WALKER EDGE VITAL BATTLE IN CUMBRIA

By Bill Gardner
The top of the table clash between previous leaders Carlisle City and defending champions Walker Central at Sheepmount lived up to its star billing. And the Central’s 2-1 win allowed them to nudge their Cumbrian hosts out of pole position.

Andrew Stokes ended 57 minutes of stalemate with Walker’s opener but with nine minutes to go Carlisle were gifted an equaliser when visiting defender Craig Bryce steered the ball into his own net. Paul Stoneman restored the Central’s lead in the 85th minute to inflict a first defeat on City.

Wark and Killingworth Sporting are sharing third spot but fared very differently in their respective games. Wark won convincingly 3-0 away to Blyth Town with goals scored by Lee Telfer (2) and Marc Nixon but Killingworth surrendered their unbeaten record and went down 4-1 against visitors Harraby Catholic Club.

Killingworth were disappointed to lose their unbeaten record but could have few complaints about their 4-1 defeat at home by Harraby Catholic Club. Killy opened the scoring after only four minutes when Liam Callaghan was left unmarked to rifle his drive just inside the post.

Six minutes later Harraby responded when, after James Earl’s free kick tested home keeper Anthony, he was beaten by Sean Elliott’s header – the result of another dead ball delivery by Earl. This equaliser spurred the Cumbrians and they took the lead after 25 minutes when Anthony could only parry Earl’s effort onto the post and Rob Bainbridge was able to score with a simple tap in.

Unfortunately for Killingworth their keeper suffered a head injury in making his initial save and had to be replaced in goal by midfielder Kevin Grahamslaw and Harraby added two more goals before the break. Bainbridge punished a defensive error to claim his second of the game and just before the half time whistle Earl lobbed the ball over the stand-in keeper from the edge of the box.

Although it was all too late, Killingworth did create a few chances and Harraby custodian Andy Wills had to produce fine saves to deny both Jorge Bollado and David Jeffers. Francesco Di Pietro also went close for the home side but the Cumbrians deserved their clear victory on the day.

Heaton Stannington, Seaton Delaval and Shankhouse are all determined to maintain contact with the early season pace-setters and all three obtained positive results. At Grounsell Park, Heaton were in uncompromising mood to beat Premier Division newcomers Stocksfield 4-0. Eddie Murau fired them into an interval lead which was doubled after the break by Kevin Carr. Then, in the last ten minutes, Stocksfield conceded further goals to Gary Yates and Adam Donaghey.

Seaton Delaval secured their second league win in style by beating early strugglers Cramlington Town 4-0 at Wheatridge Park. Paul Baird opened the scoring on the stroke of half time and Cramlington, now with only two points from five games, came under a lot of pressure after the changeover. Further strikes by Jeff Fuller (2) and Steve Anderson underlined Delaval’s superiority.

After losing their first game of the season, Shankhouse have remained unbeaten in their last four matches and battled hard to claim a 2-2 draw away to Alnwick Town. After a goal-less first half two quick-fire goals put away by Scott McMullen and Gary Patterson put Alnwick in a strong position. But Shankhouse hit back and replies from Michael Bell and Kevin Gustard earned them a deserved share of the spoils.

Ponteland United, who celebrated their first win in midweek, were pulled up sharply and went down 2-0 at home to Ashington Colliers, both of whose goals were scored in the second half by Joe Moscrop. And Murton were also 2-0 victors at home to Heddon and had Mark Smith and Martyn Blenkinsop on target before the interval.

DIVISION ONE – THE BOHS SNAP AT AMBLE’S HEELS
After gaining promotion last term Amble United are taking the First Division by storm. Heading the table, the Seasiders have banged in 22 goals in their five games so far and have kept clean sheets in the last four. United’s hundred percent record stayed intact but they were restricted to a more modest 2-0 victory by freshly-relegated visitors Peterlee Town. As it turned out the league leaders had the points in the bag within six minutes of the kick off with Ross Gair and Ian Common grabbing early goals.

Gosforth Bohemians are the only other unbeaten side in the First Division and are three points behind Amble in second place. The Bohs have also adopted a free-scoring habit and won 3-1 in their tough home game against a youthful Chopwell Officials side. In the 40th minute Joe Bell opened the scoring for Chopwell but two immediate replies put Gosforth in front at the interval. New signing Tony Nelson got them back on terms just before Danny Sherwood scored from the spot following a foul on Tom Ameobi. And midway through the second half Paul Menton scored the home side’s third goal.

In joint third spot, Gateshead Rutherford and Percy Main met up at the latter’s Purvis Park and after four straight wins the Gateshead lads were beaten 2-1. Craig Ewart scored both of the Main’s goals in the 35th and 80th minutes. His first was scored from the penalty spot and his second was a perfect close range header from Dean Morgan’s well-aimed cross. David Loughlin’s last minute reply for Rutherford wasn’t going to change things and, having now won four of five games, Percy Main look set to challenge the teams above them.

Wallington have won three of their opening games and their latest victims were Hebburn Reyrolle, beaten 2-0 by their hosts whose goals were both put away by Alex Slack. It’s a pity however that Wallington are having to appeal for a new team manager and secretary. Based in Scots Gap near Morpeth, the club has a healthy playing staff but need a couple of people, perhaps in the Morpeth area, to fill the vacancies. Anyone interested in helping out should contact Robin Slack on 07793 596474.

Morpeth Sporting Club ran out 2-0 winners against Northbank to make their long trip to Cumbria worthwhile. Goals by Karl Snowden and Scott Pilkington left Northbank still pointless and propping up the table. And Berwick United celebrated a first success, beating visitors Seaton Burn 2-1. Paul Richardson and Mike Robinson netted for the Borderers with Sean Barker replying for the Tynesiders who seem to be struggling.

Whitley Bay A have made a reasonable start in August although they’ve been leaking a few goals. They conceded another two against South Shields United at Hillheads but still finished as 3-2 victors. Mick Armstrong scored first for Shields but the Bay responded with strikes by Jamie Patterson (2) and Mark Taylor. Armstrong’s second for the visitors came too late to affect the outcome.

Newcastle East End were well beaten 3-0 at home by Cullercoats who secured their first points after suffering four straight defeats and had a hat-trick hero in Dave Fairless.

DIVISION TWO – IT’S WIDE OPEN AT PRESENT
Amble and Wideopen & District are somewhat unexpected pace-setters in the Second Division, both with hundred percent records and sharing pole position. Amble made it five wins in a row but were rather fortunate to end the unbeaten run of hosts Wallsend Town. The issue was settled by a single goal scored for Amble by Sean Jobson.

Wideopen & District maintained their challenge by completing an early league double against Newcastle Chemfica. They had won 3-1 at home on the previous Saturday and in the return beat their hosts 2-1. Liam Naulls was on the mark for Chemfica but they were overhauled as Martin Roper and Rob MacDonald netted for Wideopen this time.

Hexham and Forest Hall have both made reasonable starts to their respective campaigns and Hexham, beaten only once in five appearances, featured in a 1-1 stalemate at home to Stobswood Welfare. Tom Phillips gave Hexham a very early opener and their lead survived until the 85th minute. At that point Josh Hay’s reply earned the Welfare their third draw on the trot.

Forest Hall also drew 1-1 at home to a Willington Quay Saints side still seeking its first win. The Hall have conceded a single goal in each of this season’s five starts and this time it was scored for the Saints by Callum Ancrum. Michael Reay found the net for the hosts to ensure a share of the spoils.

In fourth place and just behind Wallsend Town on goal difference, Wallsend Boys Club were restricted to a 1-1 draw by visitors Whitley Bay Town who picked up their first point of the campaign. Rob Nolan was the Boys Club scorer and Chris Atkin’s goal gave encouragement to the Town.

North Shields Athletic beat visiting new boys Cullercoats Custom Planet 3-2 with Craig Boyle bagging a brace and Glen Churchman also on target. Liam Graham and Ed Garrett were the Planet scorers.

Newcastle BT are showing signs of settling down and have harvested four points from their last two confrontations. The BT lads seem to have corrected some defensive frailties and drew 1-1 with visitors Swalwell in a game that could have produced more goals for each team. Chris Smith gave Swalwell the lead after half an hour and with ten minutes to go Greg Palmer deservedly levelled for BT.

Tynemouth United struggled last term and not a lot seems to have changed as they occupy the bottom rung in the Second Division following five straight defeats. Visitors Cramlington Blue Star were Tynemouth’s latest tormentors and easily won 5-2 after being two goals clear at half time. The Star’s marksmen were Ross Armstrong (2), Johnny Wardle, Sam Robinson and Jonathan Burbridge. United replied in vain through Dave Finlay and Japanese debutant Hisakazu Miyajima.