NFA Match Reports

Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup Final

2012-05-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Pin Point Recruitment Northern Football Alliance
Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup Final (At Welfare Park,
Bedlington)
Ashington Colliers 1 Seaton Delaval Ams 3 (After Extra Time)

Seaton Delaval lifted the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup with an extra time double.
Ashington Colliers went in front in the 37th minute as Shaun Gibson drilled home from the penalty spot.
Delaval had a chance to level after the break when Michael Fenwick stepped up to take a penalty at the other end, but Ashington keeper Craig Towart pulled off a dramatic save.
Fenwick made ammends in the 70th minute when he netted the equaliser to take the game into extra time.
Daniel McGuire put the Red Devils ahead in the 98th minute and when they were awarded a second penalty in the 105th minute, Abubaker Salim took responsibilty and slotted it home.

Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final

2012-05-14T13:56:00.002-07:00

Northern Football Alliance

Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final (At Swalwell FC, Derwenthaugh)

Whickham Lang Jacks 2 Willington Quay Saints 1

Lang Jacks keeper Mark Innes pulled off a string of stunning saves in a man of the match performance as they lifted the Amateur Cup at the third attempt.

The first effort to play the game fell foul of the weather and the second was abandoned due to a serious injury to a Saints player.

Willington Quay made a great start and Kane Chirnside fired them ahead in the ninth minute on a bumpy pitch at Swalwell.

Innes made a couple of superb stops to keep Lang Jacks in it, and they levelled in the 40th minute as Joe Bell struck.

Just four minutes later Jacks were in dreamland as Paul Silcock netted the second.

Saints had a great chance to level when they were awarded a spot-kick with ten minutes to play, but Innes guessed correctly and pulled off another top draw save to give his side the silverware.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 12/05/12

2012-05-12T10:48:00.002-07:00

The celebrations ran long into the night as Heaton Stannington were crowned the Northern Alliance Champions after a 3-2 victory at Shankhouse.

Derek Thompson’s side were in a party mood and netted three times in the opening half hour.

Gary Dixon gave them an early lead from the penalty spot and Ian Irvine headed in the second soon after.

Dean Deagle pulled one back, but Heaton added a third when Ben Telford tapped in from close range.

David Dormand crashed in a second for the hosts but it couldn’t dampen the celebrations as the black and white ribbons adorned the silverware and the champagne began spraying.

Dan Balmer netted a double as Harraby came from behind twice to beat Ponteland United.

Gavin Wood’s penalty put the visitors ahead, with Balmer replying just before the break.

United sub Andy Mogwo crashed in a stunning drive from distance to restore their advantage, but once Balmer had levelled again, it was all Harraby.

Peter Ferris slammed in the third, Matthew Bell reacted quickest when the ball came back off the woodwork for the fourth and in the final minute Darren Addison stretched the net with another 35-yard piledriver.

Chris Fairless gave Stocksfield the lead against third-placed Whitley Bay A in an exciting end-to-end game that saw Ian Lee equalise. Sandy Tordoff made it 2-1 to the Griffins but an unlucky Matthew Stables own goal restored parity.

Lee struck soon after to gave the Seahorses the advantage, but Fairless made no mistake from the penalty spot with seven minutes to go to make it 3-3.

Amble United added the Subsidiary Cup to their bursting trophy cabinet with a 4-2 win over Newcastle Uni after extra time.

The Students took the lead when Rikki Hume deflected into his own net in the 10^th minute, with Sean Taylor levelling in the 22^nd.

The match remained deadlocked until a three goal burst in the first period of extra time.

Ross Gair shot United ahead but it took the Uni just two minutes to level through Ed Savitt.

Josh Hay put United back in front in the 100^thminute and Adam Shanks sealed victory in the 118^th.

The Seasiders made it a unique treble, adding the trophy to the Division One Championship and Combination Cup that they had already lifted.

There was also joy at Hexham as they became Division Two champions with a 3-0 win at Wallsend Boys Club.

Gavin Cox’s looping header gave them the lead and when Ali Stobbs raced through from midfield and squeezed a shot past the out-rushing keeper, they were in wonderland.

Orin Parkinson slammed a late penalty into the roof of the net to put the icing on the cake.

Six-shooting Willington Quay Saints are very much still in the hunt for promotion as goals from Kane Chirnside, Mark Henderson, Stuart Duffield, Wes Fiddler, Stephen King and Stephen Telford gave them the points at Cramlington United while Whickham Lang Jacks harbour promotion hopes of their own and they hit five against Harton & Westoe, who are leaving to join the Wearside League.

Goals from Stephen Spoors, Ben Howell, Christopher Gill, Craig Cook and Ryan Davenport did the damage.

Northern Alliance Bank Holiday Monday Round-Up

2012-05-07T13:29:00.002-07:00

Premier Division

Hebburn Reyrolle’s Championship dreams turned into a nightmare as they were reduced to nine-men in a bad-tempered game.

Manager Mark Collinwood was also banished from the touchline as Percy Main pulled off a surprise win that leaves Reyrolle three points behind leaders Heaton Stannington with just one game to play – and an inferior goal difference of seven.

Percy Main boss Gareth Allen fired them ahead in the first minute and it got worse for Reyrolle just eight minutes later as Tony Abladey netted number two.

Channon North gave the South Tynesiders hope when he struck a minute after the break but when Alan Pegram and Davie Southern were both sent for early baths as their frustrations boiled over, it soon faded.

Division One

Jordan Nellis and Justin Millican were on target for Wallington as they cemented third spot in Division One with Andy McBride netting for basement side Morpeth Sporting.

Division Two

Goals from Si Wilson, Adam Gibson and Nicky Whitelaw gave Wallsend Boys Club the three points at Alnwick Town Reserves in Division Two while Bedlington Terriers Reserves beat Northbank 2-0 with goals from Simon Brown in the 18^th minute and Dylan Williamson in the 90th .

The Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup Final (At Amberley Park, Killingworth)

2012-05-07T06:21:00.002-07:00

Heaton Stannington 2 Whitley Bay A 2 (After extra time – Whitley Bay A won 5-4 on penalties)

Whitley Bay A goalkeeper Michael Hammond was the hero as he pulled off two saves in the penalty shoot-out – then stepped up and fired in the winning spot-kick.

Hammond had also pulled off a stunning save to deny Heaton Stannington a last-gasp winner in the dying seconds of the second period of extra time.

Craig Smith fired in from the penalty spot to give the Seahorses a 33^rd minute lead but Ben Telford levelled in the 57^th minute when he cut in from the right and struck a fine drive into the top corner from just outside the box.

Alex Redfern restored the Whitley Bay A advantage five minutes into the first period of extra time but with the clock ticking down, Gary Dixon showed nerves of steel to fire in a last minute penalty that took the Final to the thrilling shoot-out.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 05/05/12

2012-05-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

Dean Patton kept Hebburn Reyrolle’s title hopes alive as they twice came from behind to beat Blyth Town.

With leaders Heaton Stannington winning 3-2 at Stocksfield on Friday night to – Gary Dixon netting the winner in the 83^rd minute – the pressure was on to keep pace.

And when Kyle Devlin’s cross slipped through their keeper’s hands and fell into the net for the opener, it looked like they might blow it.

Carl Thorp steadied Reyrolle’s nerves when he headed in a leveller in the 26^th minute but within two minutes Town had gone up the other end and David Atkinson bent in a free kick.

Liam Clark beat two men and fired in from the narrowest of angles to equalise three minutes after the break and Patton ran clear to slot in the winner in the 68^th.

Experienced Whitley Bay A hit-man Paul Chow crashed in a hat-trick in a dramatic 5-4 win over Shankhouse on Friday night which leaves the two clubs promoted from Division One last term sitting in second and third spot.

Jamie Patterson, Marc Richardson and David Brown were on target for Ashington Colliers as they beat Seaton Delaval 3-2 in a curtain-raiser for the showpiece Kicks Lesuire George Dobbins League Cup Final on the 16^thMay. Daniel McGuire struck twice in reply.

Tony Abladey fired in for Percy Main in the 30^th minute at Murton and Ryan Laws secured the points with a second in the 79^th.

It also ended 2-0 at Harraby, with Dean Armstrong prodding in the opener against Killingworth from 18 yards not long after Dan Wordsworth had struck the woodwork.

Steve Archibald’s overhead kick thumped the bar before Peter Ferris added number two with a scuffed shot in the 85^th minute.

Carlisle City went ahead at Rutherford through Stuart Kilgour, but the hosts turned things around with goals from Chris Morris and Shaun Todhunter. Tom Lucock ensured it ended honuors even when he levelled just five minutes from the end.

Wallington’s Chris Moffat gave them a 20^th minute lead against Cullercoats that was doubled when Ben Fenwick fired in a free kick. The Seasiders pulled one back in the second half when Anthony Young smacked in a spilled shot.

Goals from Heddon’s Max Turner, Peter Scott and Andrew Lee Davidson in a devastating ten-minute first half spell gave them the points at Newcastle Uni, who had Adam Fearn and Tom Stapleton find the target.

Hexham stormed to the top of Division Two with a six-goal blast at Whickham Lang Jacks.

Ali Stobbs and Liam Heenan both claimed braces with Neil Tiffin and Scott Robson also getting on the scoresheet.

Red House Farm levelled at Bedlington Terriers Reserves with just ten minutes left.

Mark Race had given Terriers a 23^rd minute lead and although Red House were reduced to ten men, Adam Steinmetz grabbed the late leveller.

Northbank’s promotion push continued as Sergio Royo hit the only goal against a young Alnwick Town Reserves side that played some nice football while Willington Quay saints had Gareth Pew and Mark Henderson punching the air in celebration after goals at Alston.

Harton and Westoe struck six times at Seaton Burn, who replied through two Andrew Bennett penalties and a Jordan Milne strike.

Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup Final

2012-05-02T13:50:00.001-07:00

Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup Final

At Woodhorn Road, Ashington

Amble United 1 Wallsend Town 0 (AET)

Sean Taylor was the hero as he fired in the only goal of the game to give Amble United a superb double.

The game was in the 108th minute when Taylor smartly slotted home from just inside the area to give the Seasiders the silverware in a hard-fought game.

Division One champions United face Newcastle Uni in the Subsidiary Cup Final on the 12th May where they will be looking to make it a treble.

Cumberland FA Senior Cup Final

2012-05-01T13:46:00.001-07:00

Cumberland FA Senior Cup Final

Carlisle United 2 Harraby CC 1

Unlucky Harraby went down to Mark Beck’s last-gasp winner as Carlisle United lifted their second successive Cumberland Senior Cup.

The Blues included skipper Paul Thirlwell and Irish striker Paddy Madden in their line up and went ahead in the 38^th minute as Jack Lynch embarked on a superb solo run.

He beat four men and rounded the keeper but team-mate Brad Potts stole the ball off his toes and poked into the empty net.

The lead lasted just two minutes as Dan Balmer rose to flick on a long ball for Dean Armstrong who found himself clear and tucked away smartly past advancing keeper Mark Gillespie.

Potts had a header blocked on the line just before the break but battling Harraby looked to be taking the game into extra time until the dying seconds when David Symington went down the left and fired in a low cross that Beck stretched to prod past the sprawling Andrew Casson from six yards.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 28/04/12

2012-04-28T10:30:00.001-07:00

Michael Waggett banged in a double as leaders Heaton Stannington zeroed in on the title.

He slotted the opener against Killingworth Sporting just before the break and three goals in six minutes after half time – from Ben Telford, Jonathon Wright and a stunning Waggett drive – shattered the resistance. Joe Wear headed a fifth late on to complete the emphatic win.

But Hebburn Reyrolle’s important victory at Whitley Bay A keeps them in contention. In what was a must-win game for both sides, Channon North went clear to tuck away the first and Dean Patton volleyed in the second after the break.

The cheers that Ponteland United heard last summer in lifting the title turned to tears as they crashed to defeat at already-relegated Murton and joined them in the relegation spots.

United were left with a mountain to climb after first half goals from Liam Wintripp and Tom Wilkie (pen). Daniel Dunn pulled one back late on but the black and whites couldn’t force the issue.

Shaun Gibson’s early free kick gave Ashington Colliers the points at Carlisle City, who hit the woodwork three times, while Shankhouse also rattled the post in a goalless draw at Blyth Town.

Stocksfield struck four times in the second half at Walker Central with Chris Fairless (2), Glenn Caygill and Philip Murray on target and Harraby CC also hit four in the second half against Gateshead Rutherford on Friday night.

Ashley Coombe, Dean Armstrong, an own goal and a Alan Casey strike made up the tally.

Newcastle Chemfica Independent took the lead against Wallington when Steve McLaughlin netted in the 42^nd minute. John Paxton levelled a couple of minutes later and the Greens took the points in what was a curtain-raiser for the NFA Minor Cup final on the 18^th May when Jordan Nellis fired in from the penalty spot.

Goals from Forest Hall’s Jorge Bollado and Josh Gow lifted them up to ninth in Division One as they beat Newcastle Uni, who replied through Tom Smith.

Daniel Sneap crashed in a hat-trick for Cullercoats and Steve Hart grabbed the other as they led nine-man Wallsend Town 4-1. But never-say-die Town fought back to level with goals from Paul McHutcheon (2), Lee Garwood and Louis Ekon.

Hexham kept up their Second Division title hopes with two goals in five second half minutes from Thomas North and Liam Heenan in a good open game with plenty of chances against Swalwell.

Northbank are also in with a shout and moved up to third with a narrow victory over Seaton Burn, Aaron Roberts grabbing a double and Nicky Routledge and Martin Rickerby the others with Chris Baker bagging a brace and Jordan Milne the other in reply.

Bedlington Terriers Reserves are looking to book a promotion spot after a 3-2 win at Willlington Quay Saints. Rob Eastway, Michael Grieves and Ryan Chisholm were the Terriers hitmen while Noel Clynch and Kane Chirnside hit the net for Saints.

Alston’s Jordan Norris hit two in a comfortable win over Cramlington United. Dan Alexander got the third.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 21/04/12

2012-04-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

Killingworth Sporting can’t win the Premier Division title – but after beating contenders Carlisle City and with Heaton Stannington still to play, they can have a big say in who does.

The clubs switched the fixture to Cumbria to beat the sodden pitches in the north east and when Ricky James fired in a superb dipping volley to give the Sky Blues an early lead, it looked like they would keep up the pressure at the top.

But Michael Bowman got on the end of a good team move to steer in a cross that levelled things up after the break and City had their heads in their hands when Peter Mulholland capitalised on a defensive blunder to hand Sporting the advantage.

The turnaround was completed when Bowman lobbed in the third from 25-yards.

It’s also tight at the bottom and Walker Central earned some breathing space as Paul Collinson struck four times at Seaton Delaval.

His first half double saw Central in control and although Trevor Benjamin pulled one back with a spectacular overhead kick, Collinson reacted quickest to knock in two more from close range at the other end.

Benjamin added a second before James Walker fired number five for the joyful visitors with a Paul Katz late strike merely a consolation.

Blyth Town’s Daniel Long netted a hat-trick at Stocksfield that moved the visitors up to the comfort of mid-table – but sucked the Griffins into the danger zone.

Chris Fairless pulled one back for Stocksfield but Kyle Devlin added two more at the other end.

Amble United are Division One Champions and they lifted the silverware after a storming 4-1 win over Newcastle Uni.

Josh Hay and Adam Shanks both fired doubles, with an Ed Savitt reply sandwiched between, as the unbeaten Seasiders deservedly popped the champagne.

Jorge Bollardo scored a hat-trick for Forest Hall as they saw off Morpeth Sporting and a late Rob Watson penalty gave Cullercoats three points at Heddon.

Red House Farm have been sensational in storming to the top of Division Two – but with the season’s end fast approaching, they are starting to wobble.

They went down 2-0 at Alston with goals from Andy Hall and Jordan Norris giving the Cumbrians the win.

Andrew Shaw’s double gave Wideopen the points against Cramlington United and strikes from Kane Chirnside, Ryan Ferrier and Gareth Pugh saw Willington Quay saints to victory against Swalwell. Tony King scored for the visitors.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 14/04/12

2012-04-14T10:42:00.002-07:00

Hebburn Reyrolle sent Murton crashing out of the Premier Division with a three-goal salvo.

Craig Watson fired home from the penalty spot then drilled in a low free kick soon after in the first half and Liam Clark smashed in a third with a few minutes to go to condemn the County Durham side to Division One.

They trail Ponteland United by nine points with just two games to play and last season’s champions are nervously eyeing the trapdoor themselves after a seven minute second half capitulation to Heaton Stannington.

Gary McGarrigal rose unchallenged to head in the opener early on but Billy Holden levelled mid-way through the opening period.

It all blew up in United’s face just after the hour when Lee Johnson struck a sensational hat-trick in just seven minutes. Ben Telford’s fifth in the 90^th minute added to the shell-shocked home sides’ woes.

Whitley Bay A lead the table after goals from Gav Hattrick, Liam Harris, Stewart Wright and Jack Walker earned them a win against Blyth Town, who replied through Kyle Devlin and Liam Vaughan.

Harraby’s Kyle Armstrong shot them ahead at Ashington Colliers but the Cumbrians were pegged back and their title credentials took another dent as Iain Nickalls levelled in the 75^th minute.

Gateshead Rutherford took a big step towards safety with a crucial win at Stocksfield. Ed Keenan, Yanas Galas and Chris Morris all got on the end of long balls that split the Griffins’ defence to net the goals, with Chris Fairless notching a reply.

Heddon moved up to fourth in Division One as goals from Perry Veitch, Max Turner and Andrew Lee Davison gave them three points against Newcastle Chemfica Independent, whose goal machine Steve McLaughlin netted twice.

Amble United took a huge step towards the Subsidiary Cup Final as they demolished Group A rivals Wallsend Town 7-1.

Brent Aisbett, Adam Shanks and Rikki Hume hit two each and Darren Riddell got the other while James Mills struck the consolation.

Only Wallington can prevent the Seasiders from having a shot at the silverware and Jordan Nellis slammed in a treble in their 3-2 win at Cullercoats. Rob Watson and Sean Smith were the Cullercoats hit-men.

Newcastle Uni went top of Group B as goals from Chris Holt and Kurran Dhugga gave them the points against Morpeth Sporting. Their crunch game against Gosforth Bohemians will decide who goes into the Final.

Hexham reduced the gap at the top of Division Two to four points as second half goals from Ali Stobbs and Mark Gibson saw off North Shields Athletic and leaders Red House Farm went down in an eight goal thriller against Whickham Lang Jacks.

Zak Brogden (2) and Adam Steinmetz netted for Red House but Whickham’s Ben Howell hit a hat-trick in reply and his team-mates Kev Hay and Michael Lowdon got in on the act.

Northbank’s promotion push picked up pace with a five-goal victory over Cramlington United. Mark Worrall struck twice and Matthew Read, Luke Barwick and Cameron Wilson added the others.

Steven Graham, Michael Pittuck and David Graham fired in for Harton & westoe in their success against Willington Quay Saints, who replied through Gareth Pugh.

David Hewitt and Stevie O’Neil both bagged doubles in Seaton Burn’s 4-1 victory at Swalwell with Thomas Ridley notching the consolation while Ryan Carr grabbed the only goal for New Fordley at Bedlington Terriers Reserves.

Wideopen raced into a four goal lead at Alston when Chris Sword (2), David Gabbitus and Andrew Shaw netted but they took their foot off the gas and the Cumbrians pulled two back mid-way through the second half.

Pin Point Recruitment Bill Gardner Memorial Trophy Final

2012-04-09T06:27:00.001-07:00

Bedlington Terriers Res 0 Wallsend Town 2

A goal in each half saw Wallsend Town lift the Bill Gardner Memorial 
Trophy.
Lee Garwood's fine individual effort gave First Division Town the lead 
in the 36th minute against Second Division Terriers.
The silverware was secured in the 70th minute when Chris Garwood headed 
home the second from a pin-point cross.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 07/04/12

2012-04-07T10:33:00.002-07:00

It’s advantage Whitley Bay A in the title race after their 3-0 success at rivals Harraby CC.

The Seahorses brought Iain Lee off the bench and he repaid them with a second-half double, heading in the opener and tucking the second away after a defensive mix-up.

Chris Bainbridge chipped in the third from 35-yards in the last minute.

Heaton Stannington’s hopes took a dent as they went down 3-2 to Gateshead Rutherford at Grounsell Park.

Graeme Troughton fired in twice for the visitors before Michael Waggett pulled one back. Heaton were then reduced to ten men and Yanis Galas added a third for Rutherford.

Joe Fulcher made them sweat a bit with a second with four minutes to go, but with keeper Rob MacGregor earning the plaudits for some stunning saves, Rutherford ensured that it remains red hot at the bottom of the table too.

Carlisle City’s Dan Bulman poked in from close range after just two minutes against Ponteland United and Mark Graham lashed in the second from 20 yards just after the interval. Tom Lucock tucked away the third following a fine team move by the Sky Blues.

Hebburn Reyrolle fired a warning as they struck nine times at struggling bottom side Murton.

Chris Donald cracked in five of them, with Dean Patton, Adam Bell, Jack Morrison and Liam Clark bagging the others.

Ashington Colliers had Sean Gibson, Joe Moscrop, Marc Richardson and Michael Hogg on target in their win over Shankhouse and Stocksfield came from behind twice to earn a point against Seaton Delaval.

Trevor Benjamin and Abubaker Salim netted for the Red Devils with Chris Fairless and a deflected Steve Forster drive making up the griffins’ tally.

Killingworth’s Michael Bowman was left cursing the crossbar as he rattled it four minutes from time in an end-to-end goalless draw with Blyth Town.

Amble United were just two minutes from claiming the Division One silverware when the unlucky Josh Hay headed into his own net.

Sean Taylor gave the Seasiders the lead at Wallington, but Ben fenwick levelled with a free kick.

Hay fired in and it looked like his goal was going to lead to a champagne celebration – until he was left red-faced with his late own goal.

Chris Ritson hit the only goal of the game for Newcastle Uni against Forest Hall and Gosforth Bohemians top Group B of the Subsidiary Cup after a 4-3 win over Morpeth Sporting.

Iain Harris got two, with Steve Leonard and Nick Thompson netting the others for Bohs while Ron Haney struck twice and Jamie Hutchinson also netted in reply.

Chris Mann and Rob Nolan scored for Division Two leaders Red House Farm as they closed in on the title with a 2-1 success over Alnwick Town Reserves. Reagan Turnbull pulled one back.

Hexham are breathing down their necks and blew a sigh of relief after a hard-fought 2-1 win over hugely-improved bottom side Cramlington United.

Liam Heenan and Gavin Cox scored for the Tynedale outfit with Andrew Hayles firing home for United.

Dan Alexander struck twice for Alston for the second week running but goals from Swalwell’s Danny Hodgson, and an own goal, pegged the Cumbrians back while neighbours Northbank won 4-2 at Seaton Burn as Mark Worral, Luke Barwick, Nicky Routledge and Matthew Read hit home. Chris Baker and Green scored for the home side.

New Fordley were ahead twice against Harton & Westoe with goals from Lee Waugh and Craig Dunn but they were held to a draw with replies from Steven Graham and a late Owen Peterson leveller.

Matty Donkin and Jimmy Anderson were the North Shields Athletic marksmen against Willington Quay Saints, who picked up a point as Stephen Cape bagged a double in reply.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 31/03/12

2012-03-31T10:27:00.002-07:00

Hebburn Reyrolle went into the history books as they lifted the Durham FA Trophy for the second successive season on Friday night.

They went ahead against Coundon & Leeholme in the 22^nd minute when Channon North got on the end of a Adam Bell cross to power home, but Coundon grabbed a dramatic leveller in the dying seconds when Martin Hoolihan netted.

Sean Sweeney drilled in from the edge of the box four minutes into extra time and the celebrations could begin in earnest when Liam Clark fired in the third seven minutes later.

Reyrolle keeper Shaun Newbrook made a couple of good stops and Bell and Carl Thorpe were impressive throughout.

Heaton Stannington went back to the top of the table as they came from behind to win at title rivals Carlisle City.

Stuart Kilgour pounced to knock in the opener for the Sky Blues from close range just two minutes after the break but Heaton levelled in the 55^th minute when Michael Waggett raced onto a long clearance that evaded a back-peddling defender and he rolled a shot into the corner of the net.

Andrew Weeks won it in the 78^th minute with a free-kick that took a massive deflection off the wall and span into the net to blow the title race wide open.

Ashington Colliers hit-man David Brown crashed in a hat-trick at Ponteland United to send the reigning Champions slumping back into the danger zone. Glen Bolton hit the other with Billy Holden and Kevin McGorie scoring in reply.

Gateshead Rutherford are looking nervously over their shoulders after going down 5-1 at Seaton Delaval.

They got off to a bad start when Rhys Cairns netted after just 30 seconds and it almost got worse as their keeper pulled off a smart stop from a Abubaker Salim penalty before Ross Taylor made it all-square.

Trevor Benjamin restored the Delaval advantage then showed Salim how it should be done with the third from the penalty spot.

Salim made amends for his miss with the fourth and Grant Kershaw rounded things off.

Stocksfield striker Ollie Rodley struck twice in a 4-0 success at Percy Main that gave the Griffins some breathing space. Carl Campbell and Steve Foster got the others.

Walker Central’s Adam Donaghy marked his debut with the opener against Killingworth after just four minutes and they never looked back.

George Weatherly beat his marker to tuck in the second ten minutes later and on the hour Robert Hamilton beat three men before firing in the third. Paul Collinson completed the scoring in the 75^th minute when he tapped home following a goalmouth scramble.

Dean Deagle’s 42^nd minute penalty gave Shankhouse the lead against Blyth Town and the points were made safe with two minutes to go as Dean Hislop beat the offside trap and raced on to knock home the second.

Wallsend Town had Gary Hall, Gareth Jones and Tony Leach on target in their 3-1 win over Wallington that cut Amble United’s lead at the top of Division One to four points, though the Seasiders have a game in hand.

Max Turner struck twice for Heddon in their as they recorded a 3-0 success against Cramlington Town, with John Pearson tucking away the other and Joe Collins’ double for Gosforth Bohemians gave them the points at Newcastle Uni, who replied through Josh Davidson.

Jay Lomana hit the only goal of the game for Forest Hall at Morpeth Sporting in the Subsidiary Cup Group B.

Robert Nolan’s 57^th minute strike gave Second Division leaders Red House Farm the points at Wideopen but Hexham kept up the pressure as goals from Tom Hackin, Jamie Pugh and Scott Robson sealed victory in a hard-fought game at Bedlington Terriers Reserves, who had Scott Westaway and Dylan Williamson on the scoresheet.

Louis Boddy lashed in a hat-trick for New Fordley as they demolished Alnwick Town Reserves 7-0. Craig Dunn got two and Andrew Waugh and Lee Waugh the others.

Dan Alexander’s double for Alston saw them to a good win at Harton & Westoe, whose scorer was Shaun Edwards and Matty Donkin struck twice for North Shields Athletic as they dented Northbank’s promotion hopes. Nicky Routledge netted for the Cumbrians.

Adam Gibson and Nicky Whitelaw fired in for Wallsend Boys Club but they were held to a draw by Seaton Burn who replied though Nicky Hara and Andy Bennett while goals from Tony King, Adam McVickers and Shaun Rogan eased Swalwell to victory over Cramlington United.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 24/03/12

2012-03-24T11:56:00.002-07:00

When Jamie Heath fired in Carlisle City’s third goal at Seaton Delaval in the 61^st minute to put them 3-0 up, the Sky Blues must have thought they were home and dry.

But they had to face a late barrage after goals from Danny McGuire and Trevor Benjamin got the Red Devils right back in it.

Martin Shepherd put City ahead in the 10^th minute and Tom Lucock made it 2-0 ten minutes after the break.

Heath netted six minutes later before McGuire and ex-Leicester City ace Benjamin were on target in the 75^th and 76^th minutes but despite mounting pressure, the Cumbrians held out to maintain top spot.

Peter Ferris, Steve Archibald and a Kyle Armstrong penalty put Harraby CC 3-0 up against Stocksfield after just 24 minutes and although Archibald saw red just after half time, the ten men added a fourth through Sean Bannon in the 81^st.

First half goals from Gary Dixon and Andrew Weeks gave Heaton Stannington the advantage against bottom side Murton and the black and whites added two more from Jonathon Wright and Gary Yates before Shane O’Brien pulled back a late double.

Chris Morris shot Rutherford ahead in a thrilling eight-goal end-to-end encounter with Whitley Bay A.

Niall Younger levelled before Ross Taylor restored the Rutherford advantage. Just sixty seconds later a crazy Mark McMeekin own goal made it 2-2 and although Shaun Todhunter shot Rutherford 3-2 up, thirty seconds after the interval it was all-square again when Sean Jobson netted.

Craig Smith tucked away a penalty to give the Seahorses the advantage and sub Andy Charlton sealed the points when he completed a good team goal.

Shankhouse’s Dean Deagle poked in the only goal against Killingworth Sporting and Percy Main’s Tijan Kah netted a breakaway 72nd winner at Ashington Colliers.

John Paxton crashed in FIVE times as Wallington demolished Cramlington Town 10-0 in Division One.

His strike partner Jordan Nellis got four and was denied a fifth himself when the keeper saved his last minute penalty. Sam Walton added the other.

Wallsend Town maintained their promotion charge with goals from Derek Thompson, Lee Garwood and Paul McHutcheon at Morpeth Sporting, who replied through Michael Starkie.

Jack Whittaker struck twice for Cullercoats in their draw at Newcastle Uni, who had Chris Ritson and Jonny Addy on target.

Darren Riddell took just two minutes to give Amble United the lead in a Group A Subsidiary Cup tie against Heddon and striker Adam Shanks added a hat-trick, including one from the penalty spot. Richard Darwent scored for Heddon.

Steve McLaughin bagged a double in Newcastle Chemfica Independent’s 3-0 Group B success at Forest Hall, with Colin Cooney grabbing the other.

Wallsend Boys Club crashed in five at Division Two leaders Red House Farm.

Jordan Alcock, Dan Parker, Adam Gibson, Steve McCabe and Craig Culyer all stretched the net with Dan Ternent and Zak Brogden scoring the consolations.

Hexham closed the gap at the top with a hard-fought win over Wideopen. Liam Heenan banged in a double for the Tynedalers with Will Nutman on target for the visitors and the points weren’t secured until injury time when Mark Gibson tucked away a penalty.

Mark Worral fired a hat-trick in Northbank’s 7-1 success against Swalwell. Paul Fidler, Lee McDermott, Neil Thorley and Cameron Wilson got the others with Chris Smith notching the consolation.

Whickham Lang Jacks were also on the goal trail with six at Alston. Kevin Hay was another hat-trick hero and he was joined on the scoresheet by Graham King, Lee Laidler and Paul Silcock. Ollie Cartwright scored for Alston.

Matty Donkin shot North Shields Athletic ahead at Seaton Burn but Sean Barker levelled after the break and it also ended honours even at Willington Quay Saints, whose scorer was Mark Henderson with New Fordley’s Lee Waugh successful at the other end.

Steve Graham, David Graham and Shaun Edwards were the Harton & Westoe CW hitmen at Alnwick Town, who replied through Neil McFall.

Improving bottom side Cramlington United deserved a point against Bedlington Terriers Reserves and were unlucky as last minute strikes from Shaun Cowell and Robbie Eastway kept Terriers in the promotion hunt.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 17/03/12

2012-03-17T11:45:00.003-07:00

Rob MacGregor pulled off two spectacular penalty saves as Gateshead Rutherford took a huge step towards Premier Division safety.

The Rutherford number one has been a tremendously consistent performer since joining the club from Hebburn Reyrolle in the summer and his acrobatics ensured three crucial points against Walker Central.

Rutherford were 3-0 up and cruising before the hour with strikes from Chris Morris, Sean Todhunter (pen) and Graeme Troughton.

MacGregor brilliantly kept out a Paul Collinson spot-kick but five minutes later Walker were awarded another and Ian Mills made no mistake from 12 yards this time.

Sub Ross Taylor added a fourth for Rutherford but Collinson made amends for his miss when he hit the net to set up a nervy finish in the last minute.

With the game five minutes into stoppage time, Central were awarded a third penalty and MacGregor was again at his agile best to keep out Mills’ effort.

Ponteland United moved out of the bottom two as Billy Holden netted a double against Blyth Town, with Matty Robinson grabbing the other for the black and whites.

David Atkinson had levelled for Town just before the interval.

Stocksfield also claimed three important points as Chris Fairless’s headed opener against Killingworth was followed up by a second from Steve Forster.

Hebburn Reyrolle’s 4-0 success over Shankhouse put them top of the table.

Channon North and Ray Oshin netted in quick succession in the first half and a late double from Carl Thorpe completed the victory while second-placed Harraby CC got out of jail when David Fisher headed the only goal of the game at unlucky basement side Murton in the 86^th minute.

Heaton Stannington’s three-game losing streak was ended when Jonathon Wright smashed the only goal against Percy Main into the roof of the net with a thunderous 25-yard volley and Seaton Delaval’s Danny McGuire gave them the lead against Ashington Colliers.

Selsos Anjos leapt to power a header into the top corner for number two and Paul Katz added the third. The Colliers grabbed a consolation in the final minute when keeper Phil Hogg spilled a free-kick into his own goal.

Amble United put one foot in the Premier Division as second half goals from Sean Taylor (2) and Brad Wake gave them a 3-0 over Wallington.

Josh Davison, Chris Holt and Tom Smith all fired in for Newcastle Uni at Cramlington Town while Cullercoats had Robert Watson, Sean Smith and Dominic Gillespie on target in their win over Morpeth Sports.

Derek Graham gave Wallsend Town the lead at Heddon in Group A of the Subsidiary Cup and an own goal doubled their advantage. Perry Veitch pulled one back, but Heddon couldn’t force the issue while a Dan Child strike gave Gosforth Bohs the three points at Newcastle Chemfica Independent in Group B.

Paul Newton-Eddy crashed in a hat-trick for Division Two leaders Red House Farm at Northbank, but they were pegged back by goals from Warren Douglas, Neil Thorley and Paul Fiddler.

Hexham closed the gap at the top to ten points with goals from Liam Heenan, James Peel and Gavin Cox against Alnwick Town Reserves, who pulled one back through Colin Bickerton.

First half strikes by Scott Westaway, Dylan Williamson and Carl Sayer gave Bedlington Terriers Reserves a good win over Seaton Burn while Wallsend Boys Club found themselves 2-0 up at Whickham Lang Jacks in three minutes with an own goal and a Adam Gibson penalty.

John Dewhirst netted for Jacks, but Jordan Allcock added a third for Wallsend.

Keagan McDermott gave Harton & Westoe a first half lead at Wideopen and late goals from Shaun Edwards and Craig Lumley made sure of the three points before Andrew Shaw grabbed a late consolation and John Foggett made no mistake with a penalty to give Willington Quay Saints the advantage against Cramlington United.

Noel Clynch sealed the win with Daniel Rowell on target for the improving bottom side.

John Wright and Ollie Cartwright were Alston’s match winners at Swalwell, who had Adam McVickers on target, and it ended all-square between North Shields Athletic and New Fordley.

Ben Pollock and Jimmy Anderson grabbed the Athletic goals with Lee Waugh and Louis Boddy claiming the replies.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 10/03/12

2012-03-10T10:43:00.003-08:00

At a towering six foot six, Hebburn Reyrolle striker Channon North is not only a real handful for defenders, but he has got long legs.

He needed every inch of them in the 85^th minute of a tough local derby against Gateshead Rutherford as he slid in and stretched to poke a low centre from the right into the corner of the net for the winner that moved his side to within a point of the top of the table.

It was tough on a Rutherford side that had found themselves 2-0 down within ten minutes as an own goal and a North strike put them on the back foot.

But they showed real commitment and desire as goals from Eddie Keenan and former Reyrolle ace Chris Morris pulled them level and they looked to be heading for a deserved point – until North extended his leg through the mud.

Walker Central also showed a lot of character and fighting spirit at Harraby CC and they went ahead in the 8^th minute as Fabian Pritchard went clear and tucked away past the exposed keeper for the opener.

Gary brown headed in the equaliser and Alan Casey bundled in at the back post as the Cumbrians turned things around – but within five minutes Pritchard had again gone clear and finished coolly to level.

Harraby regained the advantage as Darren Addison fired in from the penalty spot just after half time, but walker were soon back in it as Paul Collinson went clear, dummied the keeper and rolled in the leveller.

With just nine minutes to go Dan Balmer shaped to fire a stunning 12 yard volley into the roof of the net to win it for Harraby.

Their local rivals Carlisle City remain on top of the table despite going down to an 84^th minute David Atkinson penalty at battling Blyth Town in another end-to-end encounter.

Percy Main’s David Surrey netted a spectacular opener against Shankhouse as he let fly from fully 30-yards with a rising thunderous drive that flashed into the top corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.

Kevin Westphal doubled the advantage with a low free kick 12 minutes after the break and the points were secured when tony Abladey applied the decisive touch to another Westphal free kick with ten minutes to go. Dean Deagle grabbed a late consolation.

Ponteland United have been in the relegation zone for months now, but they were just five minutes from moving up into safety after Billy Holden had given them the lead at Ashington Colliers when Michael Hogg grabbed a late leveller.

The Colliers will face Seaton Delaval in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup Final after Grant Kershaw raced onto a long ball and fired in the only goal of the game across the diving Whitley Bay A keeper in the second half of extra time.

Killingworth Sporting were also celebrating a late extra time winner at Amble United in the semi-finals of the Northumberland FA senior Benevolent Bowl.

The game looked to be heading towards penalties when Liam Callaghan got on the end of a corner to head in the only goal. Heaton Stannington went out of the competition 4-1 at Prudhoe Town.

Tom Smith’s double for Newcastle Uni gave them a 2-1 victory over Wallington in Division One while Gosforth Bohemians cemented third spot with goals from Craig Allen, Dan Child and Joe Collins against Heddon, who replied through an own goal and Kevin Urwin.

Josh Gow has proved a good signing by Forest Hall and he hit a hat-trick in their 4-2 success over Newcastle Chemfica Independent.

Dan Sherliker got the other with Gareth Davis and Garrick Murphy-Collins hitting the net in reply.

Cullercoats pulled off a surprise in the First Division Subsidiary Cup Group A with a 3-2 win at fancied Wallsend Town. Chris Anderson, Steven Hart and Jack Whittaker were on target with Dekka Graham and Steve Matthews the Town scorers.

The top of the table clash in Division two ended all square as Paul Newton-Eddy’s opener for Red House Farm was cancelled out by an 80^th minute strike from Hexham’s Liam Heenan.

It also ended deadlocked between Wallsend Boys Club and Northbank at 0-0 with both sides putting in brilliant defensive performances.

Harton & Westoe got back on track as David Graham hit five in their 9-1 demolition of Swalwell.

Birthday-boy Keagan McDermott banged in a brace and Ben Cooper and Shaun Edwards were also on the scoresheet.

Scott Westaway struck twice and Robbie Eastway and Mark Race got the others as Bedlington Terriers Reserves recorded a 4-2 success at Alston, who had Reece Thirtle and Andy Hall on target, while Alnwick Town’s Colin Bickerton fired the only goal against North Shields Athletic in the 70^th minute.

The always-deadly John Dewhurst struck twice for Whickham Lang Jacks as their good form continued with a 4-1 win at New Fordley.

Graeme King and Kevin Hay got the others while Jason Pearson netted a late consolation and Mark Nixon tucked away an 83^rd minute penalty for Seaton Burn in their win over Willington Quay Saints.

David Gabbitus netted a double for Wideopen in a 3-1 victory at Cramlington United. Chris Holte got the other and United’s reply came from James Harrison.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 03/03/12

2012-03-03T11:01:00.002-08:00

Northern Football Alliance First Division sides Wallington and Newcastle Chemfica Independent will face each other in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup Final.

Jake Walton fired in the only goal of the game for the Greens at Newcastle Uni after around half an hour while Chemfica had to sweat and go through on penalties as they were pushed all the way by battling Division Two side Willington Quay Saints.

The tie ended 3-3 after extra time, with Matty Leadbetter, James Jenkinson and Gareth Davies on target for Chemfica and they advanced 4-1 after a nail-biting shoot-out.

Harraby CC also needed penalties to see off minnows Penrith Rangers and book a spot in the semi-finals of the Cumberland Senior Cup.

Harraby had rattled the woodwork on a couple of occasions and had a shot cleared off the line before Lee Lynch fired in to give the Westmoreland league outfit a shock lead in the 83^rd minute.

Darren Addison headed in a late leveller and keeper Andrew Casson performed heroics in the shoot-out as he saved three kicks and Addison slotted in the decisive kick to win it 3-2.

Heaton Stannington went down to their second home defeat in a week and to rub salt in the wounds, Carlisle City knocked them off top spot in the Premier Division.

Heaton had no answer to towering Hebburn Reyrolle striker Channon North who struck twice before they rallied and pulled it all square before half time as Michael Waggett and Robert Nolan scored.

A double from Chris McDonald finished them off after the break while City’s Carl Murphy raced onto a ball by Stuart Kilgour and deftly lobbed it home to give them the points at home to Killingworth Sporting.

Danny Beresford netted twice for Blyth Town in a good win over Ashington Colliers with Kyle Devlin volleying in the other and Sean Jobson and Stewart Wright were the Whitley Bay A scorers in a win at Seaton Delaval, who had Danny McGuire notch a reply.

Craig Hopwood gave Shankhouse the lead against Percy Main but they were pegged back by a Kevin Westphall double and it ended all-square between Rutherford and Stocksfield, with Chris Fairless giving the Griffins a lead from the penalty spot which was cancelled out by Chris Morris.

Cramlington Town’s new signing Joe Betts hit the only goal against Morpeth Sporting in Division One while Adam Shanks and Sean Taylor were on target for Amble United in a Subsidiary Cup Group A win at Cullercoats.

The Group B clash between Forest Hall and Gosforth Bohs ended goalless.

Kev Hay thumped in a hat-trick for Whickham lang Jacks as they romped to a seven-goal success over Wideopen. Joe Bell got two and John Dewhurst and Graham King got in on the act.

Dylan Williamson, Phil Downes and Robbie Eastway (2) did the damage for Bedlington Terriers Reserves in their 4-0 win over Swalwell while Alnwick Town Reserves hit five at Cramlington United.

Lee Dundas, Chris Willis, Nat Price, Neil McFall and John Colley were on the scoresheet with Emmanuel Anozi netting the reply.

Scott Robson hit a brace for the Tynedalers as the promotion clash between Hexham and Wallsend Boys club ended all square. Nicky Whitlaw and Andy Robertson scored for the Boys Club.

It also ended 2-2 at New Fordley, who had Steven Henton and Ryan Carr net in the game against Alston, Jordan Norris and Joseph Wright scoring in reply.

North Shields Athletic’s Ben Pollack and Jimmy Anderson fired in against leaders Red House Farm, whose scorers were Chris Mann and a late leveller from Zak Brogden.

The game between Northbank and Harton & Westoe ended deadlocked at 0-0.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 25/02/12

2012-02-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Heaton Stannington and Harraby CC were left cursing their luck as they both paid the penalty for missing spot-kicks.

Lee Johnson had already fired in from 12 yards for top-of-the-table Heaton just seven minutes before stepping up to take a second right on half time.

Whether he was psyched out by the Shankhouse keeper, only Johnson can tell you, while Dan Balmer was handed a late chance to keep the Cumbrian’s Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup hopes alive at Whitley Bay A and had his head in his hands as the keeper guessed right and parried away his placed shot.

Shankhouse had Dean Deagle and Dean Porter on target in the second half to take the points and although Harraby had hit the underside of the bar at Hillheads, they went behind to a Mark Davison near post header.

Balmer levelled with a fine solo goal soon after but the Seahorses booked a spot in the final, where they will take on Heaton Stannington, as Sean Jobson fired in a low 25-yard drive deep into extra time.

Prolific Hebburn Reyrolle hit-man Sean Sweeney netted a double in a 3-1 win at Carlisle City and also smashed against the woodwork twice as he was looking for his third successive hat-trick.

Daniel Gray chested the opener into the roof of the net from a corner and City had Carl Murphy net direct from a flag kick as winds battered the fixtures.

Liam Callaghan doesn’t miss many from the spot for killingworth Sporting and he tucked one away to give them the lead at Blyth Town.

David Stevenson extended the lead before David Atkinson made no mistake with a penalty to pull one back. Callaghan sealed the points with his second in the 70^th minute.

Goals from Chris Morris – his first for the club- and a speculative Joe Hindmarch drive saw Gateshead Rutherford take the points against Percy Main and Ponteland United’s Dan Dunn let fly from the edge of the box for the only goal of the game at Walker Central.

The home side were left without a goalkeeper when their regular shot-stopper received a devastating personal phone call just before kick-off and played with ten men until a replacement could be found.

James Stoves, Eddie Brazier and Steve Foster were on target for Stocksfield in their 3-2 victory over Murton, who had Anthony Dobell net twice.

Iain Nickalls had a big pat on the back for Ashington Colliers team-mate David Brown as he netted a late winner at First Division Wallington to take them into the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup Final.

Brown grabbed the opener and Nickalls had fired in but also put into his own net as the Greens pushed them hard. Justin Millican got the other.

Amble United came from behind to take the points at Morpeth SC. Ben Lorking bent in a free kick to give Sporting the lead but two goals in two minutes straight after the break by Adam Shanks and Sean Taylor span the game on its head.

With the home side pressing for an equaliser, breakaway goals from Josh Hay in the 81^st and 87^th minutes sealed take United another step closer to the Championship.

Cramlington Town were 2-0 up at the break thanks to a Kev Long double, but Newcastle Chemfica Independent fought back with a Phil Bone brace levelling things up. Craig Robinson grabbed the winner with just four minutes left.

Dan Brown was on target for Forest Hall with Dean gate netting for Heddon in a 1-1 draw.

Dekka Graham netted twice for Wallsend Town as they went into the Pin Point Recruitment Bill Gardner Memorial Trophy final with a 3-1 success over ten-man Newcastle Uni.

Craig Burke got the other and Adam Ball netted for the Students.

They will face Bedlington Terriers Reserves, who grabbed a dramatic late extra time winner at Wideopen & District.

Wideopen rattled the woodwork in the first half but it ended goalless after 90 minutes. Will Nutmian fired them ahead three minutes into extra time, but Simon Brown levelled for Terriers in the 104^th minute.

With just three minutes to go Robbie Eastway’s angled shot squirmed from the diving keeper’s grasp and went into the corner of the net.

Division Two leaders Red House Farm had Zak Smith and Jack Bell on target but were held to a draw by Seaton Burn, whose scorers were Stuart Taylor and Chris Baker.

Hexham won a seven-goal thriller against Whickham Lang Jacks at the Wentworth, with Tom North, Mark Gibson (pen), Scott Robson and Tom Phillips firing home for the Tynedalers and Joe Bell, Chris Gill and John Dewhirst netting in reply.

Wallsend Boys Club also hit four, but they had to come from behind as Jack Curragh shot visitors Alston ahead.

Martin O’Dowd, Nicky Whitelaw, Andy Robertson and Paul Watson all crashed home while a solitary Johnny Wyres goal earned North Shields Athletic three points in a close game across the Tyne at Harton & Westoe.

There was also only one goal between Alnwick Town reserves and Northbank, with the Cumbrian’s Cameron Wilson netting it on the half hour and the Black and White’s having a couple of efforts hacked off the line in another finely balanced encounter.

Liam Taylor notched the only goal for Willington Quay Saints in another tight clash at Swalwell, while Cramlington United have just appointed a new manager and are looking to the future after crashing 8-1 at home to New Fordley.

Lewis Boddy hit a hat-trick and he was joined on the scoresheet by Ryan Carr (2), Andrew Waugh, Jason Pearson and Craig Dunn while Michael Jordan notched the consolation.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 18/02/12

2012-02-18T10:25:00.002-08:00

There was double cause for celebration at leaders Heaton Stannington.

Not only did they win a tricky-looking Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl tie against Whitley Bay A to advance into the semi-finals of the competition, but their closest rivals couldn’t pick up the points to knock them off top spot.

Ben Telford hit the opener after 15 minutes and Lee Johnson added number two in the 38^th of a first half display that the Seahorses couldn’t deal with.

But the biggest cheer of the day came in the clubhouse afterwards when the news that second-placed Carlisle City had been held by Walker Central came through.

Steve Hurd shot Central ahead when he took advantage of a poor clearance, but the Sky Blues took just three minutes to hit back as Stuart Kilgour headed home a Tom Lucock free kick.

City were just the width of the woodwork from going into pole position though, as unlucky Luckock hit the crossbar on two separate occasions.

It had looked as if their Cumbrian neighbours Harraby CC were about to go top as they led 3-1 at half time at Seaton Delaval – but a rollicking from Mick Jeffels and Tom Wade did the trick as the Red Devils staged a storming second-half comeback.

Mike Read scored in the opening second when he latched onto a poor backpass and added the second for the Cumbrians on the half hour.

Danny McGuire tapped into an empty net to pull one back, but Darren Addison added a third straight from the restart.

Matthew Wade led the fightback with a free-kick, then Selsos Anjos tapped in a disputed leveller with the visitors defence stood arms raised claiming offside.

There was no disputing Reece Cairns’ winner, though, as he let fly with a bullet 30-yard strike into the top corner.

Ashington Colliers moved up to fourth as Jamie Patterson netted a last-gasp winner at Stocksfield. Chris Fairley had cancelled out David Brown’s opener, but the Griffins were undone in the dying seconds.

And deadly Sean Sweeney rattled in a hat-trick for Hebburn Reyrolle for the second week running in a 4-1 success at Gateshead Rutherford.

Channon North put Reyrolle ahead and Sweeney added the second soon after. It was a different story after the break as Graeme Trouten pulled one back to give them a scare, but Sweeney struck twice more on the break to seal it.

It finished goalless between Killingworth Sporting and Percy Main in a game battered by the wind and the bottom two both ended winless runs going back ten games to record hard-fought victories.

Andy Upperton and Anthony Besford scored first half goals for Murton in their 2-0 success over Blyth Town and Gavin Wood struck from the penalty spot to put Ponteland United ahead at Shankhouse.

Goals in quick succession from Matty Robinson and Billy Holden mid-way through the second half completed a fine result.

Lee Garwood rattled in a hat-trick as Wallsend Town kept up the pressure on Amble United at the top of Division One with a 4-0 success at Heddon. Chris Garwood got the other.

But it was Cullercoats who went goal crazy with a 9-1 demolition of Cramlington Town. Sean Smith and Graham Allen both grabbed doubles and Chris Anderson, Steven Hart, Gareth Armstrong, Dominic Gillespie and Jamie heaton completed the rout. Chris Johnson’s reply was scant consolation.

Matty Atkin was another hat-trick hero for Gosforth Bohemians in their 3-1 win at Forest Hall. Josh Gow replied for the basement side.

Hexham moved up into second spot in Division Two as goals from Thomas North and Mark Gibson gave them the three points at Willington Quay Saints, who had Gareth Pugh on target.

Dylan Williamson gave Bedlington Terriers reserves the lead against Harton & Westoe and Robbie Eastway added a second from the penalty spot to clinch it and Matty Donkin’s double helped North Shields Athletic to a 3-1 win at Swalwell.

Matty Farrage got the other and Joe Johnson fired in for the Swifts.

David Gabbidus also scored twice in Wideopen’s 3-1 victory at New Fordley. Leigh Shickle added another to his personal tally while Ryan Carr banged in at the other end.

Whickham Lang Jacks hit bottom club Cramlington United for six. Jack Moulden and John Dewhurst led the way with a couple each and strikes from Graham King and Steven Spoors rounded things off.

Jordan Nellis had his eye on the matchball after hitting a treble in a 4-1 over Seaton Burn that put Wallington into the Northumberland FA Minor Cup semi finals.

Ben Fenwick got the other and Mark Nixon was on target for the second Division side.

Newcastle Chemfica Independent joined them in the last four as they beat Alnwick Town Reserves 5-2 after extra time.

Steve McLaughlin (2), Dean Cattermole, Derek Murphy-Collins and Craig Robinson were the Chemfica scorers with Nat Price and Brad McClelland netting for the black and whites.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 11/02/12

2012-02-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

Ashley Combe, Dan Anderton and Dean Armstrong hit the net for Harraby CC as they closed in on the top two.

In the only League game to beat the big freeze, the Cumbrians made a dream start against Ashington Colliers when Combe fired them ahead after just five minutes.

Matthew Read whipped in a low centre from a short corner and Combe made no mistake in lashing it in powerfully from six yards.

Anderton added the second when he played the ball out wide for Read and then got on the end of his cross and crashed a volley into the roof of the net.

The Colliers pulled one back just before the hour when David Brown was sent tumbling in the box and Shaun Gibson drilled in from the spot.

But Harraby secured the points with six minutes to go as Dan Balmer ghosted past two men down the right a fired over a low centre that Dean Armstrong tucked away.

Durham FA Trophy holders Hebburn Reyrolle booked a spot in the final as Sean Sweeney banged in a second-half hat-trick against Brandon British Legion.

The Legion, who Reyrolle beat to lift the silverware last season, went ahead from the penalty spot but Adam Bell levelled. However, they went behind again just before half time.

A storming second half performance on a 3G all-weather pitch saw Sweeney bang in his treble while Gary Taylor and Channon North grabbed the others.

Kilingworth Sporting sent Northern League Alnwick Town crashing out of the Northumberland FA Senior Benevolent Bowl.

Paul Baird fired in and an own goal proved the winner while Amble United also went through with a 4-2 success over Premier Division Blyth Town.

The Seasiders, who top Division One, were 3-0 up at the break through Sean Taylor, Adam Shanks and Brad Wake. Danny Beresford pulled one back, but Shanks added his second. Beresford added a second of his own late on for Town.

Stocksfield went out 3-0 at Prudhoe Town.

Willington Quay Saints pulled of another surprise in the NFA Minor Cup.

The Second Division outfit booked a spot in the semi finals with a 4-2 penalty victory over First Division Heddon.

Liam Taylor hit a double and Ryan Ferrier got the other as it ended 3-3 after extra time. Heddon’s hit-men were Kevin Urwin, Michael Welford and Perry Veitch.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 28/01/12

2012-01-28T10:16:00.001-08:00

Craig Hopwood fired in a late penalty as Blyth Town halted a run of defeats.

But Town were made to work for the win by battling basement side Murton, who went ahead through Anthony Dobell in the 12^th minute.

Daniel Beresford levelled things up before the break and Carl Hetherington turned the game around with a second in the 55^th minute.

Just four minutes later Dobell added his double to restore parity.

Blyth, who saw another youngster that has progress through the ranks, Gavin Agnew, come off the bench and put in a good performance won it when Graeme Heath was sent tumbling in the box in the 82^nd minute and Hopwood dispatched from 12 yards.

Percy Main and Rutherford have been looking over their shoulders and shared a point that edges them further away from the danger zone.

Kyle Houshby helped on a Tony Abladey cross and Kevin Westphal pounced to fire the Villagers ahead but Andy Reay smashed in a Graham Trouten cross at the back post to level.

Hebburn Reyrolle left it late to see off Harraby CC, with Ray Oshin netting a hat-trick.

Oshin poked in from 8 yards to put Reyrolle ahead but they were pegged back when Dean Armstrong chipped in the leveller from the angle of the box.

Matty Bell slotted home to put the Cumbrians ahead and there were just five minutes remaining when Lady Luck deserted them.

A defender got the last touch on a scramble in the box and although the ball was hooked clear, the assistant indicated that it had crossed the line.

Oshin claimed the matchball with two more in the 89^th and 90^th minutes.

Ashington Colliers hot-shot David Brown also hit a treble as they beat Heddon 5-1 to go into the semi final of the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup.

Brown opened things up and although Kevin Urwin levelled, the second half belonged to Ashington.

Brown added two more and he was joined on the scoresheet by Wyn Fremlin and Andrew Carr.

They will face Wallington for a shot at the silverware after the First Division side dumped out Stocksfield.

Dan Thompson hit a double with Jordan Nellis getting the other in a surprise extra time victory. Eddie Brazier was on target for the Griffins.

Lee Garwood slotted a last-gasp winner for Wallsend Town as they kept their promotion push on track at Cramlington Town.

Derek Thompson’s opener for Wallsend was cancelled out by Kevin Long, but Craig Burke soon netted to regain the Wallsend advantage.

James Heathcote equalised right on half time and the game was in its final minute when Garwood grabbed the glory.

Morpeth SC’s Michael Starkey cancelled out an opener from Newcastle Uni’s Rishi Dhand and it also finished all square at Newcastle Chemfica, who had Craig Robinson hit the net while Steven Hart scored for Cullercoats.

Forest Hall picked up a good point at Bohemians, with Matthew Smith and Dan Sherliker the marksmen while Matty Atkin and Dan Child struck in reply.

Leaders Red House Farm’s Michael Armstrong struck twice as they cruised to a 4-2 win at New Fordley.

Lee Brady and Stephen Buzzeo got the others and Louis Boddy hit a double in reply.

Wallsend Boys Club went down to a surprise 3-2 defeat at home to Swalwell. Goals from Andrew Robertson and Steve McCabe weren’t enough as Mick Bell, Adam MacVickers and Chris Smith all netted for the Swifts.

Harton & Westoe were also dealt a blow as John Dewhurst struck twice for visitors Whickham Lang Jacks. Ben Howell got the other with Owen Peterson notching a consolation.

Goals from Gareth Hayton and Andy Hall gave Alston a good win on the road at Willington Quay Saints and ten-man Wideopen took a point off Seaton Burn.

Leigh Shickle gave them an early lead that was cancelled out by David Hewitt, but Andrew Shaw restored the advantage. Chris Baker grabbed the second leveller.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 21/01/12

2012-01-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

Harraby CC closed the gap at the top to five points with a 3-1 win at Stocksfield.

The Cumbrians have a game in hand on the top two of Heaton Stannington and Carlisle City, who met in a dramatic Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup semi final that was decided deep into stoppage time.

Alan Casey put Harraby ahead on a windswept pitch in the 33^rd minute, latching onto a loose ball and jinking past a defender before dinking over the advancing keeper.

Matthew Read doubled the advantage when he thumped a 25-yard free kick into the roof of the net a minute before the break.

Harraby could afford the luxury of Mike Swift blazing a penalty wide before Peter Ferris raced onto a through ball and slid in number three.

Rob Grainey grabbed a consolation in the final minute with a cross-shot that dipped in under the bar.

Gary McGarrigal was the Heaton Stannington hero as he looped in a header five minutes into stoppage time in the tie with Carlisle City.

Ian Grainger had twice put the Cumbrians ahead with a Ben Telford equaliser sandwiched in between.

But an own goal put Heaton back on level terms and in the 70^th mniute City were reduced to ten men for a professional foul and McGarrigal broke their hearts deep into stoppage time.

Killingworth Sporting were held to a goalless draw by Hebburn Reyrolle, while Ashington Colliers went ahead against Blyth Town in the 10^th minute through Simon Cunningham.

Ashley Smyth doubled the advantage with five minutes to go and Jeff Fuller notched a consolation in the last minute.

Craig Johnson went through and tucked past the keeper to give Seaton Delaval the lead at Shankhouse but Mark Crennell got on the end of a cross to level things up soon after.

It’s heating up at the bottom of the table and Walker Central were the days big winners as Alex Clafton headed in the only goal against Whitley Bay A from a goalmouth scramble in the 78^th minute.

Rutherford were also celebrating as they beat Ponteland United in a six-pointer at Callerton Lane.

Shaun Todhunter fired them ahead from the spot and Ross Taylor added a second. Chris Flynn pulled one back but Taylor added his second just two minutes later.

And Murton went down at Percy Main. They trailed to Kyle Houshby’s 17^th minute opener but Paul Wintripp drilled in the leveller at the back post. Ben Gardner’s individual effort won it for the Villagers.

Darren Riddell’s extra time winner earned Amble United a spot in the final of the Pin Point Recruitment Combination Cup.

Ed Savitt struck twice for Newcastle Uni with Lee Harker and Sean Taylor notching for the Seadiders before Riddell produced the goods.

They will meet Wallsend Town, who won a seven-goal thriller at Gosforth Bohemians. Craig Burke netted twice with Chris Garwood and an unfortunate own goal doing the damage. Matty Atkin hit a double and Iain Harris got the other in reply.

Forest Hall are rooted to the foot of Division One after going down 4-2 at Cullercoats. Graham Allan, Rob Watson, Sean Smith and Gareth Armstrong were on target for the Seasiders, with Ben Gibson and Josh Gow replying.

Wallington advanced into the quarter finals of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup as a well-worked team goal was tucked away by Jordan Nellis to see off Morpeth Sports.

Bedlington Terriers Reserves will mark their return to the Alliance with a Pin Point Recruitment Amateur Cup Final appearance as Scott Westaway grabbed the only goal of the game at Whickham Lang Jacks.

They will face Willington Quay Saints, who continue to show a huge improvement and had Liam Taylor and Glen Johnson fire home as they dumped out Harton & Westoe. David Bulman scored for the South Shields side, whose day got worse when they were knocked out of the top two in Division Two by Wallsend Boys Club.

Dylan Adamson slammed in a hat-trick and Andy Robertson got two as they won 7-3 at Cramlington United. Adam Gibson and Steven McCabe got the others while Max Craggs hit two and Kyle Leadbitter the other in a game that United twice led.

Ali Stobbs was another hat-trick hero as he hit three for Hexham in a 6-2 win at Alnwick Town Reserves.

Paul McLean added a double and Scott Robson the other while Neil McFall and Nat Price netted for Alnwick.

Lee Waugh got two and Andrew Dalton the other for New Fordley at Seaton Burn. David Hewitt and Andrew Bennett were on target for the home side, with match-day signing Boughen grabbing a share of the points in the 94^th minute.

Wideopen hit five at Swalwell with Leigh Shickle, Will Nutman, Andy Shaw, Andy Bruce and Chris Holt all getting on the scoresheet and Joe Johnson netting the consolation while North Shields Athletic also thumped in five at Alston.

John Wyers grabbed a couple with Craig Boyle, Gary Farrage and Ben Pollock all stretching the net. Adam Walton fired home for the shell-shocked Cumbrians.
Leaders Red House Farm continued their impressive run and had had Shaun Forster and Chris Davison on target as they beat Northbank 2-1. Cameron Wilson struck the reply.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 14/01/12

2012-01-14T10:09:00.000-08:00

Harraby CC are up to sixth in the table with games in hand on the clubs around them after Dan Balmer crashed in a hat-trick that condemned basement side Murton to more misery.

The Cumbrians looked rusty after going a month without a game with passes going astray and not much coming off, but went ahead in the 39^th minute as Peter Ferris struck.

Murton were dealt a blow when their keeper was injured and couldn’t continue and 17-year-old Matthew Billyard, who scored at the other end last weekend, pulled on the gloves.

There was little he could do as Balmer raced onto a long ball and fired past him for the second and he was beaten again soon after when Dean Armstrong was quickly onto a weak back-header to prod home.

Balmer again went clear and drew the young stopper before slotting number four and he completed his treble in the 86^th minute.

Anthony Besford netted a consolation in the final minute with a fine 20-yard chip.

Walker Central moved five points clear of the drop zone as Alex Clafton hit the winner at Blyth Town.

Paul Collinson shot central ahead but Danny Beresford levelled soon after. Two quick-fire goals after the break by Fabian Pritchard and Besford put Central in control and although Kyle Devlin pulled one back, they held on for the points.

Amble United were made to sweat for the points by a hard-working Gosforth Bohemians and had defender Richard Brown to thank for a stunning 25-yard drive that flashed into the net in the final minute for the winner that takes them ten points clear at the top of Division One.

Steve McLaughin netted twice for Chemfica and Derek Murphy got the other in a 3-3 draw with Cramlington Town. Chris Laidlaw, Redmond Cockburn and Kev Long replied.

Goals from Michael Armstrong and Mark Sheeran for Division Two leaders Red House Farm were cancelled out by David Graham and Shaun Edwards strikes for second-placed Harton & Westoe CW.

Leigh Shickle took just two minutes to fire Wideopen ahead against Whickham Lang Jacks.

Graeme King equalised in the 23^rd minute, but Andrew Shaw restored Wideopen’s advantage in the 35^th.

Lee Laidler crashed a second leveller into the back of the net in the 76^th minute.

First Division Newcastle Uni were taken all the way by Blyth Town Reserves in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, the sides drawing 3-3 after extra time and the Students just shading the thrilling penalty shoot-out 8-7.

The rest of the Northern Football Alliance programme was decimated by frozen pitches as temperatures dipped overnight.

Northern Alliance Round-Up 07/01/12

2012-01-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

Michael Waggett came off the Heaton Stannington bench and hit a double as the black and whites stormed from behind to beat ten-man Walker Central in the East End derby.

In a typically heated and tough local affair, the leaders were stunned in the 67^th minute as Scott McDonald shot the visitors ahead.

Central had a man sent for an early bath just a few minutes later and Waggett raced onto a through ball to tuck the leveller past the advancing keeper.

Waggett then set up Jonathon Wright to rifle in the second and added the third himself as his pace again took him clear to steer the ball home.

Carlisle City remain in contention just a point behind Heaton as they put Ponteland United deeper into relegation trouble with a 2-0 win, second half goals from Andy Rogerson and Tom Lucock doing the damage.

Shankhouse hit five past bottom side Murton with Alex Mathieson netting twice. He was joined on the scoresheet by Dean Porter, Andrew Carr and Matthew Richardson while Martin Peace and Matthew Billiard scored for the visitors, who also missed a penalty.

Rutherford full-back Lee McGuiness lashed in his first goal for the club to open against Ashington Colliers and Shaun Todhunter added number two with a spot-kick.

Wyn Fremlin pulled one back mid-way through the second half and the Colliers salvaged a point with just two minutes to go as David Brown thumped a powerful header into the roof of the net.

Blyth Town looked to be heading for three points at Percy Main as they led through Paul Joicse’s early goal with just eight minutes left.

But Ryan Laws levelled direct from a corner and with just a minute to go, Tony Abladey made it 2-1. New signing Liam Robertson, from Jarrow Roofing, marked his debut with the third in stoppage time.

Goals from Craig Armstrong and Ray Oshin saw Hebburn Reyrolle ahead in the Kicks Leisure George Dobbins League Cup quarter final at Seaton Delaval.

Michael Fenwick struck twice to level things up and Danny McGuire completed a thrilling comeback with the winner late on.

Whitley Bay A had Mark Davison and Ian Lee on target as they joined the Red Devils in the semi-final by seeing off Killingworth Sporting 2-1.

Adam Shanks was on fire and smashed in four as Amble United romped to an 8-0 win at Cullercoats and starched their lead at the top of the table to seven points.

Sean Taylor got a double and Brad Wake and Ross Gair the others.

Goals from Mattie Smith and Dan Sheriker put Forest Hall two-up at Cramlington Town and although Kevin Long netted for the home side, they held out for the points.

Red House farm extended their lead at the top of Division Two to eleven points as Harton & Westoe slipped up at home to Hexham.

Mark Sheerman and Paul Newton-Eddy netted for the leaders at Swalwell, who had Anthony Telfer on target.

Hexham are up to fourth after Alistair Stobbs hit the only goal of the game at Harton & Westoe, while Northbank were 4-0 up at the break at Wideopen.

John Slaven struck twice and Nicky Routledge and Cameron Wilson got the others. Wideopen improved after the break and Leigh Shickle hit a double in reply.

Bedlington Terriers Reserves had Dylan Williamson and Scott Westaway on target but North Shields Athletic earned a point with goals from Anthony Keith (pen) and Matty Donkin in reply.

Alnwick Town reserves, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Chemfica Independent, Willington Quay Saints and Heddon all advanced in the Northumberland FA Minor Cup, but highest ranked side Wallsend Town crashed to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Kenton Bar and Whickham Lang Jacks went out of the Durham FA Minor Cup after extra time 3-0 to Hartlepool Rovers.