their sixth home win on the trot. It was achieved with early and late goals tucked away by Glen Churchman and Martin Cole.

Having played more league games than many of their Second Division colleagues, Wallsend Boys’ Club are occupying fourth spot and improved on their earlier goal-less draw with bottom rung hosts Tynemouth United. With no win yet and no home points to their credit, Tynemouth fought hard and had Chris Grieves (2) and Ben Griffiths on target but still went down 5-3. Being watched by several scouts at present, Rob Nolan was a four-goal hero for the Boys’ Club. And their other goal was something special as Joe Stewart blasted in his long-range free kick.

Whitley Bay Town are still struggling in the basement after winning only once in the league this term but a point from their 2-2 draw with out-of-sorts visitors Wideopen & District was welcome. Having lost their winning habit, Wideopen scored first and last through Sean Hay and Shan Lowery who netted direct from a 35-yard free kick. In the interim Edmund Garratt opened the Bay’s account with a diving header – his first goal for the club – and Ian Irvin also netted for the home side.

Forest Hall ended Benfield Chemfica’s recent good run of form and booked themselves a place in next month’s Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final. Before this semi-final at Forest Hall, Chemfica had won four of their last five games but were beaten 2-1 by their hosts. Michael Reay claimed both of the Forest’s goals in the 5th and 67th minutes and his second was vital following Joe Bann’s tenth minute leveller for Chemfica from Mark Fenwick’s cross.

Forest Hall’s cup final opponents will be Amble United who also won 2-1 in their semi-final at home to neighbours Amble Town. United completed a league and cup derby double with first half goals for Ross Gair in two minutes and Darren Riddell on the half hour. They took their foot off the pedal and Shaun Jobson’s 75th minute free kick reduced the deficit for the visitors who were flattered by the final score-line.

COUNTY CUP ACTION
Six sides from the Northern Alliance have taken steps nearer to success in County Cup competitions. In the Northumberland Senior Benevolent Bowl last weekend Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ashington Colliers, Blyth Town and Percy Main all cleared their respective quarter-final hurdles at the expense of league colleagues.

Whitley Bay, whose big brothers at Hillheads are doing nicely in the FA Vase, made progress in the Bowl by winning 2-0 away to Alnwick Town whop went down to goals in each half scored by Dean Porter and Mark Fenwick. And Ashington Colliers had David Brown, Stephen Darling and Glen Bolton on target in their 3-2 home win against Wallington at the last eight stage.

Blyth Town made the cut by comprehensively beating cup hosts Berwick United 6-1 with goals shared by Lee Sparrow, Mark Waugh, Chris Taylor, Danny Beresford, Jonathan Mann and keeper Scott Earle (penalty). Meanwhile Percy Main ended the cup hopes of quarter-final hosts Cramlington Town by beating their Premier Division opponents 2-1. David Dormand scored from the spot to give Cramlington an interval lead but Sean Potts got the Main back on terms and Jason Ritchie bagged their winner.

The semi-final draw in the NFA Senior Bowl now reads Ashington Colliers v Percy Main and Blyth Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’ and there were more successes in the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup. Cullercoats won 4-1 at home to Killingworth YPC Town thanks to strikes by Ben Gardner, Femi Akinbolu, Craig Deighton and Andy McColl and in an all-Northern Alliance clash Newcastle BT were beaten 5-4 at home by Wallsend Town. And the Minor Cup semi-final pairings after last weekend’s results are Cullercoats v Blakelaw Crofters Lodge and Lowick United v Wallsend Town.

PONT NO MATCH FOR CUMBRIANS

By Bill Gardner
This stop-start campaign continued to be blighted by the weather and only three Northern Alliance games got the go-ahead, two of them over in Cumbria and the other also out west at Hexham.

The front runners for the Premier Division title are currently Walker Central, Gillford Park, Harraby Catholic Club and Seaton Delaval in an East versus West contest but of these sides only Harraby saw any action last weekend.

After two weeks inactivity Ponteland United made the trip to face high flying Harraby who haven’t been beaten at home this season. And after clinching a 4-0 victory the Cumbrians’ record stayed comfortably intact.

United manager Jarrod Suddick decided to go for experience and left youngster Scott Fenwick on the bench while bringing in Andrew Rendall as a central defender.

But Pont were under pressure from the very start with Harraby chasing every ball and closing their visitors down. After only four minutes a poor clearance by Craig Daglish was seized on by Harraby’s Stuart Moffat. He beat Marc Dummett on the bye line and crossed for Marc Shiel to head home from close range.

Joe Dawson had a chance for Pont at the other end but elected to cross rather than advance on goal. And with the home team still looking the stronger they doubled their lead when a through ball found the lively Lee Otway. He turned Rendall before shooting clinically past keeper Michael Havelock. The pace and movement of Harraby players - particularly James Earl, Otway and Nick Routledge up front -  was causing continual problems for Pont. Otway was on fire and Havelock had to tip his low shot round the post to prevent his second goal. A clearance by Dean Gate then hit his Ponteland colleague Rendall and fell kindly to Mike Swift who fired high over the bar.

Harraby were well on top and playing some good football coupled with their spirit and determination. United’s Ford was quite fortunate to stay on the pitch when he brought down Otway. And the Catholic Club increased their lead again before the interval as a long ball found Nick Routledge on the left flank. He waltzed round Andy Rendall before picking his spot and giving United keeper Havelock no chance. For some reason the Cumbrians’ most threatening front runner Lee Otway didn't appear for the second half after leaving the pitch in apparent disgust. But this didn't stop the home team who increased their lead on 55 minutes. Routledge cut in from the left to see his shot saved by Havelock but Shiel was on hand to outpace Glen Ford and he tapped in the rebound.

Harraby were then able to take their foot off the pedal which allowed Pont to get more into the game. A strong appeal for a penalty by Pont for handball was turned down by the referee. Andrew Davidson then played in Joe Dawson and he looked likely to score but went wide to the bye line before squaring the ball to Liam McIvor whose shot was well blocked. Sean Willis also had a couple of attempts blocked by the Harraby defence but it wasn’t Ponteland’s day.

Frustration began to get the better of one or two visiting players with both Liam McIvor and John Redhead somewhat fortunate to remain on the pitch. In the last twenty minutes new signing Phillips (making his debut), Scott Fenwick and James Hall were brought on for Rendall, Redhead and Dawson respectively but quite frankly any one of the Pont players could have been substituted after this inept performance.  

In the only other top flight game, also over in Cumbria, new Carlisle City team boss Stephen Bellas, the club’s ex-goalkeeper, was making his managerial debut as City entertained lowly Murton. City had drawn four of their last five games but Bellas’s new look squad got off to a promising start by beating their Durham visitors 4-1.

With several ex-players back on board City took the game to a Murton side with only two away wins to their credit and were three goals up at the interval. Ollie Driver opened their account before Scott Priest bagged himself a quick-fire brace in the 30th and 34th minutes.

Murton rallied a little after the change-over and midway through the half Martin Peace gave them some hope, getting them off the mark with his successful spot kick. But City weren’t in the mood to make any further concessions and Steve Bell claimed their fourth goal with ten minutes to go.

The weekend’s remaining game to survive was in the Second Division and on a surprisingly good surface at Wentworth Park hosts Hexham were beaten 2-1 by Benfield Chemfica. In an untidy match involving two players from either side being cautioned, Martin Dixon fired Chemfica into a 30th minute lead when a corner kick wasn’t cleared.

In the 70th minute a Benfield defender pressured by Ben Griffiths handled in the goalmouth and Iain Strachan equalised for Hexham from the penalty spot. There were few further chances at either end but after 80 minutes an awkward bounce deceived the home keeper and Liam Naulls pounced to steer in Chemfica’s winner.
The continuing freeze wiped out the rest of the Northern Alliance fixture programme as well as outstanding ties in the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl and the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup. The eleven Alliance teams affected will be trying to settle their differences again this weekend if the weather improves sufficiently.

KILLY FAIL MISERABLY IN CUP BID KILLY FAIL MISERABLY IN CUP BID By Bill Gardner On what was probably the worst weekend of an already seriously disrupted local football season only one Northern Alliance side – Killingworth YPC Sporting – saw any action but even they were left disappointed after exiting from the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland FA Minor Cup. Killy’s quarter-final tie away to Blakelaw Crofters Lodge was played out on an artificial surface and the home side, always looking the stronger, emerged as 3-1 victors. Liam Anderson fired Blakelaw in front on the quarter hour but his opener was cancelled out midway through the half by Killingworth’s Daniel Snee. Then just before the interval Blakelaw were reduced to nine men when Steve Matthew and Lee Garwood were both shown the red card. Despite their numerical advantage Killy didn’t look likely to make it count and straight after the break Chris Garwood’s successful spot kick restored Blakelaw’s lead. And in the 80th minute Adrian Sutcliffe was also on target to assure the Crofters of a place in the semi-finals. Three Northern Alliance sides will be aiming for the same target in ties rearranged for next Saturday. Newcastle BT will be entertaining league colleagues Wallsend Town while Cullercoats are at home to Killingworth YPC Town. Quarter-final games in the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl were also all frozen out and have been scheduled again for this weekend. The pairings in this competition are: Alnwick Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ashington Colliers v Wallington, Berwick United v Blyth Town and Cramlington Town v Percy Main. ALL CHANGE AT CARLISLE Another totally blank Saturday as far as league games were concerned simply confirmed that a daunting fixture backlog is now looming. Six months into the campaign there are 29 clubs in the Alliance’s three divisions that haven’t completed half of their games yet and four of them haven’t even reached double figures. While the big freeze continued there was some unrelated turmoil across in Cumbria affecting Premier Division outfit Carlisle City. After a special meeting convened in midweek, club secretary Jack Williamson announced some sweeping changes. Joint managers Paul Pearson and Barry Robinson have been relieved of their duties and ex-goalkeeper Stephen Bellas has been chosen to take over the reins as City’s new team boss. On the playing front Dougie Lindsay, Paul Pearson, Jamie Hubner, Steven Rooke, Stewart Jamieson, Nigel Nichol, Lee McDermott and Jason Henderson have all been de-registered. And Carlisle now intend to bring several of their ex-players back into the fold at Sheepmount. CUP UPDATE Despite there being a backlog of league fixtures to wade through, progress has been steady in Northern Alliance cup competitions. The Longhorn Hardware League Cup is nearing the quarter-final stage with Wark, Harraby Catholic Club, Shankhouse, Seaton Delaval, Hexham and Cullercoats already having booked places in the last eight. With two remaining slots up for grabs, this weekend’s outstanding ties are Heaton Stannington v Stocksfield and Stobswood Welfare v Heddon. In the forthcoming semi-finals of the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup in the Premier Division, Gillford Park will be entertaining Blyth Town and Heddon will have home advantage against Seaton Delaval. The Combination Cup, Amateur Cup and Northern Alliance Charity Cup, all sponsored by Pin Point Recruitment, are also well advanced. In the First Division’s Combination Cup the semi-final draw is: Cullercoats v Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Red Row Welfare v Wallington. In the Amateur Cup where Second Division clubs are involved the pairings in this season’s semi-finals will be: Amble United v Amble (a real local derby) and Forest Hall v Benfield Chemfica. Since its recent introduction, the Charity Cup has been hugely successful in raising money for local worthy causes. It’s also proved to be a keenly-contested competition with four teams now bidding for a place in this season’s final. The semi-final matches are Red Row Welfare v Alnwick Town and Newcastle East End v Blyth Town

By Bill Gardner
On what was probably the worst weekend of an already seriously disrupted local football season only one Northern Alliance side – Killingworth YPC Sporting – saw any action but even they were left disappointed after exiting from the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland FA Minor Cup.

Killy’s quarter-final tie away to Blakelaw Crofters Lodge was played out on an artificial surface and the home side, always looking the stronger, emerged as 3-1 victors.
Liam Anderson fired Blakelaw in front on the quarter hour but his opener was cancelled out midway through the half by Killingworth’s Daniel Snee. Then just before the interval Blakelaw were reduced to nine men when Steve Matthew and Lee Garwood were both shown the red card.

Despite their numerical advantage Killy didn’t look likely to make it count and straight after the break Chris Garwood’s successful spot kick restored Blakelaw’s lead. And in the 80th minute Adrian Sutcliffe was also on target to assure the Crofters of a place in the semi-finals.

Three Northern Alliance sides will be aiming for the same target in ties rearranged for next Saturday. Newcastle BT will be entertaining league colleagues Wallsend Town while Cullercoats are at home to Killingworth YPC Town.

Quarter-final games in the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl were also all frozen out and have been scheduled again for this weekend. The pairings in this competition are: Alnwick Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ashington Colliers v Wallington, Berwick United v Blyth Town and Cramlington Town v Percy Main.

ALL CHANGE AT CARLISLE
Another totally blank Saturday as far as league games were concerned simply confirmed that a daunting fixture backlog is now looming. Six months into the campaign there are 29 clubs in the Alliance’s three divisions that haven’t completed half of their games yet and four of them haven’t even reached double figures.
While the big freeze continued there was some unrelated turmoil across in Cumbria affecting Premier Division outfit Carlisle City. After a special meeting convened in midweek, club secretary Jack Williamson announced some sweeping changes.

Joint managers Paul Pearson and Barry Robinson have been relieved of their duties and ex-goalkeeper Stephen Bellas has been chosen to take over the reins as City’s new team boss. On the playing front Dougie Lindsay, Paul Pearson, Jamie Hubner, Steven Rooke, Stewart Jamieson, Nigel Nichol, Lee McDermott and Jason Henderson have all been de-registered. And Carlisle now intend to bring several of their ex-players back into the fold at Sheepmount.

CUP UPDATE
Despite there being a backlog of league fixtures to wade through, progress has been steady in Northern Alliance cup competitions. The Longhorn Hardware League Cup is nearing the quarter-final stage with Wark, Harraby Catholic Club, Shankhouse, Seaton Delaval, Hexham and Cullercoats already having booked places in the last eight. With two remaining slots up for grabs, this weekend’s outstanding ties are Heaton Stannington v Stocksfield and Stobswood Welfare v Heddon.

In the forthcoming semi-finals of the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup in the Premier Division, Gillford Park will be entertaining Blyth Town and Heddon will have home advantage against Seaton Delaval.

The Combination Cup, Amateur Cup and Northern Alliance Charity Cup, all sponsored by Pin Point Recruitment, are also well advanced. In the First Division’s Combination Cup the semi-final draw is: Cullercoats v Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Red Row Welfare v Wallington.
In the Amateur Cup where Second Division clubs are involved the pairings in this season’s semi-finals will be: Amble United v Amble (a real local derby) and Forest Hall v Benfield Chemfica.

Since its recent introduction, the Charity Cup has been hugely successful in raising money for local worthy causes. It’s also proved to be a keenly-contested competition with four teams now bidding for a place in this season’s final. The semi-final matches are Red Row Welfare v Alnwick Town and Newcastle East End v Blyth Town.

DEIGHTON HAT-TRICK STUNS WALKER

By Bill Gardner

There was a major upset in one of the four Longhorn Hardware League Cup ties that went ahead and holders Walker Central bowed out, beaten 3-1 at home by First Division opponents Cullercoats. Craig Deighton claimed a hat-trick for the winners, scoring twice in the first half and once just after the break.

The Central’s normally competent rearguard never really got to grips with the lively Deighton who has now scored twenty-three goals for the Seasiders in all competitions this season. And Walker’s single response was a 72nd minute penalty scored by John Campbell.

Last season’s losing finalists Wallington were also shown the exit and in their delayed second round clash were beaten 3-0 at home by their First Division colleagues Stocksfield. Phil Murray (2) and Wayne Stewart were on target to put the visitors through and in the third round a week on Saturday Stocksfield will be paying a visit to Heaton Stannington.

Wark progressed into the League Cup’s fourth round with a 4-1 victory away to Amble United from the Second Division. First half strikes by Marc Nixon and Phil Thompson put Wark in charge and they added further goals through Nixon and Mark Campbell before Steve Gibbard grabbed a consolation goal for Amble.

In another third round tie Harraby Catholic Club made home advantage and superior status count to comfortably beat Second Division opponents Wallsend Town 3-1.

Rob Bainbridge, Lee Otway and Dan Anderton scored all the Cumbrians’ goals in the opening half hour. Stephen Dodd replied in the 80th minute for the Tynesiders.

While Walker Central were having a bad cup experience, Seaton Delaval - now back in second spot - trimmed the Central’s lead at the top of the Premier Division table to four points. Delaval beat visitors Peterlee Town 3-0 but had to wait until after the break for their goals put away by Terry Goicochea (2) and Connal Reed.

Gillford Park’s run of poor form continued and they slipped down to fourth spot after losing 3-2 to mid-table visitors Blyth Town. All of the game’s five goals were scored in the opening half and after Mike Riding gave the Park an early opener Blyth hit back quickly.

Danny Beresford equalised for the Northumbrians after only twelve minutes and when Joe Race whipped in his flag kick Jonathan Mann’s overhead kick was steered home by Beresford with a superb header. Mann got in on the act by putting Blyth in front and after running onto Race’s lob over the Gillford defence he cleverly chipped the ball over the advancing home keeper.

In the 36th minute Gillford got back on level terms when Blyth conceded a penalty and Stephen Skinner beat Scott Earl with his spot kick. But the Town weren’t to be denied and Jonathan Mann’s second goal of the game in the 40th minute turned out to be their winner. Once again Race was involved as he burst through the defence and cut the ball back to Mann who finished well from close range.

Alnwick Town stayed among the Premier Division pace-setters with their fourth home win on the trot and beat Heaton Stannington 3-0 to complete a league double. Alnwick’s marksmen were Scott McMullen (2) and Richard Brown with Heaton’s single reply coming from Gary Yates.

Newcastle University’s 2-2 draw away to Carlisle City couldn’t prevent them replacing Cramlington Town on the table’s bottom rung. Chris Kelleher and Ollie Driver netted in each half for City who have drawn four of their last five league games. Will Deledicq hit back twice for the Students in the 85th and 90th minutes. Meanwhile, Cramlington Town moved up to fourth from bottom thanks to their 4-1 victory away to Ashington Colliers. David Dormand (2), Kieran Parsons and Thomas North scored for the Town while Dylan Williamson was a lone marksman for Ashington.

DIVISION ONE – RED ROW CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
Only three of six scheduled league games in the First Division were able to go ahead and Percy Main, yet to be beaten at Purvis Park, climbed up into third spot after hammering bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare 6-0.

Red Row, with only a single win to their credit in what has turned out to be a traumatic season, came under relentless pressure and conceded two goals inside the first six minutes. Pierre - Luc Coiffait opened the Villagers’ account by turning in a low cross from Lindsay Collinson. And the home side’s lead was quickly doubled when a trade mark long throw from Coiffait was helped on by Graeme Cole allowing Jason Ritchie to steer the ball home.

Percy Main’s incessant pressure was rewarded by another three goals before the break as the Welfare continued to struggle. Midway through the half Sean Potts slotted in the Main’s third goal after a scramble and Graeme Cole made it four with his header from Coiffait's right wing flag kick.

The nap hand was completed on the stroke of half time and when Steven Shadforth's long ball from defence fell to Joe Betts he rounded the Red Row goalkeeper to roll the ball into an unguarded net. Percy Main took their foot off the gas in the second half but still took their tally to six in the 73rd minute. Chris Locke's shot from distance cannoned off the crossbar and Jason Ritchie followed up to score his second goal of the game.

Chopwell Officials ended a run of three defeats away from home with a 2-0 victory against hosts Hebburn Reyrolle which took them up to fourth place. This was a fifth league defeat on the trot for the home side and they were killed off by a goal in each half scored by Chopwell’s Dave and Mark Fitzpatrick.

Berwick United are third from bottom but there have been recent signs of improvement. After two home wins the Borderers shared the spoils from a 2-2 draw with mid-table visitors Northbank who have also been in better form lately. Simon Hargreaves and Andy Godsell supplied Berwick’s goals with Sergio Royo and Matt Reed replying for the Cumbrians.

DIVISION TWO – SHIELDSMEN PUT THE PRESSURE ON
Amble United are sharing pole position with South Shields United in the Second Division and while their top-of-the-table rivals were on cup duty South Shields kept the pressure on with their fifth home win on the trot, 2-1 against poor travellers Willington Quay Saints.

United should have been two up early on but Phil Enlund spurned easy chances but they took the lead in the 40th minute. A wind-assisted long throw from Michael Jeffries was poked in at the near post by Tijan Kah and the home side’s lead was doubled only two minutes later as Ryan Shave finished neatly from a right wing cross.

Willington Quay came back strongly after the interval and South Shields had to call on some class defending in which new recruit Jonny Gage, Assan Jallow and Gary Errington were outstanding. Keeper Shaun Newbrook also made a series of fine saves but he was beaten on the hour. He was only able to palm out a fierce drive and Glen Gallon reacted quickly to get the Saints off the mark but an equaliser eluded them.

Despite losing only once in their last eight league outings, Forest Hall have dropped a few precious points, leaving them in third spot with promotion hopes beginning to faded. The Forest were left disappointed again after their 1-1 draw at home to Wideopen & District who had just lost three away games on the trot. Gary Lamb opened the scoring for Wideopen after punishing a defensive error but Thomas Faid got Forest Hall’s equaliser.

Now occupying fourth spot North Shields Athletic have been enjoying a successful run and made it five home wins in succession by convincingly beating Wallsend Boys’ Club 4-1. The Athletic’s goals were shared by Glen Churchman, Matthew Donkin, Dan Walton and Simon Moslemi with Robert Nolan replying for the losers.

Benfield Chemfica secured only their second win away from home and clinched a 2-0 verdict against bottom rung opponents Tynemouth United. A goal in each half for Andy Price and Micky Crozier did the damage for Chemfica as they completed a league double. And Tynemouth are yet to win a game in the Northern Alliance and are still seeking their first point on home territory.

Hexham have won four of their last five matches in the Second Division and have pulled themselves clear of the basement. They were certainly too good for struggling visitors Amble FC who were soundly beaten 5-0. Darren Dobson and Ben Griffiths bagged a brace each for the winners and Hexham’s nap hand was completed by a Tony Lancaster goal.