HEATON HEAP MISERY ON WALKER

By Bill Gardner
There were two notable fallers in the second round of the Kicks Leisure League Cup with Premier Division outfits Walker Central and Seaton Delaval both bowing out. Walker Central had been beaten 3-0 at Alnwick Town in the NFA Senior Bowl on the previous Saturday and they suffered an identical reverse in the League Cup. Visitors Heaton Stannington avenged an earlier league defeat with goals by Kevin Carr, Lawrence McKenna and Adam Donaghey.

In another all-Premier Division encounter Blyth Town beat cup hosts Murton 4-0. Two first half strikes by Craig Hopwood and Danny Beresford put Blyth on course for an easy victory. Their goals tally was completed after the break by Tom Haigh and Craig Robinson.

Seaton Delaval were on the receiving end of one of the League Cup’s biggest upsets when they were beaten 2-1 away to Second Division opponents Wallsend Boys Club. Paul Baird netted for Delaval but his goal was outweighed by replies from Andy McBride and Chris Musgrave to put the Boys Club into the next round. This was a thoroughly deserved success for the minnows who could have won by a greater margin but for the heroics of the Seaton Delaval keeper.

Last season’s losing League Cup finalists Harraby Catholic Club coasted through thanks to their 6-0 home win against Berwick United with the Cumbrians’ goals supplied by Daniel Balmer (2), Alan Casey, James Earl, Marc Shiel and John Dowell.

Newcastle University avoided a possible banana skin by beating Morpeth Sporting Club 5-2 at Cochrane Park. Dave Kewn helped himself to four of the Students’ goals with Edwin Tizard claiming the fifth. Morpeth’s replies came from Paul Bullock and Michael Dixon.

Andrew Davidson (2) and Billy Holden scored Ponteland United’s goals in their 3-1 cup win away to North Shields Athletic who replied through Liam Bone. And Heddon used the League Cup platform to record their first win of the season, beating Percy Main 2-1 at Purvis Park.

The Main had won all of their previous games this season on home turf but the run came to an end and John Dunn scored both of their goals. His first on the quarter hour was slightly against the run of play but a good individual effort after he beat off several challenges.

Dunn was on target again to double Heddon’s lead after 75 minutes as he raced onto David Edwardson’s through ball, evaded Steve Shadforth’s tackle and rounded home keeper Bob Rodgerson to fire into the unguarded net. There was a glimmer of hope for the Villagers when Jason Ritchie scored from the spot after Callum Colbeck was floored in the area but at that point time was against the home side.

Premier Division leaders Wark cleared their second round hurdle at the expense of four-time cup winners Carlisle City. With home advantage Wark won 4-1 and had Marc Nixon (hat-trick) and Phil Thompson on target before City’s 80th minute consolation goal was provided by Ollie Driver.

Desperate for league points, Shankhouse had drawn three and lost two of their previous five league games so their 4-1 victory against Stocksfield at Prudhoe was a very welcome event. Michael Bell netted twice in the first half for the visitors and their tally was boosted later on by goals scored after 67 and 77 minutes by Anthony Moran and Darren Naylor. Only three minutes remained when Graeme Hudspith got Stocksfield off the mark with his header from Anthony MacDonald’s cross.
Cramlington Town claimed their first home win by beating neighbours Ashington Colliers 2-1 and completed a league double in the process. Two early goals both put away by Andrew Carr put Cramlington in charge and he scored his first after only six minutes after racing onto a through ball from Kevin Long. And in the 20th minute he netted again with a fine header from David Atkinson’s cross. Straight after the interval Glen Taylor reduced the deficit for the Colliers and Cramlington had to defend well to protect their slight advantage.

Alnwick Town’s 2-2 draw with visitors Killingworth extended an unbeaten run to six games. Killy had Craig Harley and Kevin Westphal on target to give them a clear lead but Alnwick hit back after the break through Ben Keenan and Mark Cockburn.

DIVISION ONE – URWIN HAT-TRICK KEEPS LEADERS ON COURSE
With a game in hand, Amble United are only four points behind current leaders Gateshead Rutherford in the First Division. The Seasiders, who have won six of seven home games to date, kept the pressure on their rivals by beating struggling visitors Seaton Burn 4-0. Brad Wake and Ron Warwick were on target in the opening half with later goals added by Brent Aisbitt and Greg Dance who scored from the spot in the 59th minute.

Amble had been hoping that Rutherford might slip up against in-form visitors Cullercoats but the Gateshead outfit won 3-2 in a thriller to retain their unbeaten home record. In a see-saw encounter leading scorer Kevin Urwin scored all three goals for the league leaders with his vital third coming after 86 minutes. Ben Gardner and Dave Fairless scored for Cullercoats who saw Craig Deighton’s penalty saved before having a player sent off ten minutes from time.

Northbank had picked up their first league points on the previous Saturday but were brought back down to earth quickly and were hammered 4-0 at home by Whitley Bay A. And Newcastle East End suffered a fifth successive home defeat, going down 6-2 against South Shields United. Goals by Anthony Johnson and Anthony Studholme counted for nothing in the end for the Eastenders. South Shields easily secured their fourth away win on the trot with goals supplied by Gary Spottiswood (2), Jack Lawton (2), Aaron Kah and substitute Scott Graham (penalty).

The First Division hopefuls making progress in the League Cup were Chopwell Officials, Gosforth Bohemians, Hebburn Reyrolle and Wallington. Chopwell beat cup hosts Forest Hall 2-0 while Gosforth Bohemians earned their second round ticket by beating Wideopen & District by the same score at Benson Park. Their scorers were Harry Tulip and Sean Quinn.

Down on Teesside there was a 4-1 victory for Hebburn Reyrolle to show Peterlee Town the exit door. Paul Callan got the Newtowners off the mark but they performed poorly and were never really in the hunt. Simon Jacob bagged two of the Reyrolle goals and strikes by Craig Malley and Alan Pegram completed their tally.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE OPEN UP GAP AT THE TOP
Because of second round ties in the League Cup only two Second Division games were scheduled and in one of these Amble strengthened their hand in pole position. Their 4-0 home win against Willington Quay Saints took them three points clear of nearest rivals Wideopen & District. In what was Amble’s fifth win on the trot they had regular marksman Wyn Fremlin completing a hat-trick before Stu Marshall completed their tally. Unhappily the winners’ hero Fremlin had to be taken to hospital after sustaining a leg injury in the second half.

In the only other Second Division encounter Cramlington Blue Star picked up their first home points of the campaign by beating bottom rung opponents Whitley Bay Town 3-1. Johnny Wardle’s early opener for the` Star was cancelled out after an hour by the Bay’s Greg Lake. But James Harrison netted to restore Cramlington’s advantage and with three minutes to spare their third goal was tucked away by Ross Armstrong.

The Second Division sides retaining an interest in the League Cup and progressing to the third round were Cullercoats Custom Planet, Newcastle Chemfica and Stobswood Welfare.

With home advantage, Cullercoats Custom Planet ran out comfortable 6-1 winners to end the hopes of their Second Division colleagues Newcastle BT. Nigel Morris led the way for the Planet with his hat-trick with Kieran Fitzpatrick bagging himself a brace and Tony Fawcett also found the net. BT’s single reply on an off day came from Richard Beverley.

In another all-Second Division cup clash, Newcastle Chemfica beat visitors Wallsend Town 2-1 with both of their goals claimed by Michael Crozier and Alan Errington replying for the losers who have gone off the rails recently.

Stobswood Welfare carried their impressive league form into the cup arena when they visited Swalwell. The Welfare had already beaten Swalwell 6-1 in an identical league meeting and dished out similar punishment, winning 6-0 this time. Stobswood’s Josh Hay banged in three of their goals with the rest shared by Steve Gibbard, Paul Smith and James Davison.