LEADERS MARCHING ON

By Bill Gardner
Four of the eight Premier Division games down for decision resulted in draws but leaders Gillford Park picked up maximum points to go three points clear of second-placed Walker Central. The Park retained their unbeaten away record by winning 2-0 away to Ponteland United.

With eight first team players unavailable through injury and illness Ponteland faced an uphill struggle and a first start was given to youngster Ricky Fenwick while local boy Chris Walpole was also in the starting line-up following his return to the club from Shankhouse.

As expected, Gillford posed the greatest threat in the opening stages with experienced brother Chris and Ian Grainger combining well. And the first goal for the Cumbrians after thirty minutes was a ‘route one’ affair. A long punt up field wasn’t dealt with by United’s central defenders and the when the ball fell kindly to Ian Grainger his squared pass was fired home by Mike Riding.

Gillford remained in charge after the break with the wind at their backs and after a couple of missed opportunities doubled their lead in the 65th minute. In a quick break down the right Riding crossed and Chris Grainger had time to pick his spot. David Redhead and Craig Daglish tried hard to keep Ponteland going but the difference in confidence between the two sides was perfectly clear.

With a couple of games in hand, Walker Central extended an unbeaten run to fourteen games but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with hosts Heddon. John Pearson’s goal for Heddon promised a rare and much-needed win but in the 75th minute Craig Scott set up Dean Walker to equalise for the Central.

Seaton Delaval hitched themselves back up into third spot with a 2-0 home win against Wark whose recent successful run was brought to an abrupt halt. After a scrappy goal-less opening half Steve Howes opened the scoring in 65 minutes and only two minutes later Delaval’s lead was doubled by ex-Whitley Bay ‘A’ striker Andy Hay.
In fourth place, Alnwick Town did well to share the spoils from their 2-2 draw with Carlisle City over at Sheepmount. After winning six of their eight previous games Alnwick fell behind to City’s first half opener scored by Scott Priest and things looked bleak when Priest bagged his second straight after the break. But the Northumbrians rallied and two replies in two minutes by Gary Patterson and regular marksman Ben Keenan saw them salvage a point.

Harraby Catholic Club have at least four games in hand compared to the other sides at the top of the table but their title challenge was dented by their 1-1 draw away to Murton. Harraby fielded a weakened team due to work commitments and a virus affecting their squad but still went close to opening the scoring through James Earl and then Roy Holliday.
Murton also had their moments and Harraby’s keeper Andrew Casson blocked Steve Turner’s angled drive when he was put through by Jarvis. But Harraby took the lead after 25 minutes when Mike Swift’s corner from the left deceived the home defence to creep into the net at the back post. 

The home side equalised after 77 minutes and, when a right wing corner was headed back across goal by Steve Turner, Andrew Upperton scored from ten yards out. And although Brett Swift was inches away from claiming a last minute winner for the Cumbrians a draw was probably the fairest result.

Ashington Colliers are level on points with Cramlington Town at the foot of the table although the Colliers have played two games less than their partners-in-trouble. Both lost to compound their relegation problems and Ashington were beaten 3-0 at home by Heaton Stannington. Heaton made it five wins in six outings with goals supplied by Kevin Carr (2) and Gary Yates.

Cramlington Town meanwhile suffered a fourth successive defeat away from home and lost 2-1 against Shankhouse. First half strikes by Shankhouse’s Paul Armstrong and Craig Johnson put their visitors on the back foot and, although David Atkinson reduced the deficit straight after the change-over, Cramlington continued to be thwarted in their push for a leveller.

Newcastle University moved up a couple of notches in the basement after drawing 1-1 with hosts Blyth Town. Chris Lisle opened the scoring for Blyth after 17 minutes after racing onto Danny Beresford’s lofted pass and curling his shot round the keeper. The Town’s slender lead survived until the final minute of the game when Marc Levine got the Students back on terms.

DIVISION ONE – RED ROW MAKE THEIR POINT
A weakened Wallington side still managed to beat Chopwell Officials 2-1 and clinch their sixth successive First Division win at their base at Scots Gap. Ashley McAlpine scored both of Wallington’s goals with Andy Smith hitting back with his tenth goal of the campaign for fourth-placed Chopwell.

After a midweek defeat at Whitley Bay, Red Row Welfare secured only their fourth league point by drawing 1-1 with hosts Berwick United who are only two places above them at the foot of the table. Mike Robinson’s opener for the Borderers was cancelled out by Ben Lavender’s reply for the Welfare.

The race for promotion in the First Division is involving about five teams. Cullercoats and Killingworth YPC face fixture backlogs to wade through while the other front runners are Stocksfield, Whitley Bay ‘A’ and late developers Percy Main.

Having played fewer games than any other First Division side, Cullercoats made it three wins on the trot by beating hosts Seaton Burn 3-0 but the score didn’t reflect the action in what was a close encounter. David Owen opened the visitors’ account but it took a Femi Akinbolu brace which included a penalty to take the heat off the Seasiders.
If Killingworth YPC manage to turn their spare games into points they can still figure in the promotion battle and they’ve won their last four home games. Latest victims Gateshead Rutherford are poor travellers and were beaten 2-1. Killy’s goals were supplied by Daniel Smee, with his eighth of the season, and Frankie Di Pietro while Neil Patterson replied for the losers.

Stocksfield still have a six-point lead at the head of the table but their hundred percent home record was ended and they were defeated 2-1 by Percy Main who slipped into third place. Only beaten once themselves in their last ten encounters, the Main battled hard for this result which precisely avenged their earlier loss at Purvis Park.

In a game in which six players were booked – one from Stocksfield and five for Percy Main – the Villagers were fired into a 54th minute lead as Joe Betts punished an error by the home keeper. The lead was doubled very promptly when Jonathan McEnaney scored from one of Pierre -Luc Coiffait’s trade mark long throws which was headed on by Kris Carr. Only a minute remained when Stocksfield replied and a terrific cross from Wayne Stewart was turned in by Phil Murray at the back post.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ had a fruitful week, winning on Wednesday night and again on Saturday. In midweek they beat lowly Red Row Welfare 3-1 at Hillheads with goals shared by Craig Smith, Darren Reay and Ian Lee. And they followed up by claiming another 3-1 verdict on their visit to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett three days later. This time Dean Porter (2) and Ian Lee supplied the goals with Darren Campbell replying for the Bohs.

After losing three games on the trot, Northbank shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with visitors Newcastle East End who have won only once on their travels this term. Dave Glendinning and Mark Worrall netted for the Cumbrians and the Eastenders’ replies came from Gary Dixon and Dieu-Donne Lomana.

DIVISION TWO – SEASIDERS STUNG BY THE WELFARE
Leaders South Shields United and second-placed Amble United have cut themselves loose from the chasing pack in the Second Division and are becoming favourites for promotion. While South Shields were lying idle they were heartened by news of Amble United’s 1-0 defeat by hosts Stobswood Welfare. For the first time this term Amble failed to find the net and the Welfare harvested the points with an 82nd minute strike by Mark Sinclair and they are yet to be beaten on their own patch.

Wideopen & District in third spot are the nearest challengers to the two pace-setters but shed two more points as they featured in a goal-less draw with hosts Wallsend Boys’ Club. A teenage side performed well for the Boys’ Club and they almost claimed a late winner. In the dying seconds it took a tremendous save by the Wideopen keeper to deny Rob Nolan.
Before taking on Amble United in the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final at Hillheads, Forest Hall were beaten 1-0 by Willington Quay Saints. After winning three home games on the trot the Hall were brought down to earth by Wesley Fidler’s winning strike for their visitors.

At the wrong end of the table Tynemouth United have become completely isolated on the bottom rung with only three points to their credit. And, in a bottom-of-the-table tussle with fellow-strugglers Amble FC, United were narrowly beaten 1-0 with Carl Sayer scoring the game’s only goal midway through the second half.

Lying second from bottom there was no luck either for Whitley Bay Town and they were beaten 2-0 at home by Hexham. This was only Hexham’s second away win and it was secured before half time. Scott Coates opened the scoring direct from a corner kick and the lead was doubled with a clever lob by Iain Strachan.

NFA Minor Cup finalists Wallsend Town had lost four home games on the trot prior to the visit of North Shields Athletic but Stephen Dodd bagged a brace to earn the Town a point from a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Newcastle BT suffered a fourth successive defeat and went down 4-2 against visitors Benfield Chemfica. Chemfica were two goals up after only five minutes thanks to Damon McGrattan and Mike Smith. Replies from BT’s Simon Mattick and Dave Thompson got them back in the game but a second half brace bagged by Andy Smith settled the issue in the visitors’ favour.