FA Carlsberg Vase / SkillTrainingLtd Northern League

Nov 16 2009 The Journal

TWO goals in the last nine minutes earned Whitley Bay their place in the third round of the FA Carlsberg Vase when they beat off a strong challenge from Alsager Town before a crowd of 606 at Hillheads.

The holders struggled to break through the well-organised visitors’ defence but in the 81st minute Lee Kerr finally broke the deadlock.

A nail-biting finale ensued but the Seahorses’ nerves were eased three minutes from time when Phil Bell scored the crucial second goal.

In May, Ian Chandler’s side defeated Glossop North End in the final at Wembley, but Dunston UTS succumbed to the Derbyshire side, who won with an only goal by Danny Yates on 14 minutes.

The shock result of the round was Newcastle Benfield’s defeat by Marske United. Stewart Morris gave the Tynesiders an early advantage but after Ben Thompson restored parity, Danny Brunskill snatched a late winner. Bedlington Terriers were well beaten by Spennymoor Town, who are predicted to go far.

The result was just about decided in the opening 24 minutes, by which time Moors led through Gavin Cogden, Stephen Capper and Chris Emms.

Steve Bowey did throw Terriers a lifeline but the visitors maintained the offensive and a brace of goals from Gareth Waite swept them to an emphatic victory.

Whickham went out at West Auckland Town, who won with goals by Ian Maddison, Anthony Lowery (og) and Stuart Banks (2).

Andrew Johnson and Warren Byrne enabled Shildon to progress at Congleton Town and Crook Town won by a similar margin against Bacup Borough. Gavin Barton and Darren Kokes were on target.

South Shields, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, roared to their biggest win since returning to the Skilltrainingltd Northern League top flight, when they hit Bishop Auckland for eight at Filtrona Park.

The Mariners led with goals from David Graham, Stephen Ramsey and Johnny Wightman in the first seven minutes and there was no respite for Bishops, who conceded further goals to Tony Coe (2), Craig Armstrong and Lee Paul Scroggins (pen) before Wayne Gredziak’s consolation.

The misery wasn’t over, tough, as Ramsey netted his second goal and the Mariners’ eighth.

The Shieldsmen are now fourth, equal on points with Ashington, who lost a closely-contested game with Consett at Woodhorn Lane.

Andrew Burton was unlucky to turn the ball into his own net and give the Colliers the advantage but the Steelmen hit back and, following Gary Ormston’s equaliser, Steve Huggins clinched victory.

Tow Law Town’s four-match winning sequence ended at Billingham Synthonia, who won with a stoppage-time strike by James Magowan.