ALNWICK DOUBLE UP AGAINST WARK

By Bill Gardner

All of last weekend’s games in the Northern Alliance were preceded by a minute of silence as a mark of respect following the news that League Chairman George Dobbins had died suddenly in hospital last Friday afternoon.

Heaton Stannington and Alnwick Town booked themselves a head-to-head in this year’s final of the Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl. And Heaton avenged an earlier league defeat by beating cup visitors Killingworth Sporting 2-1 this time. First half goals for Adam Donaghey and Dan Thompson gave Heaton a handy interval lead. Killy’s Martin Patterson reduced the deficit straight after the break but a missed penalty five minutes later was a wasted opportunity.

Alnwick Town were impressive semi-final winners at Wark and beat the Alliance’s Premier Division leaders for the second time in a week. After winning 2-0 in the league at St James’ Park last Saturday the Town won 3-0 in the county cup. James Lang, Ben Keenan and Tony Brown netted for Alnwick who last lifted this trophy way back in 1987.

While some of their top-of-the-table rivals were on cup duty there were chances for Walker Central, Harraby Catholic Club and Carlisle City to make up some ground. And second-placed Walker ended a lean spell by winning 3-0 away to Cramlington Town. Their goals, all in the second half, were claimed by John Robson, Paul Stoneman and Liam Mulligan (penalty).
Harraby Catholic Club hoisted themselves up into fourth place and their several games in hand could make them real title contenders. The Cumbrians made it five wins on the trot by narrowly beating visitors Shankhouse 1-0 with a vital goal put away by Marc Shiel after 76 minutes.

Harraby’s neighbours Carlisle City however are still going through a bad patch and after losing three away games in succession they could only draw 1-1 with relegation-haunted hosts Newcastle University. George Coyle ended 65 minutes of deadlock with his goal for the Students but they were reeled back in and City’s Chris Major levelled with ten minutes to spare.
The University are now four points better off than Heddon who stayed on the bottom rung after losing 3-2 away to close neighbours Ponteland United. Although struggling, Heddon are under new management and have changed their playing personnel entirely since the teams last met back in September. Pont were without the suspended Glenn Ford and captain Craig Brown who was down with flu and recalled Lewis Shiels after a six month injury absence.

The first half was evenly contested with neither team creating any clear-cut chances but Ponteland still took the lead after half an hour when Billy Holden beat Heddon keeper Richard Swan after racing onto a great through ball from Andrew Davidson.

Ten minutes into the second half Paul Hodgson won the ball before passing to Dean Gate whose chip into the box was volleyed home by Richard Kent to double United’s lead. And only three minutes later Pont’s third goal was scored by Max Turner from a tight angle to leave Heddon with a mountain to climb.

The visitors were handed a possible lifeline on 65 minutes when David Tremble took a low free kick from 25 yards out which went through the defensive wall and past the unsighted home keeper Michael Havelock. With five minutes to go the deficit was trimmed again by Heddon’s Ben Haddock but the goal came too late to affect the final outcome.

Although Murton are clear of the basement they are still seeking a first away win after being beaten 4-2 by Blyth Town. Andy Kibble and Mark Smith were the Murton marksmen but they were always trailing and Blyth deservedly wrapped up the points with goals shared by Jeff Fuller, Tom Haigh, Ian Blades and Gary Day.

Third from bottom Ashington Colliers meanwhile eased their relegation worries by beating Seaton Delaval 1-0 at Wheatridge Park to make up for a defeat in the reverse fixture. A scrappy game of few chances was settled in the Colliers’ favour by James Patterson’s goal scored after only four minutes.

DIVISION ONE – CUP JOY FOR BERWICK

In the quarter-finals of the First Division’s Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup, Berwick United, Whitley Bay A, Hebburn Reyrolle and Percy Main all made progress and Berwick completed a league and cup double by beating visitors South Shields United 2-1. Simon Hargreaves and Mike Robinson netted for the Borderers with Tijan Kah replying for the losers.

Whitley Bay A’s quarter final victims were Cullercoats who didn’t benefit from having home advantage and were beaten 3-1. Rob Watson was a lone marksman for Cullercoats who had lost 3-2 in an earlier identical league encounter. The Bay made it into the last four with goals supplied by Ian Lee, Stephen Salters and Simon Reay.

At home to Amble United, Hebburn Reyrolle won 1-0 but cut it really fine and their winner was put away by Ray Oshin in the dying seconds of extra time. The Reyrolle lads now have a silverware double in their sights and have a Durham FA Trophy Final date to look forward to against Chester-le-Street Whitehills at Eppleton on Friday 26th March.

Percy Main also needed the luxury of extra time but finally overcame cup opponents Wallington to the tune of 4-1 at Purvis Park. Nathan Williamson opened the scoring for Wallington but straight after half time Lee Gray levelled for the Main. And the Villagers were stronger during the added half hour with Jon McEnaney bagging a brace and Malcolm Morien completing their goals tally.

The Combination Cup’s semi-final draw now has Percy Main at home again facing Berwick United while Whitley Bay will be crossing the Tyne to take on Hebburn Reyrolle. The ties are scheduled for 27th March although Hebburn’s county cup commitments may force a change.

On the league front in the First Division, Gateshead Rutherford have recaptured pole position from Percy Main although the latter have two games in hand with only a single point separating the two front runners. Rutherford overtook their rivals but needed a 75th minute goal by Kevin Hay to beat lowly visitors Northbank and didn’t look too convincing.

Gosforth Bohemians were looking for a fifth consecutive league win to improve their promotion bid but their visit to mid-table opponents Chopwell Officials proved unproductive. The Bohs were beaten 2-0 as Mark Fitzpatrick’s two goals for their hosts were put away in the 5th and 85th minutes.

In the third of only three league games down for decision there was another disappointment for bottom rung outfit Seaton Burn and they were beaten 1-0 at home by Peterlee Tow n. The Newtowners had just lost six games on the bounce themselves and were lucky to win this one with a vital strike by Wayne Sullivan in the dying second. Seaton Burn had merited at least a point but for the umpteenth time they were let down by woeful finishing.

In the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, Morpeth Sporting Club guaranteed themselves a place in this year’s semi-finals by beating visitors Blyth Town Reserves 3-1. Their scorers ensuring continued progress were Lee Donnelly, Karl Snow den and Ross Symington.

DIVISION TWO – THE WELFARE MAKE HAY

Second Division hopefuls Stobswood Welfare stayed on course in the Northumberland Minor Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory away to quarter-final opponents Gosforth Bohemians Reserves. Josh Hay opened the scoring immediately before the break and to wrap things up for the Welfare both Stephen Gibbard and Chris Graham were also on target later on. The two semi-final ties in the Minor Cup take place this weekend and feature Morpeth Sporting Club at home to Stobswood Welfare and Percy Main hosting Newcastle Chemfica.

Meanwhile, North Shields Athletic increased their lead at the top of the Second Division to five points by narrowly beating hosts Cullercoats Custom Planet 1-0 with a headed goal on the hour mark for John Mordey. The Athletic were also pleased to see second-placed challengers Wideopen & Districted restricted to a 2-2 draw up at Amble .James Bell scored two first half goals for Wideopen but they were reeled back in with their hosts replying through Wyn Fremlin and teenager Ben Lilburn who marked his debut with a fine headed equaliser.

In fourth place Forest Hall have suffered from poor away form but at home they’re still strong and beat bottom rung visitors Whitley Bay Town 3-2. Mark Knights, Mark Sandberg and Robert Ruddick were Forest Hall’sa scorers with Andrew Laird and Liam Hudson hitting back fruitlessly for the Town.

Like Forest Hall, Hexham have remained unbeaten at home in this campaign and at Wentworth Park claimed another scalp by beating Cramlington Blue Star 2-1. After Paul Avery gave the Star a second half lead youngster Curtis Harvey levelled for Hexham. But they had to wait until the fourth minute of stoppage time for their w inner scored by Scott Coates.

With games in hand Newcastle Chemfica continue d their climb up the table with a 4 -2 victory away to Wallsend Town whose four-match winning run came to a halt. And Wallsend Boys Club are clear of the basement after another promising performance produced a 2-0 home win against Willington Quay Saints. Andy Lau opened the scoring and the Boys Club had substitute Stephen Hedley doubling the ir lead with almost his first touch just before half time.

Swalwell’s recent winless run of five games was ended by their 1-0 success at home to Newcastle BT and they claimed the points with a crucial strike by regular marksman Chris Smith midway through the first half.

LEAGUE STUNNED BY CHAIRMAN’S DEATH


Local clubs, players and match officials in the Pin Point Recruitment Northern Alliance were shocked by the sudden death of long-serving league chairman George Dobbins.


George had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition when he sadly died suddenly at the Freeman Hospital last Friday afternoon.


It was too late to suspend the fixture programme but all clubs were requested by league secretary Derek Booth to observe a minute’s silence prior to kick off as a mark of respect.


George's wife Carol and his family bravely attended the touching minute’s tribute observed at the NFA Senior Bowl semi-final between Alliance teams Heaton Stannington and Killingworth Sporting at Grounsell Park where he had been a regular visitor over the years.


There is no doubt that George, a tireless league chairman for almost two decades, will be greatly missed in the Northern Alliance and on the wider football scene in the North East. His busy life had always revolved around football and he was involved as a player and club secretary before taking up the reins with the Northern Alliance.