SkilltrainingLtd Northern League
Apr 27 2009 The Journal
THE see-saw battle for supremacy in Division One took another twist on Saturday when Consett regained the leadership.
They conceded an early goal to Andy Johnson and it took them almost an hour for Steve Johnson to equalise at West Allotment Celtic.
With the game heading for a draw, substitute Jonjo Dickman came up trumps for the Steelmen, scoring twice to earn his side three crucial points. Celtic played the last 24 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Paul Watson.
Spennymoor Town slipped back to second and Whitley Bay are fourth after they won the match of the day at the Brewery field. A crowd of 438 saw Moors romp into a two-goal lead through Jamie Clarke and Karl Richards.
Just before the interval, Adam Johnston led Whitley’s fightback and after Moors conceded an own goal, David Coulson hit the winner in the last 15 minutes.
Newcastle Benfield are third and will clinch the championship if they win their last four games. Michael Chilton headed into an empty net after a Dean Nicholson shot had rebounded off the woodwork and after Billingham Synthonia failed with a penalty, Benfield’s anxieties were lifted three minutes from time. Stephen Young was introduced as a substitute when the Tynesiders were awarded a free-kick. Goalkeeper Ben Escritt failed to hold Nicholson’s kick and Young scored with his very first touch.
West Auckland Town, Northallerton Town and Seaham Red Star are relegated. Despite scoring in the first minute through Garry Barnes, West went down 3-1 to Billingham Town, whose marksmen were John Alexander (2) and Shaun Boynton.
Bishop Auckland ended their relegation fears and consigned Northallerton to the Second Division when they romped to a 5-1 victory.
Mark Henson rifled a hat-trick and Stephen Salvin bagged a brace with North’s only reply credited to Stephen Allison.
Seaham Red Star’s 2-1 win over Dunston Federation came too late to save them from the drop. James Huntley and Paul Rodham gave them an interval advantage and Andy Bulford replied.
Horden CW will join Norton and Stockton Ancients and Esh Winning in Division One next season. They went into their penultimate game at Crook Town in the knowledge that one point would be sufficient. Goals by Stuart Brightwell, Chris I’Anson, Andrew Green (og) and Mark Stephenson swept Horden to victory with Darren Kokes as Crook’s only marksman.
Horden will pip Norton for the championship if they win their last game of the season at home to Marske United on Wednesday night. Thornaby are wooden spoonists after losing at Birtley, for whom Tony Thirkell, Stephen Burns (pen) and Michael Hepplewhite netted. Richard Farrell and Daniel Corbett replied.
MALCOLM PRATT
