Ashington Colliers win eases relegation problems

Posted by Richard Fletcher on Apr 13, 09 01:58 PM in Sport

Northumberland hopes in the Northern Alliance Premier Division title race were all but dashed after Alnwick Town were beaten 3-0 away to Blyth Town.

And with third-placed Seaton Delaval not having a game at the weekend, the county's best-placed teams may well have lost touch with the pack as the season draws to a close.

In the game at Blyth, Chris Taylor gave Blyth an interval lead and later strikes by Jonathan Mann and Mark Waugh underlined how difficult they are to beat at home.

Heddon had drawn five and lost three of eight games prior to taking on Newcastle University at Cochrane Park so their 1-0 victory was more than welcome. The Students were unfortunate however and were deprived of a precious point when Joe Kerry scored Heddon's winner in the second minute of stoppage time.

Ashington Colliers and Cramlington Town both claimed rare victories to ease their relegation worries and Ashington ended a long lean spell with a 2-0 success at home to Carlisle City. The Colliers wrapped up the vital points with goals in each half by Glen Bolton and Anthony Wright.

Cramlington followed Ashington's example and completed a league double with a 4-1 win against visitors Peterlee Town. David Atkinson and Stewart Hepple scored early goals for Cramlington and after Jonathan Monaghan replied for the Newtowners a second half brace for David Dormand proved decisive for the home side.

Heaton Stannington extended an unbeaten run to five games and had Kevin Carr and Aaron Jewell on target in their 2-2 draw at Wark. Marc Nixon scored both goals for Wark.

In the title race, it was a good weekend for Walker Central. As well as retaining their own unbeaten home record the Central's cause was helped by basement side Murton who restricted current leaders Gillford Park to a goalless draw.

Walker are now only three points behind Gillford with two games in hand, and they put championship rivals Harraby Catholic Club to the sword with a 2-1 win at Monkchester. All the goals were scored in the opening half and John Campbell bagged a quick-fire brace for the Central to put them in charge. Roy Holliday reduced the deficit for Harraby but their desperate push for a second half equaliser was unsuccessful.

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