By Bill Gardner
Saturday marked the end of a long and gruelling Northern Alliance season with the same three clubs as last year – Walker Central, Gillford Park and Harraby Catholic – filling the leading places in the Premier Division.

On their way to claiming their second successive league title Walker Central suffered only one defeat and were unbeaten at their Monkchester base. They came very close to losing that record on the final day before snatching a 1-1 draw with visitors Heddon.

Heddon seemed set for an impressive victory after Daniel Dunn put them in front straight after the break. But midfielder Paul Gardiner rescued Walker with his successful spot kick in the dying seconds. And at the end of their last game in charge at Walker, manager Paul Bennett and his assistant Andy Wood – set to take over at West Allotment Celtic next term – paid tribute to the successful squad they’ll be leaving behind.

The outgoing Monkchester management team stated, “After three enjoyable years we’d like to thank all of the players for their enthusiasm, hard work, commitment and style of football. They have been great to work with week by week and have shared our aspirations. We’d also like to give a special mention to David Thompson who has worked hard both on and off the pitch in helping us to build our teams in our spell at Monkchester. So, to sum up, thanks to every single player who has played their part in the last three and we wish them good luck in the future.”

While Walker will be under new management for next season, runners-up Gillford Park will be leaving the Alliance’s ranks after gaining promotion to the Northern League’s Second Division.

Gillford finished ten points behind Walker and marked their exit with a 4-1 win away to Newcastle University who had Tom Ward opened the scoring. Ian Grainger restore parity for the Park and his colleague Steve Skinner finished the job with his second half hat-trick.

Gillford Park’s neighbours Harraby Catholic Club have finished first, second and third in successive seasons in the Premier Division. They ended up four points behind their fellow-Cumbrians after beating visitors Blyth Town 2-1 in a very competitive match. Aaron Roberts netted to give Harraby a fourth minute lead which was cancelled out by Blyth’s Michael Robinson ten minutes later. David Wallace claimed the home side’s winner in the 65th minute.

Seaton Delaval brought the curtain down with a 3-1 win away to Ashington Colliers to confirm a fourth place finish. Their first half opener put away by Nick Scott was wiped out by Anthony Wright’s 48th minute leveller for the Colliers. Steve Howes restored Delaval’s lead and John Fitzpatrick completed the winners’ tally.

Wark signed off by beating last day hosts Shankhouse 4-2 with goals supplied by Lee Telfer (2), Phil Thompson and Edward Brazier. Michael Bell and James Armstrong replied for the losers.
At the wrong end of the table Peterlee Town and Murton finished up filling the two relegation slots with Murton facing the drop after only one season back in the top flight.

DIVISION ONE – ANOTHER TITLE TRIUMPH FOR KILLY
There was a grandstand finish to the season in the First Division with championship and promotion issues only settled in the final week.

Killingworth YPC, who were Second Division champs last term, clinched the First Division title with a resounding 8-0 home win against Berwick United. Signing off in style their scorers were Liam Callaghan (hat-trick), Francesco Di Pietro (2), Kevin Westphal, Jorge Bollado and substitute Paul Dunn.

Stocksfield’s 1-1 draw with visitors Cullercoats was enough to earn them the runners-up spot while ending the promotion hopes of the Seasiders. Phil Murray gave the Tyne valley outfit an interval lead and the Cullercoats equaliser was put away in the 80th minute by James Leggett.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ missed out on possible promotion by only a single point, finishing third and just ahead of Cullercoats in fourth place.

Despite their disappointment, Cullercoats ended their tiring campaign with a 5-0 victory away to Gateshead Rutherford. Craig Deighton weighed in with a last day hat-trick and the other Cullercoats marksmen were Stuart Wright and Femi Akinbolu.

Red Row Welfare ended their campaign on the bottom rung in the First Division with Seaton Burn just above them and three points better off. These two strugglers had opposing fortunes on the last day. While the Welfare beat visitors Northbank 3-0 with goals for Michael Latimer, Chris Tait and Ben Lavender, there was no luck for Seaton Burn and they lost 5-2 away to Wallington. Ashley McAlpine (2), Peter Southern (2) and John Angus netted for the winners at Scots Gap with Seaton Burn’s replies coming from Stuart Taylor and Nick Hara.

Berwick United finished a disappointing season third from bottom and lost 5-1 on their visit to Hebburn Reyrolle. After a goal-less opening half David Jeffers gave Hebburn the lead but within another four minutes Lee Walker got the Borderers back on terms. This was their last shout however and Hebburn stormed to a convincing win with further strikes by Ray Oshin (2), Craig Malley and Andy Shotton.

DIVISION TWO – TYNEMOUTH ARE STAYING PUT
New champions Amble United and runners-up South Shields United have secured the promotion places in the Second Division. After being third in the previous campaign Amble made it all the way this time with a final eight-point advantage over their nearest rivals.

Stobswood Welfare claimed third place but were well behind the two pace-setters and the Welfare brought the curtain down with a 2-2 draw away to Wallsend Town. Michael Harmer scored both goals for Stobswood with their Tyneside hosts replying through Alan Errington and Paul McCutcheon.

Willington Quay Saints passed up the chance to replace Forest Hall in fourth spot and finished fifth after losing 4-2 away to Amble FC. Amble, who have struggled for most of this campaign, have ended with a successful run and saw off the Saints with goals by Adam Shanks (hat-trick) and Connor Miller. Willington’s scorers were player-manager Trevor Ford and David Smith.

After winning only one game and drawing another four, Tynemouth United have ended up on the bottom rung in the Second Division but are reported to have withdrawn their earlier letter of resignation. In what would have been their swan song, United were beaten 3-0 at Hexham where the home side’s marksmen were Darren Dobson, Tom Phillips and Luke Parkinson.

With Tynemouth deciding to carry on and a decision having also been made to restrict the Second Division to sixteen teams next term, there may be only two vacancies to be filled. And applications have been received from Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet, Kicks FC Wallsend, Swalwell and Throckley United.

By Bill Gardner
Having wrapped up their second consecutive Premier Division title with a few games to spare, Walker Central have determined not to take their foot off the accelerator. John Campbell bagged his 33rd league goal of the campaign on the hour to earn the champions a 1-0 verdict away to Ashington Colliers who look likely to finish third from bottom.

Needing to claim the runners-up spot to gain entry to the Northern League next season, Gillford Park got closer to their target with a 1-0 victory against Heddon at Bullocksteads. Steve Skinner scored their important goal after 57 minutes. And to see off the challenge of their third-placed neighbours Harraby Catholic Club the Park may need to win only one of their two remaining games at home to Wark (on Wednesday) and away to Newcastle University (next Saturday).

Harraby have let things slip, winning only two of their last eight games, and they were restricted to a 1-1 draw by hosts Ponteland United. Billy Holden had a couple of chances for Pont after 15 and 20 minutes but was unable to get his headers from two free kicks on target. And it was the visitors who took the lead after 30 minutes when home keeper Havelock failed to punch clear from a corner kick and Aaron Roberts managed to poke the ball home.

On the hour Ponteland deservedly got back on terms and when Holden’s pass found Lee McIvor he unleashed a fierce drive that flashed past Harraby keeper Milburn. Both teams had late chances to settle the issue but it ended all square. This was the fourth draw in succession for Pont and much credit must go to manager Jarrod Suddick as his team signed off with a ten-match unbeaten run but he is going to have to strengthen the squad in key areas for next season.

Seaton Delaval made certain of a top four finish with a 4-1 win away to Shankhouse and had Stephen Howes and Steve Anderson on target in the opening half. Connal Reed’s goal increased the visitors’ lead and, after Craig Johnson scored from the spot for Shankhouse, John Fitzpatrick completed Delaval’s tally.

Heaton Stannington brought the curtain down on their season in free-scoring style and beat Wark 6-0 at Grounsell Park. Adam Donaghey led the way with his hat-trick for Heaton whose other scorers were Aaron Jewell (2) and Kevin Carr.

Carlisle City also proved to be goal-hungry on their visit to Blyth Town and ended a sequence of five draws on the trot by beating the Northumbrians 5-0. Goals for Stuart Hill and Scott Priest gave City a comfortable interval lead and after the break further strikes by Tom Foster and Jamie Heath (2) completed their nap hand.

Peterlee Town and Murton ended their respective campaigns occupying the bottom two spots in the Premier Division table. A goal-less draw with hosts Newcastle University couldn’t prevent the Newtowners ending up on the bottom rung.

Murton finished only two points better off after losing 3-2 in their last game at home to Alnwick Town. Never getting their noses in front, Murton had David Scott and Lee Doyle on target but Alnwick confirmed victory with goals for Dale Kennedy (2) and Mark Cockburn.

DIVISION ONE – ISSUES STILL TO BE SETTLED
Going into the final week of what has been a long season, four teams – Whitley Bay ‘A’, Stocksfield, Killingworth YPC and Cullercoats – were still vying for the title and the two possible promotion slots in the First Division.

At the end of their own campaign Whitley Bay ‘A’ had amassed an impressive total of 57 points but they were still concerned that they could be overtaken. To pass the Bay’s bench mark their rivals had these respective targets: Stocksfield needed only a point from their final game at home to Cullercoats, while Killingworth had to win their last match at home to Berwick United. And the Cullercoats target, by far the most difficult, was to secure all nine points from outstanding fixtures at home to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett, away to Stocksfield and away to Gateshead Rutherford.

Cullercoats gave themselves an even steeper mountain to climb when they were beaten 3-2 by Percy Main at Purvis Park. The Villagers, completing their own season, were 2-0 down at the interval to goals scored by Rob Watson and Craig Deighton for the Seasiders. But they rallied effectively and ended on a winning note thanks to second half replies from Jason Ritchie, Michael Freathy and Liam Knox who scored his crucial goal in the 88th minute.

At the bottom end of the First Division table, Red Row Welfare and Seaton Burn will be filling the last two places. Seaton Burn will end a disappointing campaign at Wallington this weekend with the Welfare bringing the curtain down at home to Northbank.

Red Row will finish up on the bottom rung but secured a rare victory last weekend, beating visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 2-1. Mike Latimer and Chris Martin netted for the Welfare with Gosforth’s single reply coming from Danny Sherwood.

Wallington had Ashley McAlpine scoring away to Hebburn Reyrolle but were eventually soundly beaten 4-1. Ray Oshin and Craig Walton bagged a brace each for the winners. And Newcastle East End signed off with a convincing 7-2 victory over hosts Berwick United. Lee Walker and Craig Mitchell were on target for the Borderers but the East Enders easily secured the points with goals for Paul Bright (2), Anthony Johnson (2), Michael Rush (2) and Andrew Hall.

Northbank shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with visitors Rutherford who needed Robbie Frame’s goal to cancel out Mark Worrall’s opener for the Cumbrians.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE SIGN OFF IN STYLE
Second Division champions Amble United visited a Tynemouth United side at the opposite end of the table to round off an encouraging campaign and beat their struggling hosts 2-0. Ronnie Warwick and Ross Gair scored to ensure a winning finish for United.

South Shields United are runners-up to Amble but will be five points shy of the league leaders’ total if they managed a win at Stobswood Welfare this week.

With the two possible promotion slots already filled, Forest Hall - currently in third place - are likely to be overtaken by Stobswood after being beaten 2-1 in their final game away to Amble FC. Wyn Fremlin and Adam Shanks were the Amble marksmen and club top scorer Michael Reay replied for the Hall.

Newcastle BT finished second from bottom but picked up a point by drawing 1-1 away to Benfield Chemfica who were also ending their season. Dan Jacks opened the scoring for Chemfica and Dave Thompson restored parity for the visitors.

A Tom Phillips hat-trick for Hexham earned them a 3-1 win against Wallsend Town who had been fired in front by Stephen Dodd at Wentworth Park.

It’s been agreed that there will be sixteen clubs operating in the Second Division next season. Only Tynemouth have indicated an intention to resign and there may be only three vacancies to fill. Applications have been received from Cramlington Blue Star, Cullercoats Custom Planet, Kicks FC Wallsend, Swalwell and Throckley United. And officials of these clubs were due to give presentations to the League Management Committee.

By Bill Gardner
If they managed to beat Wark at Monkchester last Monday night, Walker Central would have claimed the Premier Division title for the second year running. And their management duo of Paul Bennett and Andy Wood would have been able to bow out on a high note before taking over the reins at West Allotment Celtic in the Northern League next season.

Walker took a massive step towards another championship triumph by beating second-placed rivals Gillford Park 2-1, simultaneously retaining their unbeaten record at Monkchester. They had drawn 1-1 with visitors Seaton Delaval in midweek when they needed John Campbell’s successful spot kick to cancel out a Steve Howes opener for their opponents.

Club top scorer Campbell was on the mark again and gave the Central an interval lead against Gillford Park, firing home from eight yards out as he met a low cross from Paul Mills. The Park’s Ian Grainger levelled five minutes after the break. Unfortunately for the Cumbrians however, Walker were presented with a 70th minute winner as visiting defender Craig Thompson put the ball into his own net, under pressure from Campbell.

With Walker having the league title almost sewn up, the battle for the runners-up spot is continuing with Gillford Park under threat from neighbours Harraby Catholic Club. Harraby kept the pressure on by beating visitors Heaton Stannington 3-0 but didn’t find it easy.

Harraby were matched by Heaton in a goal-less opening half but once they had the strong wind in their favour it was a different story. Only the woodwork denied Rob Bainbridge as the Cumbrians pressed forward and after their young substitute Aaron Roberts was unlucky to see his lob carried just wide by the wind he opened the scoring after 78 minutes. He cut in from the left flank and after skipping past two Heaton defenders drilled his 20-yard drive inside the near post.

With Roberts causing problems , Harraby increased their lead in the 84th minute and, when his cross was handled by a Heaton defender, Mike Swift scored confidently from the spot. Then, only two minutes later Harraby scored their third and when a pass from James Tose put Bainbridge clear he fired low past the Heaton keeper.

Harraby are now only four points behind Gillford Park with a game in hand and if they manage to overtake their rivals they’ll deprive Gillford of their chance to step up to the Northern League so the stakes are really high.

Seaton Delaval look almost certain to finish in fourth spot and ended a run of three drawn games on the trot with a comprehensive 4-0 victory away to Wark. Player-manager Nicky Gray led by example by scoring two of Delaval’s goals and Steve Anderson also bagged a brace.

While there are still some twists and turns to come at the top of the table, results on Saturday condemned Murton and Peterlee Town to relegation. Both were beaten in respective penultimate games and Peterlee Town were soundly beaten 3-0 by hosts Ashington Colliers whose goals were shared by Richard Brown, Glen Bolton and David Brown.

Murton suffered a 2-1 defeat by visitors Newcastle University. After Tom Clark had given them the lead they were reeled back in after 80 minutes by Ben Burte’s equaliser and five minutes later his colleague Joe Foote snatched the University’s match-winner.

Ponteland United and Shankhouse each extended unbeaten runs to nine games and Ponteland featured in a goal-less stalemate with hosts Carlisle City who have drawn their last five games at Sheepmount. And Shankhouse beat Alnwick Town 2-1 at Northburn after trailing to Paul Yeadon’s opener for the Town. Darren Naylor got Shankhouse back on terms and with only two minutes to spare Anthony Moran claimed their winner.

Chris Taylor bagged a brace for Blyth Town in their 2-2 draw at home to Heddon who had twice been fired in front by Liam Heenan and Andrew Hall.

DIVISION ONE – SILVERWARE FOR CULLERCOATS
Favourites Stocksfield and Whitley Bay ‘A’, along with outsiders Killingworth YPC and Cullercoats, are still striving for a top two finish in the First Division. Cullercoats are still toiling through their fixture backlog but need to win all of their five remaining games to stand any chance of being promoted.
They did however pull off an amazing League Cup Final win at Prudhoe and sensationally beat Premier Division opponents Harraby Catholic Club 2-1 to lift the trophy.

Holders Walker Central and Seaton Delaval were among the victims of Cullercoats on their way to meeting Harraby. The Seasiders came up with another giant-killing performance and Femi Akinbolu gave Cullercoats a 23rd minute lead with his lob over the Harraby keeper. But the Cumbrians always looked dangerous and after the break Rob Bainbridge got them back on terms with his shot taking a lucky bounce before entering the net. Extra time was looming when Cullercoats snatched their winner in stoppage time. Once again Akinbolu was on target, this time with a clever back-heel in a goalmouth scramble.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ are in pole position in the First Division, level on points with Stocksfield who have a game in hand. The Bay however hammered Stocksfield 6-0 at Hillheads in midweek. They had Simon Reay (2), Dean Porter, Gavin Hattrick and Malcolm Morien on target with their tally topped up by an own goal gift.

The Whitley lads followed up with an equally convincing 5-0 win against visitors Wallington when their marksmen were again Morien (2), Hattrick, Porter and Reay. They were due to end their season with a game away to Cullercoats this week and victory for the Bay would leave Stocksfield needing four more points to pip them for the title. The Tyne Valley outfit beat hosts Seaton Burn 1-0 last Saturday with a quickly-taken free kick by Wayne Stewart and their outstanding games are at home to third-placed Killingworth YPC and fifth-placed Cullercoats.

Red Row Welfare and Seaton Burn can’t avoid filling the two unwanted berths at the foot of the table. And while the Burn were losing 1-0 to title chasers Stocksfield, Red Row Welfare lost by the same slender margin on their visit to Hebburn Reyrolle. A sending off left Reyrolle with ten men for two thirds of the game but Jay Telford’s second minute opener turned out to be conclusive.

Percy Main have missed out on possible promotion and had a mixed week starting with a 3-1 win away to Killingworth YPC thanks to strikes by Jason Ritchie, Graham Cole and Michael Freathy. But there was then a downturn for the Villagers as they lost 2-1 away to lowly Berwick United. Their only scorer this time was Jason Ritchie and the Borderers harvested the points with goals by Darren Cromarty (penalty) and Simon Hargreaves.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED PASS THE WINNING POST
With a game to spare, Amble United have seen off the challenge of South Shields United to become champions in the Second Division. They claimed the title in midweek with a 4-0 victory at home to neighbours Amble FC when Brad Wake and Darren Riddell bagged a brace each. And the new champions will end their campaign this Saturday with a visit to Tynemouth United who are at the opposite end of the table.

Despite missing out in the championship race, South Shields United have guaranteed themselves a promotion slot. They will finish as runners-up after having Tijan Kah (2) and Iain Proud on target to beat last Saturday’s visitors Amble FC 3-1. And Gareth Allen’s side will bring the curtain down on a successful campaign with trips away to Wallsend Town and Stobswood Welfare.

At one point it looked as though Stobswood Welfare’s games in hand could offer them a chance of promotion but a final third place is now their best option. The Welfare beat midweek visitors Benfield Chemfica 3-1 with goals put away by Chris Graham (2) and Craig Keen but were beaten 2-1 by hosts Wallsend Boys’ Club three days later. On this occasion they had Michael Hogg cancelling out Rob Nolan’s opener for Wallsend but Nolan was on target again to earn maximum points for the home side.

Stobswood will finish in third spot if they can secure another seven points from their four remaining fixtures away to Tynemouth United and Wallsend Town and at home to Hexham and South Shields United. And they’ll need only a four-point haul to do the trick if Forest Hall, currently filling third place, are beaten in their final game away to Amble FC.

Tynemouth United could still avoid finishing on the bottom rung and in midweek recorded their first victory of the campaign. They beat hosts Whitley Bay Town 4-1 with goals by Chris Grieves (2), Mark Carey and Kevin Murphy. But United, reported to be resigning from the Alliance, have a tough task if they are to overtake second-bottom Newcastle BT. If BT lose their last two games at home to Amble FC and away to Benfield Chemfica the Tynemouth lads will still need seven more points to escape from the bottom rung. That may be a tall order considering that their remaining opponents are Stobswood Welfare (home), champions Amble United (home), Amble FC (away) and Hexham (away).

By Bill Gardner
At the turn of the year Ponteland United were in danger of losing their Premier Division status but there’s been a dramatic late season response by Jarrod Suddick’s outfit. A seven-match unbeaten run has hauled them out of danger into a safe and respectable mid-table slot and after Liam McIvor’s goal earned them a 1-0 verdict against close neighbours Heddon in midweek they entertained a Newcastle University side desperate to avoid relegation. The resulting goal-less draw was kinder to the black-and-whites than to the Students who have won only once in their last twelve outings.

The two teams produced some good football despite the eventual stalemate and in an otherwise highly entertaining match Dean Gate, Craig Dalglish and Phil Groom were impressive in defence for Pont. Andy Rendall was a tower of strength in an unaccustomed midfield role while Will Holden and Liam McIvor worked tirelessly up front.

The University belied their struggling status with a well-organised performance which indicated that they could get themselves out of trouble. Joe Foote and George Coyle were involved in most of their play and always willing to support the front two of Edwin Tizard and Ben Burt.

While Walker Central are showing no signs of taking their foot off the pedal as they aim for a second consecutive Premier Division title, their nearest rivals Gillford Park are beginning to flag. And Walker, in pole position with a game in hand, went six points clear of the Cumbrians by beating visitors Heaton Stannington 3-0. Yet to be beaten at their Monkchester base, the Central had Gary McCartney opening their account straight after the break. Their lead was increased by Paul Gardiner and Ian Dunn also netted to complete the home side’s tally.

Second-placed Gillford Park have clocked up an unbeaten run of fourteen games but have drawn four of their last five matches to dent their title hopes. And they were fortunate to share the spoils again from a 1-1 draw with fourth-placed visitors Seaton Delaval. Sean Naisbitt gave Delaval a fourth minute opener and their lead survived until Steve Skinner levelled for the Park in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was reported last week that Gillford have been accepted by the Northern League if they can achieve a top two finish but their hopes could yet be dashed by their neighbours Harraby Catholic Club. With a couple of games in hand and with an eight-point gap to bridge, Harraby beat lowly visitors Murton 5-0 with goals by Nick Routledge (2), Mike Swift (penalty), James Earl and Aaron Roberts.

With Murton losing over in Cumbria, Peterlee Town went level on points with their neighbours but remained on the bottom rung after drawing 1-1 at home to Alnwick Town. With only one win in their last nine outings Alnwick were fired into an early lead by Ben Keenan but Jonathan Monaghan’s penalty before half time got the Newtowners back on terms.

The three teams just above Murton and Peterlee in the basement all picked up precious points and Cramlington Town secured a vital 4-3 win at home to Wark.
After only 8 minutes Cramlington’s David Atkinson fired home from close range but almost immediately Jamie Peel levelled for Wark. The Town’s lead was restored by David Dormand but Wark came back to snatch the lead before half time with two strikes by Phil Thompson.

Cramlington weren’t to be denied however and with ten minutes to go Kevin Long scored to get them back on level terms. Then, with only two minutes to spare, Long claimed his second match-winning goal from close range with his header from a Kieran Parsons cross.

While Newcastle University were getting a promising result at Ponteland, their fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers also drew, 2-2 at home to Shankhouse. Danny Taylor and Simon Cunningham scored first and last for the Colliers and in the interim Lee Gustard and James Armstrong netted for Shankhouse.

Heddon in mid-table have suffered only one defeat in eight recent outings and drew 1-1 with Carlisle City at Bullocksteads. Craig Cherry scored for City with the last kick of the opening half and Heddon’s leveller was put away by John Pearson immediately after the change-over.

DIVISION ONE – STOCKSFIELD ARE WEARY
Only Stocksfield, Killingworth YPC and Whitley Bay ‘A’ seem to have remained in the frame as far as promotion from the First Division is concerned. And while current leaders Stocksfield dropped two points their two rivals both won to keep the pressure on.

Stocksfield have been showing signs of tiredness lately, winning only two of their last eight games, and they were restricted to a 1-1 draw by hosts Wallington. Ashley McAlpine claimed his nineteenth league goal of the campaign for Wallington and Cairns Kettles levelled for the league leaders.

Killingworth YPC have come up on the rails to slip into second spot ahead of Whitley Bay ‘A’ and they have a useful game in hand. The championship is not out of Killy’s reach and they secured a sixth win on the trot although a 1-0 victory away to strugglers Seaton Burn wasn’t too convincing. Jorge Bollado scored the game’s single goal after only ten minutes.

Having played a game more than their two pace-setting rivals, Whitley Bay ‘A’ still have some work to do on the championship and promotion front. But the Bay have almost certainly killed off the hopes of fourth-placed Percy Main. Only five days after hammering the Villagers 6-1 at Hillheads, Whitley completed a league double with a 3-0 victory at Purvis Park.

Whitley were buoyed by club stalwarts Brian Smith drafted in to run the side while Tony Woodhouse gave an accomplished display in the heart of the defence. And they took an early lead as Malcolm Morien's well struck low free kick evaded the Villagers wall to sneak in at the far post.

The Bay doubled their advantage after 56 minutes with a goal from nowhere and as the ball was hooked into the area, Ian Lee found himself in acres of space to fire home unchallenged. And although Dean Clay and Tony Browell came close to getting vthe Main off the mark their visitors killed the game off with their third goal. Simon Reay sent over a measured flag kick for Morien to claim his second goal of the game.

Occupying fifth place at the moment, Cullercoats are still in with a chance of gaining promotion but with seven games outstanding it’s going to be hard work. And a 1-1 draw with lowly visitors Hebburn Reyrolle wasn’t all they’d hoped for. Alex Burnett netted for Cullercoats but Ray Oshin levelled for a Reyrolle outfit that has failed to win any of its last six games.

Newcastle East End beat powerful midweek visitors Whitley Bay ‘A’ 3-0 with all their goals scored by Anthony Johnson but only a few days later the Eastenders were beaten 3-2 at home by mid-table colleagues Northbank. Anthony Studholme claimed both of the Tynesiders’ goals but Mark Worrall’s hat-trick for the Cumbrians was conclusive.

Gosforth Bohemian Garnett face penalties for non-fulfilment of their midweek game away to Cullercoats but returned to action with a 2-1 victory against visitors Berwick United. Harry Tulip and John McDonald found the net for the Bohs with Darren Cromarty replying for the Borderers.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED ARE NEARLY THERE
In the Second Division, Amble United need only a point from two remaining games at home to neighbours Amble FC and away to Tynemouth United to clinch the championship. And last week the Seasiders stayed firmly on course with two more convincing victories. They hammered midweek hosts Newcastle BT 10-0 and followed up with a 5-0 success away to fourth-placed Willington Quay Saints. Two goals for Darren Riddell took his season’s tally to twenty-three in the league and United’s other scorers were Brad Wake, Ross Gair and Ronnie Warwick.

Having almost certainly shot their bolt as far as the Second Division title is concerned, Amble United’s top-of-the-table rivals South Shields United may have to be happy with filling a promotion slot. Three more points from outstanding games at home to Amble FC and away to Wallsend Town and Stobswood Welfare would see them hit this target.

Although they’ve won four of five recent games Forest Hall will be lucky to achieve a top three finish even if they win their last match away to Amble FC. And the Hall were rather fortunate to beat bottom rung hosts Tynemouth United 1-0. Tynemouth haven’t won a league game all season and were only killed off in this one by Jamie Kennedy’s 88th minute winner for Forest Hall. The Tynemouth lads now only five games left to grab themselves an elusive first victory in the Second Division. There have been reports of resignation but they’ll still be up for final confrontations with Amble United and Stobswood Welfare (both at home) and trips away to Amble FC, Hexham and Newcastle BT have proved to have the Second Division’s leakiest defence this term and with three games to go look certain to finish second from bottom. After their midweek humiliation by Amble United the BT lads gave visitors Hexham a good game before narrowly losing 2-1. Iain Strachan’s first half opener for Hexham was cancelled out in the 65th minute by BT’s Colin Galbraith but with five minutes to spare Hexham’s winner was put away by Paul McLean.

Amble FC who, along with Stobswood Welfare are facing the most daunting fixture backlog, could soon be climbing clear of the basement and a 5-2 home win against Wideopen & District was another morale-booster. Wideopen had Gary Lamb scoring both of their goals but were well beaten in the end. Wyn Fremlin bagged himself a brace for Amble whose remaining marksmen were Michael Straker, Cory Robertson and David Shepherd.

By Bill Gardner
Seaton Delaval who, after three defeats on the trot, hammered title-chasers Harraby Catholic Club 5-0 at Wheatridge Park achieved the weekend’s most impressive result. Steve Anderson fired Delaval into a fourth minute lead that was doubled only three minutes later by Connal Reed. And Reed turned out to be the home side’s hero when he went on to add a second half hat-trick to his goals haul.

This was a major set-back for third-placed Harraby who have two games in hand but featured in a goal-less draw with neighbours Gillford Park before their defeat by Delaval. They’re now trailing fifteen points behind current leaders Walker Central. And Walker retained their unbeaten home record by beating Blyth Town 3-0, only three days after hammering midweek hosts Wark 8-0.

Walker Central are four points clear of Gillford Park with a game in hand. And against Blyth, Paul Gardiner ended an hour of stalemate with his opener fired home from close range as he met a low cross from Michael Lamb.

On 83 minutes John Campbell doubled the Central’s lead and when Garry McCartney was fouled he smashed home his free kick, giving the Blyth keeper no chance. Then with two minutes to go Walker’s winning tally was topped up by McCartney who prodded the ball over the line from a chance set up by earlier scorer Gardiner.

In second place, Gillford Park are now Walker’s most potent rivals although they’ve played a game more and have a four-point gap to bridge. After drawing three games on the trot the Park got back to winning ways and remained unbeaten on their own patch after beating Ashington Colliers 3-0. Tyran Taylor opened Gillford’s account midway through the first half and Steve Skinner doubled their lead in the 55th minute. The Colliers battled hard but were killed off by Alistair Lang’s goal for their hosts eight minutes from the end.

Wark leapfrogged over Ashington and gave themselves breathing space in the basement by winning 3-2 at home to Alnwick Town. Three days after an eight-goal drubbing by Walker Central the Wark lads bounced back with goals by Marc Nixon (2) and Mark Elliott. Richard Brown and Ben Keenan replied for Alnwick but their earlier form has deserted them.

Cramlington Town moved up a notch to third from bottom after an impressive 1-1 draw with in-form visitors Heaton Stannington. After taking a second minute lead through Paul Joisce, the Town were unlucky to concede an equaliser to Heaton’s Andrew Weeks in the 80th minute.

Newcastle University’s games in hand could get them out of relegation trouble and they ended a run of four home defeats by beating Carlisle City 2-1. After losing 3-0 against Alnwick Town at Cochrane Park in midweek the Students picked up three precious points. City’s Jamie Heath cancelled out Martin Hill’s opener for the Students but Hill’s second goal settled the issue.

City’s Jamie Heath cancelled out Martin Hill’s opener for the Students but Hill bagged himself a late second goal to settle the issue.

With only a point separating them at the foot of the table both Murton and bottom rung neighbours Peterlee Town lost again to increase their fears of the drop.

Murton had Karl Jarvis putting them in front at home to Heddon but late replies from John Pearson and Joe Kerry earned Heddon a 2-1, verdict. In fact it proved to be a good week for Heddon who had beaten Seaton Delaval 2-0 at Bullocksteads a few days earlier with both of their goals on that occasion tucked away by Craig Horsfall.

Murton’s partners-in-trouble Peterlee also went down 2-1 away to Shankhouse who had Craig Johnson and Darren Naylor scoring on either side of the break before Jonathan Monaghan got the visitors off the mark.

Meanwhile, there were reports last week that neither of the league’s two applicants – Walker Central and Gillford Park – will be stepping up to the Northern League this year. Walker have evidently withdrawn their application while Gillford are unlikely to satisfy ground requirements.

DIVISION ONE – VILLAGERS JOIN THE FRAY
Seven wins on the trot have put Percy Main firmly in the reckoning in the First Division and they’ve leapfrogged over Whitley Bay ‘A’ into second spot behind clear leaders Stocksfield. And the Villagers could be set to deprive the Bay of a promotion slot.

The Main won 2-1 at Seaton Burn with goals by Joe Betts and Jason Ritchie (penalty) and followed up with another 2-1 success away to Newcastle East End. This time their scorers were Betts and Tony Browell with Gary Dixon replying for the East Enders.

To assist Percy Main’s cause, both of their top-of-the-table rivals Stocksfield and Whitley Bay ‘A’ slipped up. Stocksfield had beaten midweek visitors Northbank 2-1 thanks to strikes by Wayne Stewart and Phil Murray but were then beaten 4-3 at home by Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. Despite having Stewart and Ben Pearson (2) on target the league leaders were left empty-handed. The Bohs were impressive opponents and John-Paul McDonald and Harry Tulip bagged a brace each to just edge out their powerful hosts.

Goals supplied by Dean Porter (2), Jonathan Kew and Malcolm Morien earned Whitley Bay ‘A’ a 4-2 verdict on their visit to Hebburn Reyrolle in midweek. But three days later they were brought down to earth and suffered a 3-1 defeat at Hillheads administered by fourth-placed Killingworth YPC. Ian Lee netted for Whitley but Killy secured a deserved victory with their goals shared by Jorge Bollado, Lee Fairley and Kevin Grahamslaw. And Killingworth are now only two points behind the Bay with a game in hand to aid their late bid for promotion.

Having played fewer games than any other team in the division, Cullercoats are still aiming for a top two finish although their fixture backlog will test their stamina. The Seasiders were restricted to a 4-4 draw by midweek visitors Wallington who had Alex Slack (2) and John Angus (2) on the mark to cancel out the efforts of the Cullercoats marksmen Alex Burnett, Ben Gardiner, Craig Deighton and Rob Watson. But the Cullercoats lads were in more determined mood when they visited Berwick United and ran out 6-1 victors. Their goals against the Borderers were equally shared by Andy McColl, Alex Burnett, Sean Smith, Femi Akinbolu, Steve Hart and Ben Gardiner.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE TAKE THE INITIATIVE
The ongoing battle between current leaders Amble United and rivals South Shields United for the championship in the Second Division was tipped in Amble’s favour last week. They collected maximum points from their two games and kicked off by beating strong visitors Stobswood Welfare 2-0 with first half goals for Ronnie Warwick and Sean Kelly. Another victory followed and Amble repeated the 2-0 score-line against their next visitors Wallsend Boys’ Club. On this occasion both of their goals were put away by Darren Riddell who took his personal tally of league strikes to nineteen.

In comparison, second-placed South Shields United started their week shakily and had to come from behind with goals by Kyle Yorston and Phil Enlund to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw with bottom rung hosts Tynemouth United. Things improved however and the Shieldsmen followed up by winning 2-1 at home to Stobswood Welfare as an own goal plus a Mark Davey strike extended their unbeaten run to eleven games.

The two pace-setters have the title race all to themselves and there’s a twelve-point gap separating them from Willington Quay Saints in third spot. The Saints are finishing strongly however and collected two more scalps last week. Visitors North Shields Athletic were their first victims and were soundly beaten 6-0. Glen Gallon scored four of the Willington goals with Gareth Pugh and John Foggett also on target. The Saints then visited lowly Tynemouth and won 3-0 thanks to goals by Gareth Pugh (2) and Chris Lowes. And while they are out of the running themselves Willington could sill have a big influence on who claims the title. This Saturday they are entertaining Amble United in what could prove to be a crucial encounter.

At the wrong end of the Second Division table Tynemouth United are propping up the rest with only four meagre points to show for their efforts in this campaign. Newcastle BT look likely to end up second from bottom and another two defeats didn’t help. They were beaten 1-0 by visitors Wallsend Town whose goal on the half hour was claimed by Paul McCutcheon. And hosts North Shields Athletic were BT’s next tormentors, winning 5-1. The Athletic’s marksmen were Glen Churchman (hat-trick), Matt Donkin and Simon Moslemi with John Baker replying for the losers.

Wallsend Town could save a largely disappointing season at Whitley Park this Friday night when they take on Blakelaw Crofters Lodge in the Ideal Stelrad NFA Minor Cup Final kicking off at 7-00 p.m.

By Bill Gardner
Walker Central’s chances of a second successive title success in the Premier Division improved again as they hammered bottom rung visitors Peterlee Town 8-1. Peterlee, the only team to have beaten Walker in the league this term, were soon in trouble and were 4-0 down at half time.

During a goalmouth scramble, John Campbell opened the Central’s account and midway through the half their lead was doubled by Martyn McGonigal at the end of a flowing move. And things didn’t improve for the visitors who were hit twice more before the break. A 35-yard special by Craig Scott flashed into the Peterlee net and then Campbell claimed his second goal. This time he scored from fifteen yards when his chance was carved out by Michael Cave.

Straight after the change-over Ian Dunn joined the scoring spree and went on to complete a second half hat-trick for Walker who also had Dean Walker on the mark to complete their tally. Peterlee’s only response was a single 54th minute reply by Martyn Lacey. And with only five games to go to complete their season things are continuing to look black for the Newtowners.

Walker, still to be beaten at home, went two points clear of nearest challengers Gillford Park and have a useful game in hand. And Gillford, despite lifting the Challenge Cup in midweek and then extending an unbeaten run in the league to eleven games, came unstuck and only managed a 1-1 draw at home to Alnwick Town. Chris Grainger netted for the Park with Ben Keenan on target for the plucky Northumbrians.

Harraby Catholic Club, the only other team with a realistic interest in the championship race, stayed in third spot but were fortunate to beat visitors Ashington Colliers 1-0. Harraby have spilled nine vital points in their last six games and after a goal-less draw in midweek were lucky to win this one. The Colliers put on a great show until Ian Cummersky slotted in his 85th minute winner for the Cumbrians.

After winning three away games on the trot Seaton Delaval were brought to a halt by hosts Heaton Stannington who have only lost one of their last nine games. Heaton avenged an earlier defeat by winning 5-3 and Gary Yates bagged an early brace to give them a flying start.

Delaval however came back strongly to go in front with replies from Steve Howes, Craig Johnson and Connal Reed. But Joe Wear got Heaton back on terms and they went on to secure the points with two quick-fire goals by Adam Donaghey and Yates who completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute.

Both Ponteland United and Ashington Colliers have dragged themselves clear of the basement and, after beating Murton 1-0 at home in midweek, Ponteland won by the same margin on their visit to Newcastle University. Their winner this time was scored straight after the break by Marc Dummett to leave the Students fighting for their Premier Division future.

Murton are only one point better off than their Durham neighbours Peterlee at the foot of the table, despite winning 4-1 at home to Wark. Wark actually opened the scoring through Martin Hardy but his goal was cancelled out by Karl Garside’s spot kick before half time. And Murton wrapped up the precious points with later strikes by Garside and Paul Wintrip (2),

Cramlington Town remained in danger of the drop after their 2-1 defeat by Heddon at Bullocksteads. After seven home games without a win Heddon stopped the rot, scoring first and last through John Dunn and Liam Heenan. David Atkinson replied in vain for Cramlington.

Blyth Town became only the second team to claim the NFA Senior Benevolent Bowl in successive seasons with a 2-0 victory over league colleagues Percy Main at Whitley Park last Friday night.

A very scrappy encounter only came to life in the 75th minute when Joe Race put Blyth in front. Good work by Danny Beresford culminated in the award of a free kick which Race curled into the top corner of the net from just outside the area. Then with six minutes to go Danny Beresford’s goal ensured that Blyth held onto the silverware. From just inside the box and after dispossessing a Percy Main defender he found the net with a perfect right-footed drive.

DIVISION ONE – SEATON BURN SURPRISE LEADERS
As in the Premier Division, three teams – Stocksfield, Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Cullercoats, have retained hopes in the race for the title and possible promotion, although Percy Main could also figure in the final weeks after coming up on the rails.

Leaders Stocksfield, still with a clear seven-point lead, suffered a midweek shock in losing 2-1 at home to lowly Seaton Burn who had goals by Jonathan Wood and Stuart Taylor outweighing Ben Pearson’s strike for their hosts. But the Tyne valley table-toppers bounced back quickly to beat their next visitors, bottom rung outfit Red Row Welfare, 5-2. This time the Stocksfield scorers were Wayne Stewart (2), Sandy Tordoff, Ben Pearson and Josh Brooks with both of the Welfare’s replies coming from Paul Pescod.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ in second spot are only a point better off than third-placed Percy Main with the same number of games played. Percy Main took a rest after Friday night’s 2-0 defeat by Blyth Town in the NFA Senior Bowl Final while the Bay leapfrogged over them by winning 2-0 away to Berwick United. Goals by Jamie Lyndon and Malcolm Morien completed a league double over the Borderers.

In sixth place at present, Cullercoats had a week of mixed fortunes starting with their impressive 7-1 home win against Killingworth Y.P.C. Femi Akinbolu and Steve Hart bagged a brace each for the Seasiders whose remaining marksmen were Craig Deighton, Ben Gardiner and Peter Bradley. Three days later however the Cullercoats lads were beaten 2-1 by hosts Chopwell Officials who had Joe Bell and Rowland Lee on the mark to edge it after Stuart Wright claimed the goal for their visitors.

Cullercoats are still nine points short of a promotion slot but have four potentially-crucial games in hand. This week they were due to face Newcastle East End away, Wallington at home and Red Row Welfare away as they continue to tackle their fixture backlog.

Wallington won 4-2 at Red Row in midweek with goals for Jack Palmer (2), Sam Walton and Peter Southern but only managed a 1-1 draw with visitors Northbank last Saturday. Walton’s goal this time wasn’t enough and Martin Rickerby levelled for the Cumbrians.

In two games in the space of three days Killingworth YPC conceded twelve goals and after being hammered by Cullercoats they went down 5-1 to their next hosts Gateshead Rutherford. Jorge Bollado was their only scorer while Rutherford made it six home wins on the trot with strikes by Dan Robinson (2), Robbie Frame, Wayne Roberts and Ross Taylor.

Gosforth Bohemian Garnett lost 3-1 away to Berwick United before picking up a point from their 1-1 draw with visitors Seaton Burn who are still trying to escape from the drop zone. The Burn’s David Hewitt opened the scoring early in the second half but within ten minutes a rare goal for Danny Sherwood got the Bohs back on terms.

DIVISION TWO – HEAD TO HEAD AT THE TOP
Amble United are level on points with South Shields United at the head of the Second Division table, having played the same number of games. Amble have a vastly superior goals difference but their two victories last week were marginal affairs. After an early Paul White goal allowed them a 1-0 home win against strugglers Tynemouth United there was a 3-2 success at Hexham. Gavin Cox scored both of Hexham’s goals while Amble had to call on two substitutes to rescue them. Darren Riddell (2) and Ronnie Warwick netted after coming off the bench.

Joint leaders South Shields United were idle in midweek before a 4-4 action-packed draw away to Willington Quay Saints ended their winning streak. In a see-saw encounter Glen Gallon claimed a hat-trick for the Saints whose remaining marksman was Gareth Pugh. Aaron Kah (2), Tijan Kah and Kyle Yorston found the net to earn the Shieldsmen a share of the spoils.

Thirteen points are now separating the two table-toppers from their closest rivals but they’ll have to keep- an eye on Stobswood Welfare who are currently in fifth spot. The Welfare have four games in hand as they push for a promotion slot and could soon be overtaking both Forest Hall and Wideopen & District.
Stobswood had Chris Glass, Mark Sinclair and Michael Harmer finding the net in their 3-1 home win against Wideopen in midweek and followed up by beating hosts Newcastle BT 4-1 with goals shared by Dave Farrell, Kerry Shotton, Harmer and Chris Glass. Unbeaten in their last seven outings, the Stobswood lads seem set to finish with a flourish and were due to take on both Amble United and South Shields United this week.

A Mark Knights goal was all Forest Hall had to show for a 4-1 defeat away to Willington Quay Saints who had Mark Henderson (2), Stephen King and Glen Gallon finding the net. But the Hall’s luck changed when they visited Wideopen & District and this time they were on the right end of the same 4-1 score-line. A Michael Reay hat-trick took his Forest Hall tally to twenty-two goals. His colleague Matthew Smith also got his name on the score sheet while Wideopen’s replies came from Liam Jubb and Chris Sword.

Tynemouth United’s future in the Northern Alliance may be in doubt. They’ve become completely isolated on the bottom run with Newcastle BT and Amble FC above them. Tynemouth followed up their narrow defeat by Amble United with a heavier 7-3 punishment by visitors North Shields Athletic whose goals were provided by Matthew Donkin (hat-trick), man-of-the-match Glen Churchman (2), Dan Walton and Chris Connor.

Amble FC were beaten 1-0 at home by Benfield Chemfica whose winner was put away by Ryan Stobbard while Whitley Bay Town shared eight goals with visitors Wallsend Town.

By Bill Gardner
Heddon had drawn five and lost three of their last eight league games but finally came good by beating hosts Newcastle University 1-0 and avenging an earlier defeat by the Students. It was a close thing however and Joe Kerry scored Heddon’s winner in the second minute of stoppage time.

Gillford Park, still in pole position, dropped crucial championship points when hosts Murton – at the opposite end of the table – restricted them to a goal-less draw. The result was welcomed by Walker Central who are now only three points behind Gillford with two games in hand.

Defending champions Walker helped themselves by beating fourth-placed Harraby Catholic Club 2-1 at Monkchester to retain their unbeaten home record. All the goals were scored in the opening half and John Campbell opened the scoring for Walker on the half hour mark with a great drive from the edge of the box.

Within another three minutes Campbell claimed his second goal to increase his side’s lead, aided by the strength of Ian Dunn when he met a cross from Michael Lamb. However, Harraby soon pulled a goal back and a mix-up in the home defence allowed Roy Holliday to unleash a shot which keeper Chris Bannon took the sting out of but the ball still managed to cross the line.

Alnwick Town have dropped out of the reckoning in the title race and lost 3-0 away to Blyth Town who are proving difficult to beat on their own patch. Chris Taylor opened the scoring midway through the first half during a goalmouth scramble.

Blyth’s lead wasn’t doubled until six minutes after the break and Jonathan Mann fired into the bottom corner when his chance was set up by Danny Beresford. And in the 59th minute the hosts added to their tally when Mark Waugh’s lofted ball into the area eluded everyone to find its way into the net. And the Blyth lads were looking forward to a big date this Friday, 17th April. As holders, they will be taking on league colleagues Percy Main in the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl Final at Whitley Park kicking off at 7-00 p.m.

Shankhouse leapfrogged over Alnwick into fifth spot but failed in their bid to make it five wins on the trot. At Northburn they drew 2-2 with Ponteland United who were pleased to salvage a point.

With former player Darren Naylor giving the Pont defence a torrid time a Shankhouse opener was always on the cards and after only 12 minutes when an unmarked Anthony Moran headed home from a corner kick. And three minutes later Shankhouse doubled their advantage from another set piece as Martin Bell’s free kick was headed in by Andy Sherlaw.

Ponteland hit back shortly after the change-over and Liam McIvor reduced the arrears who controlled a chipped pass from Phil Groom before slipping the ball past Shankhouse keeper Dave Dent. This goal gave Pont some added belief but suffered a blow when captain Craig Brown limped off injured. However United remained in good shape and in the 65th minute they got their deserved equaliser as a fine cross from Andrew Davidson gave Scott Fenwick his chance to head home at the back post.

There were changes in the bottom-of-the-table pecking order and Ashington Colliers and Cramlington Town both claimed rare victories to ease their fears of relegation.

Ashington ended a long lean spell with an impressive 2-0 success at home to Carlisle City to end a successful run by the Cumbrians. The Colliers secured the vital points with goals in each half claimed by Glen Bolton and Anthony Wright.

Cramlington took a leaf out of Ashington’s book and completed a league double with a 4-1 win against visitors Peterlee Town. David Atkinson and Stewart Hepple were on target early on for Cramlington and after Jonathan Monaghan hit back for the Newtowners a second half brace bagged by David Dormand proved decisive for the hosts.

Heaton Stannington extended an unbeaten run to five games with a 2-2 draw at Wark where their goals came from Kevin Carr and Aaron Jewell. Marc Nixon scored both goals for Wark.

DIVISION ONE – CULLERCOATS SUFFER ON TWO FRONTS
Cullercoats had a disappointing week in the First Division starting with a 6-2 defeat away to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. And this set-back for their promotion hopes was followed by their 3-2 defeat by visitors Whitley Bay ‘A’ in the semi-finals of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup. Steve Hart’s two goals for Cullercoats weren’t enough and the Bay booked their place in the final with goals shared by Chris Reid, Michael McMullen and Ian Lee.

Whitley Bay’s opponents in the forthcoming Combination Cup Final will be Red Row Welfare who, after a goal-less league draw at home to Berwick United in midweek, belied their league ranking to beat semi-final visitors Wallington 2-1. Lee Isbister claimed both of the Welfare’s goals with Peter Southern replying for the disappointed losers.

Stocksfield are still five points clear at the head of the table but showed their vulnerability in a goal-less draw away to Hebburn Reyrolle. But Percy Main had a great week and two victories took them into second spot although they may have left their charge too late.

Goals for Pierre Coiffait, Jason Ritchie and Joe Betts earned the Villagers a 3-1 midweek verdict against Newcastle East End at Purvis Park. And three days later the Main won 2-0 away to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett to extend their successful run. Their goals this time were tucked away in the second half by Jon McEnaney and Sean Potts.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ remained in third place, still in with a good chance of winning promotion and they have a game in hand of Percy Main. The other promotion contenders appear to be Killingworth YPC but they suffered a setback and shed two vital points on their visit to Northbank. In the resulting 2-2 draw Dave Glendinning and Mark Graham netted for the Cumbrians with Killy’s replies coming from Liam Callaghan and Peter Mulholland.

Newcastle East End bounced back promptly following their defeat at Percy Main and beat Saturday’s lowly visitors Berwick United 2-1 with goals by Paul Bright and Gary Dixon outweighing a Simon Hargreaves strike for the Borderers. And Chopwell Officials, rapidly running out of games, were 3-1 victors away to Seaton Burn. The Chopwell marksmen were Dave Fitzpatrick, Graham Clark and Rowland Lee before Dave Hewitt replied for the Burn who are still in danger of being relegated along with Red Row Welfare.

DIVISION TWO – FOREST HALL MAKE SEASIDERS SICK
Last Tuesday night at Hillheads, Forest Hall lifted the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup by beating promotion seekers Amble United 3-2. Ross Gair bagged both of United’s goals but their cause was hit by a sending off late in the first half. Thanks to Michael Reay’s hat-trick Forest Hall claimed the silverware and Reay has now scored 28 goals in all competitions so far in this campaign.

Amble United’s cup final defeat was followed on Saturday by another blow and the second-placed Seasiders could only manage a 2-2 draw in the league away to North Shields Athletic. It took a strike by Darren Riddell to cancel out Glen Churchman’s goal for the home side.

Although Amble United have a game in hand they are now trailing five points behind current leaders South Shields United who are showing no signs of easing up. They’ve made a habit of winning and added three more points to their championship chest with a 3-0 victory away to Newcastle BT. Although a weakened BT outfit battled hard they were sunk by goals supplied by Tijan Kah and Kyle Yorston in the first half and Phil Ormond after the break.

South Shields and Amble United are now locked in an exclusive battle for the title with the Shieldsmen apparently holding all the aces. No other sides are within striking range barring a severe dip in form for the pace-setters and the likes of Wideopen & District, Forest Hall and Willington Quay Saints may be only vying for an ultimate third spot.

Willington Quay entertained Wideopen last Saturday and emerged as 3-0 victors thanks to strikes by Glen Gallon (2) and Mark Henderson. And Forest Hall followed up their midweek Combination Cup triumph with a 3-3 draw away to Stobswood Welfare. The Welfare had beaten hosts Amble FC 4-1 three days earlier when their goals were shared by Michael Hogg, Josh Hay, Matthew Graham and David King. But against Forest Hall hits by Hay, Kerry Shotton and Dave Farrell weren’t quite enough and the Hall grabbed a share of the spoils with replies from Michael Reay (2) and Michael Kennedy.

On the bottom rung in the Second Division and still seeking their first league win, Tynemouth United are suffering from a single goal defeat syndrome and they suffered two such set-backs last week. First they were beaten 2-1 by hosts Wallsend Town and then went down to a late Ben Harding goal for visitors Whitley Bay Town.

Amble FC however took a step towards safety after losing to Stobswood and they beat visitors Hexham 2-0 to move up to fourth from bottom. John Charlton scored his first goal for the cub to open Amble’s account and Adam Shanks later doubled their lead later on.

By Bill Gardner
Four of the eight Premier Division games down for decision resulted in draws but leaders Gillford Park picked up maximum points to go three points clear of second-placed Walker Central. The Park retained their unbeaten away record by winning 2-0 away to Ponteland United.

With eight first team players unavailable through injury and illness Ponteland faced an uphill struggle and a first start was given to youngster Ricky Fenwick while local boy Chris Walpole was also in the starting line-up following his return to the club from Shankhouse.
As expected, Gillford posed the greatest threat in the opening stages with experienced brother Chris and Ian Grainger combining well. And the first goal for the Cumbrians after thirty minutes was a ‘route one’ affair. A long punt up field wasn’t dealt with by United’s central defenders and the when the ball fell kindly to Ian Grainger his squared pass was fired home by Mike Riding.

Gillford remained in charge after the break with the wind at their backs and after a couple of missed opportunities doubled their lead in the 65th minute. In a quick break down the right Riding crossed and Chris Grainger had time to pick his spot. David Redhead and Craig Daglish tried hard to keep Ponteland going but the difference in confidence between the two sides was perfectly clear.

With a couple of games in hand, Walker Central extended an unbeaten run to fourteen games but had to settle for a 1-1 draw with hosts Heddon. John Pearson’s goal for Heddon promised a rare and much-needed win but in the 75th minute Craig Scott set up Dean Walker to equalise for the Central.

Seaton Delaval hitched themselves back up into third spot with a 2-0 home win against Wark whose recent successful run was brought to an abrupt halt. After a scrappy goal-less opening half Steve Howes opened the scoring in 65 minutes and only two minutes later Delaval’s lead was doubled by ex-Whitley Bay ‘A’ striker Andy Hay.
In fourth place, Alnwick Town did well to share the spoils from their 2-2 draw with Carlisle City over at Sheepmount. After winning six of their eight previous games Alnwick fell behind to City’s first half opener scored by Scott Priest and things looked bleak when Priest bagged his second straight after the break. But the Northumbrians rallied and two replies in two minutes by Gary Patterson and regular marksman Ben Keenan saw them salvage a point.

Harraby Catholic Club have at least four games in hand compared to the other sides at the top of the table but their title challenge was dented by their 1-1 draw away to Murton. Harraby fielded a weakened team due to work commitments and a virus affecting their squad but still went close to opening the scoring through James Earl and then Roy Holliday.
Murton also had their moments and Harraby’s keeper Andrew Casson blocked Steve Turner’s angled drive when he was put through by Jarvis. But Harraby took the lead after 25 minutes when Mike Swift’s corner from the left deceived the home defence to creep into the net at the back post. 

The home side equalised after 77 minutes and, when a right wing corner was headed back across goal by Steve Turner, Andrew Upperton scored from ten yards out. And although Brett Swift was inches away from claiming a last minute winner for the Cumbrians a draw was probably the fairest result.

Ashington Colliers are level on points with Cramlington Town at the foot of the table although the Colliers have played two games less than their partners-in-trouble. Both lost to compound their relegation problems and Ashington were beaten 3-0 at home by Heaton Stannington. Heaton made it five wins in six outings with goals supplied by Kevin Carr (2) and Gary Yates.

Cramlington Town meanwhile suffered a fourth successive defeat away from home and lost 2-1 against Shankhouse. First half strikes by Shankhouse’s Paul Armstrong and Craig Johnson put their visitors on the back foot and, although David Atkinson reduced the deficit straight after the change-over, Cramlington continued to be thwarted in their push for a leveller.

Newcastle University moved up a couple of notches in the basement after drawing 1-1 with hosts Blyth Town. Chris Lisle opened the scoring for Blyth after 17 minutes after racing onto Danny Beresford’s lofted pass and curling his shot round the keeper. The Town’s slender lead survived until the final minute of the game when Marc Levine got the Students back on terms.

DIVISION ONE – RED ROW MAKE THEIR POINT
A weakened Wallington side still managed to beat Chopwell Officials 2-1 and clinch their sixth successive First Division win at their base at Scots Gap. Ashley McAlpine scored both of Wallington’s goals with Andy Smith hitting back with his tenth goal of the campaign for fourth-placed Chopwell.

After a midweek defeat at Whitley Bay, Red Row Welfare secured only their fourth league point by drawing 1-1 with hosts Berwick United who are only two places above them at the foot of the table. Mike Robinson’s opener for the Borderers was cancelled out by Ben Lavender’s reply for the Welfare.

The race for promotion in the First Division is involving about five teams. Cullercoats and Killingworth YPC face fixture backlogs to wade through while the other front runners are Stocksfield, Whitley Bay ‘A’ and late developers Percy Main.

Having played fewer games than any other First Division side, Cullercoats made it three wins on the trot by beating hosts Seaton Burn 3-0 but the score didn’t reflect the action in what was a close encounter. David Owen opened the visitors’ account but it took a Femi Akinbolu brace which included a penalty to take the heat off the Seasiders.
If Killingworth YPC manage to turn their spare games into points they can still figure in the promotion battle and they’ve won their last four home games. Latest victims Gateshead Rutherford are poor travellers and were beaten 2-1. Killy’s goals were supplied by Daniel Smee, with his eighth of the season, and Frankie Di Pietro while Neil Patterson replied for the losers.

Stocksfield still have a six-point lead at the head of the table but their hundred percent home record was ended and they were defeated 2-1 by Percy Main who slipped into third place. Only beaten once themselves in their last ten encounters, the Main battled hard for this result which precisely avenged their earlier loss at Purvis Park.

In a game in which six players were booked – one from Stocksfield and five for Percy Main – the Villagers were fired into a 54th minute lead as Joe Betts punished an error by the home keeper. The lead was doubled very promptly when Jonathan McEnaney scored from one of Pierre -Luc Coiffait’s trade mark long throws which was headed on by Kris Carr. Only a minute remained when Stocksfield replied and a terrific cross from Wayne Stewart was turned in by Phil Murray at the back post.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ had a fruitful week, winning on Wednesday night and again on Saturday. In midweek they beat lowly Red Row Welfare 3-1 at Hillheads with goals shared by Craig Smith, Darren Reay and Ian Lee. And they followed up by claiming another 3-1 verdict on their visit to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett three days later. This time Dean Porter (2) and Ian Lee supplied the goals with Darren Campbell replying for the Bohs.

After losing three games on the trot, Northbank shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with visitors Newcastle East End who have won only once on their travels this term. Dave Glendinning and Mark Worrall netted for the Cumbrians and the Eastenders’ replies came from Gary Dixon and Dieu-Donne Lomana.

DIVISION TWO – SEASIDERS STUNG BY THE WELFARE
Leaders South Shields United and second-placed Amble United have cut themselves loose from the chasing pack in the Second Division and are becoming favourites for promotion. While South Shields were lying idle they were heartened by news of Amble United’s 1-0 defeat by hosts Stobswood Welfare. For the first time this term Amble failed to find the net and the Welfare harvested the points with an 82nd minute strike by Mark Sinclair and they are yet to be beaten on their own patch.

Wideopen & District in third spot are the nearest challengers to the two pace-setters but shed two more points as they featured in a goal-less draw with hosts Wallsend Boys’ Club. A teenage side performed well for the Boys’ Club and they almost claimed a late winner. In the dying seconds it took a tremendous save by the Wideopen keeper to deny Rob Nolan.
Before taking on Amble United in the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final at Hillheads, Forest Hall were beaten 1-0 by Willington Quay Saints. After winning three home games on the trot the Hall were brought down to earth by Wesley Fidler’s winning strike for their visitors.

At the wrong end of the table Tynemouth United have become completely isolated on the bottom rung with only three points to their credit. And, in a bottom-of-the-table tussle with fellow-strugglers Amble FC, United were narrowly beaten 1-0 with Carl Sayer scoring the game’s only goal midway through the second half.

Lying second from bottom there was no luck either for Whitley Bay Town and they were beaten 2-0 at home by Hexham. This was only Hexham’s second away win and it was secured before half time. Scott Coates opened the scoring direct from a corner kick and the lead was doubled with a clever lob by Iain Strachan.

NFA Minor Cup finalists Wallsend Town had lost four home games on the trot prior to the visit of North Shields Athletic but Stephen Dodd bagged a brace to earn the Town a point from a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Newcastle BT suffered a fourth successive defeat and went down 4-2 against visitors Benfield Chemfica. Chemfica were two goals up after only five minutes thanks to Damon McGrattan and Mike Smith. Replies from BT’s Simon Mattick and Dave Thompson got them back in the game but a second half brace bagged by Andy Smith settled the issue in the visitors’ favour.

By Bill Gardner
Leaders Gillford Park and defending champions Walker Central in second spot are pulling away from their challengers in the Premier Division title race. Both won again and Gillford Park retained their one-point lead in pole position by beating visitors Heddon 2-1. Heddon, seeking only their second away win, had Daniel Dunn on target but a brace for the Park’s Steve Skinner proved conclusive.

Walker Central haven’t lost a league game at their Monkchester fortress this season and a 2-1 success against third-placed Alnwick Town left the record intact. The Central’s leading scorer Dave Thompson fired them in front from close range after John Campbell, sent clear by Martyn McGonigal, put in a perfect cross. The Central’s lead was short-lived however and there was a prompt reply from Alnwick’s Neil Catlow. Thompson’s second goal for Walker shortly after the interval proved decisive however and it was something special. From fully 35 yards and with his back to goal he shook off a defender before unleashing an unstoppable shot that left the Alnwick Town keeper rooted to the spot.

Walker still have two useful games in hand as they seek to retain the title in a race that could eventually involve only three teams. Harraby Catholic Club are set to come up on the rails but took a break yesterday, only to be beaten 1-0 at home by Penrith in their Cumberland Senior Cup semi-final. Mike Brown scored the tie’s decisive goal after 26 minutes.

Seaton Delaval in fifth place and Carlisle City in sixth spot clashed at Wheatridge Park and Delaval’s 3-1 defeat ended a four-match unbeaten run. Scott Priest gave Carlisle an early opener which was cancelled out by Steve Anderson for their hosts. But Delaval then had Stephen Robinson and Terry Goicochea sent off and City took full advantage with Carl Armstrong and Guiseppe Amato adding to their tally in the second half.

Only three points are now separating eight teams in the bottom half of the Premier Division table after Cramlington Town and Peterlee Town both won to ease the threat of relegation. And Cramlington lifted off the bottom rung by winning 2-0 at home to fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers who are now propping up the rest.
Like Peterlee, Cramlington Town eased their predicament in the basement and a 2-0 home win against fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers lifted them off the bottom rung. The Colliers were sunk by second half goals put away by Gary Day and Mark Holt with Day marking his debut with a 43rd minute goal following good work by Thomas North. Holt doubled the Town’s lead with his close range effort in the second half.

Cramlington’s management have strengthened their squad to try to ensure their Premier Division future and it looks likely to pay off. Richard Sweeney and Joe Eagan have been signed from Cramlington Cobras while last weekend’s scorer Gary Day along with Ben Davison and Mark Evans have come in from Blyth Town Under-19’s.

Having been without a league win since last October, Peterlee Town were delighted when Jonathan Monaghan’s goal on the hour earned them a 1-0 verdict away to Ponteland United. Unfortunately with full time approaching and a precious three points at stake the match reached flash point. United’s Ricky Fenwick retaliated to an alleged head butt and a skirmish ensued. Fenwick was quite rightly sent off for his retaliation and Peterlee's Gary Lacey also received his marching orders for the initial offence. The match had little time to settle down before the referee blew the final whistle and Ponteland have now endured seven matches without a win and are being drawn into the relegation dogfight.

Shankhouse won by the same narrow 1-0 margin to record only their second victory at Northburn. Newcastle University were on the receiving end and went down to Lee Gustard’s winner put away in the 53rd minute.

Murton scored first and last through Steve Turner at home to Heaton Stannington but still finished up losing 3-2. After Turner’s opener on the half hour mark Heaton hit back three times in a devastating five minute spell immediately preceding the interval. Strikes by Gary Yates, Chris Flynn and Kevin Carr left Murton with a mountain to climb.

DIVISION ONE – PERCY MAIN STILL CLIMBING
While leaders Stocksfield and Whitley Bay ‘A’ were lying idle, Chopwell Officials leapfrogged over the Bay into second spot in the First Division but, having played more games than any other team, they’re undoubtedly in a false position. And Chopwell picked up their latest three points by completing a league double away to Northbank. Their scorers in a 2-0 victory were Andrew Smith and Dave Fitzpatrick.

Having lost only once at Purvis Park this term, Percy Main have joined the leading group and avenged an earlier defeat by beating visitors Gateshead Rutherford 3-1. John McEnaney fired the Villagers into an early lead and in the second half Joe Betts and Pierre Luc Coiffait added to their tally before Dan Robinson’s late reply for Rutherford.

Killingworth YPC slipped up and went down to a single goal scored for hosts Newcastle East End by Paul Bright just after the break. And Cullercoats, with a daunting fixture backlog to wade through, were 1-0 victors away to Hebburn Reyrolle. Hebburn, who had three points deducted from their total last week, had keeper Stephen Taylor in outstanding form but he couldn’t keep out Peter Bradley’s 33rd minute winner for the Seasiders.

Wallington made it five home wins on the trot and did well to beat Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 5-4 in a real thriller despite the windy conditions. Harry Tulip bagged all four goals for the Bohemians but his feat was equalled by Wallington’s Ashley McAlpine. And Jack Palmer also found the net to just edge it for the Scots Gap outfit.

After losing their two previous league games Berwick United shared the spoils from a 2-2 draw with visitors and fellow-strugglers Seaton Burn. Dan Aitken and Simon Hargreaves were the Berwick marksmen with both of the Burn’s replies coming from Chris Baker. These two sides are equal on points immediately above wooden spoonists Red Row Welfare in the First Division basement but Berwick have played one game less than Seaton Burn.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED AIMING FOR THE TOP
It’s looking extremely likely that the race for the Second Division title will become the exclusive preserve of current leaders South Shields United and second-placed Amble United. Amble are only three points behind their rivals at the moment but have two crucial games in hand to help in their bid to reclaim pole position.

Both of the front runners were successful again last Saturday and South Shields secured their sixth win on the trot by beating visitors Whitley Bay Town 4-0. Their scorers were Tijan Kah, Aaron Kah and Phil Enlund with their tally completed by an own goal gift. Meanwhile Amble United faced a tougher task but still won 2-1 away to Wideopen & District to end an eight-match unbeaten run by their third-placed hosts. Experienced pair Ian Common and Steve Gibbard claimed United’s goals and Gary Lamb replied from the spot for Wideopen.

Forest Hall are still aiming for possible promotion although they may be facing an uphill struggle. And the Hall added to their war chest by winning 6-0 at home to Newcastle BT who had been hammered 7-0 in the reverse fixture. Michael Reay banged in four of the Forest Hall goals this time with their final tally made up by an own goal and a good strike by Mark Knights.

The challenge of Wallsend Boys’ Club has been fading in recent weeks and they could only manage a 1-1 draw with visitors Benfield Chemfica. Rob Nolan scored his eighth league goal of the season for the Boys’ Club while Liam Naulls punished a defensive error for Chemfica’s counter.
Stobswood Welfare retained their unbeaten home record but were given a hard time before ending up level at 1-1 with bottom rung opponents Tynemouth United. Still seeking their first win, Tynemouth set out a defensive stall and did well to keep their hosts at bay. They had Chris Grieves opening the scoring after 85 minutes but Stobswood’s blushes were saved by David King’s equaliser in the dying seconds.

Amble FC are immediately above Tynemouth in the Second Division basement and they picked up some precious points by beating visitors Wallsend Town 2-0. Wallsend have only managed one win on their league travels this season and they performed badly once again. Two goals both scored in the second half by Adam Shanks gave Amble a rare but well-deserved victory.

By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United manager Jarrod Suddick was mourning the death of his father Alan last week after the ex-Newcastle and Blackpool favourite passed away following a long illness. Jarrod was understandably absent when Ponteland visited fellow-strugglers Ashington Colliers with assistant manager Steve Baxter taking over.

After 30 minutes Pont took the lead when a fine ball from Marc Dummett was side footed on the volley into the net by young Scott Fenwick. However five minutes before half time the Colliers were level and when a cross came in from the right Anthony Wright was on hand to give visiting keeper John Elliott no chance with his low drive.

Ashington were looking the stronger side after the change-over with Lee Scott going close to putting them in front and with half an hour to go Pont defender Dummett was injured and replaced by debutant Ricky Fenwick. Both teams were looking for the vital three points and Scott Fenwick thought he'd scored a second for Pont but his header from James Hall’s cross glanced off the top of the crossbar.

In the end a draw was a fair reflection of the match with no team having a player to stamp their authority on the game. Although Joe Dawson up front for Pont worked his socks off they lacked the presence which the absent Liam McIvor normally gives them and also missed the subtlety and creativity of Suddick in midfield.
While previous leaders Walker Central were lying idle, Gillford Park replaced the defending champions in pole position by beating visitors Newcastle University 3-2. Gillford however started on the back foot and trailed at the interval to goals scored for the Students by Dave Kewn and Ed Tizard. Steve Skinner finally got the Cumbrians off the mark and a brace for Matthew Wood secured the vital points.

Seaton Delaval overtook both Alnwick Town and Harraby Catholic Club to settle into third spot after a 2-1 success away to Peterlee Town completed a league double. Winning at home is proving difficult for the Newtowners and Steve Howes gave Delaval the lead. Jonathan Monaghan levelled just before half time for the hosts but in the 53rd minute John Fitzpatrick claimed Delaval’s winner.

Carlisle City’s hopes of joining the title-chasing group received a surprising setback and after being unbeaten in seven recent games they were hammered 5-1 by hosts Murton. Mark Smith and Steve Turner (2) fired Murton into a solid interval lead and Turner completed his hat-trick straight after the change-over. Danny Bulmer got City off the mark but the home side had the last word when Turner banged inv his fourth goal of the game.

Having picked up only a single point from their last four Premier Division appearances, Shankhouse stopped the rot by beating Heddon 1-0 at Bullocksteads. The two sides had featured in an earlier goal-less draw at Northburn and another stalemate looked likely until Lee Gustard slotted in his 76th minute winner for the visitors.

Heaton Stannington won 3-2 at home to Cramlington Town but their bottom rung opponents were rather unlucky. After Aaron Jewell and Adam Donaghey found the net for Heaton inside the first ten minutes, Cramlington staged a second half recovery. David Atkinson opened their account and David Dormand restored parity with his 80th minute spot kick. But in the dying seconds Joe Wear settled the issue in Heaton’s favour.

First Division outfit Cullercoats booked their place in this season’s Longhorn Hardware League Cup Final by beating semi-final visitors Hexham 3-2 with goals shared by Joe Elliott, Craig Deighton and Femi Akinbolu who bagged their 75th minute winner.

In the other semi-final Harraby Catholic Club comfortably beat cup hosts Wark 3-0. Lee Otway opened the scoring and an own goal gifted by Wark’s Stuart Brown doubled Harraby’s lead after the break. Marc Shiel completed the Cumbrians’ tally.

Meanwhile a semi-final tie in the Northern Alliance Charity Cup resulted in a 3-1 home victory for Newcastle East End over Premier Division opponents Blyth Town. The Eastenders’ marksmen were Gary Dixon, Dieu-Donne Lomana and Anthony Johnson with Lee Sparrow replying for the losers.

DIVISION ONE – WHITLEY FORCED TO TAKE STOCK
Stocksfield took another massive step towards clinching the championship in the first Division by beating visitors and nearest rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ 4-0. Leading scorer Ben Pearson bagged himself a first half brace for the current league leaders who also had Sam Quilliam and Wayne Stewart (penalty) on target after the break.

Stocksfield retained their hundred percent home record and are now twelve points clear at the top with a game in hand while Whitley’s promotion hopes could be threatened by the likes of Killingworth YPC and Percy Main. These two met at Purvis Park last Saturday and the Main impressively pulled off a 4-1 victory.
Against a Killy outfit which had just won five games on the trot, the Villagers had Graeme Cole opening the scoring straight from the kick off and Joe Betts netted to double their lead before the interval. Killy’s substitute Liam Callaghan reduced the deficit on the hour mark and they were only killed off by Percy Main goals in 85 and 86 minutes scored by Jason Ritchie and Pierre Luc Coiffait.

Gateshead Rutherford claimed only their second win on their travels by beating Berwick United 2-1. Berwick’s Lee Walker equalised after David Hall had fired Rutherford in front but a second half strike by Robbie Frame allowed the visitors to clinch victory and complete a league double at the Borderers’ expense.

Chopwell Officials trailed at half time to Peter Southern’s opener for visitors Wallington but came back strongly after the break to finally seal a 3-1 victory. Dave Fitzpatrick, Rowland Lee and Andrew Smith were Chopwell’s second half marksmen to inflict a sixth successive away defeat on Wallington.

Gosforth Bohemian Garnett, only beaten once in their last eight league outings, have hauled themselves out of the basement and picked up three more useful points by winning 2-1 away to Northbank. Improving on their earlier 2-2 draw with the Cumbrians on Tyneside, the Bohs had Harry Tulip and Paul Hodge on target this time and Northbank could only muster a single reply from Dave Glendinning.

Seaton Burn are still embroiled in a battle for First Division survival and despite scoring through Stu Taylor and Rob McDonald they were beaten 4-2 at home by Hebburn Reyrolle who ended their own miserable run of seven straight defeats in away games.

Meanwhile, Red Row Welfare are in trouble and facing the displeasure of league officials. Isolated on the bottom rung of the First Division table, the Welfare failed to field a team to face Alnwick Town at home in a semi-final tie of the Northern Alliance Charity Cup.

DIVISION TWO – KAH BROTHERS KEEP LEADERS ON COURSE
The top four sides in the Second Division all won last Saturday and current leaders South Shields United along with second-placed Amble United continued their battle for supremacy.

South Shields United held onto pole position thanks to their seventh home win on the trot and beat North Shields Athletic 2-0. Aaron Kah got United off the mark five minutes before half time and only five minutes remained when Tijan Kah doubled the lead to make the points secure.

With two games in hand Amble United kept the heat on South Shields and have retained a hundred percent record on home turf. They beat visitors Willington Quay Saints 2-1 to keep the run going despite falling behind to Glen Gallon’s 18th minute opener for the Saints. Midway through the second half ex-Alnwick striker Ian Common got Amble back on terms and only fiver minutes later their winner was put away by Michael Dance.

Wideopen & District held onto third spot and their 1-0 win at home to Benfield Chemfica stretched an unbeaten run to eight games. Recent signing Liam Jubb scored Wideopen’s vital winner in the opening half but, despite watching his team complete a league double, manager Alan Booth admitted that Chemfica had looked the better team for long periods in the game.

In fourth place at present, Forest Hall are well off the pace for possible promotion and were lucky to beat lowly visitors Amble FC 1-0. There were only four minutes to spare when Michael Reay scored the game’s only goal to leave Amble still seeking their first away win of the campaign.

On purely mathematical terms Stobswood Welfare are still capable of gaining promotion, having played only twelve games so far. The Welfare are still in the bottom half of the table but signalled their continuing interest by beating visitors Wallsend Boys’ Club 2-1. Josh Hay’s eleventh goal of the season put Stobswood in front and, after Rob Nolan levelled with a tremendous volley for the Boys’ Club, Kerry Shotton restored the Welfare’s lead.

Whitley Bay Town secured only their second home win by beating Newcastle BT 3-1 and reviving hopes of getting clear of the basement. A headed goal for Eddie Garratt before the interval and a second on the hour, direct from a free kick by Richard Biggs, gave the Town a clear lead. Dave Thompson reduced the deficit by opening BT’s account but the Bay’s anxieties were eased when Garratt bagged his second goal in the 85th minute.

Still with no win to their credit, Tynemouth United remained isolated on the bottom run and were beaten 5-3 at home by Wallsend Town. Leading 2-1 at the interval, United’s scorers were Oye Olaoyelade (2) and Chris Grieves but they were stripped of their advantage. Wallsend built on Mark Brewis’s opener and completed their tally with further goals shared by Ryan Arnott, Stephen Dodd, Anthony Senegoga and Phil Brown.

By Bill Gardner

Heddon drew 3-3 with close neighbours Ponteland United at Bullocksteads in a meeting of two Premier Division sides which seem to have lost the winning habit. But United could feel aggrieved at not gaining three points after a battling second half performance.

After only five minutes Pont were stung when a long range wind-assisted shot from home midfielder Daniel Hall flew into the top corner of the net giving Michael Havelock no chance. Heddon were having the better of the early exchanges stages but Richard Kent nearly levelled the score after good interplay between Liam McIvor and James Hall, only to be ruled offside.

Pont did manage to equalise in the 42nd minute when David Redhead scored after a cross from Marc Dummett wasn’t cleared. But just before half time Heddon were put in front again and when Daniel Hall’s long range free kick glanced off Glen Ford's head the ball flashed into the net for an own goal.

James Hall restored parity for Ponteland after 72 minutes by firing home from six yards and only four minutes later they went ahead. When Liam McIvor was hauled down in the box, Dummett stepped up to confidently score from the spot. But with the points apparently in the bag, United were caught out with only five minutes to go. Daniel Hall claimed his second goal of the game for Heddon to salvage a point when his 20-yard drive was too good for Pont keeper Havelock.

The top six sides in the Premier Division all won to preserve the status quo in the title race and Walker Central stayed two points clear in pole position by extending their unbeaten run to twelve games. The Central won 3-1 against bottom rung hosts Cramlington Town and, after the Town’s David Dormand had cancelled out Ian Dunn’s early opener for the league leaders, John Campbell bagged a brace for the visitors.

Second-placed Gillford Park followed up a midweek win at Alnwick by beating Heaton Stannington 2-0 at Grounsell Park. Yet to be beaten on their travels, the Park had Tyran Taylor and Ian Grainger scoring in each half to secure the points.

In third place Alnwick Town bounced back quickly after their midweek upset and made it five wins out of six recent games by beating struggling visitors Peterlee Town 2-1. Ben Keenan claimed both of Alnwick’s goals before a Craig Harbert spot kick got the Newtowners off the mark.

Harraby Catholic Club have games in hand of all the other teams at the top of the table and could upset a few ambitions on the run in. They completed a league double with a 3-0 victory at home to Newcastle University. Lee Otway scored first and last for the Cumbrians whose tally was completed by Roy Holliday.

Seaton Delaval also clinched a league double in hammering Murton 7-2 at Wheatridge Park. Delaval were four goals to the good at the interval and their goals in an impressive performance were supplied by Craig Johnson (hat-trick), Nick Evans, Gary Forbes, Stephen Howes and Connell Reed. Karl Garside replied for Murton who were also presented with an own goal by their hosts.

Since Stephen Bellas took over as manager Carlisle City have kept on improving and they avenged an earlier defeat in Cumbria by beating Shankhouse 1-0 at Northburn. Scott Priest scored City’s 57th minute winner to leave Shankhouse still seeking only their second home win of the campaign.

Two Northern Alliance sides – Blyth Town and Percy Main – will be going head to head in this season’s Northumberland Senior Bowl Final after seeing off the challenges of league colleagues in Saturday’s semi-final ties.

Blyth Town, who lifted the trophy last term, stayed on course for a repeat by beating cup visitors Whitley Bay ‘A’ 2-0. They went ahead after 33 minutes when Mark Waugh opened their account and their lead was doubled in the 68th minute when Danny Beresford netted from close range.

The cup holders’ opponents in this season’s final will be Percy Main who have previously picked up this silverware way back in 1978 and then more recently in 2004. The Villagers made the cut this time with a 2-1 victory away to their Premier Division opponents Ashington Colliers.

Percy Main opened the scoring through Jason Ritchie after half an hour but on the hour Richie Brown levelled for Ashington. The Main’s lead was quickly restored however and, when a long clearance from keeper Rob Rodgerson was cleverly helped on by Jon McEnaney, Joe Betts ran on to guide the ball past Tewart in the home goal.

In another cup clash, in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup, goals for Marc Nixon, Mark Elliott and Jamie Crichton gave Wark a 3-2 home win against Stobswood Welfare. And Wark will now be entertaining Harraby Catholic Club in this weekend’s semi-finals.



DIVISION ONE – STOCKSFIELD HAVE A STRONGHOLD

Having played a game less than their nearest challengers Whitley Bay ‘A’, Stocksfield are nine points clear at the head of the First Division table and favourites for the title and promotion. They’ve won all six of their home games to date and made Newcastle East End their latest victims. The East Enders however proved to be obstinate opponents and were only beaten 1-0. The game’s only goal was scored only two minutes after the kick off when Cairns Kettles passed to Phil Murray whose chip into the box was fired home by Ben Pearson to take his personal tally of league goals to fifteen.

Whitley Bay ‘A’ were on county cup duty but third-placed Killingworth YPC and Chopwell Officials in fourth spot both picked up maximum points. And Killy were impressive in their 6-1 home win against a Northbank side which had previously been enjoying a successful spell. The Killingworth goals to secure their fifth successive league win were sup[plied by Kevin Westphal (2), Andrew Edmundsen, Dan Smee, Callum Colback and Anthony Burns. And Killy’s Simon Patterson put the ball into his own net to present the Cumbrian visitors with their single counter.

After losing two games on the trot Chopwell were happy with their narrow 2-1 victory away to bottom rung outfit Red Row Welfare. Goals for Andrew Smith and Lee Best completed a league double for the visitors. Bradley Smith replied for the Welfare but they still have no home points to their credit.

Involvement in cup competitions has affected the progress of Cullercoats on the domestic front but the Seasiders could resurrect their promotion hopes by winning their games in hand. They made a promising start by beating visitors Gateshead Rutherford 4-2. Femi Akinbolu completed his hat-trick for the winners whose other scorer was Rob Watson. Ross Taylor and Robbie Frame replied for the losers.

Wallington have won their last four games at Scots Gap and they beat poor travellers Hebburn Reyrolle 3-1 to keep the run going. Jack Palmer bagged a brace for Wallington who also had Ashley McAlpine on target for his eleventh league goal of the campaign. Mark Haire was Hebburn’s only marksman as they slumped to their seventh successive defeat away from home.

Seaton Burn are still trying to escape from the First Division basement but are seeking their first win on home turf. The miserable run continued and they were beaten 3-1 by their latest visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. Goals by Harry Tulip (2) and John McDonald gave the Bohemians only their second away win and the Burn’s single reply came from Ian Armstrong.



DIVISION TWO – SHIELDSMEN STAY ON TOP

Current leaders South Shields United and second-placed Amble United are continuing to battle for supremacy in the Second Division. Both won again last weekend and South Shields retained their three-point lead by beating powerful visitors Forest Hall 2-0. Second half goals for Mark Davey and Tijan Kah allowed United to clinch a league double while ending Forest Hall’s unbeaten record in away games.

Amble United could yet regain pole position by using their two games in hand successfully and they lived up to their free-scoring reputation with a 6-0 victory away to lowly Whitley Bay Town. Darren Riddell and second half substitute Steve Gibbard bagged a brace each for Amble whose other marksmen were Chris Moffitt and Shaun Black.

In third spot Wideopen & District are off the pace a little as far as the Second Division title is concerned but possible promotion is still worth fighting for. And the Wideopen lads extended an unbeaten run to seven games with their 4-0 victory away to Newcastle BT. Only Sean Hay’s opener separated the sides at half time but after the break Hay bagged his second goal before his colleagues Liam McEvoy and Liam Jubb also found the net.

North Shields Athletic remained in fourth place but slipped up badly and were surprisingly beaten 4-2 by their lowly hosts Amble FC. This was only Amble’s second win of this campaign and was secured with goals shared by Carl Sayer, Shaun Jobson, Ben Davidson and Adam Shanks. Alan Armstrong and Dan Walton replied for a disappointed North Shields side.

Wallsend Boys’ Club suffered only their second defeat at home and went down 4-2 against Willington Quay Saints who simultaneously claimed only their second away win. Glen Gallon’s two goals for the Saints were cancelled out by replies from Craig Williamson and Stephen Forster for the Boys’ Club and it was all square at 2-2 with seven minutes to go. But Mark Henderson restored Willington’s lead and John Foggett scored their fourth goal with a thundering 30-yard effort.

Despite booking themselves an appearance in this season’s Northumberland Minor Cup Final, Wallsend Town have struggled in the league and their 2-1 defeat by visitors Benfield Chemfica was their ninth on the trot in the Second Division. Liam Naulls and Mark Fenwick netted to secure the points for Chemfica and Paul McCutcheon claimed Wallsend’s token reply.

With only two points to date Tynemouth United are isolated on the bottom rung and allowed visitors Hexham to celebrate a fist win on their travels. Hexham passed the milestone by beating their hosts 2-0 thanks to first half strikes by Stephen Brown and Iain Strachan.

By Bill Gardner
Walker Central made a quarter-final exit from the Northumberland Senior Cup after failing to find the net for the first time this season. The Central were soundly beaten 4-0 at home by Northern League neighbours Newcastle Benfield whose goals were supplied by Stephen Young (2), Michael Chilton and Adam Scope.

Walker, having previously lost interest in this season’s League Cup and Challenge Cup competitions, are now left to concentrate on the Premier Division title which they claimed last term. This season however a top two finish could be even more crucial with both the Central and their Cumbrian colleagues Gillford Park interested in stepping up to the Second Division of the Northern League.

While Walker were otherwise engaged, their closest challengers Gillford Park only managed a 1-1 draw away to Seaton Delaval and were lucky to salvage a point. The Cumbrians just managed to preserve their unbeaten away record and trailed to Delaval’s early opener scored by Steve Howes until Mike Riding snatched a last minute equaliser. And Delaval manager Nick Gray must be sick of watching his team concede vital goals in the dying minutes of their matches; it’s happened on many recent occasions.

Alnwick Town remained in third place after their 2-0 victory away to Ponteland United. The Town’s fourth league win on the trot was achieved with goals in each half for Gary Bailes and Mark Cockburn.

Bailes headed home from an inswinging corner from Scott McMullen in the 15th minute but there was a long wait for Cockburn’s goal scored after 89 minutes.
In the meantime Ponteland were held at bay by a competent Alnwick defence and their chances of a recovery dwindled after Glen Ford was sent off for a rash challenge and striker Liam McIvor was injured. And Pont are now fourth from bottom and facing a battle for their Premier Division future.
With games in hand, Harraby Catholic Club are posing a threat to the current pace-setters and they leapfrogged over Seaton Delaval into fourth spot. They did the trick by beating visitors Shankhouse 1-0 but their opponents deserved to share of the spoils.

Shankhouse were stronger than their hosts in the first half with Darren Naylor heading wide at the back post after 20 minutes and Lee Gustard picking up a loose ball in the area only to see home keeper Aaron Taylor blocking his close range effort. Then in another Shankhouse raid Graeme Smith’s 25-yard free kick hit the inside of the post and somehow shot across the goal to be eventually cleared.

It didn’t look as though either side would secure victory but Matthew Blake scored Harraby’s winner with only seconds to spare. In stoppage time Harraby were awarded a free kick just inside the visitors’ half and close to the touchline. Blake’s delivery into the 'box' saw both attackers & defenders unable to get a touch but the ball bounced and then skidded past the stranded Shankhouse keeper David Dent to give the home side a very fortunate winner.

After three home wins on the trot Carlisle City had to settle for a 2-2 draw with lowly visitors Ashington Colliers who were fired into a two-goal interval lead by Paul Smith and Patrick Cockburn. City were presented with an own goal opener by visiting defender Gareth Rees and then equalised through Ollie Driver.

Cramlington Town and Peterlee Town, Ashington’s fellow-strugglers in the Premier Division basement, didn’t fare quite as well. Cramlington were well beaten 5-2 by up-and-coming hosts Wark whose goals were put away by Marc Nixon (2), Martin Hardy, Phil Thompson and Jamie Peel. Iain Downie and David Dormand replied but Cramlington remained on the bottom rung.

Peterlee Town, just above Cramlington at the foot of the table and without a win since last October, were beaten 2-1 by hosts Heaton Stannington. Heaton had Joe Wear and Lawrence McKenna finding the net before John Pyle claimed a late consolation goal for the Newtowners.

Heddon drew 2-2 with Blyth Town at Bullocksteads where Chris Lisle bagged a brace for Blyth and Heddon responded with strikes by Craig Horsfall and John Dunn. And goals for Will Deledicq (2), Dave Kewn and Edwin Tizard gave Newcastle University a vital 4-1 victory over visitors Murton to ease their relegation worries. Steve Turner was Murton’s only scorer.

DIVISION ONE – STOCKSFIELD END PERCY MAIN’S RECORD
Stocksfield are now nine points clear of nearest rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ and with a game in hand at the head of the First Division table. Both of these pace-setters collected maximum points last Saturday but each is aware of the challenge of Killingworth YPC in the battle for promotion.

Leaders Stocksfield, beaten only once this term, ended the unbeaten home record of fourth-placed Percy Main with a 2-1 victory at Purvis Park. After only seven minutes the Main went ahead, presented with an own goal opener as a good corner kick from Pierre - Luc Coiffait was fumbled into his own net by Stocksfield keeper Shaun Sagar.

But only four minutes later the visitors were back on equal terms as Ben Pearson, after combining well with his colleague Phil Murray, rounded the home keeper to poke the ball in from close range. Then, two minutes before the break, Pearson netted again for what turned out to be Stocksfield’s winner. This time he went on a solo run, beating several defenders before his deflected effort crossed the line.

After winning only one of their five previous games Whitley Bay ‘A’ comfortably beat Seaton Burn 4-1 to leave their hosts still seeking a first home win. The Bay, whose marksmen were Mark Fenwick, Jamie Lyndon, Gavin Hattrick and Ian Lee, were three up at the interval and the Burn’s single reply came from Stuart Taylor.
Killingworth YPC have a clutch of games in hand to assist their promotion hopes. They recorded their fourth win on the trot and completed a league double by beating visitors Chopwell Officials 2-1. David Smee bagged a first half brace for Killy and they defended well after a 70th minute reply from Chopwell substitute Alan Rennison trimmed their lead.

Northbank and Gateshead Rutherford maintained their mid-table status by securing maximum points in their respective home games and Northbank hammered Berwick United 4-0 with goals shared by Louis Gallacher, Simon Elston, Mark Graham and Jonathan Mason. Their defeat ended a recent run of successes for the Borderers.

Gateshead Rutherford made it five home wins on the trot at the expense of strugglers Red Row Welfare who were soundly beaten 3-0. With only one league win to their credit the Welfare trailed to two Dan Robinson goals at the interval and conceded a third after 88 minutes scored by Robbie Frame.

Wallington still have relegation worries following their 4-0 defeat away to Newcastle East End whose marksmen were Dieu-Donne Lomana (2), Matthew Young and Anthony Studholme. But Hebburn Reyrolle ended a spell of seven games without a win and in fortuitous circumstances beat visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 1-0. The only goal of a scrappy encounter was put into his own net by a Gosforth defender in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

DIVISION TWO – LEADERS HUMBLED BY THE HALL
Amble United, three points behind Second Division leaders South Shields United but with a game in hand, slipped up at Forest Hall and were beaten 2-1 by their hosts. The Seasiders looked likely to extend an unbeaten run into double figures when they were fired into an early lead by Chris Moffitt. But they were stopped in their tracks and, after Michael Reay equalised, Forest Hall’s winner was put away by Tom Carver.

Helped by this unexpected result, South Shields United stayed in pole position and were happy with their 2-1 victory away to third-placed North Shields Athletic. David Armstrong was on the mark for a North Shields side looking for a seventh successive home win but they were to be disappointed. Tijan Kah got South Shields back on terms and the same player scored his second to wrap up the points for the current league leaders.

Wideopen & District and Wallsend Boys’ Club both have a lot to do if they are to revive their promotion prospects and the Boys’ Club had to be disappointed by their goal-less draw away to lowly Whitley Bay Town. Wideopen however extended their unbeaten streak to six games by comfortably beating visitors Amble FC 3-0. Having failed to win a single game away from home so far, Amble are still stuck in the basement. And Wideopen showed no mercy as they added three more points to their total with goals claimed by Gary Lamb (2) and new signing Liam Jubb who scored on his debut.

Willington Quay Saints are still in mid-table but have only been beaten once at home in this campaign. The Saints improved on their earlier 3-3 draw with visitors Benfield Chemfica by winning 2-1 this time. Stephen King’s opener gave the Saints a half time lead but it was cancelled out after 68 minutes by Jimmy Hawkes for the visitors. And only two minutes later Willington Quay’s winner was headed home by John Foggett.

Stobswood Welfare were beaten 1-0 by Mark Gibson’s vital goal for hosts Hexham while Tynemouth United remained stuck on the bottom rung despite their 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle BT. All four goals were scored in the opening half with Dave Thompson bagging a brace for BT and Chris Grieves and Oye Olaoyelade on the mark for Tynemouth who secured only their second point of the season.

Wallsend Town may have struggled in the Second Division this term but last weekend booked their place in the final of the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland FA Minor Cup by beating semi-final hosts Lowick United 1-0. The Town’s cup final opponents will be Blakelaw Crofters Lodge who won 2-0 to end the hopes of Northern Alliance First Division outfit Cullercoats.

By Bill Gardner
While their closest rivals including second-placed Gillford Park were on cup duty, Walker Central went six points clear at the head of the Premier Division. The Central beat visitors Ponteland United 3-2 to complete a league double, maintain their unbeaten home record and clock up their seventh league win on the trot. But it wasn’t easy!

The players wore black armbands and held a minute’s silence before the game as a mark of respect for former long serving Northern Alliance League Secretary John McLackland who sadly collapsed and died suddenly on 20th February.

It was Walker who took the lead from the penalty spot when United’s Ford pulled John Campbell’s shirt and Campbell himself took the successful spot kick. Walker were looking strong at this stage but Pont stuck to their task and equalised after 38 minutes. Sean Willis’s cross found Liam, McIvor at the near post and his short pass gave Scott Fenwick the chance to tap the ball home. And only two minutes later Ponteland were in front. Suddick chipped the ball over the home defence to the unmarked Andrew Davidson who smashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner.

Clearly Walker were unsettled at this juncture and trailed 2-1 at half time. But Pont’s lead was short lived and only four minutes into the second half Campbell equalised with his second goal, scored from a narrow angle. And the Central snatched a winner ten minutes from the end courtesy of Campbell again as he punished poor defending to complete his hat-trick.

The rest of the games involved teams desperate for points in the basement and Cramlington Town, now on the bottom rung, were beaten 2-1 by hosts Carlisle City who scored first and last through Steve Bell and Jamie Yallop. Cramlington’s second half scorer was Thomas North.

Peterlee Town are only a point better off than Cramlington and their miserable run continued as they were beaten 3-0 at home by Wark. Phil Thompson scored all three goals in the second half for Wark to hoist them into a mid-table slot.

Ashington Colliers and Newcastle University are both involved in a battle against relegation but neither had any joy. The Colliers lost 2-1 away to Heaton Stannington who had three points deducted last week. Heaton’s marksmen were Adam Donaghey and Gary Yates who bagged their late winner after David Brown had levelled for Ashington. Meanwhile, Newcastle University came off second best in their bottom of the table clash at Murton. The Students went down 1-0 to Paul Wintrip’s 62nd minute goal for their hosts.

In their semi-final tie away to Gillford Park in the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup, Blyth Town were beaten 4-2 in extra time. Steve Skinner bagged a first half brace for the Park but replies from Blyth’s Aaron Hicken and Mark Waugh took the game into extra time. Chris Grainger netted to put the Cumbrians in front before Skinner completed his hat-trick and Gillford will be meeting Heddon in this season’s final.

There were a few shocks in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup and in a delayed third round tie Stobswood Welfare beat Premier Division visitors Heddon 2-1. After trailing to Max Turner’s opener for Heddon, the Welfare hit back through Wayne Gair and Josh Hay to clinch an unexpected victory.

More surprises emerged in the League Cup’s quarter-finals and despite both being at home Seaton Delaval and Shankhouse lost out to their respective First and Second Division opponents. Cullercoats beat Delaval 3-2 after trailing to goals by Steve Howes and Stephen Anderson for their hosts. Alex Burnett reduced the deficit for the visitors before Femi Akinbolu levelled in the 90th minute. Then in stoppage time Craig Deighton scored the Cullercoats winner.

Hexham won 2-1 to dump Shankhouse out of the cup and quickly responded to Craig Johnson’s opener for their hosts. They forced Shankhouse’s defender Graeme Smith into conceding an own goal and with only three minutes top spare Tony Lancaster claimed Hexham’s vital winner.

Harraby Catholic Club however made no mistake in their quarter-final at home to First Division leaders Stocksfield. They won 4-1 with goals shared by Mike Swift, Roy Holliday, Lee Otway and James Earl after Sandy Tordoff had given Stocksfield an early lead.

DIVISION ONE – JOY FOR TROUBLED BERWICK
In the First Division lowly Berwick United were celebrating after securing their first away points of the season. The Borderers did the trick with a 1-0 victory at Chopwell to give themselves some breathing space in the basement. The points were only secured late in the game but that didn’t matter to Berwick whose vital winner was snatched in the 88th minute by Sean Phillips.

Still with no home points to their credit, Red Row Welfare stayed on the bottom rung after a 2-0 defeat by visitors Seaton Burn whose marksmen were Stuart Taylor and Mark Braddick. And Gosforth Bohemian Garnett are just above Red Row in the basement but eased the pressure by winning 1-0 at home to Newcastle East End. Paul Menton scored Gosforth’s winner only five minutes into the game.

In mid-table, Gateshead Rutherford have won their last four games on home turf and they made Wallington their latest victims. Wallington produced a rather poor performance and couldn’t argue about losing 2-1. Their single goal was a last minute disputed penalty put away by Ashley McAlpine after Dan Robinson and Graeme Troughton had netted for Rutherford after the break.

The top two sides in the First Division – Stocksfield and Whitley Bay ‘A’ – were both absent from league duty and Percy Main, unbeaten in their last six outings, leapfrogged over Chopwell Officials to claim third spot.

The Main won 4-1 to complete a league double against Northbank over in Carlisle and Sean Potts gave them an early opener from Pierre Coiffait’s cross in a move initiated by Graeme Cole. And almost immediately the Villagers’ lead was doubled by Tony Browell who latched onto Jason Ritchie’s long free kick to score from close range.

Jonathan McEnaney scored Percy Main’s third goal after only 20 minutes to rock the Cumbrians when Ritchie again supplied the ammunition and the visitors’ tally was completed by Ritchie who scored from the spot after Coiffiat was up-ended in the area. Simon Elston claimed Northbank’s consolation goal.

Killingworth YPC claimed their third win on the trot in beating visitors Hebburn Reyrolle 4-3 with goals by Daniel Smee (2), Kevin Grahamslaw and second half substitute Peter Mulholland. Killy also presented an own goal gift to Reyrolle who had Chris Morris and Dave Jeffers on target as they suffered their sixth successive defeat away from home.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE UNITED RECLAIM POLE POSITION
South Shields United were lying idle in the Second Division and surrendered pole position to Amble United who beat Wallsend Town 4-2 to protect their hundred percent home record. United’s scorers were Greg Dance (2), Steve Gibbard and Bradley Wake. Steve Richardson and Paul McCutcheon replied for the Tynesiders who are yet to earn a first league point on their travels.

Fourth-placed Wallsend Boys’ Club may also be in a false position, having completed more games than any other side in the Second Division. After drawing four home games on the trot the Boys’ Club got back on track by clinching a 3-0 verdict at the expense of strugglers Amble Town. Goals shared by Rob Nolan, Andy McBride and Frazer Henderson completed a league double for the hosts.

In third place, North Shields Athletic have played more games than the two teams above them but they haven’t given up on promotion. And the Athletic clinched a rare away win by beating Benfield Chemfica 3-0 with goals supplied by Dave Armstrong (2) and Ronnie Kay. The result ended Chemfica’s three-match winning streak.

Tynemouth United, the only team below Amble in the basement, stayed glued to the bottom rung and without a single league win in this campaign. They were beaten again – 2-0 by hosts Wideopen & District – and were sunk by goals for Wideopen’s Gary Lamb and Jamie Reeves. Lamb remained the Division’s top scorer with 19 league goals to his credit so far.

After losing only once in their eight previous outings Forest Hall were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at home by Whitley Bay Town who secured their first away points in the process. Strikes by Garry Milburn and Mick Welford gave the Bay some hope of dragging themselves out of the basement.

Willington Quay Saints suffered their first defeat at home this season in going down 3-2 against Newcastle BT. The BT lads had been the victims of travel sickness prior to this encounter but beat their hosts for the second time this term with goals shared by Dave Thompson, Anthony Bruce and Colin Galbraith. The Saints had been fired in front twice by Andy Duffield and then Glen Johnson but were stunned by Galbraith’s 85th minute match-winner.

By Bill Gardner
On a weekend when there was a profusion of goals the top of the table clash between Harraby Catholic Club and current Premier Division leaders Walker Central over in Carlisle proved to be the opposite. The game was settled in Walker’s favour by the only goal scored just eight minutes after the kick off.

Both teams had to contend with a strong cross wind and Walker opened the scoring when their first corner was only half cleared. Ian Mills hit a low ground shot from 18 yards through a crowded area to beat the unsighted home keeper Aaron Taylor. Although Harraby’s Brett Swift managed to knock the ball up against the underside of the crossbar from his position on the line and Taylor claimed the loose ball the assistant referee, after appearing to wave play on, then signalled that the ball had crossed the line. And Walker held on grimly to their slender advantage to secure their sixth league win on the trot.

The result left Walker with a six-point lead at the head of the Premier Division table while Harraby, champions a couple of seasons ago, stayed in fifth spot but with several games in hand at their disposal.

Harraby’s neighbours Gillford Park also have useful games in hand and hoisted themselves up into second spot by winning 2-0 away to Murton who remained on the bottom rung. The Park, yet to be beaten on their travels, secured the points with second half goals put away by Darren Addison who scored just after the interval and Steve Skinner who netted with a minute to spare.

Shankhouse are currently in sixth place but have played more games than any other team in the Premier Division and results have been far from ideal. They suffered another setback in going down 4-2 against Newcastle University at Cochrane Park. The Students had taken only two points from their previous five outings but gave themselves hope of getting clear of the basement with strikes by Will Deledicq, Oliver Haywood, Edwin Tizard and Ben Burt.

Carlisle City’s new manager Stephen Bellas has won his first two games in charge and City beat Peterlee Town 6-4 at Sheepmount. The Newtowners seemed on course for a rare success when early goals for Alan Smith, Greg O’Brien and Steve Monaghan put them well clear.

Carlisle finally responded with replies from Ollie Driver (2) and Carl Armstrong restoring parity but in the 44th minute Peterlee were nudged in front again by Anthony Cook. After the break City came back again to kill off their visitors with Driver scoring his second penalty of the game to complete his hat-trick and Jamie Yallop and Jamie Heath also on target.

On a day of high scores Wark claimed maximum points to ease their relegation worries and in a real cliff-hanger they beat visiting Ponteland United 6-5. An own goal by United’s Marc Dummett allowed Wark to edge it after they had John Famelton, Marc Nixon (hat-trick) and Jamie Pell on target. Dean Gate, James Hall, Jarrod Suddick, Andrew Davidson and Richard Kent shared the goals for unlucky Ponteland.

There was also an abundance of goals in a third round tie of the Longhorn Hardware League Cup with hosts Heaton Stannington drawing 6-6 with First Division leaders Stocksfield after extra time. Heaton’s marksmen were Gary Yates (2), Paul Hodgson, Kevin Carr, Joe Wear and Lawrence McKenna. Stocksfield, who had Phil Murray and Ben Pearson each claiming a hat-trick, emerged as 7-6 victors in the resulting penalty shoot out.

Meanwhile Heddon booked themselves a place in this season’s Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup Final by beating Seaton Delaval 3-2 in their semi-final at Bullocksteads. Goals for Joe Kerry and Craig Horsfall gave Heddon an early advantage but their keeper Alex Curran was injured and midfielder John Pearson had to deputise. Delaval took advantage and replied through Craig Johnson and Stephen Anderson straight after the interval. But with 75 minutes on the clock David Edwardson claimed Heddon’s winner and they will be meeting either Gillford Park or Blyth Town in the forthcoming final.

DIVISION ONE – CHOP FOR THE BURN
In the First Division, Gosforth Bohemian Garnett and Killingworth YPC have only played eleven and nine league games respectively and postponement of their game at Benson Park wasn’t exactly welcomed. And in an already restricted programme only three games went ahead.

Seaton Burn should have been hosting Chopwell Officials but the game had to be reversed and the move wasn’t a fortunate one for the Burn who are still facing a relegation battle. Chopwell comfortably beat them 3-0 to hoist themselves into third place although they’ve played more games than all the teams at the top of the table. Hat-trick hero Stuart Rook claimed all their goals.

The other two games down for decision were both draws and Newcastle East End shared the spoils from a 4-4 draw with visitors Gateshead Rutherford. The Eastenders’ scorers were Anthony Studholme (2), Craig Crosby and Shaun Douglas with strikes by Joe Hindmarch, Robbie Frame, Stephen Tumelty and Ross Taylor maintaining parity for Rutherford.

After losing five games on the trot Hebburn Reyrolle were happy with their 1-1 draw at home to an improving Northbank outfit. Andrew Sanko fired the Cumbrians in front on the half hour mark and Mark Haire equalised for Reyrolle six minutes into the second half.

DIVISION TWO – SHIELDSMEN STAY IN POLE POSITION
While second-placed Amble United were on cup duty, South Shields United seized the opportunity to strengthen their position as leaders in the Second Division. They won 1-0 away to Hexham who suffered again from poor finishing in front of goal. South Shields, beaten only once on their travels this season, had substitute Tijan Kah scoring their vital winner seven minutes from the end.

North Shields Athletic have been coming up on the rails and slipped into third spot after beating visitors Stobswood Welfare 2-0. The result ended the Welfare’s seven-match unbeaten run and gave the Athletic their sixth home win on the trot. It was achieved with early and late goals tucked away by Glen Churchman and Martin Cole.

Having played more league games than many of their Second Division colleagues, Wallsend Boys’ Club are occupying fourth spot and improved on their earlier goal-less draw with bottom rung hosts Tynemouth United. With no win yet and no home points to their credit, Tynemouth fought hard and had Chris Grieves (2) and Ben Griffiths on target but still went down 5-3. Being watched by several scouts at present, Rob Nolan was a four-goal hero for the Boys’ Club. And their other goal was something special as Joe Stewart blasted in his long-range free kick.

Whitley Bay Town are still struggling in the basement after winning only once in the league this term but a point from their 2-2 draw with out-of-sorts visitors Wideopen & District was welcome. Having lost their winning habit, Wideopen scored first and last through Sean Hay and Shan Lowery who netted direct from a 35-yard free kick. In the interim Edmund Garratt opened the Bay’s account with a diving header – his first goal for the club – and Ian Irvin also netted for the home side.

Forest Hall ended Benfield Chemfica’s recent good run of form and booked themselves a place in next month’s Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final. Before this semi-final at Forest Hall, Chemfica had won four of their last five games but were beaten 2-1 by their hosts. Michael Reay claimed both of the Forest’s goals in the 5th and 67th minutes and his second was vital following Joe Bann’s tenth minute leveller for Chemfica from Mark Fenwick’s cross.

Forest Hall’s cup final opponents will be Amble United who also won 2-1 in their semi-final at home to neighbours Amble Town. United completed a league and cup derby double with first half goals for Ross Gair in two minutes and Darren Riddell on the half hour. They took their foot off the pedal and Shaun Jobson’s 75th minute free kick reduced the deficit for the visitors who were flattered by the final score-line.

COUNTY CUP ACTION
Six sides from the Northern Alliance have taken steps nearer to success in County Cup competitions. In the Northumberland Senior Benevolent Bowl last weekend Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ashington Colliers, Blyth Town and Percy Main all cleared their respective quarter-final hurdles at the expense of league colleagues.

Whitley Bay, whose big brothers at Hillheads are doing nicely in the FA Vase, made progress in the Bowl by winning 2-0 away to Alnwick Town whop went down to goals in each half scored by Dean Porter and Mark Fenwick. And Ashington Colliers had David Brown, Stephen Darling and Glen Bolton on target in their 3-2 home win against Wallington at the last eight stage.

Blyth Town made the cut by comprehensively beating cup hosts Berwick United 6-1 with goals shared by Lee Sparrow, Mark Waugh, Chris Taylor, Danny Beresford, Jonathan Mann and keeper Scott Earle (penalty). Meanwhile Percy Main ended the cup hopes of quarter-final hosts Cramlington Town by beating their Premier Division opponents 2-1. David Dormand scored from the spot to give Cramlington an interval lead but Sean Potts got the Main back on terms and Jason Ritchie bagged their winner.

The semi-final draw in the NFA Senior Bowl now reads Ashington Colliers v Percy Main and Blyth Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’ and there were more successes in the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup. Cullercoats won 4-1 at home to Killingworth YPC Town thanks to strikes by Ben Gardner, Femi Akinbolu, Craig Deighton and Andy McColl and in an all-Northern Alliance clash Newcastle BT were beaten 5-4 at home by Wallsend Town. And the Minor Cup semi-final pairings after last weekend’s results are Cullercoats v Blakelaw Crofters Lodge and Lowick United v Wallsend Town.

By Bill Gardner
This stop-start campaign continued to be blighted by the weather and only three Northern Alliance games got the go-ahead, two of them over in Cumbria and the other also out west at Hexham.

The front runners for the Premier Division title are currently Walker Central, Gillford Park, Harraby Catholic Club and Seaton Delaval in an East versus West contest but of these sides only Harraby saw any action last weekend.

After two weeks inactivity Ponteland United made the trip to face high flying Harraby who haven’t been beaten at home this season. And after clinching a 4-0 victory the Cumbrians’ record stayed comfortably intact.

United manager Jarrod Suddick decided to go for experience and left youngster Scott Fenwick on the bench while bringing in Andrew Rendall as a central defender.

But Pont were under pressure from the very start with Harraby chasing every ball and closing their visitors down. After only four minutes a poor clearance by Craig Daglish was seized on by Harraby’s Stuart Moffat. He beat Marc Dummett on the bye line and crossed for Marc Shiel to head home from close range.

Joe Dawson had a chance for Pont at the other end but elected to cross rather than advance on goal. And with the home team still looking the stronger they doubled their lead when a through ball found the lively Lee Otway. He turned Rendall before shooting clinically past keeper Michael Havelock. The pace and movement of Harraby players - particularly James Earl, Otway and Nick Routledge up front -  was causing continual problems for Pont. Otway was on fire and Havelock had to tip his low shot round the post to prevent his second goal. A clearance by Dean Gate then hit his Ponteland colleague Rendall and fell kindly to Mike Swift who fired high over the bar.

Harraby were well on top and playing some good football coupled with their spirit and determination. United’s Ford was quite fortunate to stay on the pitch when he brought down Otway. And the Catholic Club increased their lead again before the interval as a long ball found Nick Routledge on the left flank. He waltzed round Andy Rendall before picking his spot and giving United keeper Havelock no chance. For some reason the Cumbrians’ most threatening front runner Lee Otway didn't appear for the second half after leaving the pitch in apparent disgust. But this didn't stop the home team who increased their lead on 55 minutes. Routledge cut in from the left to see his shot saved by Havelock but Shiel was on hand to outpace Glen Ford and he tapped in the rebound.
Harraby were then able to take their foot off the pedal which allowed Pont to get more into the game. A strong appeal for a penalty by Pont for handball was turned down by the referee. Andrew Davidson then played in Joe Dawson and he looked likely to score but went wide to the bye line before squaring the ball to Liam McIvor whose shot was well blocked. Sean Willis also had a couple of attempts blocked by the Harraby defence but it wasn’t Ponteland’s day.

Frustration began to get the better of one or two visiting players with both Liam McIvor and John Redhead somewhat fortunate to remain on the pitch. In the last twenty minutes new signing Phillips (making his debut), Scott Fenwick and James Hall were brought on for Rendall, Redhead and Dawson respectively but quite frankly any one of the Pont players could have been substituted after this inept performance.  
In the only other top flight game, also over in Cumbria, new Carlisle City team boss Stephen Bellas, the club’s ex-goalkeeper, was making his managerial debut as City entertained lowly Murton. City had drawn four of their last five games but Bellas’s new look squad got off to a promising start by beating their Durham visitors 4-1.

With several ex-players back on board City took the game to a Murton side with only two away wins to their credit and were three goals up at the interval. Ollie Driver opened their account before Scott Priest bagged himself a quick-fire brace in the 30th and 34th minutes.

Murton rallied a little after the change-over and midway through the half Martin Peace gave them some hope, getting them off the mark with his successful spot kick. But City weren’t in the mood to make any further concessions and Steve Bell claimed their fourth goal with ten minutes to go.

The weekend’s remaining game to survive was in the Second Division and on a surprisingly good surface at Wentworth Park hosts Hexham were beaten 2-1 by Benfield Chemfica. In an untidy match involving two players from either side being cautioned, Martin Dixon fired Chemfica into a 30th minute lead when a corner kick wasn’t cleared.

In the 70th minute a Benfield defender pressured by Ben Griffiths handled in the goalmouth and Iain Strachan equalised for Hexham from the penalty spot. There were few further chances at either end but after 80 minutes an awkward bounce deceived the home keeper and Liam Naulls pounced to steer in Chemfica’s winner.
The continuing freeze wiped out the rest of the Northern Alliance fixture programme as well as outstanding ties in the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl and the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup. The eleven Alliance teams affected will be trying to settle their differences again this weekend if the weather improves sufficiently.

By Bill Gardner
On what was probably the worst weekend of an already seriously disrupted local football season only one Northern Alliance side – Killingworth YPC Sporting – saw any action but even they were left disappointed after exiting from the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland FA Minor Cup.

Killy’s quarter-final tie away to Blakelaw Crofters Lodge was played out on an artificial surface and the home side, always looking the stronger, emerged as 3-1 victors.
Liam Anderson fired Blakelaw in front on the quarter hour but his opener was cancelled out midway through the half by Killingworth’s Daniel Snee. Then just before the interval Blakelaw were reduced to nine men when Steve Matthew and Lee Garwood were both shown the red card.

Despite their numerical advantage Killy didn’t look likely to make it count and straight after the break Chris Garwood’s successful spot kick restored Blakelaw’s lead. And in the 80th minute Adrian Sutcliffe was also on target to assure the Crofters of a place in the semi-finals.

Three Northern Alliance sides will be aiming for the same target in ties rearranged for next Saturday. Newcastle BT will be entertaining league colleagues Wallsend Town while Cullercoats are at home to Killingworth YPC Town.

Quarter-final games in the Northumberland FA Senior Bowl were also all frozen out and have been scheduled again for this weekend. The pairings in this competition are: Alnwick Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ashington Colliers v Wallington, Berwick United v Blyth Town and Cramlington Town v Percy Main.

ALL CHANGE AT CARLISLE
Another totally blank Saturday as far as league games were concerned simply confirmed that a daunting fixture backlog is now looming. Six months into the campaign there are 29 clubs in the Alliance’s three divisions that haven’t completed half of their games yet and four of them haven’t even reached double figures.
While the big freeze continued there was some unrelated turmoil across in Cumbria affecting Premier Division outfit Carlisle City. After a special meeting convened in midweek, club secretary Jack Williamson announced some sweeping changes.

Joint managers Paul Pearson and Barry Robinson have been relieved of their duties and ex-goalkeeper Stephen Bellas has been chosen to take over the reins as City’s new team boss. On the playing front Dougie Lindsay, Paul Pearson, Jamie Hubner, Steven Rooke, Stewart Jamieson, Nigel Nichol, Lee McDermott and Jason Henderson have all been de-registered. And Carlisle now intend to bring several of their ex-players back into the fold at Sheepmount.

CUP UPDATE
Despite there being a backlog of league fixtures to wade through, progress has been steady in Northern Alliance cup competitions. The Longhorn Hardware League Cup is nearing the quarter-final stage with Wark, Harraby Catholic Club, Shankhouse, Seaton Delaval, Hexham and Cullercoats already having booked places in the last eight. With two remaining slots up for grabs, this weekend’s outstanding ties are Heaton Stannington v Stocksfield and Stobswood Welfare v Heddon.

In the forthcoming semi-finals of the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup in the Premier Division, Gillford Park will be entertaining Blyth Town and Heddon will have home advantage against Seaton Delaval.

The Combination Cup, Amateur Cup and Northern Alliance Charity Cup, all sponsored by Pin Point Recruitment, are also well advanced. In the First Division’s Combination Cup the semi-final draw is: Cullercoats v Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Red Row Welfare v Wallington.
In the Amateur Cup where Second Division clubs are involved the pairings in this season’s semi-finals will be: Amble United v Amble (a real local derby) and Forest Hall v Benfield Chemfica.

Since its recent introduction, the Charity Cup has been hugely successful in raising money for local worthy causes. It’s also proved to be a keenly-contested competition with four teams now bidding for a place in this season’s final. The semi-final matches are Red Row Welfare v Alnwick Town and Newcastle East End v Blyth Town.

By Bill Gardner

There was a major upset in one of the four Longhorn Hardware League Cup ties that went ahead and holders Walker Central bowed out, beaten 3-1 at home by First Division opponents Cullercoats. Craig Deighton claimed a hat-trick for the winners, scoring twice in the first half and once just after the break.

The Central’s normally competent rearguard never really got to grips with the lively Deighton who has now scored twenty-three goals for the Seasiders in all competitions this season. And Walker’s single response was a 72nd minute penalty scored by John Campbell.

Last season’s losing finalists Wallington were also shown the exit and in their delayed second round clash were beaten 3-0 at home by their First Division colleagues Stocksfield. Phil Murray (2) and Wayne Stewart were on target to put the visitors through and in the third round a week on Saturday Stocksfield will be paying a visit to Heaton Stannington.

Wark progressed into the League Cup’s fourth round with a 4-1 victory away to Amble United from the Second Division. First half strikes by Marc Nixon and Phil Thompson put Wark in charge and they added further goals through Nixon and Mark Campbell before Steve Gibbard grabbed a consolation goal for Amble.

In another third round tie Harraby Catholic Club made home advantage and superior status count to comfortably beat Second Division opponents Wallsend Town 3-1.

Rob Bainbridge, Lee Otway and Dan Anderton scored all the Cumbrians’ goals in the opening half hour. Stephen Dodd replied in the 80th minute for the Tynesiders.

While Walker Central were having a bad cup experience, Seaton Delaval - now back in second spot - trimmed the Central’s lead at the top of the Premier Division table to four points. Delaval beat visitors Peterlee Town 3-0 but had to wait until after the break for their goals put away by Terry Goicochea (2) and Connal Reed.

Gillford Park’s run of poor form continued and they slipped down to fourth spot after losing 3-2 to mid-table visitors Blyth Town. All of the game’s five goals were scored in the opening half and after Mike Riding gave the Park an early opener Blyth hit back quickly.

Danny Beresford equalised for the Northumbrians after only twelve minutes and when Joe Race whipped in his flag kick Jonathan Mann’s overhead kick was steered home by Beresford with a superb header. Mann got in on the act by putting Blyth in front and after running onto Race’s lob over the Gillford defence he cleverly chipped the ball over the advancing home keeper.

In the 36th minute Gillford got back on level terms when Blyth conceded a penalty and Stephen Skinner beat Scott Earl with his spot kick. But the Town weren’t to be denied and Jonathan Mann’s second goal of the game in the 40th minute turned out to be their winner. Once again Race was involved as he burst through the defence and cut the ball back to Mann who finished well from close range.

Alnwick Town stayed among the Premier Division pace-setters with their fourth home win on the trot and beat Heaton Stannington 3-0 to complete a league double. Alnwick’s marksmen were Scott McMullen (2) and Richard Brown with Heaton’s single reply coming from Gary Yates.

Newcastle University’s 2-2 draw away to Carlisle City couldn’t prevent them replacing Cramlington Town on the table’s bottom rung. Chris Kelleher and Ollie Driver netted in each half for City who have drawn four of their last five league games. Will Deledicq hit back twice for the Students in the 85th and 90th minutes. Meanwhile, Cramlington Town moved up to fourth from bottom thanks to their 4-1 victory away to Ashington Colliers. David Dormand (2), Kieran Parsons and Thomas North scored for the Town while Dylan Williamson was a lone marksman for Ashington.

DIVISION ONE – RED ROW CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE
Only three of six scheduled league games in the First Division were able to go ahead and Percy Main, yet to be beaten at Purvis Park, climbed up into third spot after hammering bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare 6-0.

Red Row, with only a single win to their credit in what has turned out to be a traumatic season, came under relentless pressure and conceded two goals inside the first six minutes. Pierre - Luc Coiffait opened the Villagers’ account by turning in a low cross from Lindsay Collinson. And the home side’s lead was quickly doubled when a trade mark long throw from Coiffait was helped on by Graeme Cole allowing Jason Ritchie to steer the ball home.

Percy Main’s incessant pressure was rewarded by another three goals before the break as the Welfare continued to struggle. Midway through the half Sean Potts slotted in the Main’s third goal after a scramble and Graeme Cole made it four with his header from Coiffait's right wing flag kick.

The nap hand was completed on the stroke of half time and when Steven Shadforth's long ball from defence fell to Joe Betts he rounded the Red Row goalkeeper to roll the ball into an unguarded net. Percy Main took their foot off the gas in the second half but still took their tally to six in the 73rd minute. Chris Locke's shot from distance cannoned off the crossbar and Jason Ritchie followed up to score his second goal of the game.

Chopwell Officials ended a run of three defeats away from home with a 2-0 victory against hosts Hebburn Reyrolle which took them up to fourth place. This was a fifth league defeat on the trot for the home side and they were killed off by a goal in each half scored by Chopwell’s Dave and Mark Fitzpatrick.

Berwick United are third from bottom but there have been recent signs of improvement. After two home wins the Borderers shared the spoils from a 2-2 draw with mid-table visitors Northbank who have also been in better form lately. Simon Hargreaves and Andy Godsell supplied Berwick’s goals with Sergio Royo and Matt Reed replying for the Cumbrians.

DIVISION TWO – SHIELDSMEN PUT THE PRESSURE ON
Amble United are sharing pole position with South Shields United in the Second Division and while their top-of-the-table rivals were on cup duty South Shields kept the pressure on with their fifth home win on the trot, 2-1 against poor travellers Willington Quay Saints.

United should have been two up early on but Phil Enlund spurned easy chances but they took the lead in the 40th minute. A wind-assisted long throw from Michael Jeffries was poked in at the near post by Tijan Kah and the home side’s lead was doubled only two minutes later as Ryan Shave finished neatly from a right wing cross.

Willington Quay came back strongly after the interval and South Shields had to call on some class defending in which new recruit Jonny Gage, Assan Jallow and Gary Errington were outstanding. Keeper Shaun Newbrook also made a series of fine saves but he was beaten on the hour. He was only able to palm out a fierce drive and Glen Gallon reacted quickly to get the Saints off the mark but an equaliser eluded them.

Despite losing only once in their last eight league outings, Forest Hall have dropped a few precious points, leaving them in third spot with promotion hopes beginning to faded. The Forest were left disappointed again after their 1-1 draw at home to Wideopen & District who had just lost three away games on the trot. Gary Lamb opened the scoring for Wideopen after punishing a defensive error but Thomas Faid got Forest Hall’s equaliser.

Now occupying fourth spot North Shields Athletic have been enjoying a successful run and made it five home wins in succession by convincingly beating Wallsend Boys’ Club 4-1. The Athletic’s goals were shared by Glen Churchman, Matthew Donkin, Dan Walton and Simon Moslemi with Robert Nolan replying for the losers.

Benfield Chemfica secured only their second win away from home and clinched a 2-0 verdict against bottom rung opponents Tynemouth United. A goal in each half for Andy Price and Micky Crozier did the damage for Chemfica as they completed a league double. And Tynemouth are yet to win a game in the Northern Alliance and are still seeking their first point on home territory.

Hexham have won four of their last five matches in the Second Division and have pulled themselves clear of the basement. They were certainly too good for struggling visitors Amble FC who were soundly beaten 5-0. Darren Dobson and Ben Griffiths bagged a brace each for the winners and Hexham’s nap hand was completed by a Tony Lancaster goal.

By Bill Gardner

Reigning champions Walker Central are now six points ahead of second-placed Gillford Park at the head of the Premier Division table. Unbeaten at home, the Central made visitors Ashington Colliers their latest victims and won 3-1.

A hard fought game was played out on a heavy pitch which had an effect on Walker’s usual sharp-passing methods. And Ashington arrived at Monkchester with a team including at least half a dozen first team regulars from the Northern League so praise has to be given to Walker for their attitude and commitment in difficult circumstances.

Two goals in the opening half lifted the Central’s spirits. The first resulted from Gary McCartney’s through ball that was driven in low by John Campbell and the second was claimed by Ian Dunn. He netted from the edge of the box following some determined work by Paul Gardiner.

On the hour Walker’s lead was increased and when Campbell supplied the cross, McCartney found the net from only six yards out with a clinical left-footed effort. Midway through the second half Alan Hogg finally got the Colliers off the mark but they posed few threats in the later stages.

Three draws and a defeat in their last four home games have slowed down Gillford Park’s progress and Heaton Stannington restricted their Cumbrian hosts to a 2-2 stalemate. Gary Yates claimed both Heaton goals, scoring first and last while the Park salvaged a point in the interim with strikes by Mike Riding and Steve Skinner.

The bottom of the table clash involving hosts Cramlington Town and Murton resulted in a 2-1 victory for Murton who lifted off the bottom rung to leave Cramlington propping up the table. Jonathan Maxwell and Stephen Turner netted in each half for the winners with the Town’s token reply coming from Thomas North.

In a delayed second round tie in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup, Cullercoats won 4-3 away to Whitley Bay Town. Rob Watson, Steve Hart and Craig Deighton who bagged a vital brace inside the last ten minutes provided their goals. Whitley Bay Town, leading 3-2 before Deighton’s rescue act, had Kevin Gray, Mick Welford and Richard Biggs (penalty) on target and were very unlucky losers. And Cullercoats now face a testing visit to holders Walker Central at the next stage.

In the third round of the League Cup there were successes for Shankhouse and Seaton Delaval. Shankhouse’s Craig Johnson bagged himself a brace in his side’s 2-1 win away to Peterlee Town whose reply came from Robert Huntley.

Seaton Delaval also won 2-1 to end the cup hopes of Newcastle University at Wheatridge Park. Terry Goicochea’s goal ended nearly an hour of stalemate in Delaval’s favour but Edwin Tizard hit back in the 70th minute for the Students to make it all square again. Delaval player-manager Nicky Gray was on target to settle the issue with only three minutes to spare.

In three second round ties in the Alliance’s Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup there was only one upset as Carlisle City were beaten 4-3 at home by First Division opponents Newcastle East End.

Chris Kelleher fired City into a first minute lead but the Tynesiders then had Anthony Johnson (2) and Dieu-Donne Lomana on target to take control. Lee Chapman completed the East Enders’ tally and although Jamie Heath and Ollie Driver added further goals for Carlisle they were chasing a lost cause.

Because of waterlogging up at Blyth, Blyth Town’s home tie against Whitley Bay ‘A’ in the Charity Cup was switched to the Bay’s ground at Hillheads and the Town won 3-2. Jeff Fuller opened their account on the half hour mark with a curling free kick round the defensive wall and into the top corner.

Five minutes after the break Joe Race doubled Blyth’s lead by turning in a low cross from Fuller. Malcolm Morien trimmed the deficit almost immediately with his opener for the Bay and there was some excitement in the final minutes of the tie. Jonathan Mann scored Blyth’s third when a long kick from keeper Scott Earle caught out the Whitley Bay defence and he raced through to score. Mark Fenwick then claimed a second reply for the hosts but by then time was running out.

Meanwhile, in an all-Premier Division Charity Cup encounter, Ponteland United’s last chance of silverware evaporated after their 1-0 defeat by visitors Alnwick Town whose first half winner was put away by Mark Cockburn.



DIVISION ONE – RARE SUCCESS FOR BORDERERS

Still second from bottom in the First Division rankings, Berwick United earned themselves some breathing space by beating visitors Hebburn Reyrolle 3-2. This was a fifth successive defeat on their travels for Hebburn, both of whose goals were scored by James Keeler. Sean Phillips (2) and Andrew Godsell were Berwick’s marksmen to give them only their second league victory.

The top three teams in the First Division – Stocksfield, Whitley Bay ‘A’ and Cullercoats – were all absent from league duty, and fourth-placed Killingworth YPC reduced the points gap. Killy, with games in hand of all of their pace-setting rivals, picked up three easy points by winning 5-0 away to the division’s bottom club Red Row Welfare. They completed a league double against their hosts with goals supplied by Daniel Snee (2), Frank Di Pietro, Kevin Westphal and Callum Colback.

Northbank and Percy Main improved their respective rankings and Northbank were 2-1 winners at Seaton Burn where their hosts were left seeking their first home win. Johnny Mason gave the Cumbrians a very early opener but this was cancelled out before the break when the Burn’s Rob MacDonald headed home from Dave Hewitt’s cross. In the 85th minute a corner kick fell to Northbank’s substitute Lewis Gallagher who scored his side’s winner from close range.

Percy Main are yet to be beaten at Purvis Park this term and shared the spoils in an exciting 2-2 draw with Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. The game’s early kick off attracted over a hundred spectators and the Bohemians made a bright start with Matt Atkin bagging himself a first half brace.

Straight after the interval the Villagers reduced the deficit with Jonathon McEnaney scoring from well outside the area when his chance was set up by Sean Potts. Then, midway through the second half, parity was restored and, following Pierre Coiffait's long throw, Jason Ritchie crossed from the left for Joe Betts to steer the ball home.

In a mid-table local derby south of the Tyne, Gateshead Rutherford improved on the earlier draw with their visitors Chopwell Officials and won 2-1 this time. Goals in each half for Stephen Tumelty and Ross Taylor gave Rutherford a useful lead. In truth however Chopwell had the better of the exchanges after the break but their pressure only resulted in a single reply from Craig Foster.



DIVISION TWO – BENFIELD SHOCK FOR FOREST

Only four league games were scheduled in the Second Division and, with leaders Amble United and closest rivals South Shields United taking a break from chasing league points, third-placed Forest Hall wasted a great opportunity in the promotion race.

Forest had enjoyed a six-match unbeaten run before entertaining Benfield Chemfica but their visitors beat them 2-0 to earn their first points away from home. And for the first time in this campaign Forest Hall failed to get a name on the score sheet as they were hit by Martin Dixon’s and Ryan Stobbard’s strikes for a delighted Chemfica.

In their last seven games Wallsend Boys’ Club have five times and there was another 1-1 deadlock on their visit to Newcastle BT. The BT lads had won their two previous matches on home turf but were happy to share the spoils in this one. They had Andy Mackay on target with Stu Bell replying for the Boys’ Club who had Andy Lau going close to claiming a late winner.

Wideopen & District are looking ready to climb back up the table following a damaging lean spell and a 3-2 home win against North Shields Athletic was a morale-booster. Gary Lamb (2) and Martin Roper found the net for Wideopen with Ronnie Kay and Simon Moslemi replying for the visitors.

Willington Quay Saints are yet to be beaten on their own patch and struggling Tynemouth United never looked like ending that record. The Saints coasted to a 4-1 victory after being 3-0 up at the interval thanks to strikes by Mark Henderson, Andy Duffield and Chris Lowes. John Meehan’s spot kick for Tynemouth reduced the deficit but in the dying seconds Glen Gallon weighed in with the home side’s fourth goal of the game.

By Bill Gardner
Ponteland United hoisted themselves from the Premier Division basement fringes up into mid-table with a 2-0 home win against Ashington Colliers, only their second league victory at the Leisure Centre Ground this season.

After Shaun Gibson spurned a great scoring opportunity for Ashington, Pont started to play some attractive football with Marc Dummett and Andrew Davidson linking up well on the left flank, Joe Dawson chasing everything up front and Liam McIvor always looking dangerous in front of goal.

After 25 minutes Ponteland took the lead when McIvor was brought down just outside the box. A cleverly worked free kick involving Scott Fenwick & Dummett resulted in Dummett's dangerous cross being turned away for a corner. And from Davidson’s inswinging flag kick McIvor managed to poke the ball home.

It was still 1-0 to the hosts at the interval but Pont continued to attack after the break with Andrew Davidson involved in almost every move. And in the 65th minute the home side’s lead was doubled when the pressure paid off. A free-flowing move involving Dummett, Davidson, Dawson and McIvor resulted in Fenwick playing in McIvor who made no mistake, firing low into the net for his second goal of the game.

Heddon were away to a Harraby Catholic Club side which had lost only one league game and on the half hour the Cumbrians were leading 2-0. Both goals in the space of two minutes were scored by Lee Otway. His first was driven home from thirty yards when he intercepted a poor throw out from the Heddon keeper. And his second was claimed from the edge of the area from Matthew Blake’s clever back-heeled pass.

The second half saw Heddon take advantage of the wind as they pushed the home team back and on the hour they reduced the deficit. John Dunn was brought down just inside the Harraby box and Max Turner scored from the spot. Then almost immediately Heddon got back on terms when Dunn slotted in a square pass from Craig Horsfall. But after 77 minutes Harraby snatched their winner. Heddon’s Martin Lamb brought down Otway only to be red-carded for his tackle and Mike Swift despatched the vital penalty to make it 3-2 for the Cumbrians.

Walker Central increased their lead at the head of the Premier Division to four points by beating bottom rung hosts Murton 3-1 and despite trailing to Lee Doyle’s opener after only five minutes. Ian Mills equalised promptly for the Central and before the break John Campbell bagged a brace as Walker extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

Behind the current pace setters there are now four sides – Gillford Park, Shankhouse, Seaton Delaval and Alnwick Town – all sharing second spot on 24 points each. Delaval’s game away to Blyth Town was postponed and Alnwick Town took a break from league duty to beat hosts Killingworth YPC 3-0 in the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup. Their scorers were James Lang, Mark Richardson and substitute Scott McMullen.

Unbeaten in their four away games so far, Gillford Park were almost restricted to a draw for the second time this season by Cramlington Town. There were no goals as the game entered the second minute of stoppage time and Steve Skinner gave the Park a 1-0 win with his spot kick to spark a round of protests. As a result the Town had two players red-carded.

Shankhouse still have only one home win to their credit after drawing 1-1 with Heaton Stannington at Northburn. Heaton themselves have won only once on their travels and were lucky to share the spoils in this game. Craig Johnson put Shankhouse in front midway through the first half and only five minutes were left when Adam Donaghey levelled for the visitors.

Without a win in their last eight outings Peterlee Town drew 2-2 with visitors Carlisle City after strikes by Philip Hickman and Robert Huntley gave them a clear lead. Chris Kelleher (penalty) got City off the mark before the Newtowners’ Paul Carter presented them with an own goal equaliser.

Wark’s first away win, 4-3 against Newcastle University, lifted them above their hosts in the basement. Lee Telfer completed a hat-trick for Wark whose other scorer was Phil Robinson. Dave Kewn, Oliver Heywood and George Coyle netted for the unlucky Students.

DIVISION ONE – THE BAY ARE BLOCKED
Despite lying idle once again, Stocksfield are still comfortably heading the First Division table, a clear nine points a\head of nearest rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ and with a game in hand. And Whitley Bay slipped up, beaten for the first time this season at Hillheads. Newcastle East End did the damage and they clinched a 2-1 verdict to give themselves their own first away win of the campaign. Lee Chapman and Dieu-Donne Lomana opened and closed the scoring for the Eastenders with Malcolm Morien replying for the Bay.

With Cullercoats on County Cup duty, Chopwell Officials had a chance to replace them in third spot but were beaten 3-2 at Percy Main. The Main, still unbeaten at Purvis Park, were given the lead in a thrilling game by Tony Browell as he rifled in Jason Ritchie’s flag kick at the back post but their visitors hit back. Goals for Craig Foster and Stuart Rook on either side of the interval put Chopwell in command but with twenty minutes to go the Villagers responded emphatically. Joe Betts got them back on terms when Sean Potts created his opportunity and then in the 81st minute Jason Ritchie grabbed their winner. He controlled Jonathan McEnaney’s cross brilliantly to give Chopwell keeper Kevin March no chance.

Northbank climbed into mid-table and ended a lean spell by beating visitors Hebburn Reyrolle 3-2. Despite having James Keeler and Craig Walton on target Hebburn still suffered their fourth successive defeat away from home. Assisted by an own goal by Hebburn’s Keith Simpson, the Cumbrians sealed the points with strikes by Andy Rogerson and their top scorer Mark Worrall.

In a match switched to Lobley Hill, Gosforth Bohemian Garnett shared four goals and the spoils with Gateshead Rutherford. Both sides have struggled a bit this season but the Bohs were trying to complete a rare league double. They were fired in front twice by Harry Tulip and then Dan Corcoran but allowed Rutherford to respond with two replies by Ross Taylor.

Still seeking their first home win, Seaton Burn had to field a weakened team against bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare who were pointless before the kick off. But the Welfare won 2-1 to finally give themselves something to celebrate and had Bradley Smith and Arron Sayer scoring in each half before Dave Hewitt headed home from a free kick for the Burn’s consolation goal.

DIVISION TWO – GAIR IS GREAT FOR AMBLE
Amble United have a three-point cushion in pole position in the Second Division where South Shields United and Forest Hall are now their most threatening rivals. Both Amble and Forest Hall picked up maximum points but South Shields, beaten only once in their last nine games, were restricted to a 3-3 draw by hosts Wideopen & District. Wideopen had won 3-2 in the reverse fixture and looked set for a repeat when Gary Lamb (2) and Richie Curran (penalty) found the net. Shields recovered however with a Phil Ormond brace, including a spot kick and a vital strike by Phil Elund.

League leaders Amble United extended their unbeaten run to eight games by winning 2-1 away to Benfield Chemfica. Two goals, both put away by Ross Gair, were enough to complete a double for the Seasiders but Chemfica caused some anxious moments after Liam Naulls reduced the arrears.

In third spot, Forest Hall have enjoyed a successful run and it continued with a convincing 4-2 victory over struggling visitors Tynemouth United. Forest’s match-winning marksmen were Michael Reay (2), Mark Knights and Mark Nicholson. Tynemouth, stuck on the bottom rung with only a single point to their credit so far, were far from over-run and deserved their two replies put away by Mark Carey.

After drawing four of the preceding six games, Wallsend Boys’ Club got back to winning ways at Hexham where their hosts had been unbeaten in three previous encounters on their own patch. An Andy Lau hat-trick did the major damage for the Boys’ Club whose other marksman was Dan Parker. Ironically, the best goal of the game was blasted home from over thirty yards by Hexham’s Tony Lancaster.

North Shields Athletic made it four home wins on the trot at the expense of poor travellers Whitley Bay Town and won 2-1 in another close game between these two sides. After only managing a draw in the reverse fixture the Athletic picked up all three points this time thanks to goals by Michael Cunningham and Dan Walton. The Town’s single reply came from Jamie Wallace.

Willington Quay Saints have become the Second Division’s draw experts and shared the spoils again in a 2-2 draw with fast-improving visitors Stobswood Welfare. Goals in each half for David King and Chris Graham gave the Welfare a clear lead but they surrendered their advantage. Glen Johnson’s successful 66th minute spot kick got the Saints off the mark and only seven minutes later and having had a player sent off, their equaliser was scored by Chris Lowes

NFA MINOR CUP – FOUR OUT OF EIGHT ISN’T BAD
In delayed ties in the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup, another three Northern Alliance flag bearers earned places in the forthcoming quarter-finals. And while Amble FC bowed out after losing 2-1 away to Lynemouth Miners’ Welfare FC, their colleagues Cullercoats, Newcastle BT and Wallsend Town all made progress.

Cullercoats coasted through and after leading 5-0 at half time in their home tie against Blyth Town Reserves they finally clinched an outstanding 8-0 victory. Femi Akinbolu (hat-trick) and Ben Gardner (2) led the Cullercoats charge and the other scorers were Craig Deighton, Stewart Wright and Rob Watson.

Newcastle BT made the cut by beating cup hosts Killingworth Station 4-2 and all four of the winners’ goals were put away by Dave Thompson. Meanwhile, Wallsend Town had to be content with a more modest 1-0 success at home to Newcastle RVI Lochside. Paul McCutcheon claimed the Town’s vital winner.

Last weekend’s three winners from the Northern Alliance will be joining league partners Killingworth YPC Sporting in the last eight of the county competition. The surviving ‘outsiders’ in the draw will be Blakelaw Crofters Lodge, Killingworth YPC Town, Lowick United and Lynemouth Miners Welfare SC.

By Bill Gardner
Seaton Delaval surrendered pole position to Walker Central after going down 2-1 at home to Shankhouse who have proved to be a jinx team for the Wheatridge Park outfit over the years. Things looked bright for Delaval when Steve Anderson fired them in front straight from the kick off. But just after the break Lee Gustard got Shankhouse back on terms and Craig Johnson put their 69th minute winner away.

Defending champions Walker Central are now leading the field although only four points are separating the top four title contenders. After their earlier 1-1 draw over in Cumbria the Central did considerably better and hammered Carlisle City 6-1 at Monkchester.

City’s Ollie Driver opened the scoring after 35 minutes but Walker were impressive after the break. In the space of fifteen devastating minutes the ball ended up in the Carlisle net five times. The home side’s marksmen were Paul Gardiner, John Campbell (2) and David Thompson (2) and with a minute to go Gardiner scored again to complete the winners’ tally.

In third spot behind Walker and Seaton Delaval, Alnwick Town completed a league double at the expense of visitors Cramlington Town. After winning 3-2 in the reverse fixture, Alnwick won 2-0 this time and have lost only one of their last six home games. Goals in each half for Ben Webster and Tony Brown did the damage in this one.

Gillford Park’s home game against Wark was postponed, giving their Cumbrian neighbours Harraby Catholic Club a chance to overtake them. But Harraby, beaten only once this term, missed out and were restricted to a 1-1 draw by fast-improving hosts Blyth Town. Blyth had won three of their four previous home games and were given the lead by Chris Lisle. Nick Routledge levelled on the stroke of half time for Harraby but they couldn’t make any further headway.

After eight games without a win Heaton Stannington avenged an earlier defeat by Newcastle University by beating the Students 2-1 at Grounsell Park. Strikes by Sean Graham and Kevin Carr earned Heaton a long-awaited but impressive victory and the visitors’ single reply came from Ben Burte.

The bottom of the table clash between hosts Murton and Ashington Colliers was won 4-0 by the Colliers to rid themselves of any immediate problems. Richard Brown and David Brown scored in the first half and Anthony Wright and Lee Scott in the second to wrap up the points for the Northumbrians.

Peterlee Town have picked up only a single point in their last seven appearances and were soundly beaten 6-0 at home by Ponteland United. Pont ended their own short lean spell in style with three goals in each half shattering the Newtowners and hoisting them clear of the basement.

With Andy Rendall unavailable and James Hall absent with a dislocated shoulder, Craig Daglish came into the centre of defence with young Scott Fenwick replacing Hall. The match was evenly contested in the first 15 minutes but Pont opened the scoring midway through the first half. Dean Gate’s cross into the box enabled Scott Fenwick to touch the ball over the line.

Ponteland’s lead was doubled on the half hour when good approach work by Liam McIvor and John Redhead was neatly finished off by Andrew Davidson. And almost immediately United claimed their third goal as Joe Dawson’s headed pass was put away by the speedy McIvor.

On the stroke of half time Pont got a fourth goal scored by Gate and it was game over. Peterlee made two substitutions at half time but this made little difference as Ponteland continued to be at their free-flowing best. The Newtowners conceded another two goals midway through the half as McIvor bagged his second with his colleague Dawson also on target.

DIVISION ONE – LEADERS BOTH CLAIM NARROW VICTORIES
Stocksfield have won every one of their five home games so far and are leading the field in the First Division, nine points clear of nearest challengers Whitley Bay ‘A’. Both won to preserve the status quo and Stocksfield completed a league double by beating visitors Gateshead Rutherford 2-1. Their scorers this time were Wayne Stewart with a diving header from Phil Murray’s cross and then Murray himself who grasped a simple tap in opportunity set up by Ben Pearson. Andy Reay replied for the losers.

After three successive draws, Whitley Bay ‘A’ beat third-placed rivals Cullercoats 2-1 at Hillheads to extend an unbeaten run to eight games. The Bay had Gavin Hattrick and Malcolm Morien on target in a hard-fought game in which Femi Akinbolu replied for the visitors.

Percy Main are still unbeaten at Purvis Park after their 3-0 win against Northbank but they had to wait almost an hour for their opener. Michael Freathy did the trick in a goalmouth scramble resulting from Pierre-Luc Coiffait’s flag kick. The lead was quickly doubled by Coiffait himself when he got on the end of Wyn Fremlin’s corner and with ten minutes to go Jason Ritchie completed the Main’s tally. His chance was set up clinically by Joe Betts.

Against the general run of play, Killingworth YPC beat hosts Chopwell Officials 2-1 and a goalkeeping error led to Kevin Westphal’s opener for Killy. The home side hit back through Andrew Smith to signal a possible revival but with Chopwell piling on the pressure Paul Ridley snatched a winner for their opponents.

Hebburn Reyrolle and visitors Seaton Burn had both been suffering from a dip in form prior to meeting up at Hebburn. Reyrolle were fired in front twice by Mark Haire (penalty) and Matt Donwall but replies from the Burn’s Ian Armstrong and Dave Hewitt restored parity. Then in the dying seconds, Armstrong netted again to make it 3-2 to Seaton Burn.

Red Row Welfare are still propping up the First Division table and seeking their first league point after eleven league appearances. They lost again, 3-2 on their visit to Gosforth Bohemian Garnett, to give their hosts a first home win of the season. The Welfare’s scorers were Bradley Smith and Josh Gilmartin but Gosforth harvested the points with goals shared by John McDonald, David Robinson and Paul Menton.

Berwick United, just four points better off than Red Row in the basement, were also beaten 3-2 by Wallington at Scots Gap. With no points from away games so far the Borderers conceded goals to Wallington’s Tom McPherson, Sam Walton and Ashley McAlpine before replying too late through Lee Walker and Chris Falconer.

DIVISION TWO – AMBLE BACK IN POLE POSITION
Former Second Division leaders South Shields United had an idle Saturday and they were nudged out of pole position by new pace-setters Amble United.

Amble United and fourth-placed Stobswood Welfare, who have several useful games in hand, are both sitting pretty as far as possible promotion is concerned. Both were enjoying hundred percent home records and Amble retained theirs by beating Wideopen & District 1-0. After several glaring misses in the first half United were happy to see Darren Riddell claiming their winner shortly after the break.

Stobswood Welfare spilled their first home points in a 2-2 draw with North Shields Athletic after throwing away a two-goal lead provided by Dean Hope and Josh Hay. The determined visitors were allowed to salvage a point with replies by Matthew Donkin and Glen Churchman.

Third-placed Forest Hall stayed in contention and beat hosts Wallsend Town 3-1 to remain unbeaten on their travels. Michael Reay bagged himself a brace for the winners whose other marksman was Kevin Baldwin. Paul McCutcheon netted for Wallsend as their misery continued; they’ve now lost seven league games on the trot.

Wallsend Boys’ Club have drawn their last four games on home turf so a goal-less stalemate with bottom rung side Tynemouth United wasn’t good news. The result however boosted Tynemouth’s morale as they picked up their first point of their campaign.

Benfield Chemfica and Hexham both secured vital victories to hoist themselves clear of the basement. In their bottom-of-the-table clash with visitors Whitley Bay Town, Chemfica clinched a 2-0 verdict with both of their goals put away in the first half by Liam Naulls.

Hexham are proving difficult to beat on their own patch and emerged as 3-2 winners against Newcastle BT. Dave Thompson and Anthony Bruce found the net for BT but their goals were just outweighed by the strikes of Ian Strachan (2) and Orin Parkinson for Hexham.

By Bill Gardner
While previous league leaders Gillford Park slipped down a notch, Alnwick Town climbed into fourth spot and ended a month’s enforced break with a 2-0 home win against Shankhouse. The Town showed no signs of being ring-rusty after their ‘holiday’ and secured the points with goals by Richard Brown and Scott McMullen. Shankhouse however have played half of their league games and may drop out of the title race if results don’t improve.

Seaton Delaval ended the year in pole position – the first time in twelve years that they’ve been top of the pile in the Premier Division. And they made it four wins on the trot by beating Ponteland United 3-2 at Wheatridge Park.

Terry Goicochea opened the scoring for Delaval and their lead was doubled by an own goal gift. Liam McIvor then got Ponteland off the mark but right on half time Stephen Howes restored the home side’s two-goal advantage. Midway through the second half Dean Gate trimmed the deficit for United and they forced Delaval to hang on grimly in the closing stages.

The postponement of their home game against Heddon was costly for Gillford Park who were replaced in second spot by defending champions Walker Central. The Central extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 2-0 victory over in-form visitors Newcastle University. Ian Dunn fired Walker into an interval lead but the Students always looked threatening and there was relief all round for the Central when leading scorer Dave Thompson claimed their second goal and his thirteenth of the season in the 80th minute.

Harraby Catholic Club – champions in 2007 – could soon be influencing the current title race. Despite being in sixth place the Cumbrians have five games in hand of the latest leaders and have lost only once so far. Away to Wark they won 2-0 but had to wait until the second half to wrap up the points.
Wark made their visitors fight all the way to clinch the points and both sides went close in the opening stages. Martin Hardy and Lee Telfer both hit the woodwork for Wark while Marc Shiel and Nick Routledge fired just wide for Harraby.

The Cumbrians finally broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when James Earl’s determined run down the right saw him brought down in the corner of the box and Shiel stepped up to score from the penalty spot. Inside another minute Harraby’s lead was doubled and, when the home keeper didn’t hold Earl’s cross, Routledge was able to steer the ball over the line.

Things are remaining tight in the Premier Division basement with only two points separating the bottom six clubs. And Murton lifted off the bottom rung after beating mid-table visitors Peterlee Town 4-1. Murton avenged their earlier 3-2 defeat by the Newtowners with goals supplied by Andy Somerville (2), Karl Garside and Michael Walton. John Pyle replied for Peterlee who have now failed to win any of their last six league games.

Heaton Stannington have gone seven games without a win and had to settle for a 2-2 home draw with Carlisle City with only a single point separating the two sides. Heaton were two up at the break thanks to Gary Yates and Chris Hutchinson but replies from Jamie Heath and Chris Kelleher gave City a deserved share of the spoils.

Meanwhile, Blyth Town’s renaissance continued and a 3-1 victory at home to lowly Ashington Colliers earned them some more breathing space. After 11 minutes Aaron Hicken opened the scoring for Blyth by volleying home from Danny Beresford’s cross. Eight minutes later Beresford himself doubled the Town’s lead after he raced onto a long ball from Scott Earle.

Blyth’s winning tally was completed midway through the second half as, set up by Jeff Fuller, Beresford slotted in his second goal of the game. Anthony Wright replied for the Colliers but they need to use their games in hand productively to get themselves out of trouble.

DIVISION ONE – SHOCK DEFEAT FOR SEASIDERS
In the First Division, second-placed Whitley Bay ‘A’ were lying idle and Cullercoats in third spot slipped up badly on their visit to Scots Gap to face Wallington. The Seasiders were hammered 6-1 and could have no qualms about the outcome. Femi Akinbolu was their lone marksmen while the goals for an impressive Wallington side were put away by Ashley McAlpine (2), Stuart Foreman, Jack Palmer, Darren Carr and Ross Donnelly.

Percy Main were limited to a goal-less draw at Purvis Park by Seaton Burn who had Dave Hewitt sent off rather harshly only ten minutes into the game. Burt there was no shortage of goals at Gateshead where Rutherford dished out a 7-0 lesson to Berwick United. The Borderers haven’t yet picked up a single point on their travels and were well beaten again. Andy Reay completed his hat-trick for Rutherford, Ross Taylor bagged a brace and the winning tally was topped up by Stephen Tumelty and debutant Ian Bell.

Although they’re in fourth spot at the moment, Chopwell Officials are not yet serious promotion candidates but they were certainly too strong for bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare. Still seeking their first point in this campaign, the Welfare were soundly beaten 6-1 and their single goal scored by Joe Moscrop was poor consolation. In a rather one-sided game Chopwell were never tested and their goals were shared by Kevin Morland, Andrew Smith, Lee Best, Mark Fitzpatrick and Stuart Rookes.

Stocksfield are now nine points ahead of nearest rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ at the top of the table. Having won eleven of their twelve games to date the Tyne Valley outfit added three more points to their coffers by beating hosts Killingworth YPC 4-2. Killy had Kevin Grahamslaw and Peter Mulholland on target but still suffered their second defeat of the season. Phil Murray (2), Bruce Vause and Pat Finnerty scored for the league leaders.

Newcastle East End also claimed a 6-1 victory at home to Hebburn Reyrolle whose recent dip in form has been dramatic. Having now claimed only one win in five most recent appearances, Hebburn’s only scorer was James Keeler. Anthony Johnson was responsible for four of the East Enders’ goals with the other two put away by Paul Bright and Dieu-Donne Lomana.

DIVISION TWO – HOT-SHOT GIBBARD RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS
Only four games went ahead in the Second Division and second-placed Amble United secured a crucial 3-0 victory at home to current table-toppers South Shields United. Ross Gair gave Amble an interval lead which was doubled by the same player straight after the break. Returning ex-player-manager Steve Gibbard scored United’s third goal and with two games in hand they now have a great chance to take over in pole position in the New Year.

Amble United’s position was further strengthened by the 6-2 defeat of third-placed rivals Wideopen & District at Hexham, Hexham, who look set for a climb away from the basement, looked very strong in this encounter and their winning marksmen were Iain Strachan (2), Neil Tiffin, Mark Gibson, Scott Robson and Ben Griffiths. Both replies for losers Wideopen came from Richard Curran.

With games in hand to aid their cause, Forest Hall’s promotion hopes can’t be written off and they retained their unbeaten away record by drawing 1-1 with Wallsend Boys’ Club. This was an entertaining game between two clubs level on points and in the top half of the table. Danny Parker found the net for the Boys’ Club with his goal cancelled out by Forest Hall’s Tom Carver.
Wallsend Town’s woes continued and they suffered a sixth successive defeat, going down 5-4 to visitors Willington Quay Saints. Despite having Willie Tindle, Kevin Rookes, Mark Brewis and Steve Cap on target the Town were just edged out of the points. In what was their first away win this term the Saints had a four-goal hero in Gareth Pugh to complete a league double over Wallsend. And their other marksman was Glen Gallon.

Tynemouth United meanwhile became the latest Alliance side to bow out of the Northumberland Minor Cup. They switched their home tie to the ground of opponents Berwick Town and, despite scoring through Stephen Bell (2) and Paul Neilson, were narrowly beaten 4-3.

There will now be only five teams in the fourth round of the Minor Cup with ties due to be played on 10th January. The surviving flag bearers are Cullercoats, Newcastle BT, Forest Hall, Amble and Wallsend Town.

By Bill Gardner
Gillford Park were toppled from pole position in the Premier Division after suffering their first league defeat of this campaign. The Park were beaten 3-2 at home by defending champions Walker Central who built up an early two-goal lead through Dave Thompson and John Campbell. Steve Skinner (penalty) and Mark Butler restored parity for Gillford before the break but after 80 minutes Joe Kennedy scored the Central’s winner.

Seaton Delaval replaced Gillford at the top on goal difference after winning 3-1 away to bottom rung side Murton. Murton had been unbeaten in four previous home games and were fired in front by Karl Garside. John Fitzpatrick levelled promptly for Delaval but they had to wait until deep into the second half for their other goals put away by Phil Hildreth and Paul Baird.

Shankhouse held onto third spot just ahead of Walker Central and after a spell of five games without a win they beat hosts Blyth Town 3-1. Trailing at half time to Aaron Hicken’s opener for Blyth, Shankhouse were strong after the break and Andrew Sherlaw equalised on the hour. Later strikes by Kevin Gustard and Gavin Keen, who netted in the dying seconds, wrapped up the points.

Alnwick Town’s home game against Heddon was postponed and the rest of the action was in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup. Carlisle City’s long-delayed first round tie at Wallington finally went ahead but there was no joy for the Cumbrians. Despite having Stephen Bell and Jamie Heath on target at Scots Gap, City were beaten 3-2 by their First Division hosts whose scorers were Stuart Foreman, Sam Walton and Ashley McAlpine. McAlpine found the net for his winner in the 89th minute.

In the second round of the League Cup, six Premier Division sides were trying to make progress and five were successful against opponents from the lower ranks. The only exception was Cramlington Town who lost out 2-1 in extra time away to Hexham. Andrew Scott put the Town in front after a goal-less opening half but with a minute to spare a Tom Phillips goal earned Hexham a reprieve. And in the 98th minute Phillips bagged his second to settle the issue.

Harraby Catholic Club, Newcastle University, Peterlee Town, Heaton Stannington and Wark all booked places in the third round and Harraby hammered neighbours Northbank 7-1 with goals for Nick Routledge (3), Rob Bainbridge (2), Dan Anderton and Lee Otway.

Joe Foote and Dave Kewn netted to give the University a 2-0 home win against Benfield Chemfica and Peterlee Town’s scorers in their 2-1 extra time victory against visitors Wideopen were David Fisher and Alan Smith.

Heaton Stannington beat cup hosts Wallsend Boys’ Club 4-1 thanks to Kevin Carr (2), Lawrence McKenna and Derek Oman and Wark’s marksmen in their 3-0 success at home to Amble were Marc Nixon (2) and Lee Telfer.

In an all-Second Division tie, hosts Forest Hall were beaten 3-2 in extra time by Stobswood Welfare despite having Michael Reay and Terry McCarthy on the mark. Stobswood turned out to have a super-sub in Michael Hogg and after coming off the bench he bagged a brace to add an extra half hour to the proceedings. And his hero status was enhanced when he scored the Welfare’s winner to complete his hat-trick.

DIVISION ONE – LEADERS CHOP DOWN RIVALS
First Division leaders Stocksfield extended their lead at the top to six points and a 6-3 win over fourth-placed visitors Chopwell Officials allowed them to maintain their hundred percent home record. Phil Murray supplied four of the Stocksfield goals with the others scored by Ben Pearson and Scott Johnson. Chopwell’s replies came from David Purdy, Andrew Smith and Lee Best.

In another of only four games down for decision in the First Division, second-placed Whitley Bay ‘A’ slipped up again. After winning four league games on the trot the Bay have drawn their last three and featured in another - a 2-2 stalemate with hosts Gateshead Rutherford.

Two goals for Jamie Linden, including a 29th minute spot kick, had Whitley apparently coasting but they p[aid for later complacency. Ross Taylor rounded the keeper to get Rutherford off the mark and with five minutes to go Dean Stewart levelled with a fine header.

With useful games in hand Cullercoats kept the pressure on at the top of the table and, beaten only once this term, they ran out 4-2 victors at home to Berwick United. Paul Wood and Simon Hargreaves scored for Berwick but they’re still seeking their first points away from home. Cullercoats got these ones in the bag thanks to Craig Deighton’s hat-trick and a goal for Sean Smith.

Percy Main lost their fourth away game on the trot, going down 3-1 against Hebburn Reyrolle and they remained in mid-table. First half goals by Chris Morris and Marc Haire put Hebburn in the driving seat. James Ferguson trimmed the deficit for the Main midway through the second half but Haire scored his second in 86 minutes for the home side to see the points secured.

CHARITY CUP – PONT STROLL THROUGH
Two games were played in the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup and while one went true to form the other didn’t. As expected Ponteland United coasted through by soundly beating cup visitors Gosforth Bohemian Garnett 6-1 at the Leisure Centre Ground.

Having played only two games since 1st November Pont were in no mood for charity in this first round encounter against Division One opponents. The visitors were stunned after only three minutes when James Hall chested down Andrew Davidson’s cross for Liam McIvor to fire low into the bottom corner. And five minutes later McIvor put Joe Dawson through to double the lead.

McIvor then got his second goal when David Redhead, making a return after four months of injury and suspension, played a through ball to young James Hal. Hall squared to McIvor who netted with a simple tap-in.

Gosforth nearly got one back after 20 minutes when Harry Tulip raced away from the defence but his shot was unluckily deflected onto the post. On the half hour Ponteland’s lead was increased again as McIvor completed his hat-trick, banging in the loose ball when Hall’s drive was parried out.

The impressive Hall got on the score sheet after 35 minutes and United were coasting. To bring a spectacular first half to a close at 6-0 to Ponteland, McIvor got his fourth goal of the game after slick passing between Glenn Ford and the overlapping Mark Dummett.

To their credit, Gosforth battled hard in the second half and never let their heads fall and with five minutes to go they got a deserved consolation goal for their grit and tenacity. John McDonald found the Ponteland net after his colleague Danny Sherwood had gone close.

Ashington Colliers meanwhile should have proved too strong for the First Division cup hosts Newcastle East End but it didn’t pan out that way. The East Enders beat their Premier Division opponents 4-2 and had Anthony Johnson and Paul Bright bagging a brace each to see them through. Both of Ashington’s replies came from David Brown.

With another two ties played to a finish the quarter-final draw in the Charity Cup now reads: Blyth Town v Whitley Bay ‘A’, Ponteland United v Killingworth YPC or Alnwick Town and Carlisle City or Berwick United v Newcastle East End. Red Row Welfare are also still in the hunt after receiving a bye.

NORTHUMBERLAND MINOR CUP – TOO MANY EXITS
Third round ties in the Northumberland Minor Cup, continually held up by the bad weather, finally got the go-ahead to ease the threat of fixture congestion. Last Saturday’s only casualty was Tynemouth United’s home tie with Berwick Town which has been rescheduled for this weekend up at Berwick.

Four Northern Alliance sides – Amble United, North Shields Athletic, Whitley Bay Town and Willington Quay Saints – all fell at the third round hurdle.

At home to league colleagues Killingworth YPC, Amble United were level at 1-1 after extra time with Brad Wake on target for the Seasiders and Jorge Bollado finding the net for Killy. But at the end of the resultant penalty shoot-out Killingworth emerged as 4-3 victors.

In another all-Alliance clash Newcastle BT put paid to the hopes of cup visitors North Shields Athletic by winning 2-1. Dave Thompson and Simon Mattock were BT’s marksmen while Alex Burn replied for the losers.

There were ignominious ends for the Minor Cup aspirations of both Whitley Bay Town and Willington Quay Saints. With no regular keeper available the Town were hammered 6-0 at home by last season’s losing finalists Killingworth YPC Town while the Saints, who reached the quarter-finals last time, were also beaten at home and went down 5-0 against Blyth Town Reserves.

Wallsend Town however kept their flag waving with a comfortable 4-1 victory on their visit to Whitley Lodge Baptist Church. Paul McCutcheon and recent signing Kevin Smith scored two goals each for Wallsend to extend their progress in the competition.

At the Northumberland Minor Cup’s fourth round stage the Northern Alliance will have five clubs definitely in contention. They are Killingworth YPC Sporting, Cullercoats, Newcastle BT, Wallsend Town and Forest Hall. And Amble FC and possibly Tynemouth United could eventually be joining them.

By Bill Gardner
The third round programme in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup – the County’s biggest competition – frequently causes problems as it coincides with the wintry weather. It’s living up to its reputation again this year and the postponements have a knock-on effect as far as fixtures are concerned in leagues like the Northern Alliance.

After two successive blank weekends due to ice, snow and rain, there are eight Alliance hopefuls caught up in the log jam and hoping that the weather relents for this coming Saturday.

Last weekend only three of the Minor Cup games went ahead, including two matches involving Northern Alliance sides. Cullercoats and Forest Hall managed to make progress and Forest Hall were 4-2 victors away to Wallsend Town Reserves to book themselves a last sixteen slot.
Cullercoats meanwhile won 2-1 away to league colleagues Hexham in a very competitive tie. Craig Deighton bagged both the Cullercoats goals in the opening half but they had to battle to retain their advantage. Just recovered from a bad knee injury, Tony Lancaster reduced the deficit for Hexham but they failed in their determined quest for an equaliser.

DIVISION ONE – STOCKSFIELD STENGTHEN POSITION
The league programme suffered badly again with every game in the three divisions wiped out except for the First Division clash between Stocksfield and visitors Hebburn Reyrolle.

Heading the table and only beaten once so far, Stocksfield increased their lead in pole position by winning 5-2 and they’re now four points clear of nearest promotion rivals Whitley Bay ‘A’ with the added bonus of a game in hand.

Visitors Hebburn have suffered a recent dip in form and were soon in trouble, trailing to goals by Stocksfield’s Phil Murray and Ben Pearson at the interval. Pearson netted again after the break to take his personal tally to eleven league goals and Pat Finnerty scored the home side’s fourth. Hebburn rallied with replies from James Keeler and David Jeffers but their hosts still had the last word as Scott Johnson completed the scoring.

DISAPPOINTMENTS IN DURHAM
First Division side Gateshead Rutherford and South Shields United from the Second Division both bowed out of their respective Durham County competitions.

Rutherford, winners in the 2006-2007 season, switched their quarter-final home tie against Brandon British Legion in the Durham Trophy to the all-weather pitch at Gateshead International Stadium but were beaten 3-2. After half an hour they were two down to strikes by Lee Blades and David Hird for their visitors although Hird’s goal looked suspiciously offside.

Rutherford were by far the stronger side in the second half and two quick replies restored parity. Both were claimed by Steve Tumelty and after turning in a low cross at the near post he scored his second with a neat back-header. Steve Wood should have put Rutherford in front but was wide of the mark and his miss proved costly when, from a throw in, Andy Nicholson headed home Brandon’s 84th minute winner.

South Shields United were away to Hendon in the Durham Minor Cup and had their hopes dashed in a penalty shoot-out. Goals for Karl Kennedy (2), Kyle Yorston and Phil Enlund had Shields leading 4-2 at one stage but Hendon got back to 4-4 at the end of extra time. And in the spot kick contest the Sunderland outfit just shaded it to win 5-4.

By Bill Gardner

For the second week running the Northern Alliance programme was almost completely wiped out by the weather with concerns growing about a possible fixture backlog.

The only game played was at Hillheads where Whitley Bay ‘A’ entertained their First Division promotion rivals and current league leaders Stocksfield in a quarter-final tie of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup.

Whitley, the most prolific scoring machine in the league’s First Division along with Cullercoats, lived up to their free-scoring reputation by beating their Tyne Valley visitors 7-3.

Bruce Hogg and Dean Porter bagged a brace each for the Bay in this ten-goal thriller and their other marksmen were Gavin Hattrick, Darren Reay and Daniel Iredale. Stocksfield’s replies came from Wayne Stewart, Anthony MacDonald and Phil Murray but they can’t have envisaged this type of set-back.

Whitley’s convincing victory earned them a semi-final slot away to Cullercoats in the Combination Cup on Saturday 21st February when the other tie will involve Red Row Welfare entertaining Wallington.

Meanwhile, Wallington’s first round home tie against Premier Division opponents Carlisle City in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup suffered a third postponement and has been rescheduled for next Saturday – weather permitting. The winners are due to be at home to Stocksfield in the second round with games having been reduced to instalments because of the weather.

So far only Wallsend Town, Heddon, Walker Central, South Shields United, Amble United and Seaton Delaval are though to the League Cup’s third round stage. Most of the outstanding games will hopefully be played on the last Saturday before Christmas and are: Cramlington Town v Hexham; Forest Hall v Stobswood Welfare; Harraby Catholic v Northbank;
Newcastle University v Benfield Chemfica; Peterlee Town v Wideopen & District;
Wallington or Carlisle City v Stocksfield; Wallsend Boys’ Club v Heaton Stannington;
Wark v Amble and Whitley Bay Town v Cullercoats.

Apart from the League Cup log jam the Northern Alliance’s other main competitions have progressed smoothly. Along with the Combination Cup the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup and the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup have both reached the semi-final stage with ties due in February. The Challenge Cup draw in the Premier Division is: Gillford Park v Blyth Town and Heddon v Seaton Delaval. And in the Second Division’s Amateur Cup the semi-final pairings are Amble United v Amble, a real local derby, and Forest Hall v Benfield Chemfica.

TOO MANY CLUBS DEPRIVED OF ACTION
County Cup games are giving Northern Alliance fixture secretaries Derek Booth and George Davison a few extra headaches as the winter weather takes it’s toll. Most of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup games stalled last weekend with thirteen Alliance clubs involved. These rearranged games will take precedence this Saturday along with Gateshead Rutherford’s home tie against Brandon British Legion in the Durham Trophy and South Shields United’s visit to Hendon in the Durham Minor Cup.

Things have been progressing slowly this season as far as league fixtures have been concerned if the Winter proves to be severe then there will be worries about completing fixtures.

Four months into the campaign and with the passing of eighteen available Saturdays there are 24 clubs in the Alliance’s three divisions that haven’t reached a double figure total of league games played so far.

In the Premier Division, Harraby Catholic Club and Newcastle University have been the worst affected although Walker Central and Ashington Colliers will also have some catching-up to do. The First Division’s main laggards through no fault of their own are Killingworth YPC who have played only six league games to date while another five of their colleagues have managed only seven games each. With fewer member clubs the Second Division position isn’t as serious, although Tynemouth United, Stobswood Welfare and Amble FC may face a busy schedule when the lighter nights return.

By Bill Gardner
Due to the heavy overnight frost the game between Cullercoats and Percy Main at Links Road proved to be only one of two played in the Northern Alliance's three divisions as the programme was once again decimated by the weather. Both sides had completed only six league games so far this season due to the frequent postponements.

Recent signings Richard Latimer and Graeme Cole lined up in the Main's colours for the first time, while the Cullercoats starting eleven included five players who had represented the Villagers during the 2005-06 campaign. And David Owen and Craig Deighton were to punish their old club as the Seasiders finally emerged as 4-0 victors.

Early on Percy Main were well on top but were left to rue a series of missed chances which may have changed the course of events, while some inept defending by the Villagers virtually handed the points to their hosts.

In contrast the Cullercoats defence, well marshalled by the vastly experienced Alex Burnett, coped well with the aerial threat posed by the lengthy throw ins of Pierre Coiffait, while in attack Paul Towns and Femi Akinbolu troubled the Main's back line throughout the game.
Both sides endeavoured to seek an early advantage as Akinbolu found Towns, but Rob Rodgerson in the visitors’ goal proved his worth by finger tipping the ball behind for a corner. In response the Main's Dean Morgan was just off target while Jason Ritchie's free kick struck the upright and from the rebound Jon McEnaney and Steven Shadforth both somehow failed to find the net.

Minutes later, Ritchie's measured flag kick was met by the well placed McEnaney who headed just over the crossbar but after 20 minutes Cullercoats opened the scoring. From the right flank Towns found Akinbolu who laid the ball off superbly for Andrew McColl to fire home from close range.

Parity was almost restored immediately as Cole's goal-bound header from another Ritchie corner was acrobatically saved by home custodian Andrew Wedgewood and in the ensuing scramble Coiffait fired into the side netting.

But missed chances proved costly and Cullercoats doubled their lead. Towns provided the ammunition once again and, when his low cross from the right evaded the Villagers defenders, Craig Deighton duly fired home. Then, only a minute later, Cullercoats found themselves three goals to the good as a quickly taken corner fell to David Owen who found himself unmarked to fire home.

Following the interval chances went begging at both ends. Percy Main’s Tony Browell saw his header kicked from the line while Akinbolu headed wide for Cullercoats with the goal at his mercy and then chipped narrowly over the crossbar.

Akinbolu continued to prove the chief threat for Cullercoats and a combined effort by Rodgerson and Browell halted his run on goal. But the Seasiders still had the last word with a fourth goal in stoppage time. Owen took advantage of a deep cross from McColl to steer home his second of the game and round off his side's victory.

Killingworth YPC have also only been beaten once but have only managed to fit in six First Division games since the start of the season. They too therefore have several games in hand to boost their promotion hopes. And Killy moved up another three notches into a threatening fifth spot by beating lowly visitors Red Row Welfare 2-0.

Despite being still pointless and perched on the First Division table’s bottom rung, the Welfare are finally showing promise after bringing in several new players and gave a good account of themselves. They held out and matched their hosts until midway through the second half before conceding a penalty which was clinically put away by Killy’s Andy Edmundsen. And the Red Row lads kept going even after Kevin Westphal raced onto a left wing cross to double his side’s lead in the 78th minute.

HARRABY GRIND OUT COUNTY CUP VICTORY
Harraby Catholic Club beat the weather to reach the quarter-finals of the Cumberland FA Senior Cup but their efforts were stretched to over two hours of football before they eventually ended the hopes of visitors Netherhall.

Respective front runners Lee Otway for Harraby and Andrew Lowes for Netherhall caught the eye in most of the early exchanges. And in the 16th minute when Otway slid the ball invitingly into the path of James Earl his colleague spooned his shot over the bar.

Marc Shiel hit the upright after 25 minutes as Harraby pressed with fine play involving Ashley Combe. Then Otway outstripped the Netherhall defence as he chased a misdirected back pass but was dragged down in the area by visiting keeper Petit. Skipper Mike Swift wasted the chance to give Harraby the lead by sending his spot kick high and wide of the target.

Just before the break Andrew Lowes nearly snatched the lead for Netherhall as he intercepted a wayward pass but was thwarted by a fine save by Harraby custodian Ian Milburn. But it was Harraby who looked the stronger at the beginning of the second half.

An Aaron Rogers pass sent Shiel on a wide run and when he crossed to Otway the striker’s header was spectacularly saved at the foot of the post by Petit. Lowes again tested Milburn on the hour at the other end but Otway was unlucky again for Harraby when Petit was at full stretch tipping his angled drive around the post for a corner.

Visitors Netherhall almost snatched a dramatic winner in the dying seconds of normal time when Lowes spotted Milburn off his line. His 20-yard lob bounced off the top of the bar before being cleared and the well-balanced tie went into extra time.

Andrew Lowes finally broke the deadlock in Netherhall’s favour in the 93rd minute when at the second attempt he fired past Milburn to open the scoring. But the lead only lasted for a couple of minutes before Harraby got back on terms. Substitute Brett Swift’s penetrating pass put Ashley Combe through on goal and the wing-back’s angled drive went beyond Petit into the far corner.

Only seven minutes remained when Harraby scored their second and what proved to be the winning goal. Otway beat off two challenges and used his pace before crossing from the bye-line for Rob Bainbridge who easily side-footed home from close range.

LEAGUE CUP IS SERIALISED
Peterlee Town’s second round home tie against Second Division opponents Wideopen & District in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup was one of the many postponements. And the only sides to have booked third round places so far are: Wallsend Town, Heddon, Walker Central, South Shields United, Amble United and Seaton Delaval.

Most of the outstanding ties will be played on the last Saturday before Christmas and include: Cramlington Town v Hexham; Forest Hall v Stobswood Welfare; Harraby Catholic v Northbank;
Newcastle University v Benfield Chemfica; Peterlee Town v Wideopen & District;
Wallington or Carlisle City v Stocksfield; Wallsend Boys’ Club v Heaton Stannington;
Wark v Amble and Whitley Bay Town v Cullercoats.

By Bill Gardner
Premier Division leaders Gillford Park were within two minutes of losing their unbeaten record but finally settled for a 2-2 draw with visitors Shankhouse in the weekend’s only top flight league game. Shankhouse’s Kevin Gustard scored straight from the kick off and then scored his second to give his side a substantial lead at the interval. Even after Matthew Wood got Gillford off the mark on the hour it looked unlikely that they would get anything out of the game. But in the 88th minute Chris Grainger’s leveller rescued the Cumbrians.

The only game in the First Division saw lowly Berwick United entertaining table-toppers Stocksfield who kicked off boasting a hundred percent record. But the Borderers stunned their visitors by beating them 2-0 and recording their own first league win of the campaign. After an hour of stalemate Paul Wood gave Berwick the lead and Stocksfield found it hard going in their search for an equaliser. They didn’t manage and were killed off ten minutes from the end when Wood bagged his second goal for the jubilant hosts.

In three previously postponed first round ties in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup, Harraby Catholic Club and Northbank both made progress but Wallington’s home game against Carlisle City had to be called off once again.

Harraby beat cup visitors Ashington Colliers 3-1 and after Ashington’s Anthony Wright cancelled out Harraby’s opener scored by Jordan Coulthard, the home side had Lee Otway and James Earl on target in the second half. Meanwhile, Harraby’s neighbours Northbank were 2-1 first round victors at home to Killingworth YPC. Andy Rogerson and Mark Worrall claimed Northbank’s goals with Callum Colbeck replying for the Tynesiders.

Six of the twelve second round matches in the League Cup were wiped out but Premier Division sides Heddon, Walker Central and Seaton Delaval cleared their respective hurdles. And Heddon banged in five goals without reply to sink Second Division opponents Newcastle BT at Bullocksteads where their goals were supplied by John Dunn (2), Andrew Shaw, Chris Douglas and Max Turner.
Cup holders Walker Central also ended the hopes of Second Division visitors North Shields by winning 3-0 at Monkchester. Joe Kennedy’s opener came straight after the interval when he raced onto David Dormand’s cross to find the net from twelve yards out.

Only four minutes later the Central’s lead was doubled as Ian Dunn climbed to meet Kennedy’s cross and scored with a close range header. North Shields continued to come under a lot of pressure and on the hour conceded a third goal. When Dean Mitchison’s drive was well saved by the Shields keeper, Dave Thompson reacted quickly to fire the loose ball home from just inside the area.

Seaton Delaval’s progress wasn’t as comfortable however and after a goal-less two hours away to Willington Quay Saints they scraped through 3-1 on penalties. John Fitzpatrick, Phil Hildreth and Terry Goicochea were successful from the spot for Delaval while Glen Johnson was a lone marksman for the plucky Saints.

Other sides from the league’s First and Second Divisions booking third round slots in the League Cup were Wallsend Town, South Shields United and Amble United. Against Rutherford at Gateshead, Wallsend beat the odds to win 3-2 with strikes by Darren Bell, Paul McCutcheon and Alan Errington.

South Shields United pulled off an excellent 3-0 victory against First Division outfit Chopwell in the cup. United rested several key players and still have another five unavailable due to injuries yet they still outplayed and outclassed a team doing well in the division above them.

After a stalemate first half Shields scored within a minute of the changeover when a great cross from Kyle Yorston was neatly tucked away by Karl Kennedy. United’s young guns continued to play some excellent football and in the 63rd minute doubled their lead thanks to a great diving header by Kennedy for his second goal of the game. Almost immediately United struck again and a clever chipped pass from the impressive Mark Davies was clinically despatched by Yorston. And this was another fine performance by South Shields who had Ryan Shave outstanding in a solid defence.

Amble United beat Second Division colleagues Tynemouth United 6-0 in a tie switched to Amble. Darren Riddell claimed four of their goals with the other two supplied by Ross Gair and Calvin Flanigan.

CHARITY CUP – BLYTH RACE TO VICTORY
Four ties in the Pin Point Recruitment Charity Cup went ahead with Blyth Town, Red Row Welfare, Ponteland United and Whitley Bay ‘A’ all making progress.
Blyth Town, at home to Seaton Burn, won 5-2 with Joe Race – recently released by Hartlepool – completing a hat-trick. But at the interval Seaton Burn were leading 2-0 thanks to Rob MacDonald’s spot kick and another goal for Chris Baker.

Blyth got their act together after the break and Race scored three times to put them in front for the first time. His first goal was set up by Jeff Fuller and his second by Danny Beresford. And the hat-trick was achieved when Race’s cross landed in the net after a deflection off a visiting defender. In the 70th minute Mark Waugh claimed Blyth’s fourth goal from the penalty spot and with a minute to go Lee Middleton completed the scoring with his tremendous 25-yard drive into the top corner.
Red Row Welfare, currently propping up the First Division table, have brought some new signings on board and impressively beat higher-ranked cup hosts Hebburn Reyrolle 3-1. Ben Lavender’s first half opener for the Welfare was cancelled out by Hebburn’s Ray Oshin but the Northumbrians soon rallied. Lavender’s second goal put them in charge again and just to make sure Ryan Cordiner was also on target.

Percy Main’s interest in the league's Charity Cup competition was ended by hosts Whitley Bay ‘A’ and they were beaten 3-1 in an exciting tie at Hillheads. The Main's cause wasn’t helped by the absence of injured front runners Joe Betts and Jon McEnaney but top scorer Mick Freathy proved a handful for the Bay defence while new signing Pierre Coiffait's second half introduction troubled Whitley with some colossal throw-ins reminiscent of Stoke City's Rory Delap.

The home side asked the early questions as Craig Smith's free kick was palmed away by Rob Rodgerson in the Villagers goal while Mathew Speedie's looping header just cleared the crossbar. And the deadlock was broken on the quarter hour when Dean Porter, who once turned out for the Villagers, got the home side off the mark from the edge of the area.

Fifteen minutes later Whitley doubled their lead as Daniel Iredale's deep cross was steered home by Porter from close range but Percy Main rallied. And after Jon McEnaney went close, home goalkeeper Tom Kindley saved Michael Freathy's close range effort. Action continued around the Whitley goal as Freathy brought a point blank save from Kindley and Jason Ritchie saw his deflected shot strike the woodwork.

After the break Percy Main’s Tony Browell sent his diving header just wide while his goalkeeping colleague Rob Rodgerson had to be alert at the other end, saving another Porter effort with his feet. The visitors threw themselves an 83rd minute lifeline when Jason Ritchie's free kick was headed home by Ian Graham. But Whitley skipper Gavin Hattrick sealed his side's victory with a strike three minutes into stoppage time.

In a delayed preliminary round game, Ponteland United beat Premier Division colleagues Murton 2-1 at the Leisure Centre Ground to prolong their Charity Cup interest. Liam McIvor scored both of United’s goals with Murton’s single reply coming from Karl Garside. And United’s first round visitors will now be Gosforth Bohemian Garnett.

By Bill Gardner
Due to cupties there were only four league games in the Premier Division and Alnwick Town wasted the opportunity to nudge Gillford Park off the top of the table.
In the event the Town were beaten 2-0 by hosts Ashington Colliers as their opponents belied their current lowly status. The Colliers had beaten Alnwick 3-2 in the reverse fixture and completed the double with goals in 44 and 88 minutes both scored by Anthony Wright.
Shankhouse also failed in their mission to claim a top four spot and slipped down to sixth after losing 2-1 away to Cramlington Town. Stuart Hepple gave Cramlington an early lead but straight after the break Darren Naylor levelled for the visitors. Only five minutes remained when Andrew Scott grabbed the Town’s winner.
Postponements have prevented defending champions Walker Central from making their mark so far. But they’ve lost only once in the league and a 1-1 draw with Carlisle City at Sheepmount hoisted them up into fifth place with several useful games in hand. David Thompson gave the Central a first half opener but a reply from Chris Kelleher on the hour salvaged a point for City.
Following four straight defeats Wark turned the corner. Their 6-0 home win against Peterlee Town lifted them off the bottom rung which is now occupied by Murton. Jack Wanless’s goal gave Wark a slender interval lead before they stepped up a gear. Marc Nixon completed a second half hat-trick and Phil Thompson and Mark Elliott were also on target. And the troubled Newtowners have secured only a single point from their last five league games.
In the Bosch Power Tools Challenge Cup, the top quarter-final tie was between Cumbrian neighbours Gillford Park and Harraby Catholic Club who lifted the trophy last season. Gillford trailed twice to Harraby goals both scored by Ashley Combe but replies from Chris Grainger and Mark Armstrong earned them a reprieve. Extra time failed to settle the issue and Gillford emerged from the penalty shoot-out as 3-1 victors.
Blyth Town avenged an earlier league defeat by Heaton Stannington and emerged as 4-3 victors in their hard-fought cup-tie at Grounsell Park. Kevin Carr (2) and Chris Hutchinson were on the mark for Heaton but Blyth just edged it.
Patrick Allen got the Town off the mark in the first half with a 30-yard drive from Aaron Hicken’s pass and shortly after the interval Jeff Fuller scored their second. Running onto Chris Taylor’s cross he netted from close range. When Hicken scored from a chance set up by Carl Hetherington the tie seemed to be heading for extra time. But in the 90th minute Hetherington whipped in a great free kick and Fuller was there once more to head home for Blyth’s winner.
Murton’s drop to the foot of the table was compounded by their 3-1 Challenge Cup defeat away to Seaton Delaval who trailed to Karl Garside’s 10th minute opener. The home side snatched the lead with replies from Chris Anderson and Stephen Howes before half time and made sure with a late third goal put away by Craig Johnson.
Heddon gained prompt revenge for last weekend’s league defeat by Newcastle University and beat the Students 4-0 at Cochrane Park thanks to Dave Little’s opener and a hat-trick for Max Turner.

DIVISION ONE – CULLERCOATS KNOCK OUT CUP HOLDERS
In the First Division, two ties in the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup were down for decision and both Cullercoats and Wallington booked their places in the semi-finals. Cullercoats won 4-2 at home to last season’s cup winners Gosforth Bohemian Garnett with goals shared by Paul Towns, Stewart Wright, Joe Elliot and Steve Hart. Craig Ewart and Dan Corcoran replied for the disappointed Bohemians.
Wallington also made home advantage count by beating Berwick United 2-1. The two sides had featured in an earlier league draw up at Berwick but Wallington just shaded it this time. They had Ashley McAlpine and Sam Walton on target before Darren Cromarty finally got the Borderers off the mark.
Stocksfield, with a hundred percent record in their eight league starts, replaced Whitley Bay ‘A’ at the head of the First Division table. The Tyne valley outfit were comfortable 7-2 winners away to bottom rung side Red Row Welfare who are still pointless. Ben Pearson completed a hat-trick for the new leaders whose other scorers in a one-sided match were Phil Murray (2), Tom Finnerty and Anthony MacDonald.
Whitley Bay ‘A’ extended their unbeaten run top six games with a 3-3 draw away to Chopwell Officials but slipped down to second place. After having Dean Porter (2) and Mark Fenwick on target with Chopwell replying through Lee Brown, the Bay were leading 3-1 with only ten minutes to go. But their hosts staged a late recovery with strikes by Dave Fitzpatrick and Lee Best earning them a share of the spoils and hoisting them up into third spot.
After winning two games on the trot Gateshead Rutherford were brought back down to earth and were soundly beaten 5-1 at home by up-and-coming Northbank. Mark Worrall banged in all five of the Cumbrians’ goals with Rutherford’s single late reply coming from Danny Hill.
Percy Main have won all three of their home games so far and their latest success at Purvis Park was at the expense of Hebburn Reyrolle. Graeme Troughton opened the scoring for Reyrolle late in the first half and they led until the 70th minute. At that point substitute Sean Potts got the Villagers back on terms, firing home from a Jason Ritchie flag kick. Then, with seven minutes left and from another Ritchie corner, Tony Browell fired past Hebburn keeper Anthony McGowan for the Main’s 2-1 winner.

DIVISION TWO – HEXHAM CLOSE TO CAUSING CUP UPSET
There were four quarter-final ties in the Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup affecting Second Division sides with Forest Hall, Amble United, Amble Town and Benfield Chemfica all making progress.
Amble United had hammered cup hosts Hexham 6-0 up at Amble in an earlier league encounter but had to be content with a more modest 2-1 success this time. Lee Harker and Chris Moffitt struck to give United a clear interval lead but there were some anxious moments after Ian Strachan reduced the deficit for Hexham.
Amble Town did well to beat cup hosts Stobswood Welfare 2-1 and they simultaneously avenged a 3-0 defeat by the Welfare in the identical league game. Stobswood threatened a repeat when Matthew Graham fired them in front but Amble responded positively with two goals both scored by Dave Whenray.
Forest Hall ended the cup hopes of visitors Willington Quay Saints by winning 2-1 but it was a close thing. Kevin Baldwin gave the hosts the lead and it was doubled by Willington’s Stephen Telefoni when he steered the ball into his own net. The Saints threatened a recover after Gareth Pugh got them off the mark but the Forest defence held firm.
Despite having home advantage, Wallsend Boys’ Club failed to complete a league and cup double and instead were beaten 4-1 by Benfield Chemfica. Simon Bell was a lone marksman for the Boys’ Club while an own goal plus strikes by Liam Knowles (2) and Chris Jones made up Chemfica’s tally.
With the game between Tynemouth United and Whitley Bay Town postponed, there were only two league games going ahead in the Second Division. And South Shields United extended their lead at the top of the table to five points although second-placed Amble United have two games in hand. The Shieldsmen beat visitors Wallsend Town 1-0 to stretch their unbeaten sequence to seven matches. Their winner was put away in the 35th minute by Kyle Yorston who was red-carded in the 85th minute. Losers Wallsend had three players booked and are still seeking their first point away from home.
Wideopen & District are still in third place after losing their hundred percent away record. They were beaten 2-0 by a fast improving North Shields Athletic side which has lost only once in the last six outings. After a goal-less opening half Daniel Walton bagged a brace to get the points wrapped up for the home side.

THIRTEEN LEFT IN NFA MINOR CUP
In three delayed ties in the Northumberland Minor Cup involving Northern Alliance sides there were two failures and only one success. Seaton Burn bowed out after losing 3-1 at home against Whitley Lodge Baptist Church and Newcastle East End were beaten 4-1 by hosts Red Star Benwell.
Killingworth YPC Sporting however made comfortable progress with a 5-1 home win against North Sunderland thanks to goals supplied by Jorge Bollado (2), Anthony Burns, Kevin Westphal and Kevin Grahamslaw.
The Northern Alliance will now have 13 clubs involved in the third round of the Minor Cup on 6th December with the relevant pairings being: Amble v Procter & Gamble Cobalt;
Amble United v Killingworth YPC Sporting; Hexham v Cullercoats;
Newcastle BT v North Shields Athletic; Whitley Lodge Baptist Church v Wallsend Town;
Stobswood Welfare v Kicks Wallsend; Tynemouth United v Berwick Town;
Wallsend Town Reserves v Forest Hall; Whitley Bay Town v Killingworth YPC Town;
Willington Quay Saints v Blyth Town Reserves.

By Bill Gardner
Premier Division pacesetters Gillford Park had their match away to defending champions Walker Central postponed but still have a two-point lead in pole position with games in hand of all their closest rivals.
Challengers Seaton Delaval and Alnwick Town secured maximum points, leapfrogging over several of their rivals to go joint second. Only beaten once in their last five outings, Alnwick were convincing 3-0 winners away to Heaton Stannington. Heaton's slide down the table continued as the Town's Ben Keenan punished them with his hat-trick.

Delaval won only their second game away from home with a 2-1 verdict at Cramlington Town but needed a late winner to see off their hosts. Cramlington trailed to Connal Reed's opener but Stuart Heppell got them back on terms with ten minutes to go. Only five minutes remained when John Fitzpatrick weighed in with Delaval's winner.

Only four points are separating the top seven clubs in the Premier Division with teams like Heddon, Shankhouse, Harraby Catholic Club, Peterlee Town and Walker Central hoping to get to grips with the current leaders.

Heddon slipped up on Saturday however and were beaten for the first time this term at their Bullocksteads based. They lost out 2-1 to an impressive Newcastle University side which has won four of its last five games. Top scorer Dave Kewn and Will Deledicq netted for the Students in the space of two second half minutes and Heddon's single later reply came from John Dunn.

Peterlee Town had followed a five-match winning sequence with three straight defeats before Shankhouse's visit to Eden Lane. The two sides were content with a share of the spoils from a 1-1 draw. John Pearce ended 76 minutes of stalemate with his opener for Peterlee but with four minutes to spare Shankhouse levelled through Kevin Gustard.

In their bottom of the table battle with bottom rung visitors Wark there was a vital 3-1 victory for Blyth Town, only their second on their own patch. Jeff Fuller opened the scoring for Blyth immediately after the break, converting a through ball from Chris Taylor. Matt McLoughlin equalised for Wark in the 84th minute but it wasn't all over however. Blyth secured all three points with strikes in 88 and 90 minutes by Aaron Hicken and Chris Taylor. Hicken's drive went in off the crossbar when he was sent clear by Oliver Cowie and Taylor netted from just inside the box following good work by Chris Lisle.

Carlisle City were 3-2 losers at home by Aspatria in the Cumberland Senior Cup while Harraby Catholic Club went down 2-1 to Cheshire visitors Poulton Victoria in the Northern Counties Senior Championship. Meanwhile, in the second round of the Durham FA Trophy, last season's winners Murton bowed out, beaten 5-2 by visitors Simonside SC. But Gateshead Rutherford made progress and in a 1-0 victory over Ebchester Consett Reserves their scorer was Stephen Tumelty.

DIVISION ONE – CUMBRIANS SURPRISE WHITLEY
Only three league games beat the weather in an already restricted First Division programme and leaders Whitley Bay 'A' spilled a couple of points. At Hillheads the Bay lost their hundred percent home record and could only draw 2-2 with mid-table opponents Northbank. Still seeking a first win on their travels, the Cumbrians produced a sound performance which produced two goals for their regular scorer Mark Worrall. In reply Jonathan Kew and Simon Reay scored for Whitley.

Whitley Bay's lead at the top of the division was trimmed to only a single point by Stocksfield who have three useful games in hand. With a hundred percent records in seven starts the Tynedale outfit had to work hard for their 3-2 victory at home to Wallington. Despite being in the lower half of the table, Wallington had Tom McPherson and David Featherstone on target and gave their highly-rated hosts a torrid time. In the end however Stocksfield just edged it to claim the points. Running onto Ben Pearson's pass Tom Finnerty scored his first goal for the club to open Stocksfield's account. Their second goal was put away by Cairns Kettles who headed home Bruce Vause's cross at the back post and from Graeme Watson's perfect cross Phil Murray headed in for the home side's vital winner.

In their last seven games Chopwell Officials have picked up five wins and a draw and almost unnoticed have been creeping up on the current leaders. And they slipped quietly into third spot after beating visitors Percy Main 2-1.

On the quarter hour mark Chopwell opened the scoring Gareth Powell squared to Rowland Lee who fired past the unsighted Rob Rodgerson in the Percy Main goal. But parity was soon restored as Chris Lau slid the ball through to Joe Betts who managed to scramble the ball past home keeper Graeme Clark at the second attempt.
With twenty minutes to go Chopwell countered in deadly fashion as Glen Caygill's corner, only half cleared by the Villagers' defence, fell kindly to Mark Fitzpatrick who rifled home a 30-yard thunderbolt via the crossbar to restore his side's lead.

DIVISION TWO – SHIELDS NUDGE AMBLE OFF THE TOP
Two games – Tynemouth United versus Newcastle BT and Wideopen & District versus Amble - were washed out in the Second Division but another four got the go-ahead. And South Shields United replaced Amble United in pole position.

While former table-toppers Amble had an idle Saturday, South Shields took full advantage and extended their unbeaten run to six games by beating visitors Benfield Chemfica 2-1. Colin Cooney netted for Chemfica but they're still waiting for their first points away from home after Kyle Yorston bagged a brace for their hosts.

With third-placed Wideopen & District also out of action Stobswood Welfare improved their standing, moving up into fourth spot following their 2-1 victory away to Whitley Bay Town. The Bay produced a brave performance considering they had Lee Savory sent off after half an hour. The Welfare's match-winning marksmen were Michael Hogg and Chris Graham with Garry Milburn replying for the plucky losers.

Stobswood's fellow-newcomers Forest Hall also continued their climb up the table with a 2-1 win at home to Wallsend Town. Ryan Arnott opened the scoring for the Town but his gal failed to prevent his side's fourth consecutive defeat. Kevin Baldwin came on as substitute to bang in both of Forest Hall's goals.

Wallsend Boys' Club seem to have lost their winning habit, sharing six goals and the spoils with visitors North Shields Athletic in a mid-table clash. Kyle Moffatt, Andy McBride and Stephen Forster supplied the Wallsend goals. Glen Churchman (2) and Matthew Donkin scored for the Shieldsmen who have now won three and drawn one of their last five games.

NFA MINOR CUP – HEXHAM KNOCK OUT HOLDERS
As usual the weather has meant that Northumberland Minor Cup matches are being played in instalments but three more Northern Alliance sides managed to book places in the third round of the county's biggest competition.
Hexham, fourth from bottom in the Alliance's Second Division, caused a sensation by winning 3-1 at home to last season's cup winners Shilbottle CW. Darren Dobson gave Hexham a lead which was doubled by Ian Strachan before the break. Strachan's second strike put the home side in an unassailable position and Alan Wallace's successful spot kick for Shilbottle was purely cosmetic.

Cullercoats coasted through with an 11-1 victory at home to Newcastle Rushworth & Diamonds. The Diamonds lost their sparkle as incessant Cullercoats pressure was rewarded with goals for Steve Hart (4), Craig Deighton (3), Sean Smith, Joe Elliott, Stewart Wright and substitute Femi Akinbolu.

Willington Quay Saints made progress by beating cup hosts Bellingham 4-1 and had David Gibson and Gareth Pugh on the mark to give them a clear lead at half time. Pugh scored his second straight after the changeover and, after Graham Teasdale hit back for the home side, the winners' tally was completed by Glen Johnson who scored from the penalty spot.
Three other ties with Northern Alliance involvement were wiped out for the second week running and rescheduled for this Saturday. Killingworth YPC and Seaton Burn are at home to respective opponents North Sunderland and Whitley Lodge Baptist Church while Newcastle East End are away to Red Star Benwell.

By Bill Gardner
Gillford Park retained their three-point lead at the head of the Premier Division despite dropping their first home points. Still unbeaten, the Cumbrians were restricted to a 2-2 draw by Cramlington Town with both of their goals put away by Michael Riding. Cramlington had Kieran Parsons and Steve Elsey on target and deserved their share of the spoils.

With Harraby Catholic Club on county cup duty they were nudged out of second spot by Heddon who secured their first away win. After drawing four of their last six games on their travels the Heddon lads beat Peterlee Town 1-0. Team manager Paul Callan and secretary Billy Banks deserted the Newtowners last week and John Dunn’s 40th minute winner for Heddon was another blow.
Following a slow start to this campaign, last season’s champions Walker Central are finally firing on all cylinders. A week after knocking West Allotment Celtic out of the Northumberland Senior Cup the Central were impressive 6-1 victors away to Ponteland United to hoist themselves up into fourth place.

Walker had knocked Pont out of the League Cup only a fortnight earlier and they were soon on course for a double. Ex-Ponteland player Paul Gardiner opened their account with his long range effort following John Campbell’s corner kick.

On the half hour the visitors’ lead was doubled when Dave Thompson netted from a chance created by Campbell and there was no respite for embattled Ponteland. Shortly before the break they conceded a third goal as Thompson struck again with a thundering 18-yard drive.

After the break United regained some composure but they came under the hammer again midway through the half. Walker’s Campbell scored twice in the space of eight minutes. His first goal was set up by Ian Mills and his second by Chris Bannon.

With two minutes to go the Central’s tally was topped up by David Dormand who finished well after racing onto Ben Miley’s through ball. And only seconds remained when Dean Gate claimed a token reply for the home side.

Seaton Delaval and visitors Heaton Stannington had both been going through a lean spell before their clash at Wheatridge Park. But Delaval emerged as 3-0 victors to suggest they may be turning things around. Their marksmen, all inside the last twenty minutes, were Stephen Howes, Steve Anderson and Craig Johnson to leave Heaton without a win in their last six league games.
Wark are another side to have gone off the boil in the last month and three straight defeats have dumped the newly-promoted club onto the bottom rung. The damaging run continued and despite having Jack Wanless finding the net Wark ended up as 3-1 losers at home to Newcastle University. The Students wrapped up the points with a hat-trick for leading scorer David Kewn.

A first home win for Blyth Town earned Jeff Orr’s side some breathing space in the basement and they moved up a couple of notches by beating Murton 4-2. Jonathan Mann (hat-trick) and Jeff Fuller put Blyth 4-0 up after only twenty minutes and although Karl Garside and Michael Pittam hit back for Murton before the break they couldn’t make any further headway.

Shankhouse’s home game against Alnwick Town in the Premier Division was postponed along with Carlisle City’s home tie with Aspatria in the Cumberland Senior Cup. But City’s league colleagues Harraby Catholic Club made progress in the competition. They beat visitors Alston Moor Sports Club 6-0 with goals supplied by Rob Bainbridge (3), Lee Otway (2) and Dave Wallace.

DIVISION TWO – SHIELDS THREATEN AMBLE
The weather accounted for the entire league programme in the First Division but the single Second Division fixture got the go-ahead with South Shields United beating visitors Wallsend Boys’ Club 2-0. The result hoisted Shields into second spot, only a point short of current leaders Amble United with both clubs having played ten games.

The normally reliable Kyle Yorston wasted a couple of first ha\lf chances for the home side but a few tactical changes worked out for Shields. Wayne McCamley and Gary Spottiswood kept opponents Wallsend busy and inside a five minute spell Phil Enlund bagged a brace for United.

NFA MINOR CUP – WINNERS. LOSERS & SECOND CHANCES
Seventeen Northern Alliance clubs should have been involved in second round ties in the Northumberland Minor Cup but the weather intervened and six games were postponed. Killingworth YPC, Newcastle East End, Seaton Burn, Willington Quay Saints, Cullercoats and Hexham will be trying again to make progress this weekend.

In the other matches which were played to a finish, nine Alliance sides booked themselves third round slots in the Minor Cup and 2007 winners Amble United were 7-0 victors away to Grainger Park. The Seasiders were three up at half time thanks to Darren Riddell (2) and Paul Brennan and their later goals were supplied by Ross Gair (2), Greg Dance and Bradley Wake.

United’s neighbours Amble Town were also emphatic second round winners and beat cup hosts Gosforth Bohemian Garnett ‘A’ 5-0 with goals shared by Ben Davidson, Craig Jones, Shaun Jobson, James Todd and Nick Moore.

Despite having Ryan Stobbard, Nick Guest and Mark Crow on target at home to Lowick United, Benfield Chemfica bowed out as 4-3 losers with Anthony Murray (3) and Gary Fairbairn scoring for the visitors. But Wallsend Town easily made the cut by winning 6-1 away to Blyth Spartans ‘A’. Darren Bell completed a hat-trick and a long wind-assisted clearance allowed Wallsend’s keeper Ricky Donaldson to get his name on the score-sheet. Alan Etherington and Graham McMillan completed the Town’s tally.

Tynemouth United, on the bottom rung of the Northern Alliance’s Second Division table, claimed their first victory of the season against Minor Cup hosts Craster Rovers. The Tynemouth lads were encouraged by their convincing 7-3 success and four of their goals were tucked away by Mark Carey. They had Steve Clarke scoring from the spot and their other two strikes were by Gareth Lee and Paul Neilson.

In the round’s only all-Northern Alliance clash, Forest Hall – cup winners way back in 1978 – proved too strong for hosts and league colleagues Wideopen & District. Neil Gibson, Michael Sandberg and Thomas Carver all found the net in the Forest’s eventual 3-0 victory.

Newcastle BT, North Shields Athletic, Stobswood Welfare and Whitley Bay Town were the other Alliance sides clearing their respective second round hurdles.

Newcastle BT ended the hopes of Whitley Bay Baptist Church and won 4-2 with goals scored by Anthony Bruce (2), Tom Walton and Andy Mackay. And Daniel Walton scored a hat-trick for North Shields Athletic in their 4-1 victory away to Newcastle Dynamo Fenham. John Mordey banged in the winners’ fourth goal.

Whitley Bay Town were content with a narrow 3-2 verdict at home to Lindisfarne Athletic who put up a brave fight before losing to goals put away by Lee Hall, Jamie Wallace and Iain Irvin. Stobswood Welfare however coasted through and were comfortable 7-1 victors to see off visitors Forest Hall Town. Kerry Shotton help[ed himself to three of the Welfare’s goals, his colleague Josh Hay bagged a brace and Michael Graham and Michael Hogg were the other Stobswood marksmen.

By Bill Gardner

Despite being on county cup duty, Gillford Park retained their three-point lead at the head of the Premier Division as Shankhouse and Peterlee Town both faltered.

Gillford beat visitors and league colleagues Northbank 2-1 in the second round of the Cumberland Senior Cup. Mark Armstrong gave them an interval lead that was doubled when Northbank’s Andy Rogerson put the ball into his own net. Mark Worrall reduced the deficit for Northbank but they made no further headway.

Two other Cumberland Senior Cup matches – Carlisle City v Aspatria and Harraby Catholic v Alston Moor Sports Club – were washed out and will be rescheduled for next weekend.

Second-placed Harraby could have been replaced but league results went in their favour and Shankhouse were beaten 2-1 at home by Murton. Goals for Mark Smith and Karl Garside earned Murton their first away points and their hosts’ single reply came from Andrew Sherlaw.

Peterlee Town, in joint third spot with Shankhouse and Alnwick Town, missed out on making further progress and after winning four home games on the trot were also beaten 2-1 by visitors Cramlington Town. Cramlington’s James Merzio presented the Newtowners with an own goal opener but his colleagues rose to the challenge. After the break Kevin Ord and Paul Huck found the net to wrap up the points for the Northumbrians.

Heaton Stannington and Heddon, occupying joint fourth spot in the Premier Division, shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Bullocksteads where Heddon previously had a hundred percent record. Jon Armstrong put the home side in front just before the interval but shortly after the change-over Adam Pendlebury levelled for Heaton.

In the clash between Ashington Colliers and Wark the two sides trying to get clear of the basement produced ten goals but hosts Ashington scored eight of them. The Colliers claimed their first home win in style thanks to Anthony Wright’s hat-trick and further strikes by Simon Cunningham (2), Patrice Butters (2) and Richard Brown. Lee Telfer and Phil Thompson replied for the losers.

Newcastle University lifted off the table’s bottom rung thanks to their 3-1 victory over Seaton Delaval at Cochrane Park. Chris Anderson opened the scoring for Delaval but Dave Kewn got the Students back on terms before half time. Sam Newton’s goal then gave the University the lead and Joe Foote put their third goal away in the last minute.

Ponteland United returned to Blyth, their second visit in three weeks, looking to avenge their Challenge Cup defeat by Blyth Town. Pont had two early chances but were undone in Blyth’s first attack. Oliver Cowie got the better of Groom and his cross was headed neatly home by the unmarked Lee Sparrow. But the visitors got back on terms on 20 minutes as McIvor crossed from the bye line for youngster Scott Fenwick to apply the finishing touch. And only five minutes later Pont were in front for the first time as Phil Groom’s free kick set up 16-year-old James Hall to drill home his first ever goal for Ponteland.

Five minutes into the second half United’s Fenwick was brought down in the box and opted to take the spot kick himself. Unfortunately for the youngster keeper Scott Earle made an excellent diving save to palm the ball to safety.

After this miss Blyth equalised when Patrick Allen’s cross was hammered in at the back post by Jeff Fuller and Pont were hit again after 65 minutes as Allen sent in another looping cross for Jonathan Lisle to score with a powerful header.

Ponteland made some changes with Kevin McGorie coming on for Hall and David Redhead replacing Suddick. And in the 75th minute Liam McIvor netted for the visitors to finalise the score at 3-3, a fair result but one that left Pont ruing their penalty miss.

Meanwhile, Walker Central became the Alliance’s sole survivors in the Tynetec Northumberland Senior Cup and did the league proud by knocking out Northern League opponents West Allotment Celtic. At a wind-lashed Monkchester the Central were 1-0 first round victors with their vital goal scored by Craig Scott.

DIVISION ONE – CHOPWELL’S CUP COMEBACK SHOCKS WHITLEY
Last Friday night at Hillheads, First Division leaders Whitley Bay ‘A’ took a break from league duties to take on Chopwell Officials in a rearranged first round tie in the Longhorn Hardware League Cup. And the Bay, leading 4-0 at half time, were finally and sensationally beaten 5-4 by their visitors. Goals for Ian Lee, Dean Porter, Gavin Hattrick and Sean Jobson had Whitley apparently coasting but Chopwell hit back with a vengeance as Andy Smith completed a hat trick and his colleague Rowland Lee bagged a brace.

Whitley Bay still held onto pole position in the middle division after send-placed Stocksfield won 2-0 away to Cullercoats who remained in third spot. The result in this vital game ended an unbeaten run for Cullercoats while leaving their opponents with a hundred percent record in their six games to date. Phil Murray put both of Stocksfield’s goals away.

Both Hebburn Reyrolle and Killingworth YPC are still coming up on the rails and Hebburn were restricted to a 1-1 draw by hosts Gosforth Bohemian Garnett. The Bohs, yet to win at Benson Park this term, had Craig Allan on target while Graeme Troughton replied for the visitors.
In their first away game of the season Killingworth picked up maximum points from their 3-0 victory over Berwick United. Kevin Grahamslaw bagged two of Killy’s goals and Anthony Burns completed their tally.

Having secured two wins and a draw in their last three outings, Newcastle East End have hitched themselves up into mid-table. The East Enders comfortably beat bottom rung visitors Red Row Welfare 3-0 to continue their progress. Paul Bright (2) and Craig Crosby netted for the winners with Ryan Gardiner replying for the Welfare who are still waiting for their first league win.

Percy Main, beaten 2-0 by Gateshead Rutherford at Prudhoe in midweek, bounced back effectively by beating Wallington 3-2 at Purvis Park. Wallington’s Ashley McAlpine scored twice to cancel out the Main’s goals by Joe Betts and Michael Freathy to make it all square with ten minutes to go, But the Villagers picked up the points when Jason Ritchie fired against the crossbar and Betts reacted quickly to drive in his second goal of the game.

Goals by Andrew Elliot and Andrew Reay earned Gateshead Rutherford their midweek success against Percy Main and they followed up by claiming their first away win of the campaign. At Seaton Burn the Gateshead lads won 4-2 after having Andrew Reay (2), Ross Taylor and Daniel Hall on target. Seaton Burn’s 49-year-old team boss Dave Hewitt came on as substitute to score one of their goals and their other reply came from Rob McDonald with a 35-yard free kick.

DIVISION TWO – PACE-SETTERS DROP POINTS
In the Second Division, Wallsend Boys’ Club brought forward their Northumberland Minor Cup second round tie away to Lynemouth Miners’ Welfare Social Club and were beaten 1-0. There was an interesting point in the game when Lynemouth brought on a player who had up to that point been involved in another match on an adjacent pitch!

Back on the league front, Amble United remained four points clear at the head of the table despite only managing to draw 2-2 with mid-table visitors Forest Hall. United scored first and last through Ross Gair and Shaun Black but in the interim Thomas Faid and Michael Reay netted for Forest to preserve their unbeaten record in away games.

Luckily for Amble United, second-placed Wideopen & District – their nearest rivals – also shared the spoils frfom their 1-1 draw at home to Willington Quay Saints. The Saints are still waiting for a first win on their travels and came close after Stuart Duffield had cancelled out Gary Lamb’s opener for the hosts.

South Shields United are occupying a threatening third spot and have secured four wins and a draw in their last five league appearances. The spell of good form continued as United beat lowly visitors Hexham 1-0. The strong wind was a great leveller but with twenty minutes to go Phil Enlund managed to grab the South Shields winner.

Following three straight defeats in the Second Division, Wallsend Town were pleased to get back on track and manager Dave Grandini was delighted by his side’s 4-0 home win against Newcastle BT. Paul McCutcheon scored twice for the Town and their other marksmen were Nick Anderson and Darren Bell.

Benfield Chemfica moved themselves up a couple of notches with a narrow 2-1 victory at home to Amble Town who are still stuck in the basement. Amble’s Nick More levelled after Nick Guest opened the scoring for Chemfica but the home side had the last word in the form of a Chris Jones match-winner.

Whitley Bay Town are only four points above bottom club Tynemouth United but picked up another precious point by drawing 1-1 with visitors North Shields Athletic. Dominic Vasseghi gave the Town an opener on the half hour. They led until the 75th minute when defender Lee Savory was sent off and from the related penalty David Armstrong scored the North Shields equaliser.