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.