HEDDON DUMP WALKER IN ONE OF SEVERAL UPSETS

By Bill Gardner
Four of the eight scheduled first round ties in the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup had to be postponed due to waterlogging and the surviving games provided some upsets.
Heddon on the Premier Division’s bottom rung provided the round’s biggest surprise by winning 3-2 in their cup clash with second-placed Walker Central at Monkchester. The Central had comfortably beaten their visitors 5-1 in an earlier league fixture but it was a different story this time.

A successful spot kick taken by Liam Mulligan put Walker in front midway through the first half but they were overtaken when Heddon’s Daniel Dunn and John Dunn replied on either side of the interval. Mulligan’s second strike after 73 minutes lifted the home side’s spirits but only two minutes later Ian McElroy weighed in with Heddon’s winner. And it’s been a horrendous five-week spell for Walker who have made early exits from the NFA Senior Bowl, League Cup and now the Challenge Cup.

There was another shock up the Tyne Valley where current Premier Division leaders Wark were also beaten 3-2 by cup visitors Ponteland United. The two sides had drawn 1-1 in the identical league meeting and this was another close encounter.

After fifteen tense minutes Pont started to get into the game and they opened the scoring when Liam McIvor cut in from the right to drill a low shot past home keeper Shaun Sagar from the edge of the box. And five minutes later McIvor bagged his second goal from a similar position, following good work by Max Turner.

After being two goals to the good Ponteland allowed Wark to get back into the game and a minute before half time Wark’s leading goalscorer Marc Nixon was left unmarked to head home.
Then, five minutes into the second half Wark restored parity and, when Craig Daglish mistimed a tackle and a penalty was awarded, Nixon stepped up to score his second goal of the game.

A real cut and thrust cup-tie ensued with Wark showing clearly why they’re heading the Premier Division table. But the Ponteland lads worked their socks off with Anthony Anzevui, Glenn Ford and Marc Dummett prominent in defence. And after 70 minutes the issue was settled when Billy Holden claimed Pont’s vital winner, ending his solo run with a curling shot past Sagar into the top corner.

With a hitherto excellent home record, Heaton Stannington had a league and cup double in their sights when Blyth Town dropped in at Grounsell Park. But they were left disappointed and a fast-improving Blyth outfit beat them 2-1 to avenge an earlier league defeat.

Craig Hopwood fired the Town in front within ten minutes of the kick off but regular marksman Adam Donaghey netted to get Heaton back on terms with almost the first kick of the second half. His reply didn’t upset Blyth too much and their efforts were rewarded just after an hour when Neil Blades, who had recently returned to the club, put away their vital second goal.
Almost as expected, Harraby Catholic Club proved too strong for first round hosts Murton and emerged as comfortable 5-0 victors.

Harraby arrived at a surprisingly dry ground at Murton from the ‘wetlands’ of Cumbria and made a very bright start. After Andrew Douglas and James Earl both tested home keeper Aiden Vout they opened their account after 22 minutes as David Hewson, returning from injury, volleyed home from Earl’s lofted free kick.

Douglas increased the visitors’ lead on the half hour when a defensive mix-up allowed him to pick his spot from ten yards and Harraby always threatened on the break in the second half. Goals put away by Daniel Balmer, Dan Wordsworth and Hewson added to their tally with Hewson claiming his second goal after seeing off several Murton challengers on his way.
Postponed ties involving Carlisle City v Alnwick Town, Killingworth Sporting v Seaton Delaval and Shankhouse v Cramlington Town have been rearranged for Saturday 28th November.

DIVISION ONE – PERCY MAIN ISSUE A WARNING TO LEADERS
In the First Division, the top first round tie in the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup was the meeting of league leaders Rutherford with second-placed visitors Percy Main. And after recovering from a two-goal half time deficit the Main snatched a notable 3-2 victory.

Rutherford opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Andrew Reay received a pass from Kevin Urwin, beating the offside trap before lofting the ball over the advancing Percy Main keeper Phil Hogg. Then, right on half time the home side’s lead was doubled by Urwin who scored from the rebound when his first effort was palmed out by Hogg.

It didn’t take the Villagers too long to launch their rescue act and only five minutes after the change-over Joe Betts got them off the mark when he ran onto Steve Shadforth’s through ball to score from the edge of the box. Only six minutes later the Main were back on level terms with Malcolm Morien equalizing with his powerful header from Jason Ritchie’s free kick. And with seven minutes to spare Rutherford were finally killed off by Morien’s second goal of the game. This time he beat home keeper Richard Swann after being put clear by a slide rule pass from Betts.

A run of success continued for Cullercoats who avenged an earlier 4-0 league defeat by beating first round visitors 3-1 in the cup. The Seasiders booked themselves a second round slot with goals shared by Sean Smith, Stewart Wright and Dave Fairless.

South Shields United also made progress and they too gained revenge after visitors Gosforth Bohemians had beaten them 3-1 in a league fixture. This time United beat the 2008 Combination Cup winners 2-0 with both of their goals scored in the opening half by Jack Lawton and Gary Errington.

In their first meeting this term Berwick United needed extra time to beat their cup hosts Newcastle East End 3-2. First half strikes by Andrew Hall and Paul Bright had apparently set up the East Enders for a rare victory but the Borderers booked an extra time reprieve with replies from Craig Heugh and Sandro De Oliviera after the break. Then, in the 18th minute of extra time Leigh Walker snatched Berwick’s winner.

The three first round ties which had to be postponed – Morpeth Sporting Club v Wallington, Seaton Burn v Amble United and Northbank v cup holders Whitley Bay – have been rescheduled for Saturday 28th November when Hebburn Reyrolle will also be hosting cup opponents Peterlee Town.

Due to the unavailability of Hebburn’s ground last weekend the Reyrolle lads went to Peterlee for a league game and picked up three points from a 2-1 victory. David Steel scored from the spot to give the Newtowners an interval lead but Chris Morris levelled for Hebburn and their vital second goal was put away by Simon Jacobs.

DIVISION TWO – HOLDERS FOREST GO THROUGH
In the Second Division, Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup holders Forest Hall got their defence of the trophy underway with a 3-1 first round victory at home to Whitley Bay Town. Their goals were provided by Mark Knights, Ben Gibson and Ryan Anderson with youthful striker Chris Fairley replying for the Bay.

Stobswood Welfare stood up well to a first half physical onslaught by cup hosts Wallsend Town before emerging as worthy 2-0 victors. Stephen Gibbard opened the scoring only a couple of minutes before the interval and in the second half the Welfare produced some impressive football. To ensure that they made progress their second goal was slotted in on the hour mark by regular scorer Josh Hay.

Cullercoats Custom Planet completed a league and cup double at Cramlington Blue Star’s expense but, despite having home advantage, needed the luxury of extra time to show the Star the exit door. Cramlington had cancelled out Andrew McCartney’s opener but Liam Graham restored the Planet’s lead to put them into the next round.

Extra time was also needed to obtain Newcastle Chemfica’s 3-1 win away to Willington Quay Saints with the score level at 1-1 after ninety minutes. Chemfica’s Mark Burlingston had quickly cancelled out Callum Ancrum’s first half opener for the Saints and during the extra half hour there were further strikes by Anthony Bruce and John-Paul Bradley for the visitors.
Amble recorded the first round’s most convincing victory in beating visitors Hexham 6-1, a surprising outcome following their goal-less draw in the league at Wentworth Park. Scott Coates scored from the penalty spot for Hexham’s consolation goal and they were well beaten by a livelier Amble outfit. Stu Marshall completed a hat-trick for the winners whose other marksmen were Stuart Oman, Shaun Jobson and Wyn Fremlin.

Newcastle BT have been showing considerable improvement this term and progressed in the cup thanks to their 2-0 home win against Swalwell who restricted them to a draw in the corresponding league fixture. Whitley Bay based striker Richard Beverley has proved a great signing for BT and he bagged himself a first half brace to see off Swalwell.

Wallsend Boys Club lost interest in the Amateur Cup after losing 2-1 at home to North Shields Athletic who were fired into a telling lead by Antonio Mango and Dan Walton. Rob Nolan trimmed the deficit for the Boys Club but they never looked capable of changing the course of the game.

Meanwhile, Wideopen & District’s scorers in their easy 4-0 cup win at home to Tynemouth United were Liam Jubb (2), Jack Steel and Richie Curran.