BAY PLASTICS NORTHERN ALLIANCE PREMIER DIVISION

AFC Killingworth and Newcastle University joined Newcastle Chemfica in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup as both collected hard fought victories in Saturday’s respective quarter-finals.

A hat-trick from Malcolm Morien helped Killingworth on their way to a 6-1 defeat of visitors Alnwick Town, the hosts leading by two at the break, further goals being added to Morien’s treble by Liam Hudson, Konner Lamb, and Sam Bramley, his second in two since joining the club whilst Cameron Cunningham notched what proved to be a consolation for Town.

The other Challenge Cup match would see the Students edge past hosts Seaton Delaval as Keith Douglas bagged a first half brace, his first from the spot on 34 minutes cancelled out by Sol Bell five minutes later, Douglas quickly restoring parity for an interval lead. Only one goal arrived after the break, Lefteris Alambritis putting a seal on progression seven minutes after the restart.

In the League FC United of Newcastle moved level on points at the foot of the table with North Shields Athletic and Gateshead A when they edged a seven goal thriller at home to AFC New Fordley, the visitors leading in the opening minutes with Jordan Watson’s first of the game but a quick-fire brace from Ryan McAvoy, on 8 and 9, spun the game on its head.

A second from Watson on the stroke of half-time saw the sides go in level at the break before Dillon Swann restored FC’s lead five minutes from the restart and Anthony Dobie affording daylight four minutes from time; although Ryan Fenwick did make for a nervy close with a third goal for the visitors with two minutes left.

Shankhouse meanwhile felt aggrieved in their home loss to Percy Main Amateurs, a game which saw three penalties converted. The hosts led on fifteen minutes as Andrew Anderson opened the scoring from the spot before two penalties from Ryan Laws, either side of the interval, put Main in the ascendancy before a Joe Rowan goal nine minutes from time sealed the three points.

Two other Premier Division outfits were also in action, with mixed fortunes for Gateshead in the Durham FA Trophy. Gateshead A progressed with a narrow 4-3 win at home to Coxhoe Athletic whilst Gateshead Rutherford were stunned, being dismissed 6-2 when home to Hartlepool FC.

The game between Ponteland United and Wallington in the Northumberland Benevolent Bowl was abandoned after fifty minutes due to an injury to a visiting player, Wallington were leading at the time.

REEVES INDEPENDENT NORTHERN ALLIANCE FIRST DIVISION

Blyth Town maintained their lead atop of the First Division with a comfortable, dominant performance on the road on Saturday afternoon winning 4-0 away to Seaton Burn, all the goals arriving in the second period through Shaun Gibson, Robert Ridley, Martyn Hepple and Liam Weatherspoon whilst Bedlington slipped up away to Cullercoats, thoe hosts winning 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Laws.

Prudhoe Youth Club had an enjoyable afternoon and had six different scorers when dismissing visitors Felling Magpies without reply. Sam Dibb-Fuller opened the scoring after just five minutes and Luke Banks doubled that lead just before the interval whilst it was one-way traffic in the second half; David Burns added number three five minutes after the restart and a penalty from Brad Rogers put the hosts out of sight, Ben and Matty Bloomer adding further goals in the final fifteen.

A very late double from Karl Lazzari put the seal on Blyth Spartans Reserves’ 4-1 win at Hebburn U23s, Rui Martins and Adam Uddgren also netting, John Hobbs with the opener sixteen minutes in; second half efforts from Matt Baldwin and Jack Moulding gave Winlaton the points against Red Row Welfare whilst a lone strike from Tom Hacking gave Hexham the points at home to Wallsend Boys Club.

Kane Chirnside scored the only goal of the game as Forest Hall fell at home to visiting Wallsend Community 1-0 and bottom club Newcastle East End are still without a point, but put up a brave performance before falling 5-3 against Gosforth Bohemians.

TEAM VALLEY CARPETS NORTHERN ALLIANCE SECOND DIVISION

The top of the Second Division remains a see-saw affair as it becomes a three-way tie on 28 points after Rothbury drew 2-2 with Willington Quay Saints to maintain their leadership.

Cramlington United moved level at the top after they thrashed visitors Gateshead Redheugh 6-1, the hosts being four to the good inside twenty minutes through John Wilson (2), Callum Bryce and Christie Kidd; Michael Heckles pulled one back just after the restart before goals from Luke Taylor, and a second for Kidd, sealed the win.

Witley Sporting Club added their name to the mix also when they won by the odd goal in five away to Blyth FC, goals coming from Tom Atkinson, Connor Towes and Dave Adams, the latter two in the closing minutes to steal the win after the hosts had netted through Joseph Bolam and Andrew Welsh.

Whitburn remain on the coat-tails of the leaders with a 3-2 win of their own, they at home to bottom side Cramlington Town with goals from Anth Chapman, Lee Orr and Joe Warren, John Campbell with two in reply.