PONT’S FIRST HOME POINTS

By Bill Gardner
After suffering three straight home defeats Ponteland United picked up their first points at the Leisure Centre Ground and a 3-2 victory against Blyth Town hoisted Jarrod Suddick’s side into a mid-table slot. Blyth however were most impressive in the early exchanges and a goal in each half for Chris Lisle and Tom Haigh had them apparently cruising. The Town wasted their two-goal advantage however and conceded three to their hosts inside the last twenty minutes. Gavin Wood opened Ponteland’s account and Richard Kent bagged their equaliser five minutes later. Then, just before the final whistle Blyth were deprived of any reward when Wood scored his second and winning goal.

Heddon, only two points better off than Newcastle University at the foot of the Premier Division table, have failed to win in their eight starts so far and lost their sixth game on the trot. Against unbeaten league leaders Walker Central at Bullocksteads the Heddon lads were on the wrong end of a 5-1 score-line. Although they had David Brunsden cancelling out Paul Stoneman’s early opener for the Central this was their last shout. Liam Mulligan’s successful spot kick restored Walker’s lead before half time and their third goal was put away by Paul Mills straight after the change-over. And further pressure by the visitors was further rewarded when Andrew Stokes bagged himself a brace.

Shankhouse’s six-match unbeaten run (including four draws) was ended when they visited second-placed Wark and the Tyne valley outfit ran out fairly comfortable 5-2 winners. In the first half Wark were twice given the lead, first by Lee Telfer and then by their goal-a-game striker Marc Nixon. On each occasion Shannkhouse hit back promptly, their first equaliser put away by Anthony Moran and their second by Michael Bell. But after the interval Wark ran the show and after Stuart Brown scored their third goal another two were supplied by Nixon and Phil Thompson.

Stocksfield entertained Murton in the only other Premier Division league game down for decision and a 1-1 draw ended Stocksfield’s dismal run of three defeats while giving Murton their first point away from home. Murton, managed by ex-Stocksfield player Andrew Upperton, ended 86 minutes of stalemate when Allan Curl put them in front. But within a minute the home side was back on terms when Anthony MacDonald found the net.

There were only two all-Premier Division clashes in the first round of the Kicks Leisure League Cup with Carlisle City and Heaton Stannington both making progress. Goals for Gary Yates and Russell Nelson earned Heaton a 2-0 home win against Killingworth Sporting while Carlisle beat visitors Alnwick Town 6-1 thanks to goals by Chris Major (2), Steve Bell (2), Tom Short and Graeme Lupton. Dale Kennedy claimed Alnwick’s consolation goal in the 88th minute of a one-sided encounter.

Another five first round ties involved teams from the league’s top flight facing opponents from the lower divisions and last season’s beaten finalists Harraby Catholic Club along with Seaton Delaval and Newcastle University were all successful in booking places in the second round.

Harraby hammered Second Division cup visitors Willington Quay Saints 12-0. Rob Bainbridge (4) and Marc Shiel (2) led the charge for the Cumbrians whose remaining goals were shared by James Earl, Steve Archibald, Andy Douglas, Mike Swift (penalty), Nick Routledge and Andy Roberts.

Goals supplied by Steve Howe (2), Craig Johnson (2) and Jeff Fuller gave Delaval a 5-1 win in their tie away to Newcastle East End from the First Division. And there was a slightly more modest 3-1 cup win for Newcastle University against their First Division visitors Seaton Burn. Dave Kewn (2) and Gareth Pickup were on target for the Students with Mark Braddick replying in vain for the Burn.

In addition to Alnwick Town and Killingworth Sporting, the other Premier Division fallers at the League Cup’s first hurdle were Cramlington Town and Ashington Colliers. Cramlington Town had Kevin Long and Jordan Watson on the mark in their tie away to Gosforth Bohemians but were beaten 4-2 after having three of their players sent off. And Ashington Colliers were beaten 3-1 by Second Division cup hosts Newcastle BT. Rob Beverley (2) and Greg Hamilton scored for BT before Joe Moscrop got a late goal for the Colliers.

DIVISION ONE – TAPSFIELD IS THE MAIN MAN
There were no league games played in the First Division with League Cup matches taking priority and current league leaders Amble United were beaten 1-0 by Percy Main in their tie at the latter’s Purvis Park base. An entertaining game was settled in the 76th minute as the Main’s substitute Dave Tapsfield scored their winner from Craig Ewart’s low cross.

Last season’s cup winners Cullercoats made an early exit this time. They were beaten 2-1 at Hillheads by their divisional colleagues Whitley Bay A whose match-winning marksmen were Dean Porter and Mark Waite.

In another all-First Division clash Chopwell Officials made home advantage count to beat Cumbrian opponents Northbank 2-0 thanks to strikes by Lee Best and David Fitzpatrick. And Peterlee Town won 7-1 away to Cramlington Blue Star with David Howe playing a starring role with his hat-trick. The other scorers for the Newtowners were Nathan Liddell, Paul Callan, Matt Gaffney and Hayden Pace and the Blue Star’s single reply came from Ross Armstrong.

After a goal-less opening half in their tie at Gateshead, Hebburn Reyrolle beat cup hosts Rutherford 4-1 and were unstoppable after the break. Two ex-Rutherford players – James Maccoy and Dan Matthews – scored for Reyrolle and they had Jay Telford bagging a brace. Rutherford, unable to replicate their fine league form, only managed a single reply through David Clasper.

Gosforth Bohemians beat Premier Division visitors Cramlington Town 4-2 and despite having Kevin Long and Jordan Watson on target the Town never recovered after having three of their players sent off. The Bohs took full advantage and strikes by Danny Sherwood (2), Harry Tulip and Paul Menton ensured their progress.

DIVISION TWO – ACE GIBBARD AIDS THE WELFARE
There were only three league fixtures in the Second Division and Stobswood Welfare, only beaten once this term, won 3-1 at Swalwell to move up into fourth spot. Well-travelled striker Steve Gibbard has linked up with the Welfare and found the net at Swalwell along with Paul Nesbitt and Paul Smith. Jonathan Graham replied for the losers.

Wideopen & District extended their lead at the head of the Second Division to six points and made it eight wins on the trot although plucky visitors Cullercoats Custom Planet were only narrowly beaten 2-1. Liam Graham was the Planet’s scorer but Rob MacDonald bagged both of Wideopen’s goals to maintain their hundred percent record.

Like last season, Tynemouth United are under the cosh again, with no points from their eight starts so far and resting on the bottom rung. United are leaking goals at an alarming rate and were hammered 9-1 at home by North Shields Athletic. Dominic Vasseghi claimed five of the North Shields goals with the rest supplied by Matt Donkin (2), Gary Farrage and Craig Boyle. Graham Piggott replied for Tynemouth who seem to be increasingly out of their depth at this level.

The Second Division’s heroes in the first round of the League Cup were Newcastle BT who upset the odds by deservedly beating Premier Division visitors Ashington Colliers 3-1. Following a goal-less first half the BT lads started to impress and had Rob Beverley and Greg Hamilton oin target to upset their opponents. Joe Moscrop finally got the Colliers off the mark with ten minutes to go but in the 89th minute a second goal for Beverley made sure that BT will be in the second round.

Hexham, last season’s semi-finalists in the League Cup, were halted this time at the first hurdle and beaten 2-0 by Forest Hall at Wentworth Park. Forest Hall thoroughly deserved their success with Tom Jones opening their account just before the interval and Scott Parker doubling the lead with a minute to go.

Newcastle Chemfica booked themselves a second round slot by impressively beating powerful visitors Amble 6-2. Four of their goals were tucked away by Anthony Bruce and the winning tally was completed by Alan Malloy and Martin Dixon. Wyn Fremlin replied twice for the losers.

Wallsend Town did well to beat First Division hosts South Shields United 3-2 with goals by Lee Summers, Paul McCutcheon and Ryan Arnott who scored the winner in the 80th minute. The home side’s replies had come from Mick Armstrong and Nick Payne.

Wallsend Boys Club won 3-0 away to Whitley Bay Town to go through and the pairings in the Second Round of the Kicks Leisure League Cup are now:

• Cullercoats Custom Planet v Newcastle BT;
• Forest Hall v Chopwell Officials;
• Gosforth Bohemians v Wideopen & District;
• Harraby Catholic v Berwick United;
• Murton v Blyth Town;
• Newcastle Chemfica v Wallsend Town;
• Newcastle University v Morpeth Sporting Club;
• North Shields Athletic v Ponteland United;
• Percy Main v Heddon;
• Peterlee Town v Hebburn Reyrolle;
• Swalwell v Stobswood Welfare or Stocksfield;
• Walker Central v Heaton Stannington;
• Wallington v Tynemouth United;
• Wallsend Boys Club v Seaton Delaval;
• Wark v Carlisle City;
• Whitley Bay A v Shankhouse.