WEEKEND ROUND-UP – DESPITE THE WEATHER

Another batch of fixtures hit hard by the weather did not prevent a twist in the Division One title race.

Shildon leapfrogged long-term league leaders Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park last weekend and with the latter out of action, an opportunity was presented and missed for The Railwaymen to open up a gap at the top with a late Jordan Fielding brace securing Guisborough a 2-1 victory.

West Auckland Town’s impressive season continued on Friday night with a 4-2 win at Whickham, with the slim pickings of First Division action being rounded out with a Connor Campbell hat-trick for West Allotment to see off Penrith and a one-all draw between Whitley Bay and Redcar Athletic.

Although Blyth Town’s opportunity to claim the Division Two title was thwarted by Mother Nature for the second consecutive week, the action was far more plentiful across the division as a whole with just three postponements.

With Blue Star’s trip to Gateway Park amongst those three, Bedlington Terriers missed the chance to close the gap on second to just one point as Thomas Ions and Levi Collins fired Jarrow to three points.

Synners were another out of action and this, coupled with Easington’s 2-2 draw with Redcar Town on Friday, provided the opportunity for Horden to climb into fourth with David Doughty’s goal the difference maker against Sunderland West End.

If West End were looking over their shoulder there was little to worry about with defeats on away turf for both sides below them. Hat-tricks for both Matt Law and Craig Fairley helped Prudhoe YC Seniors to a 9-0 against Brandon United, while Washington succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Ryton & Crawcrook.

Elsewhere, Newcastle University bounced back from a defeat in midweek with a 3-1 win against FC Hartlepool.  Chester-le-Street Town’s bid for a play-off spot continued with a 3-0 victory over Thornaby, while there was a stalemate on Friday night between Billingham Town and Boldon.