SkillTrainingLtd Northern League
Nov 23 2009 The Journal
A POWERFUL second-half performance was rewarded with three goals as table-topping Spennymoor Town ended comfortable winners in the local derby at Shildon.
The hosts just about held their own in the opening 45 minutes and harboured hopes of cancelling out the only goal scored by Gareth Waite but after the break Moors stepped up a gear. Craig Ruddy quickly doubled his side’s lead and two goals in a minute midway through the half by Gavin Cogden, sealed Shildon’s fate.
Second-top Whitley Bay trailed for 47 minutes at Newcastle Benfield before a strong finish earned them the points. Stephen Young headed the home side in front and it was not until the 73rd minute that Lee Kerr levelled.
Five minutes later Philip Bell put the Seahorses ahead and Kerr converted an 83rd-minute penalty. In the later stages Benfield had Chris Carr and Andrew Dugdale sent off. Ashington remain third and they comfortably won at Ryton with strikes from Joe Race, Robbie Cockburn and Mark O’Dea. South Shields made it seven wins on the trot and are equal on points with the Colliers. They were taken to the wire though by Billingham Synthonia despite going two goals up inside three minutes thanks to David Graham and Lee Paul Scroggins.
Synners rallied and in the second period were back in the game as Tommy Marron and Danny Earl struck before Scroggins converted a late penalty for the winner.
Dunston UTS are fifth after scoring four times at Bishop Auckland.
Paul Watson, Darren Forsyth, Ben Catanach and Martin Bagnall were the marksmen with Tyson Masters Bishop’s lone scorer.
Tow Law Town’s improvement following the appointment of Dave Hagan as manager continued at Billingham Town where Andrew Thompson and Mark Eccles scored in the last 10 minutes. Stephen Roberts had given the Teessiders an advantage.
Bedlington Terriers enjoyed a four-goal victory over West Auckland Town with Tony Shandran, Steve Bowey, Gareth McAlindon and Jamie Poole all beating goalkeeper Nick Thomas.
West Allotment Celtic went behind to a goal by Craig Price but hit back to defeat Chester-le-Street. Ian Dunn restored parity and after the break Craig Scott and David Thompson were also on target.
North Shields, the only side in the two divisions to score in every game, are fourth in Division Two after sharing the points with Guisborough Town. Glen Butterworth headed the visitors in front and Glen Taylor levelled, extending the Robins unbeaten run to 12 games.
Sunderland RCA now have a six-point lead at the top after seeing off a strong challenge from Washington with strikes by Paul Taylor and Michael Coghlan. Marske United are second after a four-goal victory at third-bottom Hebburn Town, Ben Thomson (2), Derek Padley and Robert Jones finding the net.
Whitehaven’s game was postponed and they have dropped back to third with Jarrow Roofing fifth following a draw with Brandon United, for whom Liam Bramley bagged a brace.
Team Northumbria eased their position near the bottom, defeating Whickham courtesy of Philippe Kane and Gavin Donaghue. Chris Laws had given Whickham the lead from the penalty spot.
l NORTON and Stockton Ancients reached the Third Round of the FA Carlsberg Vase when they recovered from a two-goal deficit to defeat Padiham in Lancashire.
MALCOLM PRATT
