LAST season’s beaten Northumberland FA Minor Cup finalists Newcastle Chemfica Independent were given a real scare before hitting back to advance into the fourth round.

On a game switched to the 3G surface at Newcastle University to beat the weather which virtually wiped out the Northern Alliance fixture lists, they went behind to Second Division Seaton Burn inside 60 seconds.

Mark Harmieson picked his spot and unleashed a low 20-yard drive into the bottom corner of the net.

Chemfica hit back with goals from Chris Homans and Steve McLaughlin before goalkeeper Andrew Weatherson’s blunder allowed Andrew Bennett in to level things up.

Phil Bone got on the end of a cut back to net the winner before the interval.

New Fordley will join them in the hat for the draw as they saw off North Northumberland League side Belford 4-2.

Zak Tully struck twice with Louis Boddy and Andrew Waugh also crashing home to see the Dudley-based side through in a close encounter.

Gateshead Redheugh’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Durham FA Trophy were dashed by Counden and Leeholme Youth.

Graeme King and Craig Robson netted for the Alliance’s only remaining team in the competition, but the hosts hit four to send them crashing out.

Birtley Saint Joseph’s hit a three-goal first half blast to take them to the summit of Division Two.

They lead North Shields Athletic on goal difference after seeing off Longbenton.

Captain Martin Guy led the way when he blasted in the opener and soon after striker Damien Stevens raced on to a James Bowman through-ball, rounded the goalkeeper and tucked away the second.

Tony Smith’s powerfully hit shot flew in just before the break to ensure a maximum return in the only league fixture to beat the weather.

JON TAIT