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.