Northern Alliance round-up 25/05/13

Malcolm Morien smashed in a hat-trick – and missed a penalty - as runners-up Blyth Town signed off in style.

Town got off to a dream start at Harraby United when Jason Ritchie got on the end of a cross to hit home after just 3 minutes. Morien added the second just five minutes later as he fired home from 20 yards.

Harraby’s Stuart Bell forced Town keeper Scott Earle into making two good saves as they looked to get back in it and Ashley Combe pulled one back with a header from a corner in the 37^th minute.

But Blyth, who have only been beaten once in the League all season, were in no mood to let things slip and  increased their lead on the hour when Morien again let fly from outside the box. Morien completed his fine treble seven minutes later when he beat two defenders and coolly slotted home from 12 yards.

Stuart Bell pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 70^th minute, with Morien raising his eyebrows skywards as he missed one at the other end soon after.

Bell volleyed home from 15 yards with four minutes to go but Blyth soaked up the pressure and took the three points.

Cameron Wilson was another hat-trick hero in Northbank’s win over Forest Hall in Division One. Chris Major and Mark Lightfoot got the others with Mark Patterson and Dieu Lomana netting replies.

Richard Kent netted a late winner for Ponteland United after visitors Newcastle Uni had twice got back on level terms. Glen Ford gave Ponteland the lead three minutes after the break, but Watson levelled in the 55^th minute. Jack L’Argent restored the black and whites’ lead in the 75^th minute - only for Tom Stapleton to crash in three minutes later. Kent netted five minutes from time.

Rob Jefferson and Shaun Sagar both thumped in trebles as Grainger Park hit Wideopen for six in Division Two. Lee Shickle hit a consolation.

Seaton Burn’s Nicky Hara was another who fancied a claim on a match ball with a first half hat-trick against High Howdon. The visitors salvaged a point, however, through a Dean Blacklock strike and two late goals from Nicky Whitelaw and Alex Nesbit.

James Jackson and J Brown both bagged braces for Alnwick Town Reserves in their win at Alston, who hit back through Jake Shepherd (2) and Jason Williams while Swalwell had Craig Wood and Michael Wilson on target in their win over Blyth Isabella, who scored through Matthew Lavender.

Defences were on top as it ended goalless between Newcastle Benfield reserves and Wooler.