Ashington battle at bottom as title race heats up

Posted by Richard Fletcher on Jan 2, 09 06:17 PM in Sport

Going into the second half of the campaign the title race in the Northern Alliance Premier Division will be taking on a keener edge.

At the bottom, Murton entertain lowly Ashington Colliers and Peterlee Town, whose last victory was in early October, are at home to Ponteland United.

But at the top, battle lines have been drawn, and based on their results so far the expected front runners in 2009 are expected to be Harraby Catholic Club, Gillford Park, Walker Central and Seaton Delaval. An East versus West contest seems to be on the cards.

Seaton Delaval will enter the New Year in pole position but some of their rivals have games in hand so the situation is fluid. But Nicky Gray's side will try to make it five league wins on the trot at home to a Shankhouse side which seems to have lost its own winning habit.

Delaval will be strengthened by the welcome return from injury of Paul Baird and the inclusion of new signing Steven Walker. Joe Thompson however is still unavailable due to suspension.

Harraby Catholic Club and Walker Central - respective champions in 2007 and 2008 - are firmly in the hunt once again. Although Harraby are down in sixth place they have several games in hand of all the teams above them and could soon be in overtaking mode. Having played only one league game since October 4 they are away to Blyth Town this weekend as favourites to secure the points.

In second spot, Walker Central have pleased manager Paul Bennett with their steady climb up the table. The Central have remained unbeaten in their four home games to date but may be tested by improving visitors Carlisle City who restricted them to a draw over in Cumbria.

City however will need to address the threat of Walker strikers Dave Thompson and John Campbell who have scored twenty league and cup goals between them so far.

Gillford Park, the other Cumbrian outfit with eyes on the Premier Division title, were pace-setters early in the season but have shown recent signs of a dip in form. After drawing at home with Cramlington Town and Shankhouse the Park were beaten 3-2 by Walker before Christmas, again on their own patch. To refresh their challenge they badly need three points today at the expense of bottom rung visitors Wark.

Alnwick Town in fourth place and Heddon in seventh spot both have a lot of work to do if they are to be regarded even as championship outsiders. Alnwick have done well at home and should be too strong for Cramlington Town at St James's Park.

Heddon are lying idle this weekend and in the rest of the action an out-of-sorts Heaton Stannington side will try to stop Newcastle University completing a double when they meet at Grounsell Park.

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