Northern Alliance League
Oct 31 2009 by Bill Gardner, The Journal
WITH the same number of games played, points and goals scored and conceded, Walker Central and Wark are jointly setting the pace in the Premier Division.
Newcastle University, still seeking a first win and perched on the bottom rung, provide the opposition for Walker and are unlikely to cause an upset.
Wark have been a revelation and are unbeaten at home and haven’t lost for eight games. They’ll face a stiffer test than Walker when fourth-placed Heaton Stannington come calling, themselves only beaten once in seven.
Their free-scoring prowess has almost matched Wark’s, Lawrence McKenna has scored a goal per game in his last six with Kevin Carr no slouch either.
The top two sides have a six-point advantage over third-placed Carlisle City who have a game in hand. The return of experienced front man Graeme Lupton has given City a lift in the title race.
The Cumbrians, however, will need to be wary of in-form visitors Cramlington Town, quietly inching up the table.
Killingworth Sporting and Shankhouse both need a winning streak to perk up their title credentials. Poor travellers Killingworth could secure only their second away win at the expense of out-of-sorts hosts Seaton Delaval.
Shankhouse aim for a third successive league victory against Stocksfield at Northburn and are out to complete an early double after beating their opponents 4-1 in the reverse fixture.
Stocksfield are aiming to avoid a third defeat on the trot and hope to have Ben Pearson and Bruce Vause back in action.
Tim Hands is expected to keep his place in goal after being drafted in to replace Peter Adnitt last weekend.
Ponteland United have drawn three prior to taking on Harraby Catholic Club over in Carlisle and team boss Jarrod Suddick will be urging his side to end their expensive habit. Heddon, second from bottom, could claim a first home win of the campaign at the expense of Ashington Colliers but Murton are unlikely to see the end of a miserable run when they host Alnwick Town.
