GILLFORD READY TO STEP UP

By Bill Gardner
Saturday marked the end of a long and gruelling Northern Alliance season with the same three clubs as last year – Walker Central, Gillford Park and Harraby Catholic – filling the leading places in the Premier Division.

On their way to claiming their second successive league title Walker Central suffered only one defeat and were unbeaten at their Monkchester base. They came very close to losing that record on the final day before snatching a 1-1 draw with visitors Heddon.

Heddon seemed set for an impressive victory after Daniel Dunn put them in front straight after the break. But midfielder Paul Gardiner rescued Walker with his successful spot kick in the dying seconds. And at the end of their last game in charge at Walker, manager Paul Bennett and his assistant Andy Wood – set to take over at West Allotment Celtic next term – paid tribute to the successful squad they’ll be leaving behind.

The outgoing Monkchester management team stated, “After three enjoyable years we’d like to thank all of the players for their enthusiasm, hard work, commitment and style of football. They have been great to work with week by week and have shared our aspirations. We’d also like to give a special mention to David Thompson who has worked hard both on and off the pitch in helping us to build our teams in our spell at Monkchester. So, to sum up, thanks to every single player who has played their part in the last three and we wish them good luck in the future.”

While Walker will be under new management for next season, runners-up Gillford Park will be leaving the Alliance’s ranks after gaining promotion to the Northern League’s Second Division.

Gillford finished ten points behind Walker and marked their exit with a 4-1 win away to Newcastle University who had Tom Ward opened the scoring. Ian Grainger restore parity for the Park and his colleague Steve Skinner finished the job with his second half hat-trick.

Gillford Park’s neighbours Harraby Catholic Club have finished first, second and third in successive seasons in the Premier Division. They ended up four points behind their fellow-Cumbrians after beating visitors Blyth Town 2-1 in a very competitive match. Aaron Roberts netted to give Harraby a fourth minute lead which was cancelled out by Blyth’s Michael Robinson ten minutes later. David Wallace claimed the home side’s winner in the 65th minute.

Seaton Delaval brought the curtain down with a 3-1 win away to Ashington Colliers to confirm a fourth place finish. Their first half opener put away by Nick Scott was wiped out by Anthony Wright’s 48th minute leveller for the Colliers. Steve Howes restored Delaval’s lead and John Fitzpatrick completed the winners’ tally.

Wark signed off by beating last day hosts Shankhouse 4-2 with goals supplied by Lee Telfer (2), Phil Thompson and Edward Brazier. Michael Bell and James Armstrong replied for the losers.
At the wrong end of the table Peterlee Town and Murton finished up filling the two relegation slots with Murton facing the drop after only one season back in the top flight.

DIVISION ONE – ANOTHER TITLE TRIUMPH FOR KILLY
There was a grandstand finish to the season in the First Division with championship and promotion issues only settled in the final week.

Killingworth YPC, who were Second Division champs last term, clinched the First Division title with a resounding 8-0 home win against Berwick United. Signing off in style their scorers were Liam Callaghan (hat-trick), Francesco Di Pietro (2), Kevin Westphal, Jorge Bollado and substitute Paul Dunn.

Stocksfield’s 1-1 draw with visitors Cullercoats was enough to earn them the runners-up spot while ending the promotion hopes of the Seasiders. Phil Murray gave the Tyne valley outfit an interval lead and the Cullercoats equaliser was put away in the 80th minute by James Leggett.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ missed out on possible promotion by only a single point, finishing third and just ahead of Cullercoats in fourth place.

Despite their disappointment, Cullercoats ended their tiring campaign with a 5-0 victory away to Gateshead Rutherford. Craig Deighton weighed in with a last day hat-trick and the other Cullercoats marksmen were Stuart Wright and Femi Akinbolu.

Red Row Welfare ended their campaign on the bottom rung in the First Division with Seaton Burn just above them and three points better off. These two strugglers had opposing fortunes on the last day. While the Welfare beat visitors Northbank 3-0 with goals for Michael Latimer, Chris Tait and Ben Lavender, there was no luck for Seaton Burn and they lost 5-2 away to Wallington. Ashley McAlpine (2), Peter Southern (2) and John Angus netted for the winners at Scots Gap with Seaton Burn’s replies coming from Stuart Taylor and Nick Hara.

Berwick United finished a disappointing season third from bottom and lost 5-1 on their visit to Hebburn Reyrolle. After a goal-less opening half David Jeffers gave Hebburn the lead but within another four minutes Lee Walker got the Borderers back on terms. This was their last shout however and Hebburn stormed to a convincing win with further strikes by Ray Oshin (2), Craig Malley and Andy Shotton.

DIVISION TWO – TYNEMOUTH ARE STAYING PUT
New champions Amble United and runners-up South Shields United have secured the promotion places in the Second Division. After being third in the previous campaign Amble made it all the way this time with a final eight-point advantage over their nearest rivals.

Stobswood Welfare claimed third place but were well behind the two pace-setters and the Welfare brought the curtain down with a 2-2 draw away to Wallsend Town. Michael Harmer scored both goals for Stobswood with their Tyneside hosts replying through Alan Errington and Paul McCutcheon.

Willington Quay Saints passed up the chance to replace Forest Hall in fourth spot and finished fifth after losing 4-2 away to Amble FC. Amble, who have struggled for most of this campaign, have ended with a successful run and saw off the Saints with goals by Adam Shanks (hat-trick) and Connor Miller. Willington’s scorers were player-manager Trevor Ford and David Smith.

After winning only one game and drawing another four, Tynemouth United have ended up on the bottom rung in the Second Division but are reported to have withdrawn their earlier letter of resignation. In what would have been their swan song, United were beaten 3-0 at Hexham where the home side’s marksmen were Darren Dobson, Tom Phillips and Luke Parkinson.

With Tynemouth deciding to carry on and a decision having also been made to restrict the Second Division to sixteen teams next term, there may be only two vacancies to be filled. And applications have been received from Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet, Kicks FC Wallsend, Swalwell and Throckley United.

CUMBRIAN BATTLE FOR SECOND SPOT

By Bill Gardner
Having wrapped up their second consecutive Premier Division title with a few games to spare, Walker Central have determined not to take their foot off the accelerator. John Campbell bagged his 33rd league goal of the campaign on the hour to earn the champions a 1-0 verdict away to Ashington Colliers who look likely to finish third from bottom.

Needing to claim the runners-up spot to gain entry to the Northern League next season, Gillford Park got closer to their target with a 1-0 victory against Heddon at Bullocksteads. Steve Skinner scored their important goal after 57 minutes. And to see off the challenge of their third-placed neighbours Harraby Catholic Club the Park may need to win only one of their two remaining games at home to Wark (on Wednesday) and away to Newcastle University (next Saturday).

Harraby have let things slip, winning only two of their last eight games, and they were restricted to a 1-1 draw by hosts Ponteland United. Billy Holden had a couple of chances for Pont after 15 and 20 minutes but was unable to get his headers from two free kicks on target. And it was the visitors who took the lead after 30 minutes when home keeper Havelock failed to punch clear from a corner kick and Aaron Roberts managed to poke the ball home.

On the hour Ponteland deservedly got back on terms and when Holden’s pass found Lee McIvor he unleashed a fierce drive that flashed past Harraby keeper Milburn. Both teams had late chances to settle the issue but it ended all square. This was the fourth draw in succession for Pont and much credit must go to manager Jarrod Suddick as his team signed off with a ten-match unbeaten run but he is going to have to strengthen the squad in key areas for next season.

Seaton Delaval made certain of a top four finish with a 4-1 win away to Shankhouse and had Stephen Howes and Steve Anderson on target in the opening half. Connal Reed’s goal increased the visitors’ lead and, after Craig Johnson scored from the spot for Shankhouse, John Fitzpatrick completed Delaval’s tally.

Heaton Stannington brought the curtain down on their season in free-scoring style and beat Wark 6-0 at Grounsell Park. Adam Donaghey led the way with his hat-trick for Heaton whose other scorers were Aaron Jewell (2) and Kevin Carr.

Carlisle City also proved to be goal-hungry on their visit to Blyth Town and ended a sequence of five draws on the trot by beating the Northumbrians 5-0. Goals for Stuart Hill and Scott Priest gave City a comfortable interval lead and after the break further strikes by Tom Foster and Jamie Heath (2) completed their nap hand.

Peterlee Town and Murton ended their respective campaigns occupying the bottom two spots in the Premier Division table. A goal-less draw with hosts Newcastle University couldn’t prevent the Newtowners ending up on the bottom rung.

Murton finished only two points better off after losing 3-2 in their last game at home to Alnwick Town. Never getting their noses in front, Murton had David Scott and Lee Doyle on target but Alnwick confirmed victory with goals for Dale Kennedy (2) and Mark Cockburn.

DIVISION ONE – ISSUES STILL TO BE SETTLED
Going into the final week of what has been a long season, four teams – Whitley Bay ‘A’, Stocksfield, Killingworth YPC and Cullercoats – were still vying for the title and the two possible promotion slots in the First Division.

At the end of their own campaign Whitley Bay ‘A’ had amassed an impressive total of 57 points but they were still concerned that they could be overtaken. To pass the Bay’s bench mark their rivals had these respective targets: Stocksfield needed only a point from their final game at home to Cullercoats, while Killingworth had to win their last match at home to Berwick United. And the Cullercoats target, by far the most difficult, was to secure all nine points from outstanding fixtures at home to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett, away to Stocksfield and away to Gateshead Rutherford.

Cullercoats gave themselves an even steeper mountain to climb when they were beaten 3-2 by Percy Main at Purvis Park. The Villagers, completing their own season, were 2-0 down at the interval to goals scored by Rob Watson and Craig Deighton for the Seasiders. But they rallied effectively and ended on a winning note thanks to second half replies from Jason Ritchie, Michael Freathy and Liam Knox who scored his crucial goal in the 88th minute.

At the bottom end of the First Division table, Red Row Welfare and Seaton Burn will be filling the last two places. Seaton Burn will end a disappointing campaign at Wallington this weekend with the Welfare bringing the curtain down at home to Northbank.

Red Row will finish up on the bottom rung but secured a rare victory last weekend, beating visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 2-1. Mike Latimer and Chris Martin netted for the Welfare with Gosforth’s single reply coming from Danny Sherwood.

Wallington had Ashley McAlpine scoring away to Hebburn Reyrolle but were eventually soundly beaten 4-1. Ray Oshin and Craig Walton bagged a brace each for the winners. And Newcastle East End signed off with a convincing 7-2 victory over hosts Berwick United. Lee Walker and Craig Mitchell were on target for the Borderers but the East Enders easily secured the points with goals for Paul Bright (2), Anthony Johnson (2), Michael Rush (2) and Andrew Hall.

Northbank shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with visitors Rutherford who needed Robbie Frame’s goal to cancel out Mark Worrall’s opener for the Cumbrians.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE SIGN OFF IN STYLE
Second Division champions Amble United visited a Tynemouth United side at the opposite end of the table to round off an encouraging campaign and beat their struggling hosts 2-0. Ronnie Warwick and Ross Gair scored to ensure a winning finish for United.

South Shields United are runners-up to Amble but will be five points shy of the league leaders’ total if they managed a win at Stobswood Welfare this week.

With the two possible promotion slots already filled, Forest Hall - currently in third place - are likely to be overtaken by Stobswood after being beaten 2-1 in their final game away to Amble FC. Wyn Fremlin and Adam Shanks were the Amble marksmen and club top scorer Michael Reay replied for the Hall.

Newcastle BT finished second from bottom but picked up a point by drawing 1-1 away to Benfield Chemfica who were also ending their season. Dan Jacks opened the scoring for Chemfica and Dave Thompson restored parity for the visitors.

A Tom Phillips hat-trick for Hexham earned them a 3-1 win against Wallsend Town who had been fired in front by Stephen Dodd at Wentworth Park.

It’s been agreed that there will be sixteen clubs operating in the Second Division next season. Only Tynemouth have indicated an intention to resign and there may be only three vacancies to fill. Applications have been received from Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet, Kicks FC Wallsend, Swalwell and Throckley United. And officials of these clubs were due to give presentations to the League Management Committee.

A SECOND TITLE FOR WALKER

By Bill Gardner
If they managed to beat Wark at Monkchester last Monday night, Walker Central would have claimed the Premier Division title for the second year running. And their management duo of Paul Bennett and Andy Wood would have been able to bow out on a high note before taking over the reins at West Allotment Celtic in the Northern League next season.

Walker took a massive step towards another championship triumph by beating second-placed rivals Gillford Park 2-1, simultaneously retaining their unbeaten record at Monkchester. They had drawn 1-1 with visitors Seaton Delaval in midweek when they needed John Campbell’s successful spot kick to cancel out a Steve Howes opener for their opponents.

Club top scorer Campbell was on the mark again and gave the Central an interval lead against Gillford Park, firing home from eight yards out as he met a low cross from Paul Mills. The Park’s Ian Grainger levelled five minutes after the break. Unfortunately for the Cumbrians however, Walker were presented with a 70th minute winner as visiting defender Craig Thompson put the ball into his own net, under pressure from Campbell.

With Walker having the league title almost sewn up, the battle for the runners-up spot is continuing with Gillford Park under threat from neighbours Harraby Catholic Club. Harraby kept the pressure on by beating visitors Heaton Stannington 3-0 but didn’t find it easy.

Harraby were matched by Heaton in a goal-less opening half but once they had the strong wind in their favour it was a different story. Only the woodwork denied Rob Bainbridge as the Cumbrians pressed forward and after their young substitute Aaron Roberts was unlucky to see his lob carried just wide by the wind he opened the scoring after 78 minutes. He cut in from the left flank and after skipping past two Heaton defenders drilled his 20-yard drive inside the near post.

With Roberts causing problems , Harraby increased their lead in the 84th minute and, when his cross was handled by a Heaton defender, Mike Swift scored confidently from the spot. Then, only two minutes later Harraby scored their third and when a pass from James Tose put Bainbridge clear he fired low past the Heaton keeper.

Harraby are now only four points behind Gillford Park with a game in hand and if they manage to overtake their rivals they’ll deprive Gillford of their chance to step up to the Northern League so the stakes are really high.

Seaton Delaval look almost certain to finish in fourth spot and ended a run of three drawn games on the trot with a comprehensive 4-0 victory away to Wark. Player-manager Nicky Gray led by example by scoring two of Delaval’s goals and Steve Anderson also bagged a brace.

While there are still some twists and turns to come at the top of the table, results on Saturday condemned Murton and Peterlee Town to relegation. Both were beaten in respective penultimate games and Peterlee Town were soundly beaten 3-0 by hosts Ashington Colliers whose goals were shared by Richard Brown, Glen Bolton and David Brown.

Murton suffered a 2-1 defeat by visitors Newcastle University. After Tom Clark had given them the lead they were reeled back in after 80 minutes by Ben Burte’s equaliser and five minutes later his colleague Joe Foote snatched the University’s match-winner.

Ponteland United and Shankhouse each extended unbeaten runs to nine games and Ponteland featured in a goal-less stalemate with hosts Carlisle City who have drawn their last five games at Sheepmount. And Shankhouse beat Alnwick Town 2-1 at Northburn after trailing to Paul Yeadon’s opener for the Town. Darren Naylor got Shankhouse back on terms and with only two minutes to spare Anthony Moran claimed their winner.

Chris Taylor bagged a brace for Blyth Town in their 2-2 draw at home to Heddon who had twice been fired in front by Liam Heenan and Andrew Hall.

DIVISION ONE – SILVERWARE FOR CULLERCOATS
Favourites Stocksfield and Whitley Bay ‘A’, along with outsiders Killingworth YPC and Cullercoats, are still striving for a top two finish in the First Division. Cullercoats are still toiling through their fixture backlog but need to win all of their five remaining games to stand any chance of being promoted.
They did however pull off an amazing League Cup Final win at Prudhoe and sensationally beat Premier Division opponents Harraby Catholic Club 2-1 to lift the trophy.

Holders Walker Central and Seaton Delaval were among the victims of Cullercoats on their way to meeting Harraby. The Seasiders came up with another giant-killing performance and Femi Akinbolu gave Cullercoats a 23rd minute lead with his lob over the Harraby keeper. But the Cumbrians always looked dangerous and after the break Rob Bainbridge got them back on terms with his shot taking a lucky bounce before entering the net. Extra time was looming when Cullercoats snatched their winner in stoppage time. Once again Akinbolu was on target, this time with a clever back-heel in a goalmouth scramble.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ are in pole position in the First Division, level on points with Stocksfield who have a game in hand. The Bay however hammered Stocksfield 6-0 at Hillheads in midweek. They had Simon Reay (2), Dean Porter, Gavin Hattrick and Malcolm Morien on target with their tally topped up by an own goal gift.

The Whitley lads followed up with an equally convincing 5-0 win against visitors Wallington when their marksmen were again Morien (2), Hattrick, Porter and Reay. They were due to end their season with a game away to Cullercoats this week and victory for the Bay would leave Stocksfield needing four more points to pip them for the title. The Tyne Valley outfit beat hosts Seaton Burn 1-0 last Saturday with a quickly-taken free kick by Wayne Stewart and their outstanding games are at home to third-placed Killingworth YPC and fifth-placed Cullercoats.

Red Row Welfare and Seaton Burn can’t avoid filling the two unwanted berths at the foot of the table. And while the Burn were losing 1-0 to title chasers Stocksfield, Red Row Welfare lost by the same slender margin on their visit to Hebburn Reyrolle. A sending off left Reyrolle with ten men for two thirds of the game but Jay Telford’s second minute opener turned out to be conclusive.

Percy Main have missed out on possible promotion and had a mixed week starting with a 3-1 win away to Killingworth YPC thanks to strikes by Jason Ritchie, Graham Cole and Michael Freathy. But there was then a downturn for the Villagers as they lost 2-1 away to lowly Berwick United. Their only scorer this time was Jason Ritchie and the Borderers harvested the points with goals by Darren Cromarty (penalty) and Simon Hargreaves.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED PASS THE WINNING POST
With a game to spare, Amble United have seen off the challenge of South Shields United to become champions in the Second Division. They claimed the title in midweek with a 4-0 victory at home to neighbours Amble FC when Brad Wake and Darren Riddell bagged a brace each. And the new champions will end their campaign this Saturday with a visit to Tynemouth United who are at the opposite end of the table.

Despite missing out in the championship race, South Shields United have guaranteed themselves a promotion slot. They will finish as runners-up after having Tijan Kah (2) and Iain Proud on target to beat last Saturday’s visitors Amble FC 3-1. And Gareth Allen’s side will bring the curtain down on a successful campaign with trips away to Wallsend Town and Stobswood Welfare.

At one point it looked as though Stobswood Welfare’s games in hand could offer them a chance of promotion but a final third place is now their best option. The Welfare beat midweek visitors Benfield Chemfica 3-1 with goals put away by Chris Graham (2) and Craig Keen but were beaten 2-1 by hosts Wallsend Boys’ Club three days later. On this occasion they had Michael Hogg cancelling out Rob Nolan’s opener for Wallsend but Nolan was on target again to earn maximum points for the home side.

Stobswood will finish in third spot if they can secure another seven points from their four remaining fixtures away to Tynemouth United and Wallsend Town and at home to Hexham and South Shields United. And they’ll need only a four-point haul to do the trick if Forest Hall, currently filling third place, are beaten in their final game away to Amble FC.

Tynemouth United could still avoid finishing on the bottom rung and in midweek recorded their first victory of the campaign. They beat hosts Whitley Bay Town 4-1 with goals by Chris Grieves (2), Mark Carey and Kevin Murphy. But United, reported to be resigning from the Alliance, have a tough task if they are to overtake second-bottom Newcastle BT. If BT lose their last two games at home to Amble FC and away to Benfield Chemfica the Tynemouth lads will still need seven more points to escape from the bottom rung. That may be a tall order considering that their remaining opponents are Stobswood Welfare (home), champions Amble United (home), Amble FC (away) and Hexham (away).

PONT REACH SAFETY

By Bill Gardner
At the turn of the year Ponteland United were in danger of losing their Premier Division status but there’s been a dramatic late season response by Jarrod Suddick’s outfit. A seven-match unbeaten run has hauled them out of danger into a safe and respectable mid-table slot and after Liam McIvor’s goal earned them a 1-0 verdict against close neighbours Heddon in midweek they entertained a Newcastle University side desperate to avoid relegation. The resulting goal-less draw was kinder to the black-and-whites than to the Students who have won only once in their last twelve outings.

The two teams produced some good football despite the eventual stalemate and in an otherwise highly entertaining match Dean Gate, Craig Dalglish and Phil Groom were impressive in defence for Pont. Andy Rendall was a tower of strength in an unaccustomed midfield role while Will Holden and Liam McIvor worked tirelessly up front.

The University belied their struggling status with a well-organised performance which indicated that they could get themselves out of trouble. Joe Foote and George Coyle were involved in most of their play and always willing to support the front two of Edwin Tizard and Ben Burt.

While Walker Central are showing no signs of taking their foot off the pedal as they aim for a second consecutive Premier Division title, their nearest rivals Gillford Park are beginning to flag. And Walker, in pole position with a game in hand, went six points clear of the Cumbrians by beating visitors Heaton Stannington 3-0. Yet to be beaten at their Monkchester base, the Central had Gary McCartney opening their account straight after the break. Their lead was increased by Paul Gardiner and Ian Dunn also netted to complete the home side’s tally.

Second-placed Gillford Park have clocked up an unbeaten run of fourteen games but have drawn four of their last five matches to dent their title hopes. And they were fortunate to share the spoils again from a 1-1 draw with fourth-placed visitors Seaton Delaval. Sean Naisbitt gave Delaval a fourth minute opener and their lead survived until Steve Skinner levelled for the Park in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was reported last week that Gillford have been accepted by the Northern League if they can achieve a top two finish but their hopes could yet be dashed by their neighbours Harraby Catholic Club. With a couple of games in hand and with an eight-point gap to bridge, Harraby beat lowly visitors Murton 5-0 with goals by Nick Routledge (2), Mike Swift (penalty), James Earl and Aaron Roberts.

With Murton losing over in Cumbria, Peterlee Town went level on points with their neighbours but remained on the bottom rung after drawing 1-1 at home to Alnwick Town. With only one win in their last nine outings Alnwick were fired into an early lead by Ben Keenan but Jonathan Monaghan’s penalty before half time got the Newtowners back on terms.

The three teams just above Murton and Peterlee in the basement all picked up precious points and Cramlington Town secured a vital 4-3 win at home to Wark.
After only 8 minutes Cramlington’s David Atkinson fired home from close range but almost immediately Jamie Peel levelled for Wark. The Town’s lead was restored by David Dormand but Wark came back to snatch the lead before half time with two strikes by Phil Thompson.

Cramlington weren’t to be denied however and with ten minutes to go Kevin Long scored to get them back on level terms. Then, with only two minutes to spare, Long claimed his second match-winning goal from close range with his header from a Kieran Parsons cross.

While Newcastle University were getting a promising result at Ponteland, their fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers also drew, 2-2 at home to Shankhouse. Danny Taylor and Simon Cunningham scored first and last for the Colliers and in the interim Lee Gustard and James Armstrong netted for Shankhouse.

Heddon in mid-table have suffered only one defeat in eight recent outings and drew 1-1 with Carlisle City at Bullocksteads. Craig Cherry scored for City with the last kick of the opening half and Heddon’s leveller was put away by John Pearson immediately after the change-over.

DIVISION ONE – STOCKSFIELD ARE WEARY
Only Stocksfield, Killingworth YPC and Whitley Bay ‘A’ seem to have remained in the frame as far as promotion from the First Division is concerned. And while current leaders Stocksfield dropped two points their two rivals both won to keep the pressure on.

Stocksfield have been showing signs of tiredness lately, winning only two of their last eight games, and they were restricted to a 1-1 draw by hosts Wallington. Ashley McAlpine claimed his nineteenth league goal of the campaign for Wallington and Cairns Kettles levelled for the league leaders.

Killingworth YPC have come up on the rails to slip into second spot ahead of Whitley Bay ‘A’ and they have a useful game in hand. The championship is not out of Killy’s reach and they secured a sixth win on the trot although a 1-0 victory away to strugglers Seaton Burn wasn’t too convincing. Jorge Bollado scored the game’s single goal after only ten minutes.

Having played a game more than their two pace-setting rivals, Whitley Bay ‘A’ still have some work to do on the championship and promotion front. But the Bay have almost certainly killed off the hopes of fourth-placed Percy Main. Only five days after hammering the Villagers 6-1 at Hillheads, Whitley completed a league double with a 3-0 victory at Purvis Park.

Whitley were buoyed by club stalwarts Brian Smith drafted in to run the side while Tony Woodhouse gave an accomplished display in the heart of the defence. And they took an early lead as Malcolm Morien's well struck low free kick evaded the Villagers wall to sneak in at the far post.

The Bay doubled their advantage after 56 minutes with a goal from nowhere and as the ball was hooked into the area, Ian Lee found himself in acres of space to fire home unchallenged. And although Dean Clay and Tony Browell came close to getting vthe Main off the mark their visitors killed the game off with their third goal. Simon Reay sent over a measured flag kick for Morien to claim his second goal of the game.

Occupying fifth place at the moment, Cullercoats are still in with a chance of gaining promotion but with seven games outstanding it’s going to be hard work. And a 1-1 draw with lowly visitors Hebburn Reyrolle wasn’t all they’d hoped for. Alex Burnett netted for Cullercoats but Ray Oshin levelled for a Reyrolle outfit that has failed to win any of its last six games.

Newcastle East End beat powerful midweek visitors Whitley Bay ‘A’ 3-0 with all their goals scored by Anthony Johnson but only a few days later the Eastenders were beaten 3-2 at home by mid-table colleagues Northbank. Anthony Studholme claimed both of the Tynesiders’ goals but Mark Worrall’s hat-trick for the Cumbrians was conclusive.

Gosforth Bohemian Garnett face penalties for non-fulfilment of their midweek game away to Cullercoats but returned to action with a 2-1 victory against visitors Berwick United. Harry Tulip and John McDonald found the net for the Bohs with Darren Cromarty replying for the Borderers.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED ARE NEARLY THERE
In the Second Division, Amble United need only a point from two remaining games at home to neighbours Amble FC and away to Tynemouth United to clinch the championship. And last week the Seasiders stayed firmly on course with two more convincing victories. They hammered midweek hosts Newcastle BT 10-0 and followed up with a 5-0 success away to fourth-placed Willington Quay Saints. Two goals for Darren Riddell took his season’s tally to twenty-three in the league and United’s other scorers were Brad Wake, Ross Gair and Ronnie Warwick.

Having almost certainly shot their bolt as far as the Second Division title is concerned, Amble United’s top-of-the-table rivals South Shields United may have to be happy with filling a promotion slot. Three more points from outstanding games at home to Amble FC and away to Wallsend Town and Stobswood Welfare would see them hit this target.

Although they’ve won four of five recent games Forest Hall will be lucky to achieve a top three finish even if they win their last match away to Amble FC. And the Hall were rather fortunate to beat bottom rung hosts Tynemouth United 1-0. Tynemouth haven’t won a league game all season and were only killed off in this one by Jamie Kennedy’s 88th minute winner for Forest Hall. The Tynemouth lads now only five games left to grab themselves an elusive first victory in the Second Division. There have been reports of resignation but they’ll still be up for final confrontations with Amble United and Stobswood Welfare (both at home) and trips away to Amble FC, Hexham and Newcastle BT have proved to have the Second Division’s leakiest defence this term and with three games to go look certain to finish second from bottom. After their midweek humiliation by Amble United the BT lads gave visitors Hexham a good game before narrowly losing 2-1. Iain Strachan’s first half opener for Hexham was cancelled out in the 65th minute by BT’s Colin Galbraith but with five minutes to spare Hexham’s winner was put away by Paul McLean.

Amble FC who, along with Stobswood Welfare are facing the most daunting fixture backlog, could soon be climbing clear of the basement and a 5-2 home win against Wideopen & District was another morale-booster. Wideopen had Gary Lamb scoring both of their goals but were well beaten in the end. Wyn Fremlin bagged himself a brace for Amble whose remaining marksmen were Michael Straker, Cory Robertson and David Shepherd.