ANOTHER FAIL FOR STUDENTS

By Bill Gardner
Postponements of home games involving Heaton Stannington and Ashington Colliers, allied to cup commitments, reduced the Premier Division programme to only three fixtures. And second-placed Walker Central could only draw 0-0 away to lowly Murton. The Central are now five points behind current leaders Wark and have won only one of their last six league games.

With Killing worth Sporting and Heaton both out of action, Carlisle City could have overtaken both to claim third spot. The Cumbrians wasted the opportunity and were beaten 2-0 away to an improving Seaton Delaval who made it three wins on the trot with goals in each half for Stephen Anderson and Michael Fenwick.

Strugglers Newcastle University, only three points better off than bottom club Heddon, had no joy against Stocksfield at Cochrane Park. Their visitors claimed a 1-0 victory, their fourth in succession away from home, but were second best to the Students in the early exchanges and were lucky not to go behind on a couple of occasions.

The visitors improved after the break however with Wayne Stewart and Reece Davies causing problems for the University defence. And with fifteen minutes to go Stocksfield got their breakthrough when Anthony Dowson’s testing cross saw the home keeper and his defenders get in a mix up. Dave Below seized on the loose ball to hammer his winner into an unguarded net.

In the Kicks Leisure League Cup, Chopwell’s scheduled home tie against Blyth Town was switched to the latter’s ground at South Newsham and Blyth secured a 3-1 win to make progress. Craig Hopwood gave the Town an interval lead which was later increased by Chris Lisle and then Neil Blades. Chopwell’s single reply came from Dave Fitzpatrick just two minutes before the final whistle.

Only two other League Cup matches got the go-ahead and Premier Division leaders Wark went down 2-1 at home to last season’s losing finalists Harraby Catholic Club. Harraby started well and took the lead when Jordan Coulthard headed home from a James Earl flag kick early in the tie. The Cumbrians had to defend well to hang onto their slight advantage up until half time.

Wark began to fire on all cylinders after the break and their pressure paid off when Harraby’s Mark Thompson conceded a penalty and Marc Nixon fired the home side level from the spot.  The visitors kept their focus however, being quick to break as Wark pushed for a winner. And it was the Cumbrians who came out on top when, after Marc Shiel’s shot hit the post, Andrew Douglas lashed in the rebound.

Hebburn Reyrolle from the First Division also booked their place in the next round of the League Cup by comfortably beating Second Division opponents Wallsend Boys Club 5-1. With eleven minutes of the kick off Chris Morris had completed his hat-trick for Reyrolle and after the break they added further goals through Craig Watson and Mark Dale. Gary Gill claimed a late consolation goal for the Boys Club although his shot was claimed not to have crossed the line.

Premier Division outfit Cramlington Town were well and truly caught out in the first round of the Northern Alliance Charity Cup. Despite their home advantage the Town were hammered 7-0 by their First Division cup opponents Cullercoats. The visitors were out of their blocks quickly and were five goals ahead at the interval thanks to Stewart Wright, Robert Watson, Craig Deighton and Ben Gardner who bagged himself a brace. After the change-over the Cullercoats tally was increased with further goals for Deighton and Watson.

In another Charity Cup encounter, Northbank forgot about their battle against relegation in the First Division to beat highly-rated cup hosts Gateshead Rutherford 3-1 after extra time.
In an otherwise even first half, Craig Horsfall and Robbie Frame both went close to opening the home side’s account while Sergio Royo fired narrowly wide for the Cumbrians. After 57 minutes Northbank opened the scoring when Jonathan Mason finished off good work by Mark Stevenson.

David Clasper got Rutherford back on terms with his powerful header from a 70th minute flag kick but Northbank went on to seal victory in extra time. Scott Thompson restored their lead right at the end of the first period and Ross Irving scored their third goal from keeper Jack Twentyman’s long clearance.

DIVISION TWO – RECOVERY FOR TYNEMOUTH?
Only three league games were scheduled in the Second Division and a much-changed Tynemouth United side lifted off the bottom rung after beating visitors Newcastle BT 3-1 and avenging a defeat by the same margin in the reverse fixture. United’s scorers were Darren Turnbull, Chris Spearman and Mike Armstrong who found the net with a scorching thirty-yard effort. Newcastle BT’s reply came from Greg Palmer.

Tynemouth’s original slot at the foot of the table was reluctantly taken over by Whitley Bay Town following their 2-1 defeat away to Willington Quay Saints. Dale Johnson and Mark Henderson netted in each half for the Saints and only three minutes remained when Chris Atkin claimed a late consolation goal for the Town.

Hexham had drawn 2-2 at Swalwell earlier in the season and there was another stalemate when Swalwell dropped in at Wentworth. A cross-cum-shot from Jamie McNamee gave Hexham a somewhat unexpected opener after only two minutes and the goal seemed likely to secure the points. In the second minute of stoppage time however Michael Bell spoiled the party by levelling for Swalwell.

In the Second Division’s Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup, North Shields Athletic became the first team to book themselves a semi-final slot by winning 3-1 at home to Wideopen & District. The Shieldsmen, also chasing promotion this term, completed a league and cup double against their visitors with goals shared by Graham Williams, Liam Bainbridge and Antonio Mango.

COUNTY CUP ACTION – CHEMFICA HUMBLE HOLDERS
In keeping with other competitions the Northumberland FA Minor Cup has had progress badly affected by the weather. The fourth round should have taken place in early January but only three games have been decided after getting the go-ahead last weekend.

Three Northern Alliance sides – Newcastle Chemfica, Amble and Percy Main - cleared this belated hurdle. And Chemfica knocked out last season’s cup winners Blakelaw who have seen several of their players joining Tynemouth United in the Alliance’s Second Division.

Chemfica won 3-2 away to the holders, despite having a player sent off midway through the first half, and booked themselves a fifth round ticket thanks to two successful Liam Naulls spot kicks after Mike Crozier had opened their account.

Amble won 3-1 away to league colleagues Forest Hall whose single goal was scored by Robert Ruddick. Amble had Stu Marshall bagging himself a brace and Adam Shanks completed their winning tally.

Percy Main’s tie away to Shilbottle Colliery Welfare was switched to Purvis Park where the Villagers celebrated a comfortable 3-0 victory. Player-manager Jason Ritchie got the Main off the mark with his 31st minute penalty and doubled his side’s lead just before the break, scoring with a long range header from Steve Shadforth’s cross. And midway through the second half Shadforth was on target himself after Callum Colbeck’s drive was only parried by the Shilbottle keeper.

While Wallsend Town’s tie away to Gosforth Bohemians Reserves had to be abandoned due to an incident involving an accidental clash of heads, Seaton Burn, Berwick United and Stobswood Welfare finally staged their third round games with all three making progress.

Berwick United beat cup visitors Alnwick Town Reserves 3-0 with goals claimed by Leigh Walker (2) and Mike Robinson and Seaton Burn won 4-1 away to Wallington in a game staged at Morpeth. Dave Hewitt and Stu Taylor bagged a brace apiece for the Burn with Ashley McAlpine scoring for the losers.

Stobswood Welfare continued their progress by beating Newcastle RVI Lochside 3-1 thanks to goals by Steve Gibbard (2) and Josh Hay and this weekend’s outstanding fourth round matches in the NFA Minor Cup will be featuring Berwick United v Amble United, Blyth Town Reserves v Seaton Burn, Gosforth Bohemians Reserves v Wallsend Town, Killingworth Plough v Morpeth Sporting Club and Walker Central Reserves v Stobswood Welfare.

South of the Tyne in the Durham FA Minor Cup, South Shields United kept the Northern Alliance flag flying with a 5-0 home win against Stillington Royal. Jack Lawson’s two early goals for Shields included a 5th minute penalty and Dominic Mossa also netted to put them three up at the interval. Inside the last ten minutes South Shields’ nap hand was completed when Adam Bell bagged himself a brace.