HEBBURN UPSET UNITED’S CUP PLANS

By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United lost the opportunity of reaching their second cup final when they were beaten comprehensively by Division One form team Hebburn Reyrolle. In the semi-final of the Kicks Leisure League Cup United’s visitors were high in confidence and deserved their 3-1 victory.

Ponteland’s end-of-season hopes have been badly affected by injuries to key players like Liam McIvor, Billy Holden, Max Turner, Jeff Forsyth and Craig Daglish. But they still took an early lead against Hebburn, Gavin Wood getting them off the mark after only ten minutes when he fired home from Andrew Davidson’s cross.

The lead lasted barely a minute before Craig Malley got Reyrolle back on terms with his 20-yard drive into the bottom corner. And on the half hour the visitors went in front when Shannon North scored after winning a race for the ball with Pont keeper Michael Havelock.

As the game progressed Hebburn were the better side all over the park and with ten minutes to go their efforts were rewarded with a third goal. Once again Shannon North was the scorer and he collected a long high ball before going round Havelock to poke the ball into the unguarded net. And it will be Hebburn Reyrolle who will be taking on Heddon in this year’s League Cup Final.

Four of the five teams heading the Premier Division dropped points and leaders Wark were restricted to a 2-2 draw at home by Ashington Colliers. Tony Lancaster and Marc Nixon scored for Wark with Richie Brown and Marc Pattie replying for the improving Colliers.

Walker Central remained in second spot and three points behind Wark despite losing 2-1 against Blyth Town at Monkchester. Liam Mulligan’s 16th minute opener for the Central was a bizarre affair. As Blyth had attempted to put the ball out of play following an injury their gesture misfired and Mulligan strolled through an ‘open door’ to put his side in front.

Walker deserved full credit six minutes later when they deliberately allowed Blyth’s Gary Day to run through unchallenged to accept the gift and restore parity. Justice had been done and it was still all to play for and after an hour the issue was settled. Blyth’s winner was headed home at close range from a Neil Blades flag kick.

Fourth-placed Heaton Stannington and fifth-placed Killingworth Sporting both have games in hand to make them capable of harming Walker Central’s plans for promotion. But they each shed valuable points and Heaton only managed a 1-1 draw away to stalemate experts Carlisle City. Kevin Carr fired Heaton in front after only five minutes but an 82nd minute penalty put away by Olly Driver restored parity for the Cumbrians.

Killingworth have fallen off the pace at a critical time and have won only once in six most recent appearances. Visitors Alnwick Town ended their own protracted lean spell by beating Killy 2-0 with goals for Scott McMullen and Ben Keenan early in the second half.

Murton have made a rapid climb into the top half of the Premier Division table and leapfrogged over visitors Harraby Catholic Club by beating their Cumbrian visitors 1-0. Stephen Turner headed home Murton’s winner only six minutes into the game and Harraby, with a daunting thirteen matches still to play, now look unlikely to catch up with the current pace-setters.

Newcastle University on the bottom rung and their fellow-strugglers Heddon, who are only four points better off, both suffered defeats and are now staring relegation in the face. The Students had Ben Burt on target at Cochrane Park against Cramlington Town but went down 2-1 to the Town’s goals scored by Jordan Watson and Martin Wardale. And Heddon, despite leading 2-1 at the interval, were eventually beaten 3-1 by hosts Shankhouse. Kevin Urwin and Ben Haddock were on the mark for Heddon but Shankhouse wrapped up the points through Jack Davidson, Anth Moran (82 minutes) and Paul Armstrong (89 minutes).

In a real thriller at Prudhoe, Stocksfield beat visitors Seaton Delaval 5-4 with goals supplied by David Below (2), Wayne Stewart, Pat Finnerty and Graeme Hudspith. Delaval had recovered from a 3-0 deficit to go 4-3 up with replies from Stephen Howes (2), John Fitzpatrick and Jordan Fry but they were still finally edged out.

DIVISION ONE – PROMOTION RACE HOTS UP
The top five teams in the First Division all won and Gateshead Rutherford strengthened their hand in pole position with a 3-1 victory away to Wallington. Unbeaten in their last five outings, Rutherford wrapped up the points with goals by Craig Horsfall, Aaron Sheriff and Kevin Hay with Wallington’s single reply coming from Peter Southern.

Rutherford are now five points clear of Percy Main who have a game in hand and the Main seem to be back on song following a dip in for. The Villagers followed up an important 3-0 win against promotion rivals Amble United in midweek with a 2-0 success against Cullercoats at Purvis Park. Jason Ritchie opened the scoring with his well-taken penalty after Craig Culyer was barged off the ball in the box. There was a long wait for the second goal and in the second minute of stoppage time it was claimed by Malcolm Morien as he headed home from Liam Knox’s precise cross.

After their midweek setback against Percy Main, Amble United got back on course quickly and the third-placed Seasiders were convincing 4-0 victors at home to lowly Newcastle East End. The visitors held out until just before the interval when Ian Common opened United’s account. Straight after the changeover Lee Harker doubled Ambles lead and it was all over for the Eastenders. Harker bagged his second goal after 77 minutes and five minutes later Paul White completed Amble’s tally.

Whitley Bay A and Morpeth Sporting Club both picked up maximum points although they remain on the fringes in the battle for promotion. In a game played on the Friday night Morpeth easily beat visitors Chopwell Officials 6-2 with their goals supplied by Graham Carter (2), Ross Symington, Chris Tate, Karl Snowden and Scott Pocklington.

Whitley Bay A were content with a more modest 2-0 verdict against bottom rung outfit Seaton Burn at Hillheads and the Bay have now won seven of their last eight games in the First Division. Both of their goals on this occasion were bagged by Jamie Lyndon.

Danny Sherwood’s goal for Gosforth Bohemians couldn’t prevent their 3-1 defeat at Benson Park by Peterlee Town whose scorers were Adam Stanley, Peter Crawford and substitute Adam West. And South Shields United showed no mercy to relegation-haunted visitors Northbank. The Cumbrians still have a chance of avoiding the drop and almost deserved a share of the spoils. Kyle Yorston netted after only four minutes for North Shields before seeing his later spot kick saved. Only seconds remained when the home side’s lead was doubled by Dominic Mossa.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE STILL AIMING TO STEP UP
With only four games left to play – home to Newcastle Chemfica and Stobswood Welfare and away to Wallsend Town and Willington Quay Saints – North Shields Athletic are closing in on the Second Division title. A goal-less draw away to Forest Hall wasn’t too much of a blow for the league leaders while the Hall retained their unbeaten home record.

The biggest threats to North Shields’ aspirations will probably come from second-placed Amble and Stobswood Welfare who, despite being currently down in sixth spot, have eleven games outstanding to complete their league programme and do some catching up. Both won to keep the pressure on and Amble in particular fancy their chances of stepping up this term.

Amble were a trifle fortunate however to beat mid-table visitors Hexham 2-1. Wyn Fremlin’s very early opener was cancelled out by a Tom Phillips leveller for Hexham in the 65th minute and time was rapidly running out when Kevin Bell slotted in Amble’s vital winner.

By winning all of their Games in hand Stobswood could even overhaul pace-setters North Shields but it may be the tallest of orders. The Welfare however are giving it their best shot and a 2-1 victory over hosts Wallsend Town was an important step. Liam Anderson netted for Wallsend while Chris Graham opened Stobswood’s account and their winner was tucked away by Josh Hay to extend an unbeaten run away from home to eight games.

Newcastle BT were fairly comfortable 3-1 winners at home to Newcastle Chemfica whose losing run continued. First half goals for Greg Palmer and Josh Elliott set BT up nicely and their 65th minute third goal was scored by Dan Sherliker. David Ryan claimed a last minute bizarre consolation goal for Chemfica when a powerful clearance by the home keeper cannoned off his head and into the net.

Swalwell look like finishing in a mid-table slot but they were not short of effort in their 5-1 victory away to second from bottom Cramlington Blue Star. The Swalwell goals flowed from Stuart Rook ( 2), Joe Adams, Matthew Scott and Chris Smith with Ross Armstrong replying for the losers.

Wallsend Boys Club put some more distance between themselves and the basement by impressively beating powerful visitors Tynemouth United 4-3. With goals supplied by Scott Lynas (2 ). Andy McBride and Chris Thompson the Boys Club always had their noses in front. Chris Garwood, Kris Whillis and Aaron Chalmers replied for Tynemouth who have lost only two of their last twelve games.

Whitley Bay Town still have some work to do to lift themselves off the bottom rung in the Second Division and their 2-1 defeat at home by Wideopen & District didn’t help. Chris Sword and Sean Hay were Wideopen’s marksmen and only ten minutes were left when Chris Atkin got the Town off the mark.