WHICKHAM THROUGH – WEEKEND ROUND-UP
In a long-awaited weekend with action aplenty in the league, our final two remaining teams in the FA Vase faced off against each other at Gateway Park.
It was to be a tense affair as Division One’s Whickham travelled to Blyth Town, who entered the weekend at the top of Division Two. Blyth now have the opportunity to give full focus to their league campaign after a stalemate after 90 minutes saw the Lang Jacks come out on top as 4-2 victors in the penalty shootout to head into the fifth round.
With Shildon out of action, Bishop Auckland stretched their lead to eight points at the top of Division One with a 3-1 win at Boro Rangers, with Louis Johnson scoring a brace either side of a Jake Hackett goal – before Owen Clarkson scored for the hosts with 10 minutes to go.
They also extended their lead over West Auckland Town as West found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline against Birtley Town. It was five different goalscorers as well for Paul Bryson’s side in a strong team performance against the side one position above them.
There was also six goals in Seaham, with Red Star keeping a clean sheet in a dominant performance against Tow Law Town. It’s now three wins in five for Seaham who have enjoyed a good run of form of late.
Carlisle City can boast one better, as they went four wins from five with a narrow 1-0 victory to leapfrog their opponents on the day, Heaton Stannington into sixth. Hot on both sides tails despite their three point deduction is Guisborough Town, who also enjoyed a 1-0 win on the weekend against West Allotment Celtic.
Crook Town secured a 2-1 win against Sunderland RCA yesterday, as did Newcastle Benfield against North Shields on Friday night. An Adam Boyes goal, meanwhile, was enough to separate Redcar Athletic and Northallerton Town.
With Blyth Town in Vase action, there were new leaders in the form of Newcastle Blue Star as the battle at the top shows no signs of slowing down. Jarrow were the visitors to Scotswood, with Shaun Ryder’s goal for the hosts with 10 minutes ago enough to separate the two sides.
Four points off the top, Bedlington Terriers are keeping in touch with the title race and kept their hopes alive with a 3-1 away win at Billingham Town. Trailing by two owing to a Matthew Hayton brace, Harrison Webster’s 90th minute goal may have gave Billy Town hope of a late comeback – this was swiftly swept away Will Dowling reinstated the two-goal cushion in injury time.
Horden kept their promotion hopes in full swing with a 2-0 win against Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, with results elsewhere meaning they are now joined in the play-off spots by near-neighbours Easington Colliery.
Chester-le-Street Town dropped down to sixth after a 2-1 home loss against Esh Winning, allowing the Colliers to overtake them on goal difference with a 3-1 win at FC Hartlepool. It stretches the Green Army’s undefeated streak in the league to eight as they continue their upwards surge.
It was a great eight for Newcastle University much to the despair of Brandon United, who were down by five at half-time on home turf. A goal in the final quarter of an hour for both sides saw Prudhoe YC Seniors draw 2-2 with Yarm & Eaglescliffe, while Redcar Town beat Sunderland West End 3-2 at Ford Hub on Friday night.
(Pictured – Bishops at Boro Rangers thanks to Mike Guess)
Boro Rangers v Bishop Auckland Northern League div1