PONTELAND MATCH LEAGUE LEADERS WARK

By Bill Gardner
The top three sides in the Premier Division all drew and there is still no clear leader with Wark and Walker Central sharing pole position with almost identical records.

After winning six games on the trot, Wark were restricted to a 1-1 stalemate by visitors Ponteland United. With the wind behind them in the first half Wark had the majority of the play and showed why they are one of the leagues front runners. Pont’s Michael Havelock was the busier of the two keepers, tipping over a cross from Matt MacLoughlin but with new signing Anzevui marshalling the defence and Liam McIvor and Craig Brown working hard in midfield United kept the home side at bay and it was still 0-0 at half time.

Havelock was in action again after the break, tipping over a drive from Mark Elliott but was beaten on 60 minutes by Marc Nixon's 30-yard free kick low down to his right. Despite this set-back Pont stuck to their task with Brown and Glenn Ford bravely charging down Phil Thompson’s drive as Wark aimed to double their lead.
Richard Kent was working tirelessly on the visitors’ right flank but Wark’s defenders were proving too strong and physical for Billy Holden when the crosses came in.

Nevertheless, Ponteland’s nippy striker got his reward with five minutes to go. Home keeper Sagar failed to collect Max Turner's cross when under pressure from McIvor and Holden was on hand to poke the ball over the line.

It was always going to be tough for Walker Central at home to Harraby Catholic Club and they also had to be content with a 1-1 draw. Only beaten once in this campaign, the Central were given the lead by Liam Mulligan straight after half time. The Cumbrians had Marc Shiel claiming their leveller after 67 minutes and their games in hand will make them increasingly threatening.

Carlisle City in third place have remained unbeaten in their last four matches away from home and shared four goals with their latest hosts Blyth Town. Craig Robinson opened the scoring for Blyth midway through the first half but there was a fairly quick reply from City’s Steve Bell. With five minutes to go Chris Major scored what seemed to be Carlisle’s winner but in the dying seconds Mark Waugh’s successful spot kick salvaged a point for the Town.

With the teams above them all spilling points, fourth-placed Heaton Stannington improved their standing and another good performance at Grounsell Park earned them a 4-1 verdict against strugglers Heddon. Thanks to strikes by Brian Dodsworth (2), Lawrence McKenna and Kevin Carr, Heaton were four goals to the good after 55 minutes and Heddon’s later consolation goal was put away by David Edwardson. And Heddon are still in trouble after suffering their eighth defeat on the trot in the Premier Division.

Two in-form sides met at St James’ Park where hosts Alnwick Town won 4-1 against Cramlington Town to keep themselves in the top half of the table. Early goals for Ben Keenan and Tony Brown gave Alnwick a flying start and after Jordan Watson hit back for the visitors their two-goal advantage was restored before the break by Tom Vickers. In the final minute Dale Kennedy scored a fourth for the home side who have remained unbeaten in their last five outings.

Stocksfield have won two and drawn two of their four most recent league games after beating Seaton Delaval 2-1 at Wheatridge Park. A goal in each half for Josh Brooks and Phil Murray set the visitors up for the kill. Carl Bennington punished an error by Stocksfield keeper Peter Adnitt to get Delaval off the mark but that was their last shout.

After five games, late starters Newcastle University secured their first league point with a goal-less draw against Murton at Cochrane Park and Murton are yet to win away from home. Meanwhile the strength of the wind at Northburn caused Shankhouse’s home game against Killingworth Sporting to be called off.

DIVISION ONE – RUTHERFORD STUNG BY SEATON BURN
First Division leaders Gateshead Rutherford had their hundred percent home record terminated by Seaton Burn who picked up their first away point from their 1-1 draw at Lobley Hill. Despite being at the bottom end of the table the Burn posed some problems for their high-ranking hosts and after an hour were fired in front by Dave Hewitt. Rutherford had three goals disallowed for offside but with nine minutes to go Craig Horsfall’s leveller saved some of their dignity.

Now in fourth spot, Whitley Bay A had to be content with a 3-3 draw with Hebburn Reyrolle at Hillheads. The Bay’s goals were shared by Dean Porter, Craig Smith and Ian Lee with his first of the season. Marc Hare and Craig Malley hit back for Hebburn who had a last minute equaliser put away by Marc Lockwell.

South Shields United became the latest tormentors of Northbank who are on the bottom rung and still waiting for their first point. Over in Carlisle, South shields emerged as 2-01 victors after having Phil Elund and Phil Lawton on target in the first half. Northbank worked hard to get back in the game but their only reward was a single strike by Stuart McGarva in the 77th minute.

Cullercoats are gradually recovering last season’s fine form and claimed their first home win at the expense of a Gosforth Bohemians side which has lost its way in recent games. For the first time this term the Bohs failed to get a name on the score sheet and were beaten 1-0. Straight after the interval Rob Watson secured the points for Cullercoats and his fierce thirty-yard drive was a worthy match-winner.

Amble United’s top of the table clash with visitors Morpeth Sporting Club was called off due to the gale force wind at the coast but Peterlee Town continued their improved run away from home and won 3-1 at Chopwell to climb into a mid-table slot. Two of the Newtowners’ goals were scored by Damian Gee with Nathan Liddell also finding the net. Andrew Smith was a lone marksman for Chopwell who have picked up only a single point from their last four games.

DIVISION TWO – SINGLE GOAL STUNS NORTH SHIELDS
In the Second Division the game between fourth-placed Stobswood Welfare and visitors Whitley Bay Town was a non-starter due to Whitley’s inability to field a team. And the strong winds caused the postponement of Wallsend Boys Club’s home game against Hexham.

With Northumberland Minor Cup ties reducing the Second Division programme even further only two league games went ahead and an impressive Newcastle Chemfica outfit beat third-placed visitors North Shields Athletic 1-0. After five straight wins North Shields were sunk by a 75th minute strike by Chemfica’s Mick Crozier.

In the only other Second Division encounter hosts Newcastle BT shared the spoils with Cramlington Blue Star. The result was a 2-2 draw with the Blue Star scoring first and last through Jonathan Wardle and James Harrison. In the interim BT’s marksmen were Sean Blakey and Colin Galbraith.

Swalwell took a break from league duty but made an early exit from the Durham Minor Cup, beaten 4-2 by cup hosts Evenwood White Swan despite having Colin Beestone and Joe Adams on target.

NORTHUMBERLAND MINOR CUP – AMBLE STROLL THROUGH
Of the nine Northern Alliance teams involved in the first round of the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup, there were three early fallers but the remaining six were able to make progress. Cullercoats Custom Planet, Newcastle East End and Willington Quay Saints were all ushered through the exit door.

The Planet were beaten 3-0 at home by league colleagues Berwick United whose goals were shared by Leigh Walker, Simon Hargreaves and Phil Lee. And Newcastle East End suffered severe disappointment away to Newcastle Chemfica Reserves. Dieu Lomana’s goal for the East Enders made it 1-1 after extra time but they were beaten 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out.

Willington Quay Saints bowed out and although Mark Henderson and Gareth Pugh found the net they lost 3-2 away to cup holders Blakelaw Crofters Lodge.
Among the teams clearing the first hurdle, Amble and Wideopen & District – the two sides currently heading the Second Division table in the Alliance – were the most convincing first round winners in the Minor Cup.

In Amble’s 9-2 home victory against Gosforth Bohemians A, both John Charlton and Wyn Fremlin weighed in with hat-tricks. Stu Marshall bagged himself a brace and the Amble tally was topped up by Adam Shanks.

Wideopen were also at home and hammered cup opponents North Shields Town 6-0. Martin Roper banged in four of the goals and the other two were supplied by his colleague Liam Jubb.

Goals for Jamie Gilbert and Danny Carr earned Forest Hall their 2-0 cup passport when they visited Lowick United and Percy Main also won away from home, beating Ashington BB Athletic 4-3. First half Percy Main goals for Malcolm Morien, Callum Colbeck and Chris Locke were wiped out by three Ashington replies after the break. There was relief all round for the Villagers when Mick Haley edged them in front again with barely a minute to spare with his goal direct from a corner kick..

Last season’s Minor Cup finalists Wallsend Town were 3-2 first round winners at home to Cullercoats Reserves, making hard work of a victory assured by goals supplied by Kevin Smith, Stephen Dodd and Tony Senagoga.

Another thirteen Northern Alliance hopefuls who received byes will be joining the fray in the Minor Cup’s second round with the draw yet to be announced. The late starters are Amble United, Cramlington Blue Star, Gosforth Bohemians, Hexham, Morpeth Sporting Club, Newcastle British Telecom, Newcastle Chemfica, North Shields Athletic, Seaton Burn, Tynemouth United, Wallington, Wallsend Boys Club and Whitley Bay Town.