CHANGE AT THE TOP – WEEKEND REVIEW

It’s change at the top of Division One as Shildon drop from the top spot for the first time since September.

A 1-1 draw at Dean Street against Redcar Athletic saw the Railwaymen move down from their well-established perch, as a 2-1 win at Whitley Bay saw Bishop Auckland stretch their winning run in the league to seven.

With Whitley suffering a home defeat at Hillheads, they were handed a slight reprieve as Birtley Town failed to extend their lead on the side in fourth to five points as Daniel Milton’s goal secured the points for Crook Town against the third-placed team.

Though the top two have begun to open a gap upon the chasing pack, West Auckland and Boro Rangers took their opportunity to move closer to the sides in third and fourth with away wins at Seaham Red Star and Guisborough Town respectively.

A Jay Errington hat-trick helped to inspire a Newcastle Benfield side to a statement 7-1 win against Northallerton Town, providing an emphatic comeback from their 8-0 defeat at Redcar Athletic the week prior – while their were plenty of goals on Friday night as Scott Robson’s hat-trick for Whickham cancelled out George Pinder’s brace as The Lang Jacks won 5-2.

The final Saturday game in Division One saw Penrith pen a third consecutive home win with goals from Daniel Smales and Luke Hunter proving the difference against The Stan.

With the leaders changing position in Division One, a managerial change in Division Two saw Blyth Town and Bedlington Terriers both take advantage of Mark Nash’s Newcastle Blue Star’s 1-1 draw with Billingham Synthonia on Friday night to close the gap on the league leaders to one and two points respectively.

Second-placed Blyth moved within touching distance of Blue Star, while setting their goal difference at +48 with a 6-0 win at Billingham Town – while Terriers remain hot on their tail thanks to a 1-0 win at Boldon CA.

Yarm & Eaglescliffe’s high-scoring run, with the newly promoted side now scoring 15 in their last four in all competitions, continued in an entertaining four-all draw against Horden – while an Aaron Costello hat-trick helped Ryton & Crawcrook Albion to a 6-0 away win at Chester-le-Street United.

Chester-le-Street Town however enjoyed a win against their aforementioned townmates’ rivals at the bottom of the second division, overcoming Washington 3-1 thanks to goals in the final 15 minutes from both Aaron Hardy and Jake Stafford.

Esh Winning is now unbeaten in six in the league, with late strikes from Easington Colliery’s Matthew Weirs and Christopher Trewick (either side of Taylor Ford’s sending-off for the Colliers) meaning the points were shared.

Thornaby secured a 3-1 victory for the second consecutive week, while on Friday night, FC Hartlepool bounced back with a 2-1 win at Essity Park against Prudhoe YC Seniors.

(Thanks to Kev Killing for the photo from the Benfield v Northallerton game.)