Northern Football Alliance Round Up - Saturday 19th February 2011

Andrew Davidson netted a double in a 4-1 over Murton that moved Ponteland United back to within four points of Premier leaders Alnwick Town.

Davidson opened his account in the first minute with a superb 25-yard chip and although Gavin Nesbitt levelled for the struggling second-bottom vistors in the 35th minute, Davidson was handily placed to shoot the black and whites back in front on the hour.

Further goals from John Dunn on 65 and Sean Willis on 75 kept up the pressure on Alnwick at the top.

Reigning Champions Harraby CC are up to fourth after a 5-1 demolition of sixth-placed Blyth Town.

Sergio Royo lashed in a low shot from 20 yards for the opener in the 18th minute and although Blyth got themselves back into it in the 33rd minute when Thomas Haigh hit a low shot inside the post, it took just four minutes for Harraby to hit back as Marc Shiel looped in a header.

An unlucky Town defender slid to poke a Dan Balmer cross into his own net just before half time and Shiel side-footed in number four from 10 yards in the 74th minute.
New Harraby signing Ryan Errington was sent tumbling in the box in stoppage time and Mike Swift stepped up to smash the spot kick into the roof of the net.

The result takes Harraby to within two points of local rivals Carlisle City in third, and they were left kicking themselves as they went down 3-1 at Seaton Delaval Amateurs. Robbie Kilgour shot the Cumbrians ahead in the 25th minute but Delaval’s Michael Fenwick equalised in the 59th minute. Fenwick scored his second ten minutes later and Craig Johnson added the third in the 83rd minute. Both sides finished the game with ten men as Delaval’s Jordan Fry and City’s Gareth Hollins were sent off.

Premier Division Stocksfield eased into the semi finals of the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup with a 4-0 success over Second Division Cullercoats Custom Planet.
Although the visitors hit the woodwork early on, Steve Forster’s 26th minute volley put Stocksfield in charge.

Jamie Sharkey fired into the net from close range and Foster’s deflected shot effectively killed off the tie right on half time, with sub Eddie Brazier adding number four in the 69th minute.
In the only league game from both Divisions One and Two to beat the weather, Morpeth Sports Club’s Jonathon Harland was on target in a 1-1 draw with Peterlee Town.

Gavin Hattrick’s goal put Whitley Bay A into the semi finals of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup as they beat Blyth Spartans A 1-0. The Seahorses will now face fellow Division One side Forest Hall for a place in the final while Gosforth Bohemian have been drawn at home to Blyth Isabella in the other semi.

Mark Fitzpatrick and Joe Johnson hit two each for Swalwall as they beat Whitley Bay Town 4-1 to go into the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup final. Paulo Black grabbed Town’s consolation.
The weather decimated the rest of the fixtures list with officials squelching through pools of water to call off a total of seventeen Northern Alliance fixtures.

Jon Tait