Arngrove Northern League

Mar 17 2008 The Journal

ASHINGTON moved out of the bottom three with victory at Chester-le-Street.

Goals by Gary Cook and Paul Hutchinson set the Colliers on their way but Glen Reay replied within a minute of the restart. Stephen Hutchinson won it for Ashington who are now fifth from bottom.

Jarrow Roofing, who lost to an only goal scored by Alu Bangura in the 85th minute for Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics, look doomed, leaving seven teams fighting to stay out the bottom three.

Northallerton Town are 14 points ahead of Jarrow Roofing after losing to West Allotment Celtic who now look safe. Their scorers were Tom Vickers and Andrew Hay.

Washington have a fight on their hands. They lost 7-0 at home to Consett who were five goals ahead by the interval. Stephen Johnson hit a hat-trick, including two penalties, with David Pounder and David Colvin also on target.

In the second half John Clark and Pounder adding to the total and Washington are now third bottom.

Bishop Auckland lost at Tow Law Town who scored twice in the last five minutes through Lewis Teesdale and Alex Benjamin. Amar Purewal had given Bishops a 77th-minute lead.

Bedlington Terriers are in the bottom six after defeat at Shildon whose marksmen were Wayne Gredziak, Tyson Masters, Adam Emson and Stuart Niven. Tony Shandran was the scorer of both Bedlington goals.

West Auckland Town won 4-1 at Dunston Federation whose goal was by Stephen Preen four minutes from time. By then the visitors had four through Danny Richmond, Neil Robinson and Dale Jardine (2).

Durham City look set for the championship and maintained a 16-point lead winning at Billingham Synthonia with two goals apiece from Adam Johnston and Stephen Richardson. Michael Jamieson and James Magowan replied.

Whitley Bay kept alive their chances defeating Morpeth Town who lost for only the second time this year.

A own goal by Chris Philipson had the Bay ahead in the first minute but Daryl Hall restored parity. Paul Chow then came up trumps, heading in Whitley’s winner.

Sunderland Nissan bounced back to form against Seaham Red Star. Neil Radigan, Gavin Cogden and David Tait eased them to a comfortable win.

Six sides are in contention for the three promotion places in Division Two. Penrith lead the field but only by a point after a draw at Hebburn Town who led through Shaun Carroll before Derek Townsley equalised.

South Shields have yet to win at Marske United and defeat cost them pole position. Mark Taylor scored the only goal in the 12th minute. Ryton are third, two points adrift of the Mariners and three behind Penrith. Gary Forbes put the Kingsley Park side in front but after Michael Fort levelled for Esh Winning, it took a late goal from Dale Burrell to earn Ryton victory.

Whickham lost to stay fourth. They are a couple of points ahead of Sunderland RCA who won the top five clash between the teams, 3-1.

Andy Jennings scored with a solo effort but soon afterwards Graeme King equalised for Whickham with a penalty. Lee Owens restored the lead to RCA who made sure of the points with Gary Shields’ stoppage-time penalty.

At the bottom, Brandon United went down to Prudhoe Town whose scorers were Alan Brown, David Potts and an own goal while North Shields are fourth from the basement after defeating Darlington RA with strikes by David Little, Stuart Heppell and Dean Lee (2).

Team Northumbria are also in difficulties following a 3-0 defeat at home to Norton and Stockton Ancients.

MALCOLM PRATT