JEFF HELPS BLYTH TOWARDS CUP REPEAT

By Bill Gardner
Four past winners of the Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl – Blyth Town, Ponteland United, Percy Main and Seaton Delaval – were all successful in first round ties this time. And Blyth, who lifted this trophy in 2008 and again in 2009, passed their initial test with a 3-1 victory away to Cramlington Town.
For this tie ex-team boss Jeff Orr stepped in alongside David Dent in the absence of manager Michael Connor. And Blyth opened the scoring when full back Richard Orr’s cross was handled by a Cramlington defender and Jeff Fuller stepped up to beat home keeper Frazer Nairn with his spot kick. The hosts responded and a defensive error allowed Jordan Watson to equalise from a tight angle.
The visitors went in front again however before half time when Gary Day’s cross was bundled in by Jonny Mann and it was job done after 70 minutes when Tom Haigh completed the scoring with a tremendous long range volley.
Ponteland United have lifted the Senior Bowl on four previous occasions and stayed on course for another triumph by beating hosts Killingworth Sporting 5-2. The result completed a league and cup double for United who had been idle for a fortnight but they were trailing early on after Andrew Edmondson opened the scoring for Killy.
Pont equalised midway through the first half when John Redhead finished well following good work by strike partners John Dunn and Harry Tulip. But Killy’s lead was restored before the changeover by Elliott Dixon who took advantage of a wayward back pass.
Ponteland moved up a gear after the break and on 55 minutes got back on terms when Glenn Ford’s headed pass was headed in by Harry Tulip. Almost immediately United were in front for the first time as John Dunn’s cross was slotted in by Tulip. And Tulip went on to complete a second half hat-trick before the visitors’ tally was completed by Andrew Davidson’s curling free kick. Ponteland’s joy was muted however when Dunn had to be taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle.
Percy Main coasted through and were 4-0 victors at Purvis Park to end the hopes of First Division opponents Heddon. Ashley Smyth opened the scoring when unselfishly fed by John Amos who had rounded the keeper. Five minutes before the break Smyth struck again, this time after racing onto a great through ball from Mick Haley. Amos then got his name on the score sheet with a great strike from the edge of the box when a flag kick was only partially cleared. And with three minutes to go Pierre luc Coiffait rounded off a good day for the Villagers. Following good work by Malcolm Morien he found the net from just outside the area.
Aiming for what would be their third success in the county cup, Seaton Delaval banged in five goals without reply to sink Wark at Wheatridge Park. A weakened Wark outfit was always under pressure and Delaval’s Stephen Howes and Steve Anderson scored two goals each to make up a nap hand after Jordan Fry had opened their account.
In a repeat of last season’s Senior Bowl final, holders Alnwick Town made an early exit and were beaten 1-0 at home by Heaton Stannington. To avenge last term’s defeat, Heaton’s winner was scored by Gary Yates on the stroke of half time and they were worthy winners on this occasion.
Newcastle University relegated to the Northern Alliance’s First Division for this campaign, surprised Premier Division opponents Shankhouse by winning 3-1 at Cochrane Park. George Coyle, Patrick Stokle and Elliott Connolly were on target for the Students and Shankhouse’s only response was a Liam Jubb penalty.
Walker Central beat cup hosts Stocksfield 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended all square at 1-1 after extra time. Home striker Jamie Sharkey had cancelled out Nabby Benny’s opener for the Central. And Amble United were unlucky to finish up as 5-2 extra time losers at home to Ashington Colliers, having led 2-1 until deep into stoppage time. Sean Taylor and Darren Riddell were the Amble scorers but the Colliers went through with goals supplied by Marc Richardson (2 ), Jamie Patterson (2) and Shaun Gibson.
Meanwhile in the only league game in the Premier Division, Gateshead Rutherford drew 1-1 with visitors Murton who had Paul Wintrip levelling after Craig Horsfall had put their hosts in front.

DIVISION ONE – CATCH US IF YOU CAN
Championship and promotion issues are never decided in the first half of a season but Whitley Bay A and Hebburn Reyrolle are doing their best to prove the theory wrong in the First Division. Current leaders Whitley are unbeaten in ten starts while second-placed Hebburn with a game in hand have retained a hundred percent record.
Both teams won comfortably again and at Hillheads the Bay’s 4-0 victory ended the five-match unbeaten run of visitors Berwick United Ultras. Mark Nicholson bagged two goals for the winners whose other scorers were Ian Lee and Dean Porter.
Channon North is Hebburn Reyrolle’s top scorer and he claimed his tenth goal of the season in his side’s 4-1 home win against North Shields Athletic. Ray Oshin and Craig Watson (penalty) were the other Reyrolle marksmen with an own goal completing their tally. Losers North Shields got no comfort from this game and have failed to win any of their last six.
Cullercoats in fourth place have only added two points to their total in three most recent appearances and were limited to a 2-2 draw with in-form visitors Wallington. Stewart Wright and Dave Fairless struck for the Seasiders but Wallington who had just won three league games on the trot replied through Jordan Nellis and Sam Walton to claim a share of the spoils.
Peterlee Town bounced back from two straight defeats to beat hosts New castle East End 3-2. Home form has dipped for the East Enders and goals this time for Craig Pleasant and Kris Carr brought no reward. The Newtowners just shaded it with goals supplied by John Pyle, Stephen Hockaday and David Paul.
South Shields United are on a losing streak at the moment and were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home by troubled Chopwell Officials for whom this was a first league victory. After Tijan Kah fired Shields in front they had Richard Pinkney missing from the spot instead of doubling their lead. Adam Fone got Chopwell off the mark on the hour and their unexpected winner was slotted home by veteran Kevin March.
In their Northumberland Minor Cup tie which was postponed on the previous Saturday, Gosforth Bohemians made progress by beating visitors Newcastle Medicals 7-0. Daniel Child and Peter Hall bagged two goals each for the Bohs and their remaining marksmen in a one-sided match were Craig Allen, Darren Campbell and Matt Atkin. They will now be joining another eight of their Northern Alliance colleagues in the second round draw.

DIVISION TWO – TOWN EXTEND THEIR WINNING STREAK
In the Second Division, Wallsend Town, Newcastle Chemfica and Wallsend Boys Club are continuing to set a challenging pace with current leaders Wallsend having the added bonus of three games in hand. With a surviving hundred percent record the Town marched on by beating visitors Red House Farm 4-1 and are the highest scorers in this division. On this occasion their goals were shared by Craig Burke, Sean Reid, Derek Graham and Stephen Dodd.
Newcastle Chemfica stayed level on points with Wallsend at the head of the table but were lucky to snatch a 1-0 victory at Hexham. In a game played at break-neck speed Chemfica were under heavy pressure in the first quarter but survived to claim the points and their third win on the trot. Their vital goal was a penalty scored after the break by Steve McLaughlin.
Given that Wallsend Boys Club have drawn two and lost one of their last five league matches Wallsend Boys Club are occupying a rather unlikely third spot. They made it two wins on the trot however by clinching a 3-1 verdict at Seaton Burn. Chris Thompson and Rob Haney netted for the Boys Club before Mark Braddick hit back for the home side. And early in the second half Leroy Odd scored a third for the Wallsend lads to make the points secure.
In their last six league games Newcastle BT have won only once and drawn five times and there was another 2-2 stalemate with visitors Tynemouth United. Goals for Anthony Bruce and Carl Aziz had given BT a clear interval lead but fifth-placed Tynemouth rallied and replied through Alex Nisbet and Lee Garwood. Man-of-the-match was undoubtedly BT’s keeper Guy Henderson who pulled off a string of fine saves in the closing ten minutes.
Cullercoats Custom Planet have been enjoying a successful run lately but their climb up the table was interrupted by a 3-3 home draw with Cramlington United. Martyn Evans, Andy McCartney and Tony Fawcett found the net for the Planet with Lindsay Collinson (2) and Craig Petrie on target for United who are still seeking their first away win.
Willington Quay Saints have been unbeaten in four away games to date and were 5-0 victors on their visit to Wideopen & District. Ryan Chirnside-Ferrier bagged a brace and the remaining g scorers were Gareth Pugh, Andy Macbeth and John Foggett. Wideopen haven’t won yet in this campaign and weren’t helped by having a player red-carded in the second half with the score standing at 2-0.
Amble claimed only their second league win, beating bottom rung visitors Whitley Bay Town 3-0. Their opener was a spectacular thirty-yarder blasted home by Jordan Giles and things were tidily wrapped up when John Charlton bagged himself a brace.
Meanwhile Simonside SC retained an interest in the Durham FA Trophy by beating Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves 3-0 down on Teesside. Steve Graham slotted in two of Simonside’s goals and the third was claimed by Dave Scroggins.