Northern Alliance

Mar 15 2008 The Journal

PREMIER Division leaders Walker Central are back in action and face a game at Harraby Catholic Club which sees the defending champions facing this season’s title favourites.

Second-placed Heddon can’t afford to slip up but this afternoon’s visitors Peterlee Town will threaten their unbeaten home record.

In third place at the moment, Gillford Park are short of Walker Central’s pace but, with four games in hand, could overtake Heddon in the near future. And the Cumbrians will be out to extend their unbeaten streak to nine games at the expense of visitors Ponteland United. United’s stand-in keeper John Elliott may be replaced by David Peters if the latter passes a fitness test.

Although Heaton Stannington haven’t been involved in this season’s title race, Derek Oman’s side haven’t lost a league game at Grounsell Park. Visitors Cramlington Town are unlikely to change this state of affairs after gaining no points from their last three trips away from home. It seems to be the case that if leading scorer Jeff Fuller fails to score then Cramlington struggle.

Carlisle City’s recent improved form should make them favourites to win at home to Ashington Colliers. And Shankhouse, having bagged seven valuable points from their three previous games at Northburn, are expected to keep the run going against Seaton Delaval.

The bottom-of-the-table clash between Newcastle University and Northbank is crucial for both clubs. None of today’s Northumberland Senior Bowl semi-finalists have won the trophy before and Wark and Blyth Town start as favourites to reach the final, despite being away to Wallington and Berwick United respectively.

BILL GARDNER