FIRST Qualifying Round ties in the FA Carlsberg Vase didn’t produce a single surprise, although West Allotment Celtic went close at Guisborough Town.
The STL Northern League First Division side went ahead after only 12 minutes through Austin Johnson before Mark Mintoe levelled soon afterwards.
The scores remained level for 65 minutes when Luke Bythway pounced on a rebound to apparently seal victory but the drama didn’t end there.
In stoppage time Celtic were awarded a penalty but, much to their dismay, Paul Haxon’s kick was saved by Jack Norton.
Anthony Shandran just loves to play against Stokesley SC. Recently, he rifled six goals in Bedlington Terriers’ 15-goal mauling of the Teessiders and amazingly he again struck six times on Saturday.
The Northumbrians didn’t quite match their previous goals fest but still finished with nine. Tommy English, Paul Swithinbank and Ian Graham added their names to the score sheet with Stokesley’s only reply credited to Nathan Porritt.
Morpeth Town failed to emulate their previous week’s victory at Esh Winning who gained revenge with a win.
Ian Ward (2), Kieron Megran, Craig Nichol and John Drury were their scorers with Dan Mitton (og) and Stephen Anderson replying for the visitors.
Hebburn Town were another side to score five times against Thornaby who held a half-time lead thanks to Jamie Blythe. The South Tynesiders dominated the second period and Dean Nicholson (2), Tony Stephenson, Liam McBryde and Chris Tate sealed victory.
Tow Law Town also went nap at Washington where they were five goals in front courtesy of a Lee Hamilton hat-trick, Derek Waters and Daniel Robinson (og) before John Wears netted for the Newtowners in the last minute.
Bishop Auckland won an eight-goal thriller at Chester-le-Street. Their man of the match was Andrew Johnson, with a hat-trick, while Chris Lawson and Adam Strong also struck.
Glen Reay, Johnny Evans and Gary Draper responded for the Cestrians who after the game announced the appointment of former Sunderland defender Anthony Smith as manager. Colin Wake, who took temporary charge last week, will be number two.
North Shields’ poor start to the season continued with defeat by Northallerton Town, whose match-winners were Peter Bulmer, Carl Chillingsworth and Gary Mitchell. Keith Douglas scored the best goal of the four but his 88th-minute strike came too late to save the Robins.
Prudhoe Town went out at Easington Colliery where they led through Jake Stafford. John Harrison and James Huntley were the home side’s matchwinners.
Lee Dunn and David Dustin ended Horden CW’s interest at Whitehaven and despite two goals in as many minutes through Tim Bowman and Jonathan Monaghan, Seaham Red Star lost at Crook Town whose marksmen were Kevine Devine (2), Alex Marshall and Richard Hodgson.
Sunderland RCA continue to lead Division One of the STL Northern League after defeating third-top Newcastle Benfield with an injury-time winner from Mark Davison.
Andy Jennings put the Wearsiders ahead but it was no more than Benfield deserved as Paul Anthony equalised.
Whitley Bay moved into second place with a comfortable victory at Jarrow Roofing thanks to Lee Kerr, Robbie Dale and Damon Robson (2). Paul Robinson netted for the South Tynesiders.
The shock result of the day was South Shields’ five-goal blitz of Billingham Synthonia who would have gone second had they won.
The Mariners went into the game without a point but roared into a five-goal lead inside 52 minutes through Andy Burnell, Lee Bell, Yanis Galas, Alex Benjamin and Andrew Barclay. David Hillerby claimed a consolation.
Ashington claimed their second win in seven attempts defeating Billingham Town with goals from Darren Lough, Matthew Grieve and Gareth Bainbridge. Craig Norman and Steve Flockett responded.
Despite the lack of goals, Dunston UTS and Spennymoor Town produced a cracking game which was highlighted by the performances of the respective goalkeepers, Liam Connell and Craig Turns.
MALCOLM PRATT