EIGHT GOAL BLAST SINKS NEWTOWNERS

By Bill Gardner
Walker Central’s chances of a second successive title success in the Premier Division improved again as they hammered bottom rung visitors Peterlee Town 8-1. Peterlee, the only team to have beaten Walker in the league this term, were soon in trouble and were 4-0 down at half time.

During a goalmouth scramble, John Campbell opened the Central’s account and midway through the half their lead was doubled by Martyn McGonigal at the end of a flowing move. And things didn’t improve for the visitors who were hit twice more before the break. A 35-yard special by Craig Scott flashed into the Peterlee net and then Campbell claimed his second goal. This time he scored from fifteen yards when his chance was carved out by Michael Cave.

Straight after the change-over Ian Dunn joined the scoring spree and went on to complete a second half hat-trick for Walker who also had Dean Walker on the mark to complete their tally. Peterlee’s only response was a single 54th minute reply by Martyn Lacey. And with only five games to go to complete their season things are continuing to look black for the Newtowners.

Walker, still to be beaten at home, went two points clear of nearest challengers Gillford Park and have a useful game in hand. And Gillford, despite lifting the Challenge Cup in midweek and then extending an unbeaten run in the league to eleven games, came unstuck and only managed a 1-1 draw at home to Alnwick Town. Chris Grainger netted for the Park with Ben Keenan on target for the plucky Northumbrians.

Harraby Catholic Club, the only other team with a realistic interest in the championship race, stayed in third spot but were fortunate to beat visitors Ashington Colliers 1-0. Harraby have spilled nine vital points in their last six games and after a goal-less draw in midweek were lucky to win this one. The Colliers put on a great show until Ian Cummersky slotted in his 85th minute winner for the Cumbrians.

After winning three away games on the trot Seaton Delaval were brought to a halt by hosts Heaton Stannington who have only lost one of their last nine games. Heaton avenged an earlier defeat by winning 5-3 and Gary Yates bagged an early brace to give them a flying start.

Delaval however came back strongly to go in front with replies from Steve Howes, Craig Johnson and Connal Reed. But Joe Wear got Heaton back on terms and they went on to secure the points with two quick-fire goals by Adam Donaghey and Yates who completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute.

Both Ponteland United and Ashington Colliers have dragged themselves clear of the basement and, after beating Murton 1-0 at home in midweek, Ponteland won by the same margin on their visit to Newcastle University. Their winner this time was scored straight after the break by Marc Dummett to leave the Students fighting for their Premier Division future.

Murton are only one point better off than their Durham neighbours Peterlee at the foot of the table, despite winning 4-1 at home to Wark. Wark actually opened the scoring through Martin Hardy but his goal was cancelled out by Karl Garside’s spot kick before half time. And Murton wrapped up the precious points with later strikes by Garside and Paul Wintrip (2),

Cramlington Town remained in danger of the drop after their 2-1 defeat by Heddon at Bullocksteads. After seven home games without a win Heddon stopped the rot, scoring first and last through John Dunn and Liam Heenan. David Atkinson replied in vain for Cramlington.

Blyth Town became only the second team to claim the NFA Senior Benevolent Bowl in successive seasons with a 2-0 victory over league colleagues Percy Main at Whitley Park last Friday night.

A very scrappy encounter only came to life in the 75th minute when Joe Race put Blyth in front. Good work by Danny Beresford culminated in the award of a free kick which Race curled into the top corner of the net from just outside the area. Then with six minutes to go Danny Beresford’s goal ensured that Blyth held onto the silverware. From just inside the box and after dispossessing a Percy Main defender he found the net with a perfect right-footed drive.

DIVISION ONE – SEATON BURN SURPRISE LEADERS
As in the Premier Division, three teams – Stocksfield, Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Cullercoats, have retained hopes in the race for the title and possible promotion, although Percy Main could also figure in the final weeks after coming up on the rails.

Leaders Stocksfield, still with a clear seven-point lead, suffered a midweek shock in losing 2-1 at home to lowly Seaton Burn who had goals by Jonathan Wood and Stuart Taylor outweighing Ben Pearson’s strike for their hosts. But the Tyne valley table-toppers bounced back quickly to beat their next visitors, bottom rung outfit Red Row Welfare, 5-2. This time the Stocksfield scorers were Wayne Stewart (2), Sandy Tordoff, Ben Pearson and Josh Brooks with both of the Welfare’s replies coming from Paul Pescod.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ in second spot are only a point better off than third-placed Percy Main with the same number of games played. Percy Main took a rest after Friday night’s 2-0 defeat by Blyth Town in the NFA Senior Bowl Final while the Bay leapfrogged over them by winning 2-0 away to Berwick United. Goals by Jamie Lyndon and Malcolm Morien completed a league double over the Borderers.

In sixth place at present, Cullercoats had a week of mixed fortunes starting with their impressive 7-1 home win against Killingworth Y.P.C. Femi Akinbolu and Steve Hart bagged a brace each for the Seasiders whose remaining marksmen were Craig Deighton, Ben Gardiner and Peter Bradley. Three days later however the Cullercoats lads were beaten 2-1 by hosts Chopwell Officials who had Joe Bell and Rowland Lee on the mark to edge it after Stuart Wright claimed the goal for their visitors.

Cullercoats are still nine points short of a promotion slot but have four potentially-crucial games in hand. This week they were due to face Newcastle East End away, Wallington at home and Red Row Welfare away as they continue to tackle their fixture backlog.

Wallington won 4-2 at Red Row in midweek with goals for Jack Palmer (2), Sam Walton and Peter Southern but only managed a 1-1 draw with visitors Northbank last Saturday. Walton’s goal this time wasn’t enough and Martin Rickerby levelled for the Cumbrians.

In two games in the space of three days Killingworth YPC conceded twelve goals and after being hammered by Cullercoats they went down 5-1 to their next hosts Gateshead Rutherford. Jorge Bollado was their only scorer while Rutherford made it six home wins on the trot with strikes by Dan Robinson (2), Robbie Frame, Wayne Roberts and Ross Taylor.

Gosforth Bohemian Garnett lost 3-1 away to Berwick United before picking up a point from their 1-1 draw with visitors Seaton Burn who are still trying to escape from the drop zone. The Burn’s David Hewitt opened the scoring early in the second half but within ten minutes a rare goal for Danny Sherwood got the Bohs back on terms.

DIVISION TWO – HEAD TO HEAD AT THE TOP
Amble United are level on points with South Shields United at the head of the Second Division table, having played the same number of games. Amble have a vastly superior goals difference but their two victories last week were marginal affairs. After an early Paul White goal allowed them a 1-0 home win against strugglers Tynemouth United there was a 3-2 success at Hexham. Gavin Cox scored both of Hexham’s goals while Amble had to call on two substitutes to rescue them. Darren Riddell (2) and Ronnie Warwick netted after coming off the bench.

Joint leaders South Shields United were idle in midweek before a 4-4 action-packed draw away to Willington Quay Saints ended their winning streak. In a see-saw encounter Glen Gallon claimed a hat-trick for the Saints whose remaining marksman was Gareth Pugh. Aaron Kah (2), Tijan Kah and Kyle Yorston found the net to earn the Shieldsmen a share of the spoils.

Thirteen points are now separating the two table-toppers from their closest rivals but they’ll have to keep- an eye on Stobswood Welfare who are currently in fifth spot. The Welfare have four games in hand as they push for a promotion slot and could soon be overtaking both Forest Hall and Wideopen & District.
Stobswood had Chris Glass, Mark Sinclair and Michael Harmer finding the net in their 3-1 home win against Wideopen in midweek and followed up by beating hosts Newcastle BT 4-1 with goals shared by Dave Farrell, Kerry Shotton, Harmer and Chris Glass. Unbeaten in their last seven outings, the Stobswood lads seem set to finish with a flourish and were due to take on both Amble United and South Shields United this week.

A Mark Knights goal was all Forest Hall had to show for a 4-1 defeat away to Willington Quay Saints who had Mark Henderson (2), Stephen King and Glen Gallon finding the net. But the Hall’s luck changed when they visited Wideopen & District and this time they were on the right end of the same 4-1 score-line. A Michael Reay hat-trick took his Forest Hall tally to twenty-two goals. His colleague Matthew Smith also got his name on the score sheet while Wideopen’s replies came from Liam Jubb and Chris Sword.

Tynemouth United’s future in the Northern Alliance may be in doubt. They’ve become completely isolated on the bottom run with Newcastle BT and Amble FC above them. Tynemouth followed up their narrow defeat by Amble United with a heavier 7-3 punishment by visitors North Shields Athletic whose goals were provided by Matthew Donkin (hat-trick), man-of-the-match Glen Churchman (2), Dan Walton and Chris Connor.

Amble FC were beaten 1-0 at home by Benfield Chemfica whose winner was put away by Ryan Stobbard while Whitley Bay Town shared eight goals with visitors Wallsend Town.