5th September
By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United stayed two points clear at the head of the Premier Division table despite being side-lined by their home tie against Percy Main in a preliminary round of the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup. In the event the league leaders, who lifted this trophy last term, were beaten 2-1 by their visitors who had both of their goals claimed by Tony Browell.
Browell ended 52 minutes of stalemate with his headed opener from Dean Ellis’s corner kick and bagged his second only two minutes later. From another flag kick, this time curled in by Pierre-Luc Coiffait, Browell forced the ball home from close range. Richard Kent replied in the 85th minute for United from Gavin Wood’s cross before Dean Gate almost bagged an equaliser, his drive striking Rob Rodgerson without the Percy Main keeper knowing much about it.
Both Alnwick Town and Harraby Catholic Club claimed victories to leave them sharing second spot and Alnwick, yet to be beaten, were 6-2 victors at home to Gateshead Rutherford. Ben Keenan completed a hat-trick for the Town whose other scorers were Dale Kennedy, James Swordy and Stephen Hogg. Rutherford had Isaac Mitchell opening the scoring and their second reply came from Michael Jeffares.
Harraby extended an unbeaten run to six games by beating hosts Shankhouse 2-0. Shankhouse were twice denied by the woodwork in the first half but still trailed to two great early strikes by Mark Worrall for the Cumbrians. Worrall claimed his first after only eight minutes with a shot across home keeper Tony Deakin who was under pressure from Stuart Moffat and Daniel Balmer.
Then midway through the half Worrall was on target again to double Harraby’s lead. This time he beat Deakin with a swirling 18-yard effort from the corner of the area. Worrall in fact was close to completing his hat-trick on the hour but his chip over the keeper was disallowed for a handling offence in the build-up..
After two successive drawn games Blyth Town came good with a vengeance and beat visitors Heaton Stannington 7-3. Leading 4-0 at the interval, Blyth had Jonnie Mann claiming a hat-trick with Gary Day bagging a brace. Their other marksmen were new signing Ian Herron and Jeff Fuller. Heaton, who had inflicted a first defeat on Percy Main in midweek, were never really in the hunt this time despite having Adrian Watson, Kevin Carr and Michael Waggott on target.
In the meeting over in Cumbria between two sides suffering a recent loss of form Carlisle City were made to work hard for a 2-1 win against Seaton Delaval. Stephen Bell gave the home side a 17th minute opener, holding off two defenders and squeezing his shot past Delaval keeper Dave Herrington. City’s lead was doubled in the 34th minute with a cross-cum-shot from Jamie Heath which went in off the back post. Delaval were always threatening but had to be content with a single reply on the hour. Their goal was claimed by John Fitzpatrick whose header came off Carlisle’s Lee Otway on its way into the net.
Ashington Colliers climbed into mid-table with an impressive 3-1 victory at Wark where their goals were shared by Michael Hogg, Dave Brown and Jamie Patterson with Stuart Brown responding for the losers. And Walker Central secured only their second victory, beating visitors Killingworth Sporting 1-0. Liam Mulligan put away a vital 25th minute penalty for the Central and Killy’s attempts to get back on terms weren’t helped by the sending off of Liam Callaghan on the hour mark. This was an encouraging result for Walker manager Michael Jeffels who has admitted that his policy of bringing on talented youngsters may no equate to a tilt at the Premier Division title this time around. Mike has to be congratulated for his aims and his young charges are already repaying him with some sound performances.
Stocksfield also claimed their second win of the new campaign to improve their position in the basement and were pleased to beat visitors Murton 3-1. Liam Wintrip was Murton’s only scorer and their hosts sealed the points with replies from Graham Hudspith and Jack Wanless, the latter bagging a brace to mark his debut after transferring from neighbouring Wark.
DIVISION ONE – JOINT LEADERS SET THE STANDARD
At present, Hebburn Reyrolle and Whitley Bay A are setting an unmatchable pace as joint leaders in the First Division, each boasting hundred percent records in their seven opening games. And to reflect their neck-and-neck supremacy both of the front runners recorded identical 5-0 victories.
Hebburn’s nap hand was achieved at Scots Gap against Wallington who had picked up three points from their two previous games. They had no answer to Reyrolle’s fire power how ever and Channon North claimed a hat-trick for the winners whose other scorers were Simon Boyle and Mike Younger.
Whitley Bay A followed suit by hammering five goals past Stobswood Welfare at Hillheads where the goals were supplied by Dean Porter (2), Ian Lee, Craig Smith and Paul King. And while the Bay celebrated their seventh successive league win the Welfare were left bemoaning their fifth successive defeat.
In third spot Cullercoats are seven points behind the pace-setters following their 1-1 draw away to North Shields Athletic. Craig Boyle netted for the Athletic and the Cullercoats goal was put away by Craig Deighton who seems to be recapturing his form at an opportune time for the Seasiders.
There was an important 1-0 win for Amble United at home to South Shields United with both sides desperate to keep their promotion prospects on track. They’re now level on points although a game in hand could prove useful for Amble whose winner was tucked away on the stroke of half time by Brent Aisbitt.
Heddon reached the respectability of a mid-table slot thanks to their third win of the season, 4-2 against Newcastle East End at Bullocksteads. Regular marksman Ben Haddock bagged two of Heddon’s goals with the others provided by Danny Robinson and John Pearson. Replies from Andy Weeks and Richard Hoggins couldn’t prevent a third straight defeat for the East Enders.
While Chopwell Officials had their game at Forest Hall postponed by the league to allow them to sort out some recent problems, Newcastle University finally started their campaign but were beaten 3-1 at home by Morpeth Sporting Club. Will Deledicq netted for the Students but Morpeth secured the points with strikes by Luke Jamieson-Yip, Glen Gallon and Michael Halliday.
In a preliminary round of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup there was a 2-0 victory for Gosforth Bohemians at the expense of Berwick United Ultras at Benson Park. Goals for Matt Atkin and Tavis Couling earned the Bohs a forthcoming first round tie away to Newcastle University.
DIVISION TWO – CUP WIN FOR TOWN AS RIVALS SLIP UP
Wallsend Town are sitting comfortably in pole position in the Second Division, equal on points with Tynemouth United but with a vital game in hand. A hundred percent record in five league games to date have put Wallsend in high spirits and, taking a break from league duty, they beat visitors Amble 1-0 in a preliminary round tie in the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup. Derek Graham’s goal settled the issue and set up a first round home tie against Simonside SC.
While Wallsend Town were otherwise engaged, Tynemouth United had an ideal opportunity to nudge their rivals out of top spot. Instead, they slipped up and were soundly beaten 4- 1 at home by promising newcomers Red House Farm. Rob Nolan (2), Nathan Johnstone and Chris Davison scored for the Farm and Tynemouth were never really in the hunt had their late consolation goal put away by Scott Rowan.
Like Tynemouth, Swalwell could have improved their top-of-the-table ranking but stayed put in third place after being restricted to a goal-less draw by visitors Whitley Bay Town. The Town picked up their first point of the campaign but deserved more after giving a gritty performance against their strong opponents.
Fourth-placed Wallsend Boys Club paid for bad finishing against Northbank over in Cumbria and were beaten 1-0 by hosts Northbank whose physical style upset the Tyneside youngsters. The game’s single but vital goal was scored by Northbank’s Paul Fiddler only ten minutes into the game.
Probably the weekend’s most impressive win was achieved by Simonside SC as they beat powerful hosts Newcastle Chemfica 5-3. In what was an end-to-end encounter it was Simonside who came out on top with goals shared by Craig Lumley, Sean Flood, Dave Scroggins, Shaun Edwards and Kyle Riley. Chemfica played their part in a full-blooded clash but their replies from Steve McLaughlin, Phil Courtney and Liam Naulls weren’t quite enough.
Cullercoats Custom Planet had their scheduled home game switched to the ground of opponents Seaton Burn who had Nick Hara and Rob MacDonald on the mark to secure a 2-1 victory. And Newcastle BT’s 3-3 draw at home to Willington Quay Saints hoisted them clear of the basement. In what was their third recent draw the BT scorers were Greg Hamilton (2) and Anthony Bruce while Glen Johnson (2) and Mark Henderson replied to earn the Saints their share of the spoils.
There was another stalemate involving Wideopen & District and visitors Cramlington United which finished at 2-2. Nick Jefferson scored both of Wideopen’s goals and Dean Morgan and Paul Weightman found the net for Cramlington.
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