Pin Point Northern Alliance
Nov 28 2009 The Journal
PREMIER Division leaders Wark are expected to gain three more points against bottom rung opponents Heddon this afternoon.
Having suffered only one defeat in their last 11 games, Wark are six points clear of nearest rivals Walker Central while Heddon have won only once in this league campaign.
Defending champions Walker Central have gone off the rails recently, securing only a single point from the last three home games and need to stop the rot when Ponteland United drop in at Monkchester.
United had a long unbeaten run ended by Stocksfield last Saturday and will again be without suspended midfielder Liam McIvor.
Heaton Stannington have extended their unbeaten run to six matches and in third place are only two points short of Walker’s total with the same games played.
With Gary Yates back to his best – netting five times in his last four appearances – Heaton should be more than a match for hosts Harraby Catholic Club, who have failed to score in four of five games.
Murton, floundering at the basement, have won only once in the Premier Division since August and will find it hard against in-form Blyth Town. The Town’s Danny Beresford has been scoring goals on a regular basis with Mark Waugh and Tom Haigh also posing problems for defenders. Late starters Newcastle University are still seeking their first home win and with an obvious lack of fire-power the Students will find it hard to accomplish against Ashington Colliers at Cochrane Park.
With games in hand, the Colliers should soon be climbing the table after harvesting five points from their last three outings.
The rest of today’s action concerns three first round ties in the Kicks Leisure Challenge Cup, Carlisle City take on cup visitors Alnwick Town with the odds favouring a Cumbrian victory.
Killingworth Sporting, also with home advantage, will start as favourites against Seaton Delaval. When the two sides met in the league at Wheatridge Park three weeks ago, Frank Di Pietro, Kevin Westphal and Jorge Bollado gave Killy a 3-2 win.
Having drawn 1-1 in the league in early September, the result of Shankhouse’s cup clash with Cramlington Town at Northburn is harder to predict with Shankhouse only a point better off than their opponents in the Premier Division.
Town skipper David Atkinson has completed his suspension and will be welcomed back for today’s important cup-tie.
