WALKER ARE HAPPY AT HOME

By Bill Gardner
Leaders Gillford Park and defending champions Walker Central in second spot are pulling away from their challengers in the Premier Division title race. Both won again and Gillford Park retained their one-point lead in pole position by beating visitors Heddon 2-1. Heddon, seeking only their second away win, had Daniel Dunn on target but a brace for the Park’s Steve Skinner proved conclusive.

Walker Central haven’t lost a league game at their Monkchester fortress this season and a 2-1 success against third-placed Alnwick Town left the record intact. The Central’s leading scorer Dave Thompson fired them in front from close range after John Campbell, sent clear by Martyn McGonigal, put in a perfect cross. The Central’s lead was short-lived however and there was a prompt reply from Alnwick’s Neil Catlow. Thompson’s second goal for Walker shortly after the interval proved decisive however and it was something special. From fully 35 yards and with his back to goal he shook off a defender before unleashing an unstoppable shot that left the Alnwick Town keeper rooted to the spot.

Walker still have two useful games in hand as they seek to retain the title in a race that could eventually involve only three teams. Harraby Catholic Club are set to come up on the rails but took a break yesterday, only to be beaten 1-0 at home by Penrith in their Cumberland Senior Cup semi-final. Mike Brown scored the tie’s decisive goal after 26 minutes.

Seaton Delaval in fifth place and Carlisle City in sixth spot clashed at Wheatridge Park and Delaval’s 3-1 defeat ended a four-match unbeaten run. Scott Priest gave Carlisle an early opener which was cancelled out by Steve Anderson for their hosts. But Delaval then had Stephen Robinson and Terry Goicochea sent off and City took full advantage with Carl Armstrong and Guiseppe Amato adding to their tally in the second half.

Only three points are now separating eight teams in the bottom half of the Premier Division table after Cramlington Town and Peterlee Town both won to ease the threat of relegation. And Cramlington lifted off the bottom rung by winning 2-0 at home to fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers who are now propping up the rest.
Like Peterlee, Cramlington Town eased their predicament in the basement and a 2-0 home win against fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers lifted them off the bottom rung. The Colliers were sunk by second half goals put away by Gary Day and Mark Holt with Day marking his debut with a 43rd minute goal following good work by Thomas North. Holt doubled the Town’s lead with his close range effort in the second half.

Cramlington’s management have strengthened their squad to try to ensure their Premier Division future and it looks likely to pay off. Richard Sweeney and Joe Eagan have been signed from Cramlington Cobras while last weekend’s scorer Gary Day along with Ben Davison and Mark Evans have come in from Blyth Town Under-19’s.

Having been without a league win since last October, Peterlee Town were delighted when Jonathan Monaghan’s goal on the hour earned them a 1-0 verdict away to Ponteland United. Unfortunately with full time approaching and a precious three points at stake the match reached flash point. United’s Ricky Fenwick retaliated to an alleged head butt and a skirmish ensued. Fenwick was quite rightly sent off for his retaliation and Peterlee's Gary Lacey also received his marching orders for the initial offence. The match had little time to settle down before the referee blew the final whistle and Ponteland have now endured seven matches without a win and are being drawn into the relegation dogfight.

Shankhouse won by the same narrow 1-0 margin to record only their second victory at Northburn. Newcastle University were on the receiving end and went down to Lee Gustard’s winner put away in the 53rd minute.

Murton scored first and last through Steve Turner at home to Heaton Stannington but still finished up losing 3-2. After Turner’s opener on the half hour mark Heaton hit back three times in a devastating five minute spell immediately preceding the interval. Strikes by Gary Yates, Chris Flynn and Kevin Carr left Murton with a mountain to climb.

DIVISION ONE – PERCY MAIN STILL CLIMBING
While leaders Stocksfield and Whitley Bay ‘A’ were lying idle, Chopwell Officials leapfrogged over the Bay into second spot in the First Division but, having played more games than any other team, they’re undoubtedly in a false position. And Chopwell picked up their latest three points by completing a league double away to Northbank. Their scorers in a 2-0 victory were Andrew Smith and Dave Fitzpatrick.

Having lost only once at Purvis Park this term, Percy Main have joined the leading group and avenged an earlier defeat by beating visitors Gateshead Rutherford 3-1. John McEnaney fired the Villagers into an early lead and in the second half Joe Betts and Pierre Luc Coiffait added to their tally before Dan Robinson’s late reply for Rutherford.

Killingworth YPC slipped up and went down to a single goal scored for hosts Newcastle East End by Paul Bright just after the break. And Cullercoats, with a daunting fixture backlog to wade through, were 1-0 victors away to Hebburn Reyrolle. Hebburn, who had three points deducted from their total last week, had keeper Stephen Taylor in outstanding form but he couldn’t keep out Peter Bradley’s 33rd minute winner for the Seasiders.

Wallington made it five home wins on the trot and did well to beat Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 5-4 in a real thriller despite the windy conditions. Harry Tulip bagged all four goals for the Bohemians but his feat was equalled by Wallington’s Ashley McAlpine. And Jack Palmer also found the net to just edge it for the Scots Gap outfit.

After losing their two previous league games Berwick United shared the spoils from a 2-2 draw with visitors and fellow-strugglers Seaton Burn. Dan Aitken and Simon Hargreaves were the Berwick marksmen with both of the Burn’s replies coming from Chris Baker. These two sides are equal on points immediately above wooden spoonists Red Row Welfare in the First Division basement but Berwick have played one game less than Seaton Burn.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED AIMING FOR THE TOP
It’s looking extremely likely that the race for the Second Division title will become the exclusive preserve of current leaders South Shields United and second-placed Amble United. Amble are only three points behind their rivals at the moment but have two crucial games in hand to help in their bid to reclaim pole position.

Both of the front runners were successful again last Saturday and South Shields secured their sixth win on the trot by beating visitors Whitley Bay Town 4-0. Their scorers were Tijan Kah, Aaron Kah and Phil Enlund with their tally completed by an own goal gift. Meanwhile Amble United faced a tougher task but still won 2-1 away to Wideopen & District to end an eight-match unbeaten run by their third-placed hosts. Experienced pair Ian Common and Steve Gibbard claimed United’s goals and Gary Lamb replied from the spot for Wideopen.

Forest Hall are still aiming for possible promotion although they may be facing an uphill struggle. And the Hall added to their war chest by winning 6-0 at home to Newcastle BT who had been hammered 7-0 in the reverse fixture. Michael Reay banged in four of the Forest Hall goals this time with their final tally made up by an own goal and a good strike by Mark Knights.

The challenge of Wallsend Boys’ Club has been fading in recent weeks and they could only manage a 1-1 draw with visitors Benfield Chemfica. Rob Nolan scored his eighth league goal of the season for the Boys’ Club while Liam Naulls punished a defensive error for Chemfica’s counter.
Stobswood Welfare retained their unbeaten home record but were given a hard time before ending up level at 1-1 with bottom rung opponents Tynemouth United. Still seeking their first win, Tynemouth set out a defensive stall and did well to keep their hosts at bay. They had Chris Grieves opening the scoring after 85 minutes but Stobswood’s blushes were saved by David King’s equaliser in the dying seconds.

Amble FC are immediately above Tynemouth in the Second Division basement and they picked up some precious points by beating visitors Wallsend Town 2-0. Wallsend have only managed one win on their league travels this season and they performed badly once again. Two goals both scored in the second half by Adam Shanks gave Amble a rare but well-deserved victory.