Northern Alliance Round Up

A crowd of over 200 saw Alnwick Town and Ponteland United share the spoils in an enthralling top of the table clash.

The point apiece keeps Ponteland three points clear at the top of the table, but Town have two games in hand.

United went ahead after nine minutes when Dean Gate nipped in to clip into the net off the post.

But Alnwick levelled just two minutes later when Tony Brown stooped to thump in a header from a low corner.

And they went in front when Kev Elliott rose to glance a header over keeper Powell and into the net.

Paul Hodgson volleyed in the equaliser from 25 yards five minutes after the break.

Stocksfield’s Eddie Brazier claimed a smart double in a 5-2 victory over Blyth Town.

He was quickly onto a sloppy back-pass to clip the opener over the advancing keeper and added his second with a clever drag back then beat two men before placing his shot neatly into the net.

It was the just the tonic that the Griffins needed after a dip in form had seen them slipping dangerously close to the relegation places in recent weeks.

Robert Bergstrand made it 2-0 as he unleashed a 30-yard thunderbolt that crashed in while Wayne Stewart added a third before the break, displaying good strength to hold off a defender and slot home.

Blyth pulled one back through David Atkinson when he headed in a flick-on from a long throw, but Brazier completed his double soon after.

Graham Wilson lashed in the fifth from ten yards with Blyth adding another consolation a minute later, Jonny Mann sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

While Stocksfield breathed a sigh of relief, a number of clubs are scrutinising the table as they battle to beat the drop.

Basement side Cramlington Town gave themselves a massive boost as they came from behind to beat Wark 2-1.

Ian Rogerson fired Wark ahead, but goals from Dan Branley and Dan Neary won it for Town. Wark were unlucky not to level in the final minute as a header hit the underside of the bar and bounced out.

Gateshead Rutherford are looking over their shoulder after going down 1-0 to ten-man Harraby CC.

Harraby’s Steve Archibald had a header cleared off the line but they were then frustrated by Rutherford’s offside trap on a number of occasions.

Harraby keeper Andrew Casson was dismissed after being adjudged to have handled outside his box with full-back Jordan Coulthard pulling on the gloves and producing a couple of decent saves while Ryan Errington drilled in the winner from 18 yards.

Murton were looking to lift themselves out of the relegation places but went down 1-0 at home to Carlisle City, with Jamie Heath netting a scrappy winner. City also rattled the woodwork with a free-kick.

Walker Central stormed into a three goal half time lead against Seaton Delaval. Nabby Benny opened after just three minutes with Grant Kershaw adding a double on 20 and 30 minutes. Steven Howes pulled one back.

Heaton Stannington hit-man Lawrence McKenna was in red-hot form and netted a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Shankhouse, with David Dormand replying.

It finished all-square between Percy Main and Ashington Colliers. David Brown curled in a free-kick to open for Ashington with Malcolm Morien levelling.

Simon Cunningham scored with a low shot but Percy Main player/manager Jason Ritchie equalised with a penalty ten minutes from time.

Ray Oshin grabbed a crucial winner for Hebburn Reyrolle as they closed in on the Division One title.

Oshin struck the only goal of the game in the 65^th minute as Reyrolle were made to work hard for the victory by promotion-rival visitors Heddon.

Whitley Bay A moved into second spot with a 5-0 demolition of North Shields Athletic, who have now crashed to the foot of the table.

Tomi Ameobi struck twice with Ian Lee, Glen Reardon and Sean Jobson all chipping in for the Seahorses.

Graham Lacey gave Peterlee Town a surprise lead at Amble United, but it took Josh Hay just three minutes to cancel it out. Greg Dance and Sean Taylor were also on target for United before Hay added his second to round things off.

Craig Deighton, Stewart Wright, David Fairless, James Legget and Alex Burnett shared Cullercoat’s goals among themselves in a thrilling 5-3 win at Morpeth Sports.

Alex Slack shot Wallington ahead against Berwick United direct from a corner and Ben Fenwick doubled the advantage with a long range free kick. Sub Michael Calder secured the win with a third while Andy Renton and Paul Studley were the Gosforth Bohemian marksmen in a 2-0 success at Newcastle Uni.

Stobswood Welfare’s Adam Shanks hit a double as they gave themselves a lifeline with a 2-1 win at South Shields United. Tijan Kah scored for United.

Newcastle End End also edged away from the danger zone with an important 2-1 win at Forest Hall. Although Joel Murray scored for Forest Hall, who have been in superb form of late, goals from Andrew Graham and Paul Blakes gave East End three crucial points.

Steve McLaughlin and Anthony Bruce were in devastating form as they both hit doubles in Newcastle Chemfica Independent’s 5-1 success at Whitley Bay Town.

Martin Dixon was also on target for the leaders while Chris Fairly grabbed the consolation.

Simonside left it late as they had to come back from two goals down to snatch a point at Northbank.

Goals from Luke Barwick and Lee McDermott had put the Cumbrians in control, but Sean Edwards pulled one back to give Simonside a glimmer of hope.

Andrew Quinn netted the leveller with just three minutes left on the clock to keep their promotion dreams alive.

Tynemouth United hit five against Wallsend Boys Club.

David Brunston and Steven Matthews both got two apiece with Chris Garwood also celebrating, while Leroy Odd was the Boys Club hit-man.

Nicky Hara shot Seaton Burn ahead against Red House Farm in the 16^th minute and they held the lead until four minutes after the break when Zack Brogden levelled.

There were just seven minutes remaining when Robert MacDonald restored the Seaton Burn advantage and Chris Baker sealed the win with a third in the 89^th minute.

Wideopen took the three points in a basement battle at Cramlington United.

Phil Grant fired Wideopen ahead in the 20^th minute, but it took Paul Wieghtman just sixty seconds to level.

Mark Holt struck for Wideopen five minutes before half time and Grant added number three in the 55^th minute.

Mark Langlands pulled one back for United in the 80^th minute, but the visitors held out for the points.

Bank Holiday Monday

SWALWELL’S Fitzpatrick twins were celebrating as they lifted the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup with an extra-time victory over Wallsend Town.

Both Mark and David were on target for the Swallows as they clinched the silverware in a 4-3 thriller.

Stuart Rook shot Swalwell ahead in the 20^th minute with Micky Pooley levelling things up in the 38^th.

David Fitzpatrick gave Swalwell the advantage just before the break but Town came back with Ryan Arnott scoring in the 75^th minute.

Tony King regained Swalwell’s advantage seven minutes into extra time, but Craig Burt levelled again two minutes later.

With penalties looming, Mark Fitzpatrick grabbed the winner with just four minutes to go.

Murton lifted themselves out of the Premier Division relegation zone as Alan Laverick and Liam Knox scored a 2-1 win over Percy Main.

Rutherford’s Chris Douglas scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Ashington Colliers, who had David Brown and Scott Bamford on target.

Seaton Delaval were 3-0 up at half time at Killingworth Sporting, goals from Micky Grey, Michael Hall and Neil Johnston doing the damage. Andrew Johnson added a fourth before Liam Callaghan netted a consolation.

Walker Central won the East End derby with Heaton Stannington 3-0. Grant Kershaw hit two with Ian Sinclair getting the other.

Northern Football Alliance round up 16/04/11

Gateshead Rutherford goalkeeper David Bebbington was left shrugging his shoulders as Alnwick Town grabbed a bizarre winner.

Bebbington reached up to catch a high ball that spilled from his grasp and fell behind him. As it dropped, he span to gather it and was gutted as the referee indicated that it was over the line and gave a goal.

Alnwick went in front when Tom Vickers scored from the penalty spot but Kevin Hay equalised before the strange winner that keeps the St. James’s Park side in a strong position for the title.

Ponteland United remain in pole position after an entertaining goalless draw with Heaton Stannington and the stage is set for this weekend when the two clubs meet in what could prove a silverware showdown.

At the other end of the table, Cramlington Town were boosted by a 3-2 win over Percy Main.

Kieran Parsons, Chris Bone and Simon Wilson struck to put Town three up at the break and although Jason Ritchie and Craig Ewart pulled goals back, they held out for three vital points.

Mike Swift’s penalty put Harraby in front against Murton and Matthew Thompson headed in a second soon after. Andrew Upperton pulled one back before Simon Tucker made it 3-1. Mark Smith headed Murton’s second but Tucker fired into the roof of the net to make it 4-2 at the break with Jordan Cowley tapping in number five.

Steven Anderson (2), Craig Johnston, Craig Cook and Steven Howe were on target for Seaton Delaval Amateurs as they beat Wark 5-1. James Peel got the consolation.

Shankhouse’s Michael Bell and David Dormand scored as they beat Stocksfield 2-1, with Wayne Stewart netting for the Griffins.

Carlisle City won 2-0 at Walker Central with goals in each half from Jamie Heath and Ian Grainger.

Ashington Colliers won 3-1 at Blyth Town to go into the final of the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup

Jeff Fuller shot Blyth ahead but goals from Mark Pattie, Liam Davidson and Dylan Williamson ensured that the Colliers will face Heaton Stannington for a shot at the trophy.

Forest Hall thrashed North Shields Athletic 8-0 to move off the bottom of Division One. Lomana (3), Ryan Anderson, Seb Curle, Thomas Jones and Dean Smith were all on the score sheet while Stobswood Welfare had Adam Shanks and Chris Graham on target but  South Shields United replied through Tony Abladey (2) and David Hilary (2) as the Welfare went into the basement.

Jordan Nellis and John Paxton both hit hat-tricks for Wallington as they hammered Peterlee Town 8-3. Kyle Reardon and Jake Walton were also on target while Martin Jones (2) and Graham Ball netted for the visitors.

Goals from Sean Jobson (2) and Ian Lee gave Whitley Bay A three precious points as they beat Cullercoats 3-2, with Gareth Allen and Craig Deighton replying and Craig Allen volleyed home for Gosforth Bohemians as they Newcastle East End 1-0.

Jamie Punton scored twice for Berwick United Ultras but Newcastle University’s. Ben Burt grabbed a double himself as the sides drew 2-2.

Martin Dixon scored the only goal of the game as Newcastle Chemfica Independent beat Red House Farm 1-0 while Wallsend Town’s Gary Hall hit a last-minute winner as they beat Hexham 3-2

Alex Downie and Ryan Arnott were Town’s other scorers with Sean Henderson and Richard Lonoggne netting for the Tynedalers.

Andrew Quinn(2), David Scroggin, Steven Graham and Adam Bravey all scored for Simonside SC in their 5-1 victory at Whitley Bay Town, whose consolation came from Richard Biggs.

David Brunsden netted a double in Tynemouth United’s 3-1 win over Swalwell. Chris Garwood added the third and Darren Turbitt cringed as he put the consolation into his own net.

John Slavin (2) and Lee McDermott were the Northbank hit-men in their 3-1 win over Cramlington United, who had Craig Petrie on target and Gareth Pew’s opener for Willington Quay Saints was cancelled out by Wallsend Boys Club’s Leroy Odd.

Mark Davison and Lewis Grant netted for bottom side Wideopen, but they were undone by replies from Maughan, Nicky Hara and David Hewitt for visitors Seaton Burn.

Northern Football Alliance Round Up 09/04/11

Seaton Delaval’s Steven Anderson must have felt that he’d gone from hero to zero as he was sent off after just two minutes against leaders Ponteland United.

Anderson had netted twice from the penalty spot as Delaval lifted the Challenge Cup in mid-week, but his afternoons work came to an abrupt halt with the straight red card.

His team-mates, however did him proud as Steven Gray bent a free-kick around the wall and in off the post for the only goal of the game.

United’s defeat blew the title race wide open again as second-placed Alnwick Town came back from behind twice against battling bottom side Cramlington Town to win 4-2 and move within two points of the leaders with a game in hand.

Johnny Lowes and James Card scored for the visitors with Scott McMullen hitting a double and Mark Cockburn and Danny Lowes getting the others for Alnwick.

There was a surprise at high-flying Killingworth as Murton striker Paul Wintripp netted a hat-trick to give them hope of avoiding relegation in a storming 4-1 win. Nathan Ball grabbed the other for rampant Murton while Craig Harley netted the consolation.

Steve Forster, Glenn Caygill and a Wayne Stewart penalty secured Stocksfield’s 3-0 win at Walker Central as they got a bit of breathing space while Wark’s Thomas McAlindon got a double in a 2-2 draw with Shankhouse, who had Kevin Ward and Chris Rue on target.

Liam Davidson gave Ashington Colliers the lead from the penalty spot against Gateshead Rutherford but Eddie Keenan levelled soon after. Michael Hogg hit the winner for Colliers.

Carlisle City keeper Stephen Bellas was sent-off at Percy Main as goals from Michael Bowman, Jason Ritchie and sub Craig Ewart gave the home side a comfortable 3-0 win.

Heaton Stannington were made to sweat before they went into the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup Final.

Goals from Ian Lee and Craig Smith put First Division visitors Whitley Bay A 2-0 up in eight minutes. But Adam Donaghey netted a penalty to get Heaton back in it and then struck the equaliser and they went on to win the game 4-2 on penalties.

Leaders Hebburn Reyrolle continued their march towards the title with a 5-0 win over Newcastle East End.

Ray Oshin hit two and he was joined by Simon Jacobs, Channon North and Craig Watson as leaders Hebburn Reyrolle beat Newcastle East End 5-0 while Heddon recorded a 6-1 success at Berwick United.

Ben Haddock netted a double and Paul Thompson, Chris Moffat, Andrew Davidson and Steven Satherthwaite all got in on the act while Craig Heugh hit a consolation.

Amble United’s Sean Taylor got two and Brett Robertson the other in a 3-2 derby win at Stobswood Welfare. Kevin Bell and Adam Shanks were on target for the home side who are now deep in relegation trouble.

Jordan Nellis scored twice for Wallington as they were 3-2 victors over Morpeth Sporting to claim local bragging rights in the other derby clash. Kyle Reardon put the other away with Dale Chubb and Billy Hynes the Morpeth marksmen.

Anthony Abladey was the hot-shot of the day with a four-goal return in South Shields United’s emphatic 8-2 win at North Shields Athletic.

He was joined on the scoresheet by Mark Dawes (2), Aristote Guerin and David Hilary with Gary Farrage and Richard Speckman replying for shell-shocked Athletic.

Goals from Michael Reay, Darren Henderson and Alan Kelly ensured that First Division bottom side Forest Hall won their second game on the bounce as they beat Gosforth Bohemians 3-1 with Craig Allen replying.

Rob Watson, Gareth Armstrong and Craig Deighton scored for Cullercoats as they won 3-1 at Newcastle Uni. Tom Stapleton scored for the Students.

Wallsend Town stayed on top of Division Two as Craig Burke netted a double at Boys Club. Sean Reid was also on target while Connor Winter netted the consolation.

Matty Harrison also netted twice for Newcastle Chemfica Independent as they maintained their title chances with a 4-1 success over Tynemouth United.

Steve McLaughlin and new signing Manu were also on target in the win with United’s Scot Rowan netting the consolation.

Northbank’s John Slaven claimed the match ball with a treble in a 6-0 drubbing of bottom side Wideopen with Nicky Routledge, Andy Rogerson and Martin Rickerby also registering while Red House Farm were also among the goals as they ran out 5-2 victors over Willington Quay Saints.

Ben Cooper and Greg Wiley scored for Simonside SC whose promotion hopes are still strong after a 2-1 win over Hexham, with Curtis Hardy their scorer, while Stuart Rook struck twice for Swalwell in a 3-1 win at Whitley Bay Town.

Graeme Murray replied, but the unlucky Paolo Black put into his own net.

Nicky Hara, Ian Armstrong and Stephen Baker all scored in a red-hot six minute spell for Seaton Burn as they beat Cramlington United 3-0.

The league sadly lost their fourth side of the season as Cullercoats Custom Planet have resigned from Division Two.

FA Inter League Cup Preliminary Round

FA Inter-League Cup

Northern Alliance 2 Lancashire & Cheshire Amateurs 2

(After extra time - Northern Alliance won 3-1 on pens)

You couldn’t have written the script as in a nervous, nail-biting finish the Northern Alliance advanced into the FA Inter-League Cup First Round on penalties.

Alliance keeper Ian Milburn was the hero as he pulled off two stunning penalty saves as they dumped out Lancashire & Cheshire 3-1 in an exciting shoot-out.

When Matthew Thompson hammered in off the underside of the bar in the last minute of injury time it looked like the Alliance had won it but the visitors forced a leveller with the last kick of the game.

Represented by reigning champions Harraby CC. the Alliance began brightly with Segio Royo. Thompson and Rob Bainbridge all going close.

The Alliance suffered a setback on the half hour when Dan Balmer was brought down and was unable to continue, being replaced by James Tose.

Bainbridge limped off soon after and with half time approaching Lancs. forced a corner that was only cleared to just outside the box where Hector Samuel struck a blistering  half-volley that flew past Milburn into the roof of the net.

To rub salt into the wounds, Tose pulled a hamstring as the corner came in and he had to be replaced by Peterlee Town’s Steve Hockaday, who was helping Harraby out due to their shortage of fit players.

Marc Shiel looped a header over the keeper but a covering defender raced back to head off the line.

Royo let fly with a shot from 20 yards that flew inches wide and a Thompson back post header hit the side netting before the Alliance levelled with ten minutes to go.

Royo again fired from distance which was deflected into the path of sub Jordan Cowley who whipped in a low cross that Shiel fired in at the near post from 6 yards.

The Alliance were celebrating in the dying seconds of extra time when Thompson smashed a shot against the underside of the bar that bounced up into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.

But Lancs. threw caution to the wind as they went on one last surge forward and forced a corner.

With all of their team, including the keeper, packed into the box, Milburn’s punched clearance fell to Kane Berkeley on the edge of the box and he unbelievably lashed into the top corner.

In the shoot-out Otutu took the first kick for the visitors but his well struck effort saw Milburn dive to his right to touch the ball onto the bar.

Shiel confidently slotted his effort home to put the home side ahead before Knott then hit his kick at a comfortable height for Milburn to go to his right and save again.

Royo gave the Alliance a two goal lead with his successful kick before Berkely then fired the visitors 3rd over the bar.

Ashley Combes’ effort came back off the bar with Costa netting for Lancs but Dan Anderton became the match winner as he slotted home.

The Northern Alliance now face the Yorkshire Amateur League in the First Round of the competition which sees the winners represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup.

Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final

Blyth Town 2 Seaton Delaval Amatuers 3

Steven Anderson fired a two penalties as Seaton Delaval Amatuers lifted the Northern Alliance Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup.
Steven Howes raced onto a through ball and tucked away the opener against Blyth Town after just five minutes at Woodhorn Lane.
Anderson stepped up to tuck away the second from the spot in the 53rd minute and it got worse for Blyth seven minutes later as their keeper was dismissed for a second bookable offence and Anderson was again spot-on from 12 yards.
They were made to sweat for the win as Jonny Mann pulled one back in the 87th minute and David Atkinson also scored for 10-man Town in the final minute.

Northern Football Alliance Round Up 02/04/11

Harry Tulip netted a hat-trick for leaders Ponteland United as they beat Wark 3-1 and maintained their five point lead at the top of the table.Dale Telfer scored for the home side.

Alnwick Town kept up the pressure and maintained their unbeaten record with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Blyth Town.

Chris Moffat drilled in the winner in the 10^th minute and keeper Bob Brooks made some great saves as Alnwick defended their lead stubbornly.

Paul Dunn hit two for Killingworth Sporting in their 4-1 win at Murton. Paul Garside shot Murton ahead but an own goal, Dunn’s double and a Jorge Bollado goal completed the victory and bottom side Cramlington Town were beaten 2-0 at Seaton Delaval Amateurs. Michael Robinson and Craig Johnson scored.

Gateshead Rutherford also won 4-1 at Shankhouse. Kevin hay hit two and David Casper and John Dewhurst got the others while Johnny Hewitt got the consolation.

Walker Central had a good 2-1 win at Carlisle City. David Bulman tapped in the opener from close range and although James Hartley levelled, Nabby Benny grabbed the winner straight from the restart.

Sergio Royo netted the only goal of the game as Harraby CC won 1-0 at Ashington Colliers. He was unlucky not to add a second as he rattled the inside of the post.

Heaton Stannington went into the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup semi finals with a 3-1 victory over Percy main Amateurs.

Eddie Yates hit a double with Lawrence McKenna also on target before Malcolm Morien pulled one back from the penalty spot late on.

Unbeaten Division One leaders Hebburn Reyrolle destroyed third-placed Whitley Bay A 8-1.with Sean Sweeney, Channon North and former Gateshead and Dunston ace Davy Southern all netting doubles and James Wood and Simon Jacobs getting the others, while Glen Reardon netted for the deflated Seahorses.

The goals were flying in at north shields Sthletic as well, with Amble United running out 7-0 winners. Sean Taylor hit a hat-trick with Josh Hay, Ross Gair, Lee Harker and Brent Aisbitt all getting in on the act.

Heddon’s promotion hopes were kept alive with a Daniel Robinson double and Paul Thomson strike in a 3-1 win at Cullercoats. David Fairless netted for the home side.

Joe Murray scored a last minute winner as bottom of the table Forest Hall celebrated their first victory of the season.

They beat Berwick United.3-2 with Darren Henderson and Seb Curle getting the others and Joe Punton and Martin Cornish on target for gutted Berwick.

Goals from Michael Peace, Matthew Gouland, James Swainston and Chipps gave Newcastle University a 4-0 success over Wallington and South Shields United beat Gosforth Bohemian 3-0 to go into the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup final. Arostote Geurin scored twice from the penalty spot and Tony Abladey got the opener. They will face Premier Division Stocksfield who had Ed Brazier score a double in a 3-0 victors over Second Division Simonside SC. Wayne Stewart netted the other.

Wallsend Town went back to the top of Division Two thanks to sub Paul Prescott’s late strike.

Craige Burke netted the opener at Hexham with Richard Lognonne equalising just three minutes later.  Prescott hit the winner in the 86^th minute while goals from Willington Quay Saints’ Glen Johnson (2) and Mark Henderson earned them a creditable 3-1 win at Newcastle Chemfica Independent. Steve McLaughlin scored for Chemfica.

Wallsend Boys Club had Leroy Odd, Rob Hanley, Dale Clarke and Brett Daley on the scoresheet a 4-0 win at Cullercoats CP and although Seaton Burn went ahead through Andrew Bennett, Tynemouth United’s Lee Garwood hit a second half double to claim the points.

Cramlington United were 4-1 down at half time to Whitley Bay Town – but turned things around to win a thriller 5-4.

Jed Findlay, Chris Fairley (2) and Daniel Sneap scored for Town, with Cramlington’s Simon Gallon, James Harrison(2) and Craig Petrie (2) replying.

Wideopen went down 3-2 at home to Swalwell. Paul Booth and Douglas scored for the bottom side, with goals from Stuart Rook, Darren Turbitt and Mark Fitzpatrick winning it while Red House Farm and Northbank drew 1-1.