BISHOPS EXTEND LEAD
Bishop Auckland extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points after a dominant 3-0 victory against Birtley Town, as Shildon fell to a 3-2 defeat against Penrith.
Dean Thexton, Louis Johnson and JJ Bartliff were all on the scoresheet, while Ryan Catterick was rarely tested at the other end of the pitch in a comfortable win for Chris Hardy’s side. At Frenchfield Stadium the in-form Cumbrian outfit claimed another scalp, after also taking three points against Whitley Bay and Redcar Athletic in recent weeks.
The cold conditions continue to prevent a raft of fixtures being played, with only two more games surviving in Division One – seeing Boro Rangers and Heaton Stannington both returning to winning ways.
Trailing by a goal at the break to Northallerton Town, quickfire goals from Leighton Hopper and Mark Turnbull earned victory for The Stan. Boro kept a clean sheet at Phoenix Park, with a goal apiece from Owen Burns and Stuart Rose proving the difference on the day.
A late postponement at Newcastle Blue Star afforded the opportunity for Blyth Town to reclaim their perch at the top of Division Two, and they did so by the narrowest of margins with a Brandon Slater goal the difference maker. It wasn’t all joy for Blyth though, with Yannick Aziakonou receiving his marching orders.
In-form Easington Colliery haven’t lost a league game since early October, and their unbeaten streak has been added to in stunning fashion as they put six past Sunderland West End, with Dennis Tapping bagging three. West End took the lead through Liam Dixon in the third minute, but the Colliers’ quality proved to be too much.
Billingham Synthonia also continued their impressive run with a dominant second half earning them 3-1 win against Prudhoe YC Seniors. Near neighbours had a productive day too: Newcastle University put in a five-star shift against Yarm & Eaglescliffe and Ryton & Crawcrook Albion won 4-0 against FC Hartlepool.
(Thanks to Mike Guess for the photo from the Boro Rangers v West Allotment game)
