ONE TITLE DECIDED – THE OTHER STILL UP FOR GRABS

Blyth Town have officially been confirmed as the winners of Division Two after a typically classy performance at Welfare Park.

With the title finally sealed, a Dan Lanning hat-trick for Newcastle Blue Star on Friday night saw the second-placed Scotswood side go four points clear of the Terriers in third, who saw their long-awaited return to Doctor Pit Park denied with another postponement.

Horden succumbing to a 4-0 defeat against the freshly-crowned champions opened up the opportunity for Easington and Billingham Synthonia to climb the table, but the chance was grasped by just one of the two.

It was on away territory that Easington beat Newcastle University 3-2 to climb into fourth, with James Fairley scoring two to comeback from trailing by two inside half an hour. Synners however they were held to a one-all draw against Esh Winning.

A bright start for Chester-le-Street Town on Friday saw them two to the good in the opening five minutes as they continued their bid for the play-off spots, but their 3-1 victory over Prudhoe YC Seniors matched the result of Yarm & Eaglescliffe who hosted Brandon United and regained the seventh spot, with Josh Larkin scoring a couple of penalties.

Also on Friday, a brace for the ever-prolific Levi Collins, alongside a couple for Thomas Ions, helped Jarrow to a 4-1 win at Washington.  Thornaby were held to a point by Boldon, with spoils also shared in the stalemate between FC Hartlepool and Sunderland West End. Finally, Redcar Town secured a 2-1 win over Ryton & Crawcrook.

Moving on to Division One, the tense tussle for the title shows no signs of slowing down, with both Bishop Auckland and Shildon recording wins against Whickham and Birtley respectively.

For Birtley, the 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Railwaymen and an Andrei Ardelean hat-trick, saw them drop to fifth, with Heaton Stannington leapfrogging over them with a 4-2 win over North Shields. It was also another three points on the board for West Auckland in third as they hosted Carlisle City.

Guisborough are now level on points with the Hoops thanks to a 3-1 win at Crook Town, with Callum Martin converting twice from the penalty spot.

At the other end of the table, the tough season for Sunderland RCA continued with a 7-0 thumping by Penrith, with Tow Law too suffering a heavy defeat by West Allotment Celtic, with Callum Larmouth hitting three out of their five in their first match since the announcement of the departure of Jay Bates.

Elsewhere, there was plenty of goals at Whitley Bay – Boro Rangers coming out 6-2 on top. On Friday, Redcar Athletic captain Kevin Burgess secured the Steelmen three points as he slotted home in the second half against Seaham Red Star.