Ashington Colliers could derail Gillford Park's hopes

Posted by Richard Fletcher on Apr 24, 09 04:51 PM in Sport

Walker Central, unbeaten in the league since October 1 and yet to lose at home, look set to claim a second Northern Alliance Premier Division title in successive seasons.

They have banged in eight goals in each of their last two games to indicate what their rivals are up against. John Campbell, Ian Dunn and Dave Thompson have found the net eleven times between them in those two matches.

This weekend the Central will be protecting their home record against Blyth Town, the latest visitors to 'Fortress' Monkchester. Blyth are unlikely to be intimidated after taking maximum points from their three most recent outings and at Peterlee on Wednesday night they had Danny Beresford claiming a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory with Chris Taylor also on target.

Neither Walker nor Gillford Park, the league's only applicants, are likely to step up to the Northern League because of ground grading deficiencies, but Gillford Park are still one of the Central's most potent challengers in the championship race - the other hopefuls are Gillford's Cumbrian neighbours Harraby Catholic Club. And a goalless draw between these two in midweek was not welcomed by either of them.

Today second-placed Gillford Park, four points short of pole position, are at home to Ashington Colliers whose recent form has hoisted them well clear of the basement. Like Walker, the Park have remained unbeaten on their own patch this term but after three damaging draws on the trot they'll feel that a victory over the Colliers is vital to their chances.

Harraby Catholic Club in third spot featured in a goalless draw with today's hosts Seaton Delaval when they met in Carlisle early in the campaign. But sharing the spoils won't be enough for the Cumbrians this time and Delaval's recent form would suggest that the visitors could be lucky. After a long successful run Nick Gray's side has suffered three straight defeats to effectively end their own interest in the title race.

At the bottom end of the table four teams - Peterlee Town, Murton, Newcastle University and Cramlington Town - are still trying to hang onto their Premier Division status. With only four games to play, Peterlee are in the gravest danger and desperately need a positive result against Shankhouse at Northburn.

Murton entertain Heddon who had Craig Horsfall claiming both goals in a 2-0 win at home to Seaton Delaval in midweek. And, after losing four games on the trot at Cochrane Park, Newcastle University need to do better against their latest visitors Carlisle City.

With only six games remaining, Cramlington Town need to pick up some points quickly but their task won't be easy this weekend when they entertain a Heaton Stannington side enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run.

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