Skilltrainingltd Northern League
Nov 9 2009 The Journal
WHITLEY Bay’s inexplicable loss of form continued at Filtrona Park on Saturday where rejuvenated South Shields secured a deserved victory over their neighbours from across the Tyne.
Ian Chandler’s side were practically impregnable in the first 14 games, conceding a solitary point, but in the last four matches, they have taken just one and trail leaders Spennymoor Town by six points.
The Mariners only just escaped relegation last season but look more dangerous now.
Craig Ellison ghosted into the box to give them an early lead which they held for the best part of an hour before Paul Chow levelled.
With only four minutes remaining and a draw looking the likely result, Ellison chased a lost cause, kept the ball in play and centred for Stephen Ramsey to head home. In stoppage time Shields put the icing on the cake when Johnny Wightman converted a penalty. Spennymoor Town are now six points ahead at the top of the table but have played one game more than Whitley Bay.
Daniel Hollingsworth gave Billingham Synthonia a third-minute lead at The Brewery field but Moors were full value for a 4-1 victory with goals from Anthony Peacock, Chris Emms, Chris Lawther and Gavin Cogden.
Ashington are competing with South Shields for being the most improved side and they consolidated third place when an only goal by Scott Blandford was sufficient at West Allotment Celtic. Lee McAndrew scored both goals in Dunston UTS’s Tyneside derby win at Newcastle Benfield and Dave Hagan made it three wins in three since he took over as manager of Tow Law Town.
Stuart Irvine gave West Auckland Town a 15th-minute advantage from the penalty spot before Mark Eccles and Lewis Teasdale struck to move the Lawyers into the top six.
Steve Bowey celebrated his return following a lengthy lay-off, scoring Bedlington Terriers’ opening goal against Esh Winning, who restored parity courtesy of Jamie Dawson. Late in the game Tony Chapman won the points for Terriers.
Morpeth Town are third from bottom but they picked up a useful point at Consett, whose marksmen were Chris Scott and Andy Cuthbertson. Marc Walton had given Morpeth the lead and Paul Jackson equalised four minutes from time. Sonny Andrews undid Ryton when he scored all three Norton and Stockton Ancients’ goals. Alex Benjamin’s brace was insufficient for the hosts.
The Division Two match of the day between leaders Sunderland RCA and challengers Jarrow Roofing ended even. Mark Davison (2) and Stephen Halliday struck for the Wearsiders with Craig Nelson and Kevin Davison responding, allied to an own goal by and Paul Wardle.
Whitehaven stay second but they were beaten at Newton Aycliffe while North Shields extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with victory over Thornaby. Glen Taylor and John Amos were the marksmen and the Robins are now fourth, just a point behind Marske United with a game in hand on the Seasiders.
The shock result of the day was Hebburn Town’s 5-0 rout of Gillford Park in Cumbria.
