el Queso Grande's Northern League Experience

Parking at RCA

2011-09-12T15:26:00.002+01:00

My Matchdays 2011-12

2011-07-10T17:04:00.065+01:00

09/07/11 Birtley Town U-17 1-3 Birtley Town U-18 Friendly match
09/07/11 Northern League Supporters 6-3 Football Writers Onagawa Cup
09/07/11 Birtley Town 2-1 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion Friendly match
16/07/11 Thornaby 0-4 Guisborough Town Peter Morris Memorial Trophy (Friendly)
23/07/11 Seaham Red Star 1-1 Ryhope CW Friendly Match
30/07/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-2 Stockton Town Friendly Match
03/08/11 Ryhope CW 4-2 Sunderland Ryhope CA Allan Thompson Memorial Trophy
10/08/11 Wolviston 3-4 Ryhope CW Wearside League
13/08/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-2 Shildon Northern League Division 1
17/07/11 Consett 3-4 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
19/08/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 7-0 Birtley Town FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
21/08/11 RCA The Barnes v Washington Oasis Sunderland Sunday League Cup 1st Round Walkover for The Barnes as visitors never showed!
21/08/11 Grangetown WMC 10-3 Golden Lion Sunderland Sunday League Cup 1st Round
24/08/11 Billingham Synthonia 0-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
27/08/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 5-1 Ashington Northern League Division 1
28/08/11 RCA The Barnes 3-3 Steels Athletic Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division 15 matches 84 goals
29/08/11 South Shields 2-3 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
03/09/11 Spennymoor Town 1-0 Sunderland Ryhope CA FA Cup Preliminary Round
04/09/11 RCA The Barnes 6-1 Darlington Slaters Arms Durham County FA Sunday Cup First Preliminary Round
07/09/11 Ryhope CW 4-0 Coxhoe Athletic Wearside League
10/09/12 Ryhope CW 5-1 Darlington Cleveland Bridge Monkwearmouth Charity Cup 1st Round
11/09/11 RCA The Barnes 1-1 Myers FC Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
13/09/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-2 Bishop Auckland Northern League Division 1
17/09/11 Bishop Auckland 0-0 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
18/09/11 Silksworth Paragon 3-0 Steels Athletic Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
21/09/11 Ryhope CW 3-2 Easington Colliery Durham County FA Challenge Cup Preliminary Round (after extra time)
24/09/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 5-3 Bishop Auckland FA Cup 2nd round qualifying
28/09/11 Stokesley SC 1-6 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
01/10/11 Penrith 0-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
02/10/11 Ryhope CW (Sun) 2-2 Farringdon SC (after extra time, visitors won 4-2 on penalties) Sunderland Sunday League Cup 2nd round
04/10/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-2 Marske United Northern League Division 1
08/10/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-3 West Auckland Town Northern League Division 1
09/10/11 Grangetown Florists 0-7 Farringdon SC Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
11/10/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-0 Guisborough Town Northern League Division 1 Match abandoned after 6 minutes due to floodlight failure.
16/10/11 Tordera 1-1 Ripoll Segona Catalana Grupo 1
22/10/11 Bedlington Terriers 4-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA FA Vase 1st Round Proper
23/10/11 RCA The Barnes 1-2 Sunniside Durham County FA Sunday Cup 3rd preliminary round
25/10/11 Ryhope CW 3-0 Sunderland West End Wearside League
29/10/11 Tow Law Town 2-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
30/10/11 RCA The Barnes 9-0 Golden Lion FC Total Sport Challenge Trophy
02/11/11 Ryhope CW 5-2 Washington Durham County FA Challenge Cup 1st round
05/11/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-4 Spennymoor Town Northern League Division 1
08/11/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 4-3 Bishop Auckland (after extra time, 2-2 at 90 minutes) Northern League Cup 2nd round
09/11/11 Ryhope CW 1-1 Jarrow FC Wearside League
12/11/11 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA 0-3 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
16/11/11 Ryhope CW 3-2 Annfield Plain Wearside League
19/11/11 Sunderland West End 5-1 Darlington Cleveland Bridge Wearside League
23/11/11 Ashbrooke Belford House 0-1 Sunderland West End Wearside League
26/11/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 4-1 Norton & Stockton Ancients Northern League Division 1
29/11/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 7-0 Guisborough Town Northern League Division 1
03/12/11 Ryhope CW 2-2 Darlington Cleveland Bridge Wearside League
06/12/11 Seaham Red Star 3-2 Gillford Park Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup 2nd round
07/12/11 Bedlington Terriers 1-2 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
10/12/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-0 Billingham Synthonia Northern League Division 1
11/12/11 Dawdon CW 3-5 Stockton Rosegale N&SA FA National Sunday Cup 3rd round (at Seaham Red Star FC)
16/12/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-2 Billingham Town Northern League Division 1
17/12/11 Horden CW 3-4 Chester le Street Town Northern League Division 2
26/12/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-2 South Shields Northern League Division 1
02/01/12 Shildon 2-3 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Division 1
08/01/12 Humbledon Plains Farm 2-1 Witton Park Rose & Crown Durham County FA Sunday Cup 3rd round
10/01/12 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-2 Spennymoor Town Durham County FA Challenge Cup 2nd round
11/01/12 Ryhope CW 2-0 Crook Town Durham County FA Challenge Cup 2nd round
14/01/12 Seaham Red Star 2-5 Gillford Park Northern League Division 2
21/01/12 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-1 Penrith Northern League Division 1
22/01/12 RCA The Barnes 0-4 Farringdon SC Sunderland Sunday League Cup 4th round
28/01/12 Sunderland Ryhope CA v Consett Northern League Division 1
31/01/12 Ryhope CW v Spennymoor Town Durham County FA Challenge Cup 3rd round

The New Season Is Upon Us!

2011-07-02T18:14:00.002+01:00

I ran the rule over the first pre-season training session at Sunderland Ryhope CA this afternoon; I was happy to watch from the sidelines as George Herd, Ian Smith and Glenn McCartney put the players through what I thought was a grueling session on quite a warm afternoon, but George Herd said "There's more where that came from!" New signings Brian Close, David Wells and Gavin Barton worked hard as did returning-to-the-fold Mark "Sparky" Davison and Andy Jennings.

Penrith!

2011-04-09T22:54:00.002+01:00

Well, I finally got to see Penrith's new Frenchfields ground!

My Matchdays 2010-11

2010-07-17T20:45:00.083+01:00

16/07/10 Esh Winning 0-3 Crook Town Pre-season Friendly
17/07/10 Chester le Street Town 1-1 Ryton Pre-season Friendly
2/08/10 Ryhope CW 1-4 Whitley Bay Pre-season Friendly
10/08/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-2 Ryton Northern League Div 1
14/08/10 Liversedge 0-3 Whitley Bay FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round
17/08/10 Billingham Town 3-2 Ashington Northern League Div 1
21/08/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-1 Consett Northern League Div 1
27/08/18 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-2 Tow Law Town Northern League Div 1
28/08/10 Ryhope CW 0-2 Ashbrooke Belford House Wearside League
04/09/10 Easington Colliery 5-4 Hall Road Rangers FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
05/09/10 Hendon Blue 1-0 Burnmoor JFC Durham County FA Sunday Cup
10/09/10 Esh Winning v Tow Law Town Northern League Div 1
12/09/10 Ryhope CCFC 2-2 Colliery Tavern Kail Sunday Sunday League Div 1
12/09/10 Hunters Lodge 1-7 Southwick FC Sunderland Sunday League Div 2
14/09/10 Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A. 4-0 Chester le Street Town Northern League Cup 1st. Round
18/09/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-5 Dunston UTS Northern League Div 1
21/09/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-0 Coxhoe Athletic Durham County FA Challenge Cup Preliminary Round
22/09/10 Ryhope CW 5-1 Kirkbymoorside Wearside League
25/09/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 7-0 Esh Winning Northern League Div 1
26/09/10 RCA The Barnes 1-5 Grangetown Florists Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
28/09/10 Seaham Red Star 3-4 Whickham Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup 1st Round
02/10/10 Seaham Red Star 0-3 Marske United Northern League Div 2
06/10/10 Ryhope CW 2-0 Annfield Plain Wearside League
09/10/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-1 West Allotment Celtic Northern League Div 1
10/10/10 RCA The Barnes 1-7 Farringdon S.C. Total Sport Challenge Trophy
12/10/10 Ashington 1-2 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
16/10/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-0 Bedlington Terriers Northern League Div 1
19/10/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 6-0 Ryton Durham County FA Challenge Cup 1st Round
23/10/10 Norton & Stockton Ancients 1-0 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
30/10/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-2 West Auckland Town Northern League Div 1
06/11/10 Spennymoor Town 1-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
07/11/10 RCA The Barnes 1-4 Birtley Barley Mow WMC Durham County FA Sunday Cup
09/11/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-1 Chester le Street Town Durham County FA Challenge Cup 2nd Round
13/11/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-0 Penrith Northern League Div 1
14/11/10 RCA The Barnes 5-2 Silksworth WMC Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
16/11/10 Birtley Town 3-4 Sunderland Ryhope CA Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup 2nd Round
17/11/10 Ashbrooke Belford House 2-1 Coxhoe Athletic Wearside League
20/11/10 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA 0-3 Billingham Synthonia Northern League Div 1
21/11/10 RCA The Barnes 2-0 Liverpool Derby Lane Gym FA Sunday Cup 2nd round
15/12/10 Ryhope CW 3-1 Kirkbymoorside Wearside League Cup 1st Round
03/01/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 4-3 Ryhope CW Alan Thompson Memorial Trophy
08/01/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-2 South Shields Northern League Div 1
09/01/11 RCA The Barnes 2-0 Sandstone FC FA Sunday Cup 3rd round played by default at Runcorn Town FC
15/01/11 Stokesley 1-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
22/01/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-2 Shildon Northern League Div 1
23/01/11 New Silksworth 2-4 Ryhope Cricket Club Sunderland Sunday League, Total Sport Challenge Trophy
29/01/11 Horden CW 0-2 Hebburn Town Northern League Div 2
30/01/11 RCA The Barnes 5-2 PTA Hastings Sunderland Sunday League Cup 2nd Round. (after extra time, 2-2 at 90 minutes)
01/02/11 South Shields 1-2 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Cup 3rd Round
02/02/11 Ryhope CW 3-2 Annfield Plain Wearside League Cup 2nd Round
05/02/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 4-3 Billingham Town Northern League Div 1
07/02/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-2 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
10/02/11 Humbledon Plains Farm 1-0 Grangetown Florists Sunderland Sunday League Premier
12/02/11 South Shields 3-2 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
19/02/11 Seaham Red Star 1-6 Crook Town Northern League Div 2
22/02/11 Ryton 0-4 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
26/02/11 Tow Law Town 3-4 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
27/02/11 Farringdon FC 2-5 Birtley Barley Mow WMC Durham County FA Sunday Cup Quarter-Final
01/03/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 2-0 Billingham Synthonia Northern League Div 1
05/03/11 West Allotment Celtic 2-0 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
06/03/11 RCA The Barnes 0-2 Red House WMC Sunderland Sunday League Premier
09/03/11 Consett 3-0 Sunderland RCA Northern League Div 1
12/03/11 Bedlington Terriers 3-3 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
15/03/11 Bishop Auckland 3-2 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
19/03/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-3 Norton & Stockton Ancients Northern League Div 1
20/03/11 Birtley Barley Mow WMC 0-1 Brandon Bay Horse Durham FA Sunday Cup Semi-Final
22/03/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 4-1 Stokesley Northern League Cup 1/4 Final
25/03/11 West Auckland Town 4-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
27/03/11 RCA The Barnes 1-1 Farringdon SC Sunderland Sunday Premier League
29/03/11 Esh Winning 0-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
02/04/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-2 Spennymoor Town Northern League Div 1
03/04/11 Grangetown Florists 3-4 Humbledon Plains Farm Sunderland Sunday League Cup 4th Round
06/04/11 Ryhope CW 3-1 Easington Colliery Wearside League
09/04/11 Penrith 1-0 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 1
10/04/11 Grangetown WMC 4-5 Hylton Castle Seniors Sunderland Sunday League Cup 4th Round
11/04/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-3 Spennymoor Town Northern League Cup Semi-Final
16/04/11 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-2 Ashington Northern League Div 1
17/04/11 Humbledon Plains Farm 12-0 Hylton Castle Seniors Sunderland Sunday League Cup Semi-Final
18/04/11 Jarrow FC 0-2 Ryhope CW Wearside League
20/04/11 Ryhope CW 6-0 Darlington Cleveland Bridge Wearside League
23/04/11 Guisborough Town 8-1 Washington Northern League Div 2
25/04/11 Kirkbymoorside 0-1 Ryhope CW after extra time (Wearside League) Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Final
26/04/11 Grangetown Florists 0-2 Humbledon Plains Farm Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
28/04/11 RCA The Barnes 3-5 Humbledon Plains Farm Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
01/05/11 Sunderland Catholic Club 2-4 RCA The Barnes Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
02/05/11 Ryhope CW 3-2 Easington Colliery (Wearside League) Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final
05/05/11 Silksworth Paragon 0-5 RCA The Barnes Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division
07/05/11 Redcar Athletic 2-2 Ryhope CW Wearside League
11/05/11 Willington 1-2 Ryhope CW Wearside League
14/05/11 Easington Colliery 1-1 Ryhope CW Wearside League
18/05/11 Hartlepool 2-3 Ryhope CW Wearside League
18/05/11 Easington Colliery 4-3 Cleator Moor Celtic Wearside League (managed to catch the second half!)
21/05/11 Willington 0-0 Ryhope CW aet, Ryhope CW won 4-2 on penaltiesWearside League Cup Final
25/05/11 Silksworth FC 2-1 Sunderland Ryhope CA Testimonial match for David McKinlay with all proceeds going to Help The Heroes, also Silksworth's last ever match.

Horden C.W. 1-0 Ryton

2009-11-28T22:27:00.002Z

Northern League Division 1
Welfare Park
Horden
Co. Durham.

Bedlington Terriers v Spennymoor Town

2009-11-14T07:43:00.003Z

FA Vase 2nd. Round Proper
Dr. Pit Welfare Pit Welfare Park
Bedlington
Northumberland.

Brandon United 1-2 Guisborough Town

2009-11-11T23:36:00.001Z

Northern League Division 2
Welfare Park
Brandon
Co.Durham

Whickham 0-1 Northallerton Town

2009-11-07T23:03:00.001Z

Northern League Division 2
The Glebe Sports Ground
Rectory Lane
Whickham
Co. Durham.

Chester le Street Town 2-0 Dunston UTS

2009-11-03T23:38:00.001Z

Durham County FA Challenge Cup 2nd Round
Moor Park
Chester Moor
Chester le Street
Co. Durha.

Esh Winning 2-4 South Shields

2009-10-31T23:58:00.003Z

Northern League Division 1
West Terrace
Waterhouses
Co. Durham.

Spennymoor Town 1-0 Whitley Bay

2009-10-24T08:16:00.002+01:00

Northern League Division 1
The Brewery Field
Spennymoor
Co. Durham.

Esh Winning 3-4 Consett

2009-10-20T23:03:00.000+01:00

Durham Challenge Cup 1st Round
West Terrace
Waterhouses
Co. Durham.

Saturday 17th October 2009 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-2 Newton Aycliffe

2009-10-20T23:01:00.001+01:00

Northern League Division 2
Meadow Park
Ryhope
Sunderland
Co. Durham.

Seaham Red Star 0-1 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA

2009-10-13T23:03:00.001+01:00

Northern League Division 2
Seaham Town Park,
Seaham
Co. Durham.

Horden CW 0-5 Whitley Bay

2009-10-10T07:48:00.002+01:00

Northern League Division 1
Welfare Park
Park Road
Hoden
Co. Durham.

Consett 0-2 Bedlington Terriers

2009-10-03T06:23:00.003+01:00

FA Vase First Round Proper
Belle Vue
Ashdale Road
Consett
Co. Durham.

This has the potential to be the tie of the round; Consett, who could have won the league last season, have had an inconsistent time of it so far this season and have yet to field their strongest side, while Terriers are on a run of five wins on the bounce and looked very organised when they progressed at the expense of Esh Winning in the 1st qualifying round. There again, it could be a damp squib........ time will tell.

Saturday 26/09/09 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-0 Whickham

2009-09-27T15:16:00.003+01:00

Northern League Division 2
Meadow Park
Ryhope
Sunderland
Co. Durham.

This has been described elsewhere as "men against boys" and I could not agree more. RCA, top of the division having won 8 and drawn 1 of their 9 fixtures to date, fielded a possibly weaker side than usual due to injuries, but still had more than enough to cope with Whickham's depleted young side. Special mention goes to young Scott Cresswell in the Whickham goal, who did his best to keep his side in the game.
RCA took the lead after 15 minutes when a surging run by Scott Richards left the Whickham defence in disarray, his cross found Liam McBryde at the far post and he headed goalwards, Steve Stewart made sure nipping in to head home from close range. RCA had the ball in the net when McBryde rose high above Gary Andison and headed home only for the linesman to flag for an infringement.
Late in the half a lovely cross from Stewart found Harrison Davies inside the six yard box, but he could only guide the ball onto the bar and into the waiting arms of Cresswell and a minute later the same player shot across the face of goal. McBryde had another goal disallowed when he ghosted in at the back post to score from a well taken corner. The referee awarded a freekick for a foul on the keeper. However, on the hour mark McBryde got the goal that his efforts deserved when he latched onto a pass from Stewart and although Cresswell saved the first shot he followed up and slide the ball home. Within a minute RCA were 3 - 0 up when Richards hit an unstoppable 25 yard screamer which the goalkeeper never saw.
Only some brilliant saves from Cresswell kept the score at 3 - 0, firstly a point blank save from Shields and then he saved with his feet from Stewart.

Easington Colliery 0-1 Shildon

2009-09-19T20:17:00.002+01:00

FA Vase
Second Round Qualifying
Easington Welfare Park
Memorial Road
Easington
Co. Durham.

My first visit to Easington in nearly 44 years and I really enjoyed it. Wearside League outfit Easington battled well to keep a strong Shildon side at bay, to the point of causing a few problems for the Shildon defence towards the end of the game. A well-taken free kick from the edge of the penalty area by Andrew Johnson, well into time added on at the end, was the deciding factor. A Shildon shot which went out for a goal-kick after hitting a post after 28 seconds, could have signalled a rout.

Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-0 Crook Town

2009-09-16T23:41:00.002+01:00

Northern League Division 2
Meadow Park
Ryhope
Sunderland
Co. Durham.

Sunderland RCA lost their 100% league record to a very good Crook Town team who more than matched them in a very competitive 0-0 draw at Meadow Park.
How often have you heard it said that 0-0 draws were predictable? Well when these two teams met they had scored 45 goals between them so a no score draw was probably the most unpredictable score line imaginable.
The game started with Crook forcing the pace and a shot from Kokes going wide. It didn’t take long for RCA to respond and it was Davison who produced a cracking shot which was well saved by Lanning.
In the 18th minute Crook looked to have taken the lead when a cross into the box was met by Olusoga who scrambled it home, but he was adjudged to be offside. Crook were piling on the pressure and gained two corners in quick succession; however they were well dealt with by RCA defence.
In the 37th minute RCA were awarded a freekick on the edge of the box and Coghlan passed the ball to Davies who crossed into the box only for Lanning to get to the ball just before the head of Davison.Two minutes later and another Coghlan freekick went inches wide with the keeper beaten.
In the 42nd minute Taylor tried an audacious shot from 25 yards which rattled off the crossbar and was cleared by Hall.
The second half saw Crook well on top in the opening 10 minutes with Kokes going close with a snap shot and Hall heading against the crossbar. The two forwards were causing all sorts of problems and only some superb defending by Wardle and Anderson kept them at bay.
In the 70th minute a corner was awarded to Crook and when the ball was delivered into the box Hall powered a header downward into the bottom corner. Somehow Mclean got a hand to the ball and turned it over the bar. A great save to keep RCA in the game.
The introduction of Richards to the midfield added something to RCA as an attacking force and they came into the game a little more. Coghlan sent another freekick inches wide and when Davis crossed to the far post Taylor was on hand to volley the ball home only to be flagged for offside.
Both teams continued to attack and to try to win the game and as the match reached its conclusion a flare up between a number of players resulted in the dismissal of Davis.
RCA will probably not face a sterner test than this one and they came through with their unbeaten league form intact. Crook will be disappointed that they did not convert at least one of their chances.

Report by Rob Jones at http://www.sunderlandrca.co.uk

Behind

2009-09-12T07:58:00.001+01:00

I must get down to adding the match reports which are missing from the last few weeks. Just not had a lot of time recently.

Billingham Town 1-5 Consett

2009-09-12T07:56:00.002+01:00

Northern League Division 1
Rowney Ltd. Arena
Bedford Terrace
Billingham
Cleveland.

Esh Winning 2-4 Bedlington Terriers

2009-09-05T02:09:00.003+01:00

FA Vase First Round Qualifying
West Terrace
Waterhouses
Co. Durham.

Report By Dave Anderson at http://www.bedlingtonterriersfc.co.uk

Bedlington Terriers advanced to the next qualifying round of the FA Vase at Esh Winning on Saturday, with a 4-2 victory orchestrated by debutant David Southern, who was involved in all the Terriers goals. Signed a week earlier from local rivals Morpeth Town, but unavailable due to injury until this tie, Southern showed exactly the type of qualities that made Bedlington so keen to secure his signature. Top League scorer in the season Gateshead won promotion from the Unibond Premier Division; he is a player of undoubted qualities and is sure to have a major impact in the coming months.Looking to bounce back from the disappointments of their FA Cup exit the previous Saturday, and failure to secure the points at Ashington in the Bank Holiday derby, co-managers Lowery and Perry named a very strong starting eleven for this encounter at Esh’s picturesque Waterhouses location. This meant a debut for the other signing made by Bedlington, in vastly experienced midfielder Stuart Elliott. On the books of Arsenal as a schoolboy, Elliott spent five years at Newcastle, including time captaining the Reserve team and loan moves to seven other Football League clubs. Spells at Darlington, Plymouth and Carlisle followed before he dropped down into non-league, where he has significant experience in the high-echelons of the semi-professional game. Still only 32 years of age, the signing of Elliott is a real coup for Bedlington, and a signal of their intent to be challenging for honours again. Bedlington attacked from the whistle, with Poole’s 25 yard drive forcing Esh keeper Molyneux into a save within 3 minutes. And the concerted pressure paid dividends for the visitors as they took the lead after just ten minutes of play. Poole again was involved, playing Shaw through and the midfielder knocked the ball past his marker only for Molyneux to advance quickly from his goal. Although the keeper blocked Shaw’s toe poke, Southern was first to react to the loose ball to slot home into an empty net from 12 yards. The Terriers should have doubled their advantage within a minute. Good work from Christensen down the right saw the wing back hit a low cross to the near post which Graham contrived to miss completely and spurn an easy tap in from 3 yards. The visitors paid for this miss as the home side equalised on the quarter hour mark, with Coates latching on to a cross from Smith and then rounding Newton in the Bedlington goal before firing home. Bedlington continued to attack, as Shandran made progress along the edge of the Esh area before feeding Southern. He turned his man quickly and fired a low shot which Molyneux collected at the second attempt. The lead was restored just after the midway point in the half, and it was the goal of the season so far by anyone in a Bedlington shirt. The ball was fed into Southern, back to goal, and his simple lay off to Graham saw the skilful midfielder unleash a shot from 30 yards which was still rising as it flew into the top left corner. Even the home fans were forced to appreciate the quality of the strike.
The only black mark in the remainder of the opening period was a yellow card for new boy Elliott, after a couple of unsightly lunges. Another referee may not have been so lenient, and so a caution was gratefully accepted by the Bedlington contingent. Bedlington made a change for the start of the second half, with skipper Snowden struggling with injury, and having to be replaced by Ludlow as Lowery and Perry changed things around.
Bedlington extended their lead within 9 minutes of the restart, and again Southern had a hand in the goal. Picking up the ball in his own half, Southern made 30 yards progress before spreading the ball left to Shandran. He cut into the area, working it on to his right foot before curling his effort into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.
If Bedlington thought it was game over, then the home side had other ideas as they pushed to get back into the game. They were soon rewarded when they reduced the deficit on the hour mark, albeit in a slightly fortunate manner. When Martin was fed possession by Fort, the Esh striker saw his low shot from 20 yards take wicked deflection of the leg of Hedley, as a result squeezing inside the post past the wrong-footed Newton.The Terriers should have restored their two goal cushion within a minute, but Graham’s header from Ludlow’s brilliantly dug out cross pounded the pitch before bouncing high against the bar and away to safety. Although the hosts were putting the Bedlington defence under increasing pressure, they rarely actually fashioned a genuine goal scoring opportunity. Bedlington, however, looked dangerous every time they mounted an attack.
Banks almost fired into his own goal from a Ludlow cross, then Shandran saw his headed from Southern’s cross defected just wide, even though a goal kick was subsequently awarded. Into the final ten minutes, the Terriers made their remaining substitutions, with Shandran and Graham being replaced by McRoberts and McAlindon respectively.
The visitors finally put the game beyond reach with four minutes left, and appropriately it was Southern who capped off a man of the match performance with the goal. Christensen made progress down the right, and his cross from the goal line evaded all in the middle, allowing Southern to work on to his right foot and curl his effort into the bottom right corner in a finish very similar to his striker partner’s goal earlier in the half. So a satisfying result for the Terriers, and one which booked them a home tie against Jarrow Roofing in the next round of the competition on Saturday 19th September.

Guisborough Town 1-0 Wakefield

2009-09-02T23:48:00.001+01:00

FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
King George V Stadium
Howlbeck Road
Guisborough
N. Yorks.

Chester le Street Town 0-5 Norton & Stockton Ancients

2009-08-29T20:37:00.001+01:00

FA Cup Preliminary Round
Chester Moor Park
Chester le Street
C. Durham.

Saturday 22nd August 2009 Washington 3-2 Darlington Railway Athletic

2009-08-23T18:39:00.001+01:00

Northern League Division 2
Albany Park
Spout Lane
Washington
Co. Durham

Birtley Town 1-3 Billingham Synthonia

2009-08-18T08:06:00.004+01:00

FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round Replay
Birtley Sports Complex
Durham Road
Birtley
Co. Durham.

Northern League First Division Billingham Synthonia survived a late scare against battling Birtley to qualify for the next round of the Cup. With a decent crowd, with many followers heading up the A1 from Teesside, cheering the sides on, both teams were desperate for some FA Cup success.

Buoyed on by Saturday’s draw, Birtley started on the offensive as they looked to cause an upset and the first real opportunity of the game fell to Birtley skipper Steven Burns, who beat Liam McPhillips before striking a near post effort which Christopher Porter did well to save.
This woke Synners up, and they sprung into life almost immediately. They almost opened the scoring when Danny Earl beat a defender and struck a fine strike past keeper Andrew Mallinson, only to see his effort cleared off the line.

Synthonia did not have to wait long to open the scoring though. After winning a corner on the left, Colin Iley and David Yale played a quick one-two before Iley fired a cross into the area and captain Darren Hollingsworth rose highest to power a header home into the back of the net.

The visitors were now starting to settle, and they had chances to extend their lead through Andrew Harbron and the influential Yale. They did eventually double their lead on 39 minutes. when Iley used some great trickery to beat the full-back and fire a dangerous cross into the area. The ball fell to McPhillips, who knocked it to James Magowan to smash the ball past the keeper and give Synners a two goal lead at the break.

With 45 minutes to keep their Cup dreams alive, Birtley came into the second half like a different team. As they pushed forward in search of a comeback, they left themselves exposed at the back and Synners had several break away chances which they failed to convert.
Synners were punished on 67 minutes as Birtley grabbed a lifeline. After a great build-up, Kris Hughes struck a powerful volley past the despairing Porter to get his team back into the game.
The home team and their followers could sense the chance of a comeback as the small ground started to buzz with excitement. Game on.
With time ticking away, Birtley were throwing more and more men forward as they looked for an equaliser, but found the Synners backline, particularly Man of the Match Hollingsworth, hard to break down.
After 87 minutes, Birtley had two corners but failed to convert any of them into scoring chances and they were soon to be punished. As Synthonia held the ball upfield in the corner, Earl collected the ball and jinked past one defender before squaring to Michael Jameson who fired past the keeper.
Birtley did themselves proud on this warm summers night in the North-East, but must be left rueing the late equaliser they conceded on Saturday at Billingham. Next up for Synners is an away tie at Morpeth Town.

Sunderland RCA 1-3 Ryton

2009-08-15T08:02:00.005+01:00

FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round.
Meadow Park,
Ryhope,
Sunderland,
Co. Durham.

My second consecutive Saturday watching RCA, by virtue of the fact that I promised my mate Maz, Ryton midfielder Craig Marron, that I would be watching him early on in the season, to allow him the opportunity to buy me a pint!

Playing down-bank with the wind behind them, RCA caused Ryton a lot of problems in the first half, although the Ryton defence coped well with the aerial threat posed by Mark Davison. 15 minutes into the game, RCA's Harrison Davies skied a ball into the goal area, watched all the way down by Ryton keeper TonyDavison, who caught the ball then fell into goal 1-0.

With the change-round at half time Ryton soon took advantage and Craig Marron converted a penalty following a push in the back on Dean Patton by David Anderson 1-1 55 minutes.

A long range effort from Andy Inness brought a good save

from RCA keeper Gary Hoggeth.
RCA held on until the 69 minute when Andrew Barclay volleyed home a cross from Dale Burrell to make it 2 - 1 to the visitors.
RCA rallied for a spell as Ryton defended their lead and Stephen "Buddy" Halliday was unlucky to see a glancing header go wide. They then forced a succession of corners and only some superb defending by Ross Preston kept the score at 2 - 1.

Dale Burrell finished off any hopes RCA had of a replay when he went on a solo run, beating two defenders before rounding the keeper to score from close range with eight minutes left 3-1.

Sunderland RCA 5-2 Gillford Park

2009-08-08T11:41:00.005+01:00

Northern League Division 2.
Meadow Park,
Ryhope,
Sunderland,
Co. Durham.

The opening day of the new season saw Sunderland RCA FC matched against skillstrainingltd Northern League newcomers Gillford Park FC. A Silver Salver was presented by RCA's captain Gary Shields, to the Gillford captain Mark Butler, to mark the occasion.

The game started in glorious sunshine with RCA taking advantage of the slope and it was they who had the first opportunity after 7 minutes when a cross from Harrison Davies was tipped away for a corner. Steve Stewart sent in the corner for Mark Davison to powerfully head home.
Michael Dickinson had the chance to level 2 minutes later but his shot went well wide. RCA took control of the game in a scintillating period of play which saw Michael Coghlan burst into the box and although his shot was blocked Davies was there to volley home from 10 yards out. Within a minute it was 3-0 when a crossfield ball from Davies found the unmarked Gary Shields who cracked the ball home from 15 yards out.
The crowd were being well entertained with fast attacking football and it was no surprise when Gillford pulled a goal back in the 18th minute when a corner was swung into the box by Mark Butler and the ball was stabbed home from close range by Ian Johnstone.
Davison restored the 3 goal difference after 24 minutes when Shields sent in an inch perfect cross for him to head home his second of the match.
Gillford to their credit continued to battle and were rewarded with a breakaway goal when Matt Read sent the ball clear of his defence to Dickinson whose crossfield pass found Darren Addison free and he finished superbly past the advancing Gary Hoggeth.
At half time Andy Reay replaced RCA's Paul Wardle who was struggling with a hamstring problem.
The second half could never match up to the pace of the first and although both teams had chances to score, notably, Steve Skinner and Dickinson, for Gillford Park, in the opening 3 minutes of the second half and Davison, for RCA, after 50 minutes it was Stewart who sealed the victory with a well taken shot from an immaculate through ball from Scott Richards.
As the game progressed both teams started to cancel each other out and although both teams had half chances to score neither keeper was really tested until the last 5 minutes when Hoggeth had to punch clear a wicked curling cross from Addison and then a shot from Davison from 40 yards caught Shane Williams off his line but went narrowly wide.

Match report and picture from the Sunderand RCA web site at http://www.sunderlandrca.co.uk

The New Season Beckons!!!!!

2009-08-07T23:02:00.002+01:00

The skilltraining Northern League's new season begins tomorrow and I am like a cat on hot bricks! There has been so much activity regarding players changing clubs and new money becoming available to certain "lucky" clubs that I think this season is going to be very exciting! I intend to begin my season at the club which has recently become my local side: Sunderland Ryhope Community Association's Meadow Park is only one mile from my new home and they are up against "new boys" Gillford Park, of Carlisle, who have been promoted from the Northern Football Alliance. RCA's corned beef 'n' tatie pie is famous throughout the league and if I am still hungry afterwards, their giant hot dogs come in the biggest finger rolls I have ever seen!
Ooooh! I can't wait!

Newcastle Benfield 5-0 Consett

2009-08-01T09:12:00.003+01:00

J.R. Cleator Cup
Sam Smith's Sports Grounds
Benfield Road
Newcastle upon Tyne.

This cup perpetuates the memory of the late Jim R. Cleator who died in December 1980. He had given sixty years continuous and active association with the League as a player and official with South Bank, League Management Member, Chairman and finally President of the League.
The match is played between the League Champions and the League Cup winners, or if both trophies have been won by the same club, between the League Champions and the League Runners-up (in this case Consett play by virtue of being runners-up), on the ground of the League Champions.

Crikey, talk about OUCH! Consett just couldn't handle Benfield's tactics - defend high up and attack on the break with high balls dropping in the area between the Consett keeper and his back line. Benfield keeper Andrew Grainger only had one shot to deal with in the whole of the game. Stephen Young netted twice and could have had a third had his shot not rebounded from the underside of the bar, Adam Scope converted the penalty after Dan Staples brought down Dean Nicholson, Mark Atkinson got the fourth but the best goal of the game was the last, scored by substitute Andrew Mackintosh.

Matches Attended Season 2009-10

2009-07-31T13:40:00.025+01:00

04/07/09 Willington 0-3 Bishop Auckland Pre-season friendly
11/07/09 West Auckland Town 1-2 Crook Town Pre-Season Friendly
18/07/09 Bishop Auckland 4-0 Brandon United Pre-season Friendly
28/07/09 Birtley Town 2-1 Ryton Pre-season Friendly
31/07/09 Spennymoor Town 2-5 Linlithgow Rose Pre-season Friendly
01/08/09 Newcastle Benfield 5-0 Consett Cleator Cup Final
08/08/09 Sunderland RCA 5-2 Gillford Park Northern League Div 2
15/08/09 Sunderand RCA 1-3 Ryton FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round
18/08/09 Birtley Town 1-3 Billingham Synthonia FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round Replay
22/08/09 Washington 3-2 Darlington Railway Athletic Northern League Div 2
29/08/09 Chester le Street Town 0-5 Norton & Stockton Ancients FA Cup Preliminary Round
02/09/09 Guisborough Town 1-0 Wakefield FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
05/09/09 Esh Winning 2-4 Bedlington Terriers FA Vase 1st. Round Qualifying
12/09/09 Billingham Town 1-5 Consett Northern League Div 1
16/09/09 Sunderland RCA 0-0 Crook Town Northern League Div 2
19/09/09 Easington Colliery 0-1 Shildon FA Vase 2nd. Round Qualifying
26/09/09 Sunderland RCA 3-0 Whickham Northern League Div 2
03/10/09 Consett 0-2 Bedlington Terriers FA Vase 1st. Round Proper
10/10/09 Horden C.W. 0-5 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
13/10/09 Seaham Red Star 0-1 Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A. Northern League Div 2
17/10/09 Sunderland Ryhope C.A. 0-2 Newton Aycliffe Northern League Div 2
20/10/09 Esh Winning 3-4 Consett County Durham FA Challenge Cup 1st. Round
24/10/09 Spennymoor Town 1-0 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
31/11/09 Esh Winning 2-4 South Shields Northern League Div 1
03/11/09 Chester le Street Town 2-0 Dunston UTS County Durham FA Challenge Cup 2nd. Round
07/11/09 Whickham 0-1 Northallerton Town Northern League Div 2
11/11/09 Brandon United 1-2 Guisborough Town Northern League Div 2
14/11/09 Bedlington Terriers 1-5 Spennymoor Town FA Vase 2nd. Round
28/11/09 Horden C.W. 1-0 Ryton Northern League Div 1
05/12/09 Crook Town 4-2 Shildon FA Vase 3rd Round Proper
12/12/09 West Auckland Town 2-2 Dunston UTS Northern League Div 1
23/01/10 Ryhope C.W. 5-0 Houghton Town Wearside League
23/01/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 8-0 Hebburn Town Northern League Div 2 (2nd half)
30/01/10 Shildon 3-1 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
06/02/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-0 Thornaby Northern League Div 2
10/02/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-0 Birtley Town Northern League Div 2
20/02/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-0 Guisborough Town Northern League Div 2
23/02/10 Horden C.W. 2-4 Ashington Northern League Div 1
24/02/10 Billingham Synthonia 2-2 Esh Winning Northern League Div 1
27/02/10 Shildon 1-5 Whitley Bay FA Vase 6th Round Proper
06/03/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 1-0 Brandon United Northern League Div 2
13/03/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 3-2 Stokesley Northern League Div 2
27/03/10 Sunderland Ryhope CA 0-0 Whitehaven Northern League Div 2
02/04/10 Billingham Synthonia 2-0 Ryton Durham County FA Challenge Cup Final
03/04/10 Darlington Railway Athletic 1-4 Sunderland Ryhope CA Northern League Div 2
05/04/10 Ryhope CW 2-0 Cleator Moor Celtic Monkwearmouth Charity Cup Final (Wearside League)
10/04/10 Sunderland RCA 2-0 Northallerton Town Northern League Div 2
17/04/10 Sunderland RCA 3-1 North Shields Northern League Div 2
24/04/10 Sunderland RCA 0-4 Team Northumbria Northern League Div 2
28/04/10 Ryhope CW 0-1 Easington Colliery Wearside League
01/05/10 Gillford Park 1-0 Sunderland RCA Northern League Div 2
21/05/10 Easington Colliery 3-2 New Marske Wearside League Cup Final

Spennymoor Town 2-5 Linlithgow Rose

2009-07-31T12:04:00.003+01:00

Friendly Match
The Brewery Field
Spennymoor
Co. Durham.

The Rose are playing the first of two pre-season friendly matches in the area this weekend, the second being at Chester le Street Town tomorrow. Linlithgow play in the Scottish Junior League(East Region).
The visitors were a goal down at half-time and it was 2-0 early in the second half. With about 30 minutes left, some astute substitutions brought some very good football from Linlithgow whose pressure resulted in confusion in the Moors' defence and 5 goals, 3 of which were very well-worked.

Tuesday 28/07/09 Birtley Town 2-1 Ryton

2009-07-29T10:16:00.001+01:00

Friendly Match
Birtley Leisure Complex
Birtley
Co. Durham.

Saturday 18/07/09 Bishop Auckland 4-0 Brandon United

2009-07-19T11:49:00.001+01:00

Friendly
The Sir Bobby Robson Sports Centre
Ushaw Moor
Co. Durham.

Saturday 11/07/09 West Auckland Town 1-2 Crook Town

2009-07-19T11:47:00.001+01:00

Friendly
Darlington Road
West Auckland
Co. Durham.

Willington 0-3 Bishop Auckland

2009-07-04T00:27:00.003+01:00

Pre-Season Friendly
Hall Lane,
Willington
Co. Durham.

Less than 2 months since the last match I saw and 2009-10 is almost upon us! Northern League Division 1 side Bishop Auckland make the fairly short trip up the valley to take on Wearside League outfit Willington. It seems a long time since I was last at Willington, I think it's about 4 years since they were relegated from Northern League Divison 2.

Newton Aycliffe 0-1 Teesside Athletic

2009-05-22T22:33:00.002+01:00

Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final (Wearside League)
Moore Lane Sports Centre
Newton Aycliffe
Co. Durham

The Shipowners' Cup was inaugurated in the 1898-99 season by Alderman Ralph B. Annison. The money raised from the competition went to the Boys' Orphanage on the edge of Sunderland's Town Moor.

A Wearside League club were the first winners, when Royal Rovers had the first of their triumphs. They beat Whitburn 2-1 in the final, after a drawn game, raising £50 for the Orphanage.

The Orphan Asylum was built in Sunderland's East End at a cost of £4,000. It opened for 'inmates' on October 17th, 1861. The boys in the Asylum were from the homes of lost seaman. On average there were 40 boys at the Orphanage at any one time. Their education had a strong nautical flavour. There was a sailing ship in the grounds for instruction in rigging etc. It was not surprising, therefore, that many of the boys went to sea.

Between 1901 and 1902 alone, one old boy received the freedom of the borough for service in South Africa, one passed as Extra Master, one as First Class Engineer, one as Mate while another was appointed Master of a Workhouse in Northumberland.

Newcastle Benfield 2-0 Penrith

2009-05-15T15:27:00.005+01:00

The Brooks Mileson Northern League Cup Final

West Allotment Celtic FC

Blue Flames Sports Ground, Whitley Park, Whitley Road, Benton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear. NE12 9FA

The last game of the season was played on Friday night at West Allotment Celtic. The Club were hosting the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup Final between Newcastle Benfield and Penrith. A week last Tuesday, Newcastle Benfield had travelled to Penrith, where they clinched the skilltrainingltd Northern League Division One title with a goal in the last three minutes. Tonight, they were looking to complete the double.
As with last week’s game Penrith played well and created a number of chances, but Benfield ‘keeper, Andrew Grainger, was in good form, and pulled off a number of good saves to deny Penrith. Ian Graham broke the deadlock for Benfield with a stunning second half drive. Substitute, Adam Scope, put the result beyond doubt with a second goal. Congratulations to Benfield.

Sunday 10th. May 2009 Glossop North End 0-2 Whitley Bay

2009-05-09T20:01:00.006+01:00

FA Carlsberg Vase Final
Wembley Stadium
Lunding.

A truly glorious day in every sense of the word ended with Whitley becoming the first team from the north east to win a cup final at the new Wembley Stadium. This was of course the second time that Whitley have won the FA Vase, a feat never previously achieved by a team from the region. Sunday’s success at a sunbathed Wembley makes Whitley only the fifth team ever to win the Vase more than once since it was first contested in 1975 to replace the old FA Amateur Cup.
Whitley thoroughly deserved their victory as they were the better side for long periods of the game and created far more chances than their Derbyshire opponents Glossop North End.
Unlike the 2002 Vase Final at Villa Park, this was an exciting, action packed, end to end game with both sides contributing and creating opportunities. The playing surface, which had been criticised by certain Premier League Managers had been relaid and was in perfect condition.
Early on, Lee Picton’s long throw brought a goal line save from Glossop keeper Matt Cooper, but the first moment of real excitement came with 16 minutes on the clock when Adam Johnston saw Cooper off his line and tried a spectacular 60 yard shot from inside his own half. It seemed for a moment that the ball would drift over the keeper but he back pedalled rapidly and just managed to palm the ball onto the crossbar to prevent what would have been one of the most spectacular goals ever seen at the new stadium.
Glossop hit back six minutes later with what proved to be their best effort of the game, when Nick Bailey cut in from the right and struck a great shot which rebounded off the angle of post and bar with Terry Burke beaten.
Having started the game with Chris Moore out on the left, Whitley made a tactical switch, with Moore moving across to his more familiar right wing and Craig McFarlane taking over on the left.
Gradually Whitley took control forcing two corners but Glossop came back with Darren Hamilton bringing a low save from Burke just past the half hour.
The massed ranks of north east fans erupted with joy four minutes later when Whitley took the lead with an excellent goal. Paul Chow played the ball square to Lee Kerr on the right edge of the Glossop penalty area and Kerr’s neat touch took him past two floundering Glossop defenders before drilling the ball low past Cooper into the far corner of the net.
Glossop battled back and little more than a minute before half time, Dave Hodges, a left winger who Whitley had identified as a potential threat, crossed into the box where Allen and Morris almost made contact but Lee Picton blocked the ball and it was cleared.
Quickly Whitley broke away down the right thanks to Lee Kerr's long clearance and when Johnston slipped the ball through to Paul Chow, Whitley’s top scorer found himself clear on goal and he clipped the ball over Cooper who got his fingers to the ball but could not prevent it looping over him into the net to give Whitley a precious two goal lead with only seconds of the half remaining. The goal was Chow’s 40th of the season, a total only previously achieved by two Whitley greats, Ray Oliver from the 1950’s and the late Billy Wright, hero of the 1960’s.
Glossop may have felt aggrieved to be 2-0 down after contributing much to the opening half, but along with many of Whitley’s opponents this season, they had felt the impact of a potent strike force that with Chow’s goal had broken the Club’s all time scoring record in a season, reaching 154 goals.
After the interval Whitley continued to pose the greater threat and Chow might have added a third goal when he held off two challenges before driving the ball just over the bar. Craig McFarlane then played the ball through to Johnston whose shot was bravely blocked by Cooper’s feet. A double substitution just before the hour saw Johnston and McFarlane replaced by Phil Bell and Chris Fawcett, giving Whitley fresh legs just as the heat of the Wembley afternoon was beginning to take its toll. The temperature was such that players from both sides took the opportunity to take on some cold water while the substitutions were being made. There was a narrow escape for Glossop when a free kick taken by Kerr was headed onto the underside of the bar by Chow with Cooper struggling to push the ball away from goal. Chris Moore, whose pace troubled the North West Counties side all afternoon then broke clear on the right and forced Cooper to push the ball wide of the near post and as Whitley kept up the pressure, Ryan headed the ball from Kerr’s corner on to Chow who in turn sent a header over the bar. Fawcett was making life difficult for the Glossop defenders with his pace down the left while Phil Bell’s physical presence was unsettling the Derbyshire side.
With 17 minutes remaining, Chow was replaced by Paul Robinson and left the field to a huge ovation from the Whitley fans. Leon Ryan almost repeated his crucial goal at Lowestoft but this time he headed over the bar. There were so many near misses but Whitley could not find the net for the goal that would have sealed the game. Instead, having survived the onslaught Glossop pushed forward for the last ten minutes in a last ditch attempt to get back in the game. Hodges fired a shot in from the left but the ball landed on the roof of the net then a minute later, in a crowded goalmouth Burke pushed the ball away from Hodges’ left wing corner. Whitley were being pushed back but the entire defence of Taylor, Coulson Burke and Picton repelled everything that Glossop could throw at them. Damon Robson worked tirelessly in front of the back four and although there were a few nervous moments for Whitley, they held firm.
With time running out, Chris Moore’s counter attack set up Paul Robinson whose shot landed on the roof of the Glossop net. Four minutes of added time saw Whitley cope effectively with Glossop’s last ditch efforts to get back in the game and when the final whistle was blown, the celebrations could begin.
Lee Kerr was named man of the match by the sponsors Carlsberg although in truth, the honour could have gone to any one of a number of Whitley players.
The moment when David Coulson was presented with the FA Vase in front of the Royal Box was one that will live long in the memories of the thousands of Whitley fans who were basking in the warm Wembley sunshine.
For manager Ian Chandler and his assistant Steve Cuggy, who were members of the 2002 Vase winning side, this was a particularly rewarding moment, with Whitley becoming the first north east team to play - and win - at the magnificent new Wembley stadium.

Whitley Bay v Consett

2009-05-02T07:35:00.002+01:00

Hillheads Road
Whitley Bay
Northumberland
Northern League Division 1

For the second successive Saturday, Whitley staged a dramatic come back after going two goals down in the first half, and once again they did it against the side top of the table.
Last week they severely dented Spennymoor’s championship hopes but Saturday’s victory was even more significant as it denied Consett the chance to claim their first Northern League title. The Steelmen can still become champions if Newcastle Benfield, the only side that can catch them, fail to win at Penrith on Tuesday evening but the result left Whitley in with a chance of claiming runners up spot.
The Northern League’s biggest crowd of the season, 599 spectators, saw the game get underway in glorious sunshine and it was Consett who started much the better and after just seven minutes Terry Burke was called into action, saving from Adam Emson. Whitley’s best effort in the opening half hour came with a speculative long range lob from Adam Johnston that dipped just over the bar.
Consett deservedly took the lead just before the half hour when Steven Johnson fired the ball home after hesitation in the Bay defence.
Whitley responded with Chow almost breaking clear but good defending denied him space and his shot was deflected behind for a corner. Play was held up when Johnson’s challenge caught Burke. The Consett man was booked and Burke needed treatment before he could continue.
The visitors must have felt that the title was theirs when they increased their lead two minutes before half time. The goal came when Dickman broke clear on the right and his shot struck the base of the post, rebounding to Emson who slotted the ball home to the delight of the sizeable number of visiting fans. There was no denying that Consett were the better side and looked much hungrier than Whitley.
However, all that changed after the interval as Whitley stormed back into the game.
Just over three minutes after the resumption, Paul Chow sent a glancing header past Paul Gilmore, who was a late replacement in goal for the visitors following an injury to their first choice keeper in the warm up. Consett’s nerves were jangling and urged on by the crowd, Whitley piled forward, Adam Johnston twice going close in quick succession. Whitley had strong claims for a penalty following a trip that appeared to take place just inside the area. However, the referee awarded a free kick inches outside the box and when Johnston drove the ball into the goalmouth, Phil Bell steered the ball past Gilmore for the equaliser.
Terry Burke made a great diving save to deny Gary Ormston and then Callum Anderson made an excellent clearance but in general it was Whitley who looked the likelier to get the winner as Consett began to run out of steam and appeared willing to settle for the point that would almost guarantee them the title.
Anderson, only a teenager, was impressive throughout and with eight minutes remaining almost set up the winner, threading an excellent ball through the Consett defence that almost reached Kerr in a scoring position. Two minutes later, Chris Moore, who had come off the bench midway through the half, was played clear on the right by Chris Reid and closed in on goal before calmly sliding the ball past Gilmore from an acute angle when the keeper must have been expecting him to cross the ball. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and it left the visitors deflated. Whitley comfortably played out the remaining minutes and might even have got a fourth when Craig McFarlane curled a shot just beyond the far post.
At the final whistle the Consett players sunk to their knees realising that they had let the title slip from their grasp while the Whitley team left the field acknowledging the ovation from their fans on their last appearance of the season at Hillheads with their date at Wembley just a week away. Whitley have scored a remarkable 66 goals in their 21 League games at Hillheads this season, a testimony to their attacking style of play and this is just part of the reason why attendances have continued to rise and are far superior to those of any other Northern League side.

Footnote: The result Penrith 0-1 Newcastle Benfield on Tuesday 5th. May saw Benfield crowned as champions with Consett taking second place.

Spennymoor Town 2-3 Whitley Bay

2009-04-25T22:43:00.004+01:00

This can only be described as the game of two halves! Moors started the better side and took the game to Whitley, but had to wait until the 14th minute for their reward. A 60yd diagonal ball from Gareth Waite into the path of Craig Ruddy saw the little winger pull the ball back for Jamie Clarke to lash it into the net off the underside of the bar for his 31st league goal of the season. Three minutes later and the lead was extended when Bay keeper Terry Burke dallied on a back pass and after losing the ball, Karl Richards had the simple task of running the ball into the empty net to shock the visitors and send the home crowd into raptures. Whitley were on the back foot and were forced to make their first substitution with Lee Picton replacing Mark Taylor in defence. Moors still dominated with Anthony Peacock causing havoc, meanwhile Richards send three corners over which Whitley struggled to cope with but cleared. Whitley were handed a lifeline two minutes before the break when former Spennymoor striker Adam Johnston volleyed the ball from outside the area into the bottom corner of the net for what was their first shot on target.

Whitley were a different side in the second period, and more so when Peter Crouch look-alike, striker Phil Bell was introduced to the field. The former Blyth striker was a constant thorn in Spennymoor's side with Picton's long throws and the leveller came when Moors' Clarke challenged Bell to a high ball in the area but his flick saw the ball land in the top corner of the net past a static Niki Lawson and Bay celebrated. Bay were enjoying long spells of possession, especially with the driving rain behind them, and Johnston had strong appeals for a penalty turned down, before Bell headed wide after out jumping the home defence. Bell then sent a 20yd dipping drive at goal which Lawson saved well but collided with the post and had to receive treatment for a back injury. Peacock then saw Burke tip over his shot after he once again tormented the Whitley defence, however, the winner came with less than fifteen minuted on the clock when another former Spennymoor player, David Coulson, headed the ball home from close range after Chris Moore's teasing cross. Moors huffed and puffed with Richards probably having the best chance when Burke saved his tame shot. Clarke saw an acrobatic effort go wide and Peacock then fired wide after excellent determined work.

The final whistle came to end an excellent afternoon of football between two sides giving the 438 crowd plenty to cheer about and Spennymoor must have been disappointed to throw a two goal lead away but in the end Whitley just about deserved their win to keep their slim homes up of completing the double. This has to have been one of the best matches I have seen all season and the atmosphere generated by both sets of supporters was marvellous to experience.

Saturday 25th April 2009 Spennymoor Town v Whitley Bay

2009-04-24T23:02:00.002+01:00

The Brewery Field beckons and it looks like I have to drive myself; big test of mind over body but I think footie will win! I think this fixture will have a positive effect on the eventual Northern League Division 1 championship: If there is a victory by either team, that club will be the champions, if it is a draw, I fancy Newcastle Benfield to nick it at the death.

Esh Winning 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients

2009-04-10T07:02:00.007+01:00

Northern League Division 2

West Terrace

Waterhouses

Co. Durham

Talk about mouthwatering and it doesn't get much better than this fixture! Norton sit at the top of the table with Esh 3 points behind in 2nd. place. Although the result will probably decide the fate of the championship, Norton go into the game comfortable in the knowledge that they were assured promotion after Wednesday's 2-2 draw between Marske United and Sunderland Ryhope CA, while Esh need 3 points from the remaning fixtures to guarantee promotion.

Add to the above the fact that Esh is one of my favourite grounds, also that I have a lot of friends who are connected to both clubs and I see a good day coming for me.

Once again, I am being chauffered to and fro; my friend Paul Sigsworth of Billingham Synthonia is doing the honours, this time (cheers, Paul).

I am happy to say that this turned into one of my most enjoyable games for a long time, as much for the welcome I received as for the football. From entering the ground, I kept meeting people I knew, then when Paul and I went into the clubhouse, I felt like a long-lost relative! First, I was presented with a get-well card by Billy Molyneux, the father of Danny the Esh Winning goalkeeper; the card contained a message from the Esh players and committee. Then when I opened the match programme, I was delighted to see that programme editor Lee Stewart had included a welcome message for me in his opening notes.

The game itself started off quite brightly with both sides displaying their eagerness to win all three points. However, after just 15 minutes, Esh defender, the well-experienced Graham Liddle formerly of Darlington, Tow Law, Washington and Ryton, had what looked like a collision with (I think) Norton striker Gary Mitchell who was through on goal. Lids seemed to straighten his arms on contact and this left the referee with no choice other than to send him off as he was in the position of last defender.

This setback only served to instill even more spirit into the Esh side who surprised everyone with their continued attacks. Not that Norton didn't contribute; it was an end-to-end game which continued in the same vein into the second half. The last 10 minutes saw Esh, having made use of all their substitutes, almost continually on the attack with Tony Hanson having a shot which Norton keeper James Briggs only managed to palm onto the post but held onto the ball when it rebounded.

This sharing of the points has left the championship still up for grabs but Norton now look favourites, with Esh left needing 2 points from their last 2 matches to be assured promotion.

Thanks to everyone at both clubs for an enjoyable afternoon, also the many neutrals who made up the excellent attendance of 262.

Bedlington Terriers 1-3 Spennymoor Town

2009-04-04T23:47:00.005+01:00

Dr. Pit Welfare Park
Park Road
Bedlington
Northumberland

My first match for 8 weeks and I had a smashing day out. My new friend, Consett supporter Kevin Hamilton, wanted to visit Bedlington which was a new ground for him, and very kindly offered to provide transport for me. The windy conditions were never going to contribute to a classic game of football and whichever side used the wind better were going to benefit and Spennymoor did just that.

I have copied this report from the Terriers web site at http://www.bedlingtonterriersfc.co.uk/

TERRIERS SUFFER SECOND HALF COLLAPSE AGAINST TITLE HOPEFULS

Bedlington Terriers were unable to hold off the determined fightback against visitors Spennymoor Town at Welfare Park on Saturday, conceding a half time lead to lose 3-1. The hosts were required to draft in inexperienced stopper Jonathan Taylor, with regulars Kevin Morton and Gareth Powell both unavailable. With Shandran away playing with Conference North strugglers Blyth Spartans and Scott Bell only fit enough for a place on the bench; it meant Lee Ludlow ploughed a lonely trough up front. Spennymoor were given a golden opportunity to take the lead within 11 minutes of kick off when they were awarded a penalty when one of their players was brought down in the area by rookie keeper Taylor. However, the Bedlington keeper was let off the hook by spot kick taker Richards, who blasted a low shot against the base of the post and the danger was cleared. The same visiting player almost atoned for his earlier miss on the quarter-hour mark when he hit a low drive which Taylor dived full stretch to turn around the post for a brilliant save. The strong wind made it difficult conditions in which to play good football, and the most of the half was played out as a midfield battle, littered with overhit long passes and very little quality on show. The game turned in favour of the Terriers inside the final 5 minutes of the half. When Dodsworth chased down a ball over the top, Spennymoor keeper Lawson was forced to come out of goal to deal with the danger. Worried about handling the ball outside his area, he elected to head the ball clear. Unfortunately for him, his clearance landed at the feet of his namesake and Bedlington skipper Alex Lawson. Quick thinking saw him fire back immediately a lob which sailed over the helpless keeper’s head and into the back of the net. A goal out of nothing perhaps, but much to the delight of the Bedlington faithful. In fact, the Terriers were denied a golden opportunity to double their lead in the final minute of the half, when a cross from the left saw a Spennymoor defender blatantly handle the ball above his head. Incredibly, referee Mr Stalker appeared to miss the contact and waved play on. Lee Ludlow earned a caution as a result of his prolonged protests at the non-decision. A second goal at this point could have proven vital to the hosts in terms of holding on for a win or at least a point, but unfortunately the second half performance was not to live up to expectations as Spennymoor came roaring back at their hosts to bowl them over. Richards finally made up for his penalty miss, 7 minutes after a restart when his inswinging corner caught the wind a flew into the far top corner without any other player touching it on its way in. Once the equaliser came, it felt like it was just a matter of time before the next goal came with Bedlington’s stretched squad offering in the way of attacking threat. Striker Jamie Clarke put the visitors ahead with 20 minutes remaining, beating Taylor to a ball over the top to cannily lob the oncoming keeper. A number of substitutions aside, the game looked likely to peter out before Clarke struck again 4 minutes from time to put the result beyond doubt.

Targets on the road to recovery

2009-03-16T23:59:00.002Z

I am making slow but sure progress following my laminectomy and fusion operation, 5 weeks down the road. I see the surgeon on March 23 and hope for some good news. Driving is some distance away for me at the moment, but my son-in-law has offered to take me to a game as soon as I feel up to it, so I am targetting the FA Vase semi-final first leg tie between Whitley Bay and Lowestoft Town on March 28 for my reappearance to the footie scene. Realistically, this is a bit of a long shot as I seem to tire very easily. Today, I walked as far as the local branch library, which is about 500 yards from my home and I had to have a sleep when I got back home. Fingers crossed, though!

Ramblings of a retired mind.....

2009-03-02T12:06:00.004Z

You know, it's amazing - the amount of visitors we receive who, on seeing the cat litter tray say "Oh! Do you have a cat?" - one of these days I will say "Actually, we keep it for visitors" ........

I think I have Furniture Disease - that feeling you get when your chest meets your drawers ........

I was thinking that women should put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans.........

You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realized that people didn't like me anyway........

I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those mobile phones that everyone has clipped onto their belt or purse. I can't afford one. So, I'm wearing my tv remote.........

An elderly couple is attending Morning Service. About halfway through, the wife leans over and says to her husband, "I just let out a silent one; what do you think I should do?" He replies, "Put a new battery in your hearing aid."

IF ONLY ............

2009-02-28T10:15:00.002Z

....... I was recovered from my operation! There is a fascinating programme of games going on today and I can't go to any of 'em. At the top of the list is Whitley Bay v Biggleswade Town in the quarter final of the FA Vase, every Northern League supporter worth his salt must be hoping for Whitley Bay to make further progress and to avoid Marske United in the draw for the semi-final. Marske visit Glossop North End in what is their 6th away tie in 8 this season. It would be great to see two Northern League sides at Wembley.
In the league, their are mouth-watering fixtures in both divisions, with the top-of-the-table clash between Consett and Spennymoor Town possibly having a major influence on which team ultimately becomes league champions.

Post-operation blues

2009-02-21T20:38:00.009Z

12 days after my operation and 8 days since I was discharged from hospital and already I am suffering withdrawal symptoms from a lack of Northern League footie! It's gonna be a long job and about 6 weeks before I expect to be out and about again.

Billingham Synthonia 3-0 Shildon

2009-02-04T23:16:00.002Z

Durham County FA Challenge Cup
PTS Stadium
Central Avenue
Billingham

This was the only one of 9 fixtures to survive on a freezing cold night and I went down the A19 to Central Avenue as an alternative to watching Everton v Liverpool on the telly. I am pleased that I did, because both sides produced a most enjoyable match, which Shildon looked odds-on to win for long periods.
Paul Sigsworth's excellent match report (with a Synners slant) can be found at http://www.synners.co.uk/synners-shildon-4.2.09.shtml
The Shildon version is at http://www.shildonafc.co.uk/BART%20SYNNERS%20DCC.htm

Jarrow Roofing B.C.A. 1-0 Darlington Railway Athletic

2009-01-31T11:41:00.006Z

Boldon Community Association Sports Ground,
New Road,
Boldon Colliery,
Co. Durham.

I was all set to go to the Sunderland Nissan v Bedlington Terriers fixture in Division 1, when I heard that the game had been postponed. A quick look at the fixtures suggested I make the relatively short trip to Boldon Colliery, with the Sunderland RCA v Birtley Town fixture as a back-up, just in case.
The game was declared on at 2.00pm and I can't decide whether or not that was a good thing for yours truly! In truth, Roofers took the game to RA straight from the off and it was no surprise when Craig Tate put the Boldon side ahead in the 6th. minute, lofting and curling the ball into the net, just under the bar, from out on the right wing. Some other watchers said it was lucky but I have seen Tate do this before and I think he meant it. The game then settled into a huff-puff affair from both sides, with nothing to distinguish it apart from the antics of Jarrow's Dean Goodwin and RA's Marc Radmore, two big lads who seemed not to like each other very much! The last ten minutes or so saw just about the best of the game, following a couple of RA substitutions, but there was to be no change to the score.
Just think, on a freezing cold day like this was, I could have gone to Asda with the Missus! For the record, Sunderland RCA beat Birtley Town by 3-1 in what has been reported as a decent game.

Spennymoor Town 1-1 Coalville Town (aet) Spennymoor go through after penalties.

2009-01-24T20:57:00.005Z

FA Vase 4th. Round Replay

The Brewery Field,

Spennymoor,

Co. Durham.

Spennymoor goalkeeper Keith Finch was a hero at both ends of the park as Moors survived a tense penalty shoot out against Coalville to clinch a place in the last 16 of the FA CarIsberg Vase.
After two hours of football failed to separate the sides in a 1-1 draw, former Darlington keeper Finch saved Coalville's second penalty in the first stage of the shootout before taking his turn to tuck one away - and he was the first to celebrate when Coalville keeper Chris Gibson fired his sudden death kick over the top to put Moors through.
Manager Jason Ainsley said: "At the end of extra time Keith said that he would take the fifth penalty, and I didn't mind because he’s taken penalties before at other clubs and in Sunday matches. He was probably the coolest man on the pitch in the shoot out, and after he saved one penalty, he was deadly with the one he scored. It's a great result for us, but now we know that we've got a very tough game in the next round at Bideford.”
"I always knew that it wasn't going to be easy, because Coalville are a good side, and you've got to feel for them, because it was a case of so near,and yet so far. The lads were brilliant, and the players we brought in because of the injuries were outstanding."
The Leicestershire side had the early edge and went close on a couple of occasions, but Moors improved with Jamie Clarke and Ruddy going close.
Moors thought they were on their way to the next round in extra time when Ruddy cut in from the right and scored with a curler from 25 yards, but Coalville levelled to force spot kicks.

Dunston Federation 5-6 Chalfont St. Peter (after extra time)

2009-01-17T09:17:00.007Z

FA Carlsberg Vase 4th. Round.
Federation Park,
Dunston,
Gateshead.
I love the Vase matches! As the other three remaining Northern League sides were all playing further down the country, this was an easy choice and I certainly was not disappointed! The FA Vase Roadshow was in attendance and I was able to have my photograph taken with the trophy.

Summary by Ray Simpson, freelance reporter, in the Northern Echo: Dunston, who hadn’t lost a league or cup game for four months, unexpectedly came a cropper at home to Chalfont St Peter by the best of eleven in an amazing game.
Dunston weren’t helped by a couple of defensive clangers, and the dismissal of midfielder Stephen Brown in the second half. Manager Perry Briggs said: “They had seven chances and scored six, plus their keeper had a blinder.”
After twice going behind early in the game, Dunston levelled through Mark Sheeran and Andy Bulford, and at the start of the second half they seemed to have gained control when Michael Dixon put them in front. However, Dunston keeper Barry Poskett failed to stop a long distance free kick, and Chalfont then went 4-3 up. Dunston’s Steven Brown was dismissed for two yellows, but Steve Preen forced extra time. Chalfont went ahead again, only for David Wells to level from the spot, but Chalfont broke Dunston’s hearts with a late winner. http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/
More comprehensive reports can be found at http://www.thefed.co.uk/ and http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chalfontstpeterafc01/1stteam/match_report.pl?action=report&id=1173434

BREAKING NEWS!

2009-01-15T08:14:00.002Z

I am being admitted to hospital for a laminectomy operation on 9 February 2009, so there will be few updates to this site for a while after that date.

Tow Law Town 2-3 Billingham Synthonia

2009-01-13T08:21:00.006Z

Durham County FA Challenge Cup 3rd. Round
Ironworks Road
Tow Law
Co. Durham.

I had intended to watch the 2nd Division game Washington v Norton & Stockton Ancients but it had to be postponed due to an arson attack which badly damaged the changing rooms. My next choice was Darlington RA v Crook Town but that was postponed due to the state of the playing surface during the afternoon. So I decided to spend a freezing evening at one of the highest and coldest football grounds in the whole of the civilized world! I am pleased with my final choice as I met up with a lot of people I know and the game itself was quite good.
Item of interest: Tow Law is about 980 feet above sea level -the highest football ground in England, though, is at Silverlands, home to Buxton FC, which is more than 1,000 feet above sea level - but that's nothing compared to the real altitude-busters in central and south America.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City stands at 7,000 feet above sea level, while the daddy of them all, the National Stadium in the Bolivian capital La Paz, is a breath-sapping 8,500 feet above sea level.
I have copied Paul Sigsworth's excellent report from the Synners' web site at http://www.synners.co.uk/

Tow Law Town 2, Billingham Synthonia 3
Durham Challenge Cup 3rd Round
Synthonia travelled to Tow Law and made two changes from the starting eleven that drew with Ryton. David Barnes returned at left-back, with Jason Honeyman making his first start since returning to Billingham from Guisborough Town.
A free-kick inside the first two minutes from David Yale was aimed towards James Magowan, but Lawyers keeper Simon Bishop caught easily. The home side then forced a couple of corners with the second one seeing an effort go just wide of the upright.
Tow Law opened the scoring in the 10th minute. ANDY JOHNSON received the ball to the left of goal, and produced a fine finish as he placed his shot past Synners keeper Ben Escritt.
Billingham advanced down the right flank in the 16th minute as Colin Iley and Honeyman exchanged passes. Iley attempted to drive the ball across the face of goal but saw his cross go wide.
The home side had a great chance to extend their lead in the 22nd minute when Lee Hamilton latched onto a ball over the top of the Synthonia rearguard. His shot however, went wide of the upright.
Hamilton again came close in the 26th minute when a cross from the left flank saw him head inches wide of the post. The hosts continued to create the better openings and just a minute later Mark Eccles found space to the left of goal, but he shot well wide of the target.
Synners came back in the 31st minute as Honeyman took advantage of the defence backing off to carry the ball towards the Lawyers goal. He shot from 25 yards but Bishop made a comfortable save. Then two minutes later, an Iley corner from the left was swung in and struck the near post.
Synthonia's best chance of the half came in the 39th minute. James Magowan threaded the ball through for Iley to go one on one with the keeper. He attempted to go round Bishop, giving the stopper chance to get a hand on the ball and thwart the opportunity.
Half-time: Tow Law 1, Synners 0
In the 55th minute the hosts won a free-kick in a good position from 20 yards. Hamilton's effort however was straight at the Billingham wall and was eventually cleared.
Synners then attacked down the left two minutes later as Iley laid the ball wide to Honeyman. His cross was almost inch perfect to Michael Cater but Stephen Hutt rose well and headed to safety. Tow Law counter attacked, and a long range effort seemed to be sneaking into the net before Escritt produced a top quality save as he tipped the ball onto the cross-bar and smothered it under pressure.
The Lawyers again opened up the Billingham defence in the 59th minute, Johnson's defence splitting pass found Hamilton through on goal, but his shot was straight at Escritt.
Synthonia levelled in the 62nd minute. A Yale corner from the right fell into a group of players, and TOMMY MARRON reacted quickest as he prodded the ball home from close range.
Billingham almost took the lead in the 66th minute when another Yale corner from the right, this time aimed at the back post, saw Cater head inches wide of the post.
Synners continued their momentum, and after 72 minutes Iley and Magowan combined, with Magowan producing a great shot that brought out a fantastic save from Bishop. A minute later and Craig Perry picked out Iley on the right. His cross found the head of Magowan but the ball was straight into the arms of Bishop.
The visitors eventually took the lead in the 78th minute. The Tow Law defence backed off as Yale carried the ball into the penalty area. He was then brought down by a defender and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. JAMES MAGOWAN stepped up and rifled his spot kick to the left and into the net.
Billingham extended the lead in the 85th minute as Tow Law pushed up in search of a leveller. A ball forward saw COLIN ILEY beat the offside trap and in on goal with only the advancing Bishop to beat. The keeper momentarily stopped the chance, but Iley picked up the loose ball and slotted it into an empty net.
Bishop was called into action again two minutes later as Synthonia continued to press. This time it was substitute Mark Casey's long range shot that almost found the net before the Lawyers keeper palmed the ball onto the woodwork.
Tow Law pulled a goal back in the 89th minute when a corner from the right saw RICHARD LANGTHORNE glance his header into the back of the net to give the hosts a lifeline.
The Lawyers pushed up in search of a late equaliser, but the last goal scoring opportunity fell to Synners as substitute Danny Fowler broke clear and advanced on goal. He then unselfishly squared to the un-marked Magowan, but the striker's shot went wide of the target.
Teams: TOW LAW TOWN: Simon Bishop, Matthew Gowland (Anthony March), Darren Hollingsworth, Gavin Mudd (Adam Nicholls), Stephen Hutt, Richard Langthorne, Chrisopher Renshaw, Kraig Wilkinson, Lee Hamilton, Darren Johnson, Mark Eccles(c). Subs not used; Robert Shields, Luke Sullivan, Philip Maguire.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Ben Escritt, Adam Clough, David Barnes (Mark Casey), Michael Cater, Thomas Marron, David Abel(c), David Yale, Craig Perry, James Magowan, Colin Iley, Jason Honeyman (Daniel Fowler). Subs not used; Simon Shaw, Michael Jameson, Joel Guy.

Referee: Mr D Swainston

FROZEN OUT!

2009-01-10T20:34:00.001Z

The Northern League was completely frozen today, not a single game played due to the pitches being frostbound.

Bishop Auckland 1-4 Dunston Federation

2009-01-03T20:34:00.002Z

Northern League Division 1
(West Auckland AFC)
Darlington Road
West Auckland
Co. Durham

This report taken from the Bishop Auckland web site at http://www.bishopafc.com/

An explosive start with an early corner for Bishops and as Richards flag kick was deflected out Barton fired it back goalwards, but Poskett pushed it over the bar for another corner.

The second corner was cleared and from the break Bishops defence was stretched to breaking point allowing Sheeran a simple tap-in for 1-0. A minute later and Bishops still shellshocked defence rocked again and the prolific Bulford finished with ease to make it 2-0.

The remainder of the first half passed without any real incident. Porter had little to do for the remainder of the half, and on the two occasions that Poskett dropped the ball he was helped out by his defence, in the first instance, and the referee in the second.

Gus Di Lella replaced the still not match fit Kyle Anderson at half time.

Bishops dominated early possession in the second half and on 53 minutes Amar Purewal picked up a ball over the top and beat Poskett with his shot, only for it to be cleared from just in front of the goalline by a Federation defender.

On 68 minutes the game looked over when Michael Dixon made it 3-0 with another simple finish from an unmarked player in the box. On 75 minutes Porter made a good save with his legs to keep the scoreline down.

A free-kick for Bishops on 76 minutes was swung in from just over the half way line by Dixon and Arjun Purewal got in the header which beat Poskett at the near post to make it 3-1.

Dunston responded immediately through substitute John Clark to make the final score 1-4.

Teams:

Bishop Auckland: Chris Porter, Lee Foster, Kyle Anderson (Gus DiLella 45), Kevin Dixon, Arjun Purewal, Steven West, Stephen Salvin, Scott Richards, Gavin Barton, Gavin Parkin, Amar Purewal (Adam Strong 62)

Dunston Federation: Barry Poskett, Steven Pickering, David Wells, Michael Robson, Ben Cattanach, Kane Young, Fergal Harkin, Michael Dixon, Mark Sheeran (Steven Preen 35), Andrew Bulford, Steven Brown (John Clark 70).

Consett 2-2 Dunston Federation

2008-12-27T22:43:00.006Z

Northern League Division 1
Belle Vue
Ashdale Road
Consett

This was the match of the day, league leaders against third and all to play for! I was not disappointed either, a very good game played in the right manner.

Consett went on the attack right from the start and were rewarded in the third minute when David Pounder met a cross from the right by Gary Ormston with his left foot and volleyed in. 1-0

The Fed seemed to take control for a while after that and when Fergal Harkin lofted the ball into the penalty area, Kane Young sent his header into goal. 10 minutes 1-1

Just after the half hour mark, Fed were awarded a penalty and Harkin's weak attempt was saved by Paul Gilmore. 3 minutes later, Andrew Bulford gave Fed the lead with a delightful left foot chip over Gilmore. 1-2

Shortly after half time, Carl Piecha's left footed strike gained a deflection on it's way into the net. 2-2

Both sides played some good football from this point and both sides will be claiming some unfair refereeing decisions cost them the winners' points, but I thoroughly enjoyed the game and think that a draw was the fair outcome.

Teams:

Consett: Paul Gilmore, Mark Gaffney (David Johnson 30), Michael Coulthard, Chris Scott, Carl Piecha, Craig Robson (Steven Johnson 65), Gary Ormston, Jonjo Dickman (Andrew Cuthbertson 78), Mattie Moffat, Adam Emson, David Pounder.

Dunston Federation: Barry Poskett, Steven Pickering, David Wells, Michael Robson, Ben Cattanach, Kane Young (John Clark 87), Fergal Harkin, Michael Dixon, Mark Sheeran (Steven Preen 69) Andrew Bulford (Richard Logan 78) Steven Brown.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-16T11:58:00.003Z

No football

2008-12-14T10:23:00.002Z

No footie for me this weekend, unfortunately. There were only 4 matches left standing due to the recent weather, at Billingham Town, Whitley Bay, Horden and Thornaby. Also, I now have to be careful of my spending, having been off work sick since the end of August, waiting for an operation on my spine. So, I chose to spend the afternoon visiting family with my better half.

Billingham Synthonia 5-2 West Auckland Town

2008-12-06T21:10:00.005Z

Northern League Division 1

The PTS Stadium

Central Avenue

Billingham.

Billingham welcomed West Auckland Town to the PTS Stadium and made four changes from the defeat at home to Spennymoor Town ten days ago. Michael Cater & Tyson Masters both made starts, with Michael Jameson & Simon Shaw both returning from injury to return to the starting eleven.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when in the 7th minute Ian Maddison and Kevin Bromley combined to advance on goal. Synners skipper David Abel however, had read the danger and intercepted at the expense of a corner. The resulting flag-kick from the left saw a shot at goal, but Colin Iley cleared off the line at his position on the near post.
West Auckland continued to have slightly the better of the opening exchanges, and forced a couple of corners in the 14th minute. The second of which was palmed away to safety from Synners keeper Ben Escritt.
Billingham came back at West in the 17th minute when Iley played the ball in to James Magowan. He in turn tried to release Masters who had got in beyond the visiting rearguard, but West keeper Nicky Farrel was alert to the danger and collected.
In the 20th minute, Bromley fed the ball in to Chris Musgrave, and the visiting striker got a slight touch on the ball to force Escritt into making a save.
Synthonia gradually started to control the tempo of the game and were gaining more possession in midfield. A Shaw pass along the right touchline in the 23rd minute for Iley, saw the Billingham striker turn his marker. he then crossed towards Michael Cater but the ball went just beyond the midfielder. A minute later and Shaw found Cater advancing, and he did well to pull the ball back into the danger area, but the West defence cleared.
In the 28th minute Jameson and David Yale combined on the left, and Yale's cross saw Masters head towards goal. Farrel however made a comfortable catch. Billingham then won a free-kick just on the edge of the penalty area after Cater was fouled. Shaw stepped up, but saw his dead-ball delivery sail harmlessly over the bar.
Auckland's Musgrave picked up a loose ball in the 32nd minute and advanced down the right. His ball aimed at Bromley was intercepted by Andy Harbron, who cleared.
The scoring was opened in the 35th minute. Yale sent in a great cross from the left into the penalty area for JAMES MAGOWAN. The striker leaped well to head home passed the diving Farrel. Two minutes later, in the 37th minute and an almost carbon copy move reaped its rewards. This time it was Jameson's great delivery from the left to JAMES MAGOWAN, and he again got in front of his marker to head home into the top corner of the net.
Billingham added a third another two minutes later in the 39th minute. Masters advanced down the right and into the penalty area. He then unselfishly squared the ball to the un-marked JAMES MAGOWAN who fired in his hat-trick with his right foot.
Synthonia were now rampant, with their visitors looking a little shell shocked. A fourth goal was added in the 43rd minute and again it was from Magowan. Masters was again provider as he chased the ball towards the left bye-line. He did well to keep it in play and cut back towards the onrushing JAMES MAGOWAN, and the hit man rifled the ball home from 12 yards for his fourth goal in eight minutes.
Half-time: Synners 4, West Auckland 0
Synthonia continued where they left off in the second period and after 51 minutes Jameson's free-kick from the left saw Cater attack the ball. But he couldn't direct his effort towards goal and the West defence momentarily cleared their lines.
A minute later though, Billingham made it five. Magowan left the ball for Harbron to try a low drive at goal. The ball was going wide but TYSON MASTERS had got into a good position to side foot home from close range.
A swift Synners move in the 58th minute saw Yale play the ball into Iley. he in turn tried to thread the ball between two defenders towards Magowan, but West captain Michael Heckley adjusted well to intercept and clear.
Billingham again were having a lot of joy down the left flank, with Jameson supporting Yale well. A great ball in from the latter in the 66th minute came to Magowan, but this time the striker headed over the bar. Two minutes later and Synthonia attacked down the right. Substitute Adam Clough crossed to Masters, but his header on target saw Farrel make a comfortable catch.
Auckland pulled a goal back in the 75th minute when full-back Neil Pattinson got into a forward position along the right flank. He crossed the ball for ALEX CAISLEY who saw the ball over the line at the back post.
Another attacking move along the right reaped rewards for the visitors in the 81st minute. Again Pattinson got into an advanced position and crossed into the danger area. This time the ball ricocheted of ADAM CLOUGH as he attempted to clear and spun into the net.
There was a lengthy stoppage towards the end of the game when Abel took a knock to the face. The skipper left the field and Billingham played out the remaining 5 minutes with ten men.

http://www.synners.co.uk/synners-westauck-6.12.08.shtml

Referee: Mr M Coy Assistants: S Whittaker & S Wilson and fairplay to the three of them, they did a grand job, in my opinion.

Line-ups:

Billingham Synthonia: Ben Escritt, Simon Shaw (Adam Clough), Michael Jameson, Anthony Harbron (Joel Guy), David Abel, Thomas Marron, David Yale, Michael Cater, James Magowan, Colin Iley, Tyson Masters (Liam Brown).

Substitutes not used; Stephen Baynes, David Barnes.

West Auckland Town: Nicky Farrel, Neil Pattinson, Brian Fairhurst, Michael Heckley, Shaun Davies, Danny Richmond, Steven Flockett, Neil Lowden (Alex Caisley), Ian Maddison (Jonathon French), Christopher Musgrave (Stuart Owen), Kevin Bromley.

Substitutes not used: James Austick, Jak Outhwaite.

Horden CW 3-2 Guisborough Town

2008-11-29T19:45:00.003Z

Welfare Park
Horden
Co. Durham.

On a bitterly cold day which wiped out the whole of the First Division, I was lucky enough to watch one of only four fixtures played in the second division. Two other games did kick-off, but had to be abandoned early on due to fog.

Horden staged a remarkable comeback in stoppage time to earn three valuable promotion points against Guisborough.
Horden were the only one of the promotion contenders to pick up three points at the weekend, and manager Simon Corbett said: "Last week, when we scored within ten seconds, we told people to make sure they turned up for the start of the match. This week, we've told them to make sure they don't go early!"
Guisborough were twice in the lead in the game. David Onions ran through to put them ahead midway through the first half, and after Horden's Ian Clark hit the post with a penalty, Craig Hubbard levelled on 68 minutes after sub Jonathan Monaghan's shot was blocked.
Liam McPhillips restored Guisborough's lead from a Luke Bythway pass, but in the first minute of stoppage time, Monaghan equalised with an overhead kick. Within seconds, Hubbard cracked in the winner for a 3-2 win.

Ray Simpson www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/

Esh Winning 3-1 Whitehaven Amateurs

2008-11-22T12:48:00.012Z

Northern League Division 2

West Terrace,
Waterhouses,
Esh Winning,
County Durham.

I always try to fit in at least one visit to Esh Winning during the season, sometimes more, as it is one of my favourite grounds - picturesque setting, canny pitch, great clubhouse and good craic!

The football's usually OK, too!

Whitehaven have been at or near the top of the division since the first day of the season and they took the game to Esh from the off, taking the lead in the 13th minute when Craig Robson sent in a nice cross from the left to be turned into net by Gary Hodgson. 0-1
This woke up Esh and they were able to equalise 2 minutes later when left winger Michael Fort was upended in the penalty area and Chris Smith put away the resulting spot kick. 1-1
Exactly 10 minutes later. Michael Fort was awarded another penalty for another foul by the same player in almost the same place in the penalty area. Once again, Chris Smith converted, sending in the rebound after Jack Fryer had made a good save from the first attempt. 2-1
5 minutes from time, Tony Hanson was on hand when a free kick was beaten out and he blasted into goal to confirm the victory for Esh Winning. 3-1

Shildon 4-1 Billingham Town

2008-11-19T14:26:00.005Z

Northern League Cup 2nd. Round
Dean Street,
Shildon.

My first time at Dean Street for 3 seasons, and, as always, I missed the turn off the A688 and finished up in a different part of Shildon, which I now recognise!

The match programme states it was a First Division fixture, but I assure you it was a League Cup tie.

Billingham Town took an early lead when the Shildon 'keeper, Andrew Spence, advanced too far from his goal and found himself in No-Man's Land when the ball was passed to the unmarked Chris Moore out on the left. Moore had all the time in the world in which to control the ball and strike it hard with his left foot into the back of the net. I didn't win the Golden Goal prize through this! 8 minutes 0-1.

Bell had a shot saved in the 14th minute and Byrne found himself one on one with the keeper in the 22nd minute but the keeper managed to gather the ball easily. Spence had to save a Billingham Town free kick in the 26th minute to prevent the visitors from extending their lead. Shildon pressed forward and Chapman levelled the score in the 30th minute. The referee seemed to have lost control at this stage and he booked Walklate, Bell and Mason within 10 minutes of each other. Byrne finally put Shildon ahead in the 41st minute when he cleverly wrong footed the keeper and scored.
HALF TIME Shildon 2 - 1 Billingham Town
Shildon came out after the break and pushed to extend their lead. Chapman had a good effort in the 48th minute which went just over the bar. Shildon were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute which was one of the first refereeing decisions of the game that had went in their favour. Byrne stepped up to take the penalty and confidently slotted the ball past the Billingham Town keeper to put Shildon 3-1 ahead. The visitors came close in the 55th minute when former Shildon player - Whensley had a shot just wide. Shildon were unlucky in the 65th minute when a goalmouth scramble almost resulted in them getting another goal, Billingham somehow managed to get the ball away. Watson hit the bar in the 68th minute and Byrne missed a golden opportunity in the 73rd minute. Watling played a good ball through to Byrne in the 77th minute, Byrne should have shot straightaway as he was in a good position to score, unfortunately he opted to try to dance through the Billingham Town defence and eventually lost the ball and the attack came to nothing. In the 90th minute the visitors shot just wide of the post and then in same minute Shildon went forward and extended their lead through Bell to 4-1. The final whistle came and although it was by no means a convincing performance, Shildon maintain their unbeaten run and progress in another cup competition.

http://www.shildonafc.co.uk/BART%20BILLINGHAM%20TOWN%20LC.htm

Spennymoor Town 2-1 Stokesley Sports Club

2008-11-15T21:58:00.005Z

FA Vase 2nd. Round Proper
The Brewery Field
Spennymoor

Played on a sticky pitch, Stokesley set their stall out from the off by puting ten men behind the ball and relying on a quick breakaway and Spennymoor were unable to capitalise on some wayward defending by the visitors. Chris Smith twice shot into Dan Johnson in the Stokesley goal, then Craig Ruddy got the better of Leon Poole down the left and his squared pass saw Stokesley skipper Stuart Wise get a block on his shot. Stokesley almost opened the scoring when the powerful Craig Johnson headed across the face of goal and Paul Campbell hooked the ball off the post and into Keith Finch's arms. At the other end Smith headed tamely into Johnson before Karl Richards swung two excellent corners over all to no avail, then curled a free kick into Johnson's arms.
The breakthrough came when a long ball from Neil Radigan saw Moors defender Matt Noble misjudge the bounce and Dale Mendum broke clear to slot the ball past Finch. It was hands to the pump for Spennymoor, rallied by the vocal home support in the second half to turn the game around, it looked over until the introduction of Craig Gott and Chris Lawther for Graham Robinson and Noble respectively. Jamie Clarke and Smith again went close before the Moors eventually restored parity on 77 minutes. Lawther held off two challenges to drill a shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Moors, now with their tails up, went for the winner and eight minutes later Lawther sprinted clear down the right and as he cut inside the area his cross cum shot was bundled into the net by Stuart Wise and Lawther reeled away in delight and there were mass celebrations on the terraces. Moors almost wrapped the win up in stoppage time and were denied a penalty when Richards dribbled into the area and was hauled down, however, the match official waved play on and Moors stood firm to celebrate at the final whistle £1200 richer with this win and go into the hat on Monday for the 3rd Round Draw.
http://www.spennymoorunitedfc.co.uk/match_reports.htm

Chester le Street Town 4-2 Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics

2008-11-08T23:14:00.003Z

Northern League Division 1
Moor Park,

Chester Moor,

County Durham.

Chester-le-Street caused another upset in the skilltrainingltd Northern League when they beat one of the title favourites, Newcastle Benfield, by 4-2 on Saturday.
Chester have beaten Consett and Whitley Bay in recent weeks as well as drawing at Dunston, and manager Stuart Sherwood said: “At the moment, we’re top of the form league, and long may it continue.“Maybe other teams are underestimating us because we were bottom of the league table at the start of the season, but there isn’t a better team than us at the moment – we’re scoring goals and playing some attractive football. Wayne Gredziak has made a big difference to us, but other players are doing well also.”
Micky Chilton put Benfield into an early lead, but Craig Price levelled from the penalty spot after Robbie Draper was fouled, and then Draper set up Price to score the second from close range. Gredziak then scored an excellent goal, when he cut in from the right and scored from 25 yards to make it 3-1 before half time.
Gredziak scored the fourth from a Price pass midway through the second half, and Ian Graham pulled a goal back late on for Benfield.

Courtesy of Ray Simpson http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/

Ashington 3-1 Northallerton Town

2008-11-01T07:39:00.014Z

Northern League Division 1
Woodhorn Lane,
Ashington,
Northumberland.

Ashington's new ground has been beckoning me for a few weeks and I wanted to get there before the winter sets in and this was as good a chance as any. It's location is not easily found and I was at least slightly glad to discover that I was not the only person to have problems reaching it - quite a few people from Northallerton had the same problem, including some of the players.

It is a very nice, tidy, set-up within a new housing development but the lack of direction and/or road signs added to the difficulties of finding it. The clubhouse is very clean and hospital-like and has yet to develope the atmosphere which used to permeate the old ground, Portland Park, nevertheless, Worthington's Bitter at £1.oo per pint is attractive enough and it was very palatable! A nice mince 'n' onion pie just before kick-off certainly set me up for the rest of the afternoon.

The Colliers took the game to Town from the off and probably enjoyed most of the possession during the first half but looked as though they would go in level having failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage but with the clock ticking into injury time Gareth Bainbridge broke into the box and sent a lovely chip over Northallerton keeper Jody Barford. This looked to be heading into the goal but Lee McAndrew forced it over the line to be sure. Half time 1-0 and off for a cup of not-very-strong Bovril and a hamburger with very soggy onions.

Northallerton came out revitalised in the second half with the introduction of Gary Shardha in place of a lack-lustre Jason Newall and took the game to Ashington for the opening ten minutes however Colliers gradually regained control of the game and Robbie Cockburn shot home from close range to put the home side further ahead. 2-0

Ashington made the game safe when some good work down the left by substitute Lee Scott saw him pull it back for McAndrew to drill in a shot which was well saved by Barford but his parry only fell to David Rayner who shot home from close range. 3-0

Northallerton grabbed a late consolation goal when Shardha was on hand to blast in a hopeful punt into the penalty area from deep but it was too little too late with the final whistle confirming the three points for the hosts. 3-1

Teams:

Ashington: Kyle Hayes, David Rayner, Justin Millican, David Tremble, Paul Dunn, Ross Atkinson (Lee Scott), Michael Fenwick, Christian Graham, Robert Cockburn, Gareth Bainbridge, Lee McAndrew (Luke Parkinson).

Unused substitutes David Bibby, Daniel Kennerly, Paul Simpson.

Northallerton Town: Jody Barford, Christopher Walker, Stuart Jackson, James Crossman, Steven Purcifer, Jamie Walton (Scott McNichol), Steven Roberts, Jason Newall (Gary Shardha), Gabriel Radu, Carl Chillingsworth, Paul Jack.

Unused substitutes Patrick Pisani, Martyn Speight, Stuart Dawson.

Sunderland Nissan 3-1 Whitley Bay

2008-10-30T00:21:00.006Z

Wednesday 29 October 2008
Northern League Division 1
Nissan Sports Complex,
Washington.

I asked posters to the Northern League Form on www.Nonleaguezone.com to take part in a poll to help me decide between this game and Billingham Synthonia v Morpeth. This fixture won 65% of the votes so off to the Nissan Sports Complex I toddled.
The following match report comes courtesy of the Whitley Bay Official web site:
Nissan are always a tough side to beat and with former Bay stalwart Brian Rowe at the heart of their defence, Whitley knew they had a battle on their hands. Both Terry Burke and Mark Taylor were missing from the Bay side, but Darren Timmons was back in the team after illness. On a cold evening Whitley started well, and with just four minutes played, Leon Ryan fired a shot inches over the bar from Paul Robinson’s corner. Damon Robson then crossed to the far post and found Craig McFarlane, who mishit his shot and failed to trouble Nissan keeper Paul Newton.
Having been on top during the opening 15 minutes, Whitley were pushed back as the home side got into gear. Hodgson produced a good shot which Tom Kindley, deputising for the unavailable Terry Burke, saved low down.
Just past the half hour, Paul Robinson shot over the bar after receiving the ball from a Picton header. A fairly even half ended all square with neither side having managed to break through.
Things changed after the interval though, with Whitley going close straight from the whistle when Chow was just short of connecting with a low cross from Moore two yards from goal. A minute later play swung to the other end and when the ball was cleared only as far as Nissan’s Andrew Thompson, he took full advantage sending a great shot into the top corner of the net, giving Kindley no chance at all. Kindley then saved at the feet of substitute Stuart Banks and with the game really opening up, Chris Moore wasted a good opportunity to level the score when he hit a hurried shot wide after latching on to a long ball out of defence. Whitley kept pushing forward and when they won a corner, Robinson’s ball into the goalmouth saw Davison clear off the line from Ryan, before Newton saved Picton’s effort. The ball finally rebounded to David Coulson who drove it into the net from six yards to level the score at 1-1.
Nissan looked dangerous whenever they attacked, thanks in part to the speed of their attacks and in particular the pace of Joshua Gillies. With 20 minutes left, Richard Hodgson put Nissan back in front after a well worked move cut through the Whitley defence. Seven minutes later Josh Gillies got the third goal which effectively made the game safe for Nissan. Kindley had done well to block Gillies' first effort after he broke clear on goal, but could do nothing to prevent the 18 year old slotting home the rebound.
Substitutions in the closing stages made little difference and although both Chow and Coulson went close late on, Nissan looked a stronger unit, especially in defence and deservedly collected all three points, while Whitley and their fans were left to reflect on another disappointing defeat.

Teams:
Sunderland Nissan: Paul Newton, Kallum Griffiths, Ian Davison, Andrew Thompson, Brian Rowe, Richard Flynn, Anthony Chapman (Neil Tarrant), Gary Pearson, Paul Robinson (Stuart Banks), Richard Hodgson, Josh Gillies
Whitley Bay: Thomas Kindley, Darren Timmons, Lee Picton, Craig McFarlane, David Coulson, Leon Ryan (Bruce Hogg), Chris Moore, Damon Robson, Lee Kerr (Andrew Hay), Paul Chow, Paul Robinson (Darren Reay)

Seaham Red Star 0-2 Northallerton Town

2008-10-18T20:48:00.003+01:00

Northern League Division 1
Seaham Town Park.

As I had not been to Seaham for a couple of seasons and some of the Northallerton supporters are friends of mine, this was my choice for the day. Red Star as a club has undergone a lot of changes this term, following the withdrawal of the main sponsor and changes in the administration and management set-up. The old club has been closed, probably for ever and Red Star now share clubhouse facilities with their next-door neighbours Seaham Park Cricket Club, where I enjoyed a couple of pre-match pints of John Smith's Smooth. Amazingly, the front cover of the poor quality programme carries a photograph of me old mate, John Toft, who has not played for Seaham for some two seasons, Tofty now plies his trade at Durham City, in the Unibond North division!
Glad to say that the playing surface is still as good as ever, though - the grass was about the best thing on the pitch, on the day. The first half was pretty much a non-event, the only action worth mentioning being a save by Town's goalkeeper, new signing Jody Barford, and even that had an element of of luck about it.
Half-time 0-0 and my pie also merits a mention, very tasty!
The second half saw some spells of decent football. Town got the ball down and passed it about a bit, while Seaham huffed and puffed a lot without causing too much panic in the Northallerton defence. A well-taken goal by my Man Of The Match, Steve Roberts and a slightly lucky chip by Scott McNichol, which crept in just under the bar, earned Northallerton the points.

Consett 5-2 Ryton

2008-10-11T20:51:00.009+01:00

Northern League Division 1
Belle Vue, Ashdale Road, Consett.

Consett were on the rebound from two consecutive losses to teams lower down the league, while Ryton were expected to be on a high following their 10-1 thrashing of Guisborough Town in the FA Vase, so this game looked promising.
Consett Manager Kenny Lindoe favours a 3-5-2 formation and they were straight into the attack and had much the better of the first 10 minutes, during which a Jonjo Dickman shot went just wide, while Ryton's only attack of note resulted in a free kick just outside the box which Marc Walton sent just over the crossbar. In the 15th. minute, prolific striker Mattie Moffat beat Graham Liddle to a through ball, turned and shot to put the home side ahead. 1-0
Just a minute later, Carl Piecha, unmarked at the far post, rose to meet a right wing corner kick from Gary Ormston, giving Ben Starford no chance. 2-0
Ryton's Starford was was the busier of the two goalkeepers and a shot from defender Mark Gaffney brought out a great save from him in the 20th. minute. Two minutes later, Moffat did well to hold the ball up before laying it off for Andy Cuthbertson, who blasted it into the goal with his left foot. 3-0
Ryton came more into the game after this, but made no inroads until Steve Jones was upended in the penalty area in time added on at the end of the first half. Marc Walton doesn't normally miss from the spot and this opportunity was no different. Half time 3-1
Ryton began the second half as they had finished the first and 5 minutes in, Steve Shaw sent a lovely ball forward and Jones running from deep, controlled well before facing James Platten in a 1-on-1 and side-footed into the net. 3-2 and game on!
This goal re-awakened Consett, who began to take control again. In the 58th. minute, following another strong attack, the ball fell to Piecha, just inside the box, who had time to pick his spot before hitting a hard left foot shot past Starford. 4-2
Two minutes later, Liddle was adjudged to have handled a Steve Johnson shot and Piecha claimed the right to go for his hat-trick. His shot was not the best however and Starford was able to block it and Jones cleared for a corner kick. A rare Ryton attack in the 63rd. minute resulted in Liddle meeting an Andrew Dobby free kick with his head, but only managing to send the ball against the crossbar. On 80, Moffat, a constant threat to Ryton, was fouled by Ryan Bell, about 25 yards out. Dickman curled his free-kick into the area and Starford, normally very safe in that situation seemed to fumble it and it went into the net over his body. 5-2
Starford redeemed himself somewhat 2 minutes later, making a fine save from Johnson. There followed even more attacks by Consett and in the last 5 minutes, 3 or 4 shots were either saved or blocked on the line. This was a great game for a neutral like me!

Teams:
Consett: James Platten, Karl Baston, Mark Gaffney, Jonjo Dickman, Carl Piecha, David Pounder (John Clark), Chris Scott (Carl Heiniger), Andrew Cuthbertson (Craig Robson), Mattie Moffat, Steven Johnson, Gary Ormston.
Unused substitutes Paul Curry, Adam Emson.
Ryton: Ben Starford, Ryan Bell, Carl Paterson, Steven Jones, John Parker, Graham Liddle, Dale Burrell, Steven Shaw, Marc Walton, Glenn Reay (Liam McBryde), Andrew Dobby.
Unused substitutes Gareth McKenna, Ross Preston, Craig Marron.

Sunderland Ryhope C.A. 1-2 Marske United

2008-10-04T08:50:00.005+01:00

Meadow Park, Ryhope, Sunderland.
FA Vase 1st. Round Proper.
Being the new owner of a concessionary bus pass, I have chosen a fixture which is in easy reach of my home, using public transport. Meadow Park entails a 5 minutes' walk, a 20 minutes' bus ride, followed by another 5 minutes' walk. I was very tempted to take in either Esh Winning v Scarborough Athletic or Guisborough Town v Ryton in the same competition, but, I have vowed to reduce my expenditure and use my pass, so the choice was narrowed down to this fixture or Sunderland Nissan v Morpeth Town, also in the Vase. As I didn't want to be the "only" person in the ground (Nissan and Morpeth have very few supporters!) Meadow Park took the vote.

The Marske United supporters were determined to make a day of it! They were transported to Ryhope on a bus subsidised by CarCraft of Marske and had an enjoyable pre-match meal and drinks at The Village Tavern before coming on to Meadow Park. By then they were in fine voice, occupying one half of the Ray Baines Stand.

Marske United supporters in full voice
(Photograph courtesy of Moss Holtby, Marske United's awarding-winning programme editor)

Marske began the game kicking down bank with the wind and heavy rain at their backs. They took the game straight to RCA and made it obvious that nothing less than a victory would be good enough. After 28 minutes their many attacks at last paid off when a free kick was awarded on the left corner of the penalty area and Andy Swalwell sent his left foot shot past Craig Shields. Marske striker Craig Skelton later claimed that he got a touch on the ball before it went into the net, but I was at the other end of the pitch and can't comment - cue the Dubious Goals Panel! 0-1
Four minutes later, former RCA left winger Jonathan Newton carried the ball in from the left, along the byeline, beating a couple of RCA defenders before sending the ball across the front of goal, where, as yet untouched, it found Derek Bradley who only needed to side foot it into the goal. 0-2
At half-time, RCA manager Neil Hixon sent on midfielder Gary Shields to replace right-back Patrick Little and Shields soon began to form an understanding with one of my long-time favourite players - Steven (Buddy) Halliday, formerly of Hartlepool United, Carlisle United, Durham City, Sunderland Nissan and Seaham Red Star - in a 3-5-2 formation. Marske's well organised defence easily dealt with anything which was thrown at them, though. However, with about six minutes left, Buddy sent a ball forward down the right from the halfway line which Gary Shields did well to prevent going for a goal kick; he beat one player before sending in a very good cross which Andy Jennings won at the near post to head in. 1-2
A couple more attacks from RCA were beaten out and Marske were worthy winners.

Teams:
Sunderland Ryhope CA: Craig Shields, Patrick Little (Gary Shields), Glen Moan, Richard Flynn, Neil Moan, Mark McLeod (Dean Goodwin), Lee Owens, Steven Halliday, Andrew Jennings, David Tait, David Lee. Unused substitutes: Paul Sammons, Andrew Middleton, Jon Minniss.

Marske United: Brendan Ledgeway, Andrew Raw, Stephen Gamble, Andrew Swalwell, Michael Waller, Mark Taylor, Derek Bradley, Steve Cochrane, Glen Wesson, Craig Skelton, Jonathan Newton (Simon Kasonali). Unused substitutes: Benn Thompson, Anthony Roberts, Jonathan Peirson, Shane Erkine.

Washington 5-1 Darlington Railway Athletic

2008-09-27T21:56:00.003+01:00

Northern League Division 2
I paid my second visit in a week to Albany Park to watch a revitalised Washington side just about demoralise the RA team which is very much in a state of flux following managerial and playing staff changes. Washington fielded new signings striker Garry McCartney from Birtley Town, defender Liam Clough and midfielder Andy Howarth, both from Shildon. After a tentative start, McCartney began to link up well with Paul Terrell and began to cause the RA defence a lot of problems with their running on and off the ball. A sweet pass from Howarth found James Riordan on the edge of the penalty area and he took a touch before sending a left foot shot past RA keeper Paul Clements, who was already looking nervous. 13 minutes 1-0.
This setback seemed to awaken RA and they began a series of attacks which the Washington defence was able to deal with but on 17 minutes a lovely cross from the left was met by the head of recently returned Paul Freary. 1-1
On 35 minutes Terrell received the ball on the corner of the penalty area and his right foot shot was only helped into the net by a defender but I think the ball was already over the line. 2-1
Just a minute later, McCartney, following up, was in the right spot when a Terrell shot was only parried by Clements and just about finished the game as a contest. 3-1 Half time.
Both sides made substitutions at half time and the RA began to look interesting for a little while, but, on 52 minutes, Washington substitute John Lydon, going down the right, put a lovely ball into the mixer, leaving Terrell and Clements with a one-on-one situation, which Terrell won, just managing to flick the ball over Clements into goal. 4-1
11 minutes later it was all over when Lydon, in a virtual repeat of the above play made a similar cross, which Terrell jumped over, leaving McCartney to blast a fine shot into the net. 5-1
On this showing, returning RA manager (The One) Dave Woodcock has a lot to do to bring his team into shape. From the other view-point, Washington manager Keith Sheardown must be well pleased with his recent acquisitions.

Birtley Town 2-3 Scarborough Athletic

2008-09-20T04:44:00.007+01:00

FA Vase 2nd. Round Qualifying
The following announcement was made on the Northern League Official web site earlier in the week:
"Because of problems of standing water, now contaminated, on and around the pitch, Birtley's FA Vase tie on Saturday September 20 will now take place at Washington."
So it's off to Albany Park for my first visit of the season, a little earlier than I had expected!
This is to be Birtley's first venture into the FA Vase, against a side which was formed on June 25 of 2007 following the liquidation of Scarborough FC. Athletic are doing fairly well, being in top spot of the Northern Counties East League Div 1, with 17 points from 8 matches.

I was amazed to learn that Scarborough brought about 200 supporters along! They draped their flags behind one of the goals and made a fair bit of noise for their team.
Birtley worked hard as usual, while Scarborough were the better footballing side and probably deserved the result. However, both sides were guilty of some poor finishing and the scoreline could have been so different. Birtley were pegged down in their own half for long periods and most of their chances came on the break after some (at times) desperate defending. Scarborough were much more thoughtful with their attacks and displayed a lot of skill. Tony Thirkell was in the right place to score both Birtley's goals; Scarborough's first two came from David Thompson and Rob Ellis, while Scott Phillips got the the third after a goalmouth scramble.

Attendance 240

Norton & Stockton Ancients 4-1 Whickham

2008-09-13T20:21:00.004+01:00

Northern League Division 2
My first choice for today had been to take another look at Whitehaven Amateurs at Sunderland Ryhope CA. Meadow Park was declared unplayable early in the day, obviously to save the visitors a needless journey, so I tootled off down the A19 to Norton on Tees. Norton now boasts a new 160 seater stand - very impressive, too. A pint of John Smith's Smooth went down well in the Sports Centre bar before kick-off.

The game kicked off in perfect conditions on a very good playing surface and a tough midfield battle commenced. It took until the 10th minute for the first shot of the game, when Michael Dunwell floated a shot over the crossbar after a flick-on from Gary Mitchell. Norton began to take a stranglehold on the match and looked very organised across the park. David Hillerby was next to go close when a goalmouth scramble allowed the ball to run clear. The youngster could only smash his shot just wide of the mark. On 22 minutes, a hopeful pass forward was chased down by M. Dunwell causing a mix up at the back. The ball ran free for MITCHELL to take one touch before stroking the ball into an empty net. Whickham fought well, but were unable to break down a well ordered Norton rearguard. On 38 minutes, Nathan Mulligan ran into space on the left. He received a good pass from Marcus Laing but his touch took him a little wide and he could only manage to screw his shot the wrong side of the upright. It was 2-0 on 40 minutes, when MITCHELL doubled his tally. Veteran midfielder cum defender Richard Gaston, jinking and turning then playing an inch-perfect pass to put the striker clear on goal. Mitchell made no mistake with a great finish on the half-volley.Whickham created their first real chance in the last minute of the half when some hard graft got them behind the Ancients defence. A dive from Ian Robson tried to win a penalty but the referee gave a free-kick just outside the box for an earlier foul by Chris Dunwell. The kick was taken well and was heading for the top right-hand corner, but James Briggs pulled off a good save, tipping it over the bar. The resulting corner was cleared and the home side had a great chance to counter attack. N. Mulligan tried to put M. Dunwell through on goal but the linesman pulled it back for offside.

Half time: 2-0

Whickham started the second half a lot more brightly and looked to stretch Norton. Good work at the back though, from C. Dunwell and James Middleton, kept them at bay.The first chance of the second period fell to Alan Cossavella on 55 minutes. A good corner floated in by Hillerby was met at the back post by the midfielder, but he could only head just wide. Two minutes later, Hillerby went close himself as he wriggled clear of the defence only to shoot just wide. Whickham then upped their game and mounted a good spell of pressure. On 70 minutes, a fierce shot through a crowded penalty area was well held by Briggs and few minutes later, a curling effort was parried by the Norton goalkeeper. On 76 minutes Harrison Davies was introduced to the action replacing Nathan Mulligan. The change was to have an immediate effect when from the next attack MITCHELL completed an excellent hat-trick. A chipped ball over the central defenders bounced up, and the quick-thinking hit man stuck out a leg, beating the goalkeeper to the ball. Mitchell jumped to his feet and tucked the ball into the empty net. 5 minutes later it was four when substitute RICHARD WALKER ran onto a Mitchell pass, and slipped the ball under the advancing Stephen Robinson. In the last minute of injury time, Whickham got the consolation maybe their hardwork deserved when DAVID FAIRLESS created some space on the left to shoot. Briggs got a hand to it but the ball trickled over the line.

Teams:
Norton: James Briggs, Richard Gaston (David Alderson), Richard Dacombe, Chris Dunwell, James Middleton, Marcus Laing, David Hillerby, Alan Cossavella, Michael Dunwell (Richard Walker), Gary Mitchell, Nathan Mulligan (Harrison Davies). Unused subs Dale Mulligan, Daniel Fowler.
Whickham: Stephen Robinson, Craig Cowell (Josh Watson), Paul McQuillan (Graeme Jackson), Gary Andison, Adam McLane, Paul Cavanagh, Chris Douglas, Anthony Dowson, David Fairless, Ian Robson (Mark Heron), Andrew Wilson. Unused subs Peter Adnitt, Daniel Henderson.

Wednesday 10/09/08 Crook Town 3-2 Billingham Synthonia

2008-09-12T22:15:00.003+01:00

FA Vase 1st. Round Qualifying

This excellent, almost impartial report comes courtesy of Paolo at http://www.synners.co.uk/

Synners started the game well and in the 6th minute Michael Jameson made a strong run down the left. His cross was headed behind by Crook's Keith Foster. The resulting corner saw Steven Baynes pull the ball back to Jameson, his looping ball into the box found DAVID ABEL who headed in from close range in the 7th minute.
Crook then had a couple of chances. Firstly in the 8th minute a throw-in on the right came to Michael Cooke, but he shot wide. Then 2 minutes later a free-kick from the left picked out Cooke with a free header which he sent over the cross-bar.
A free-kick in a good position in the 16th minute was wasted as Jameson sent his dead ball kick well over. Then in the 16th minute Neil Campbell sent in a good cross from the left to Tyson Masters. The striker went for a first time volley, but saw his effort go wide.
Billingham continued to have the better possession and in the 27th minute Michael Cater split the Crook defence with a diagonal pass through to Masters who had got beyond the back line. This time however, home 'keeper Liam Connell was out of his goal to gather the ball.
Another good through ball in the 32nd minute, this time from Campbell, saw Colin Iley run on goal. Again Connell was alert to snuff out any danger as he smothered the ball under pressure from the Billingham man. Two minutes later Iley made a strong run down the right, with Foster making a timely challenge to stop the cross.
The hosts came back at Synners with a quick counter attack. A strong run from Daniel Olusoga on the left saw him cut inside, only to shoot straight at Synners 'keeper Peter Keen.
Crook had a great chance to level in the 40th minute. Some good interchanging play on the left between Darren Kokes and Matthew Coad saw the ball come inside to Shaun McAvoy. His pass fed in Dale Sheridan who shot and forced a good save out of Keen.

Half-time: Crook 0, Synners 1

The home side came out for the 2nd period and immediately put Synners on the back foot with a good spell of possession and passing football. However, they were limited to two long range efforts from Kokes and Foster that never troubled Keen.
Synthonia struggled to get a foot-hold on the game and after 55 minutes a cross from the right found a Crook man, the shot was heading into the net before Brian Close made a block on the goal line and cleared.
An equaliser looked inevitable, and came in the 59th minute. McAvoy won the ball and spread the play out wide to Olusoga on the right. His cross to the back post saw MATTHEW COAD arrive in good time to head beyond Keen and level the tie.
Billingham came back into the game and in the 69th minute a good delivery by Adam Clough from a free-kick to the left, picked out substitute James Magowan who headed towards goal. Crook stopper Connell was equal to the effort, making a good save.
Crook took the lead in the 72nd minute. Jameson conceded a free-kick near the right touch line and the resulting ball into the penalty area saw DANIEL OLUSOGA score with a glancing header that nested into the corner of the net.
Synners levelled in the 84th minute when Abel sent a long ball over the top of the Crook rearguard. NEIL CAMPBELL latched onto the pass and slotted the ball under Connell towards goal. Despite an attempt from from Dale Sheridan to clear off the line, the Crook defender could only help the ball into the net.
With extra time looming, Crook made a final attempt to win the tie deep in stoppage time in the 92nd minute. With a suspicion of offside, Olusoga sent SHAUN MCAVOY through on goal, and he made no mistake as his shot bulged the net to give the home side the win.
Synthonia now return to league action on Saturday at the PTS Stadium with a home game against Seaham Red Star.

Teams:
CROOK TOWN: Connell, McTaggart, Green, Sheridan, Nesbit, Foster(c), Cooke, McAvoy, Olusoga, Kokes, Coad. Subs nor used; Quinn, Bone, Tate, Emmerson, McKie.
BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA: Keen, Close, Baynes, Cater, Abel(c), Barnes, Masters (Magowan), Clough, Campbell, Iley, M Jameson. Subs not used; Hobday.
Referee: Mr S Stocksbridge
Assistants: M Edwards, M Eddy
Att: 108

Saturday 06/09/08 Crook Town v Billingham Synthonia

2008-09-05T09:07:00.007+01:00

FA Vase 1st. Round Qualifying

I risk the wrath of the Synthonia supporters by going to this one! Synners' record with me in attendance has not been good of late - played 5, won 1, lost 4. Nevertheless, undaunted, up the A690 I will go, to the Mill Field, Crook.

Besides, I owe a couple of the Crook supporters a drink and they won't let me forget it!

In common with most matches in the region, this was postponed. I did have a slim chance of getting to Guisborough Town for the FA Vase tie against Pontefract Collieries but it left a lot to chance, so I opted for going shopping with my better half! Might have been better off risking the drive down the A19 - Guisborough won 5-0! The Missus looked a lot, hummed and ha'd a lot and decided to have another look tomorrow! Crook Town and Billingham Synthonia will hopefully take the field on Wednesday 10th. September and I will try to make it, but, there are possible obstacles.

Wednesday 03/09/08 Brandon United 0-1 Whitehaven Amateurs

2008-09-05T08:40:00.003+01:00

Northern League Division 2

Two games in two days! Someone up there is smiling on me!

Brandon made the much better start and in the 4th minute Mark O'Dea had a shot on goal which Whitehaven keeper Jack Fryer pushed over the bar. This led to three corners in quick succession as Brandon applied the pressure. After some excellent play in midfield, Afelobi Shekoni had a good opportunity with his head which went over the bar and in the 14th minute a good run from Paul Dixon resulted in a strike from distance which was wide of the target. The game at this point was being played at a very high tempo with Brandon dominating possession and it was not until the 16 minute that Whitehaven had an effort on goal-but did not trouble new signing Alex Seward in the Brandon goal. In the 21st minute Whitehaven created their second attempt at goal and appeared to be coming into the game and having some good possession. The 35th minute saw an ankle injury to Shekoni which resulted in his withdrawal and the introduction of Dan Johnson, but just 3 minutes later Whitehaven should have made more of a good opportunity when, from a difficult angle, unmarked Malcolm Holliday blasted a shot over the bar from around 8 yards out.

Half time 0-0
The second half carried on in the same tempo as the first, but with little incident involving either keeper until the 71st minute when a cross was driven low into the Whitehaven area and Kevin Law was lucky not to direct the ball into his own goal. The 75th minute saw O'Dea latch onto the free ball following a defensive mix-up between Fryer and Carl McGrady but his shot from 6 yards was high over the bar. Whitehaven immediately went up to the other end where a mistake from the Brandon defence allowed David Dustin an effort which hit the top of the bar. There followed a long period of Whitehaven dominance, which was helped by Brandon players giving the ball away cheaply several times. A long ball upfield led to Seward making a good block when coming out of goal to deny Lee Dixon, but the game was won in the 86th minute when a speculative cross into the Brandon area was met at the far post by substitute Stuart Shaw who sent a good header back across goal and into the net. Brandon really applied the pressure in the last few minutes and a number of half chances were created but came to nothing.
Full time 0-1

Tuesday 02/09/08 Ryton 2-1 Billingham Synthonia

2008-09-02T08:58:00.011+01:00

Northern League Division 1

Having the opportunity to take in a rare midweek game, I decided on the re-match in the league of last Saturday's FA Cup tie. It was what I would call an edgy game played in poor weather conditions as it was raining throughout. Ryton fielded the same team as Saturday whereas Synners had several changes. The first half saw mainly midfield action and very few clear-cut chances at either goal. Synners' new signing David Barnes tried his luck with a bicycle kick following a free kick from the right and was unlucky that his shot hit a post and was scrambled away. A strong claim for a goal by Synners' Michael Cater was ruled out for offside.
Half-time 0-0
Both sides made more of an effort in the second half and Michael Jameson gave Synners the lead in the 58th. minute with a good strike which I missed, due to delving in my pocket for change for a collection for a local charity! On 69 minutes, Ryton were awarded a free kick just inside the Billingham half and Craig Marron sent in a good ball from about 40 yards which totally deceived goalkeeper Jonathan Hobday and curled into the net off the underside of the crossbar. (I spoke to Maz after the game and he insists he went for it!). Six minutes later, Barnes made contact with Tony Healer in the penalty area and Marc Walton gave Hobday no chance with the spot kick.

30/08/08 Billingham Synthonia 0-2 Ryton

2008-08-30T19:34:00.005+01:00

FA Cup Preliminary Round

The first opportunity of the game fell to Ryton in the 1st minute of play. My good mate, Craig Marron fed the ball to Glenn Reay who was clear on goal. His shot however, went wide of the target without testing Synners keeper Peter Keen. Billingham almost opened the scoring after 22 minutes. A Simon Shaw corner from the left was cleared only as far as Michael Jameson, he took a touch before unleashing a shot that had Ryton keeper Ben Starford beaten, but watched agonisingly as it struck the cross-bar. The visitors opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Carl Paterson ran at the heart of the Synthonia defence who backed off, then after a quick 1-2 with Tony Healer, the Ryton man coolly finished with a low left-foot shot past Keen.

Half-time: Synners 0, Ryton 1 and Ryton Manager Barry Fleming, (pictured below) looks as though he has been on the receiving end!
It was Ryton who had the next goal opportunity. A Reay shot in the 53rd minute was blocked, but the ball fell to Healer, his deflected shot had Keen beaten, but struck the upright. Synners then pressed hard, keeping the ball in the final third for a good 5 minute spell, with three corners and numerous long throw-ins from Joel Guy into the box.After withstanding the pressure, the visitors then put Billingham on the back foot. A good attacking move in the 70th minute ended with Steven Shaw shooting wide. Then a speculative Marron free-kick from 30 yards went just over the bar.
Synners had a great chance to equalise in the 76th minute. Michael Cater sent Tyson Masters through on goal with a defence-splitting pass. Masters produced a good shot but Starford matched it to make the save and hold on under pressure from Iley.
Ryton came back at Billingham, and in the 79th minute a long Marron pass was helped on by Reay to Marc Walton, whose shot brought a good save from Keen.
In the 80th minute a Keen clearance was charged down by Healer, the ball spun kindly for the Ryton man who produced a fine finish into the far corner of the net to extend the visitors' lead.
Synthonia tried to salvage something from the game, but couldn't break through a well organised Ryton defence. Jameson created a half chance in the 84th minute, but his shot was straight at Starford. Then in the closing minute a 25-yard Simon Shaw free-kick went well wide, summing up the hosts afternoon. I didn't win the raffle, which sums up mine! :-)

Attendance: 96

The photograph of Craig Marron (below) appears courtesy of Mark Fletcher, whose portfolio of the game can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark_fletcher/sets/72157607039196509/

23/08/08 Birtley Town 2-1 Crook Town

2008-08-24T08:29:00.006+01:00

Northern League Division 2

I always enjoy the craic with the lads from Crook and I also feel comfortable at Birtley so this was an easy choice for me. Having made sure the game was going ahead following the heavy rain over the past week, I then spent a pleasant hour in the William IV Hotel in the company of the fathers of two of the Birtley players.

Birtley have registered a lot of players this season - 42 at the last count - so there were several new faces on view in the green and white hoops. Crook were suffering from players absences due to injury, holidays and family events and their supporters were just a little worried about the outcome as the defence had been the hardest hit.

This last fact became evident early on as Birtley opened the scoring in the 8th minute by virtue of one of my old favourites, former Esh Winning, Washington and Seaham Red Star front-runner Steve Burns, with a clever right-foot strike from wide left into the far corner. Just 6 minutes later, Birtley went further ahead when Andy Innes turned in a nice cross from the right by Phil Sowerby to round off a powerful attacking move.

2-0 at half time and Birtley were worthy of their lead for all their hard work.

Crook management duo Peter Dixon and me old mate, former Birtley Assistant Manager Paul Foster, made a substitution at the start of the 2nd half which seemed to have an effect. Crook became more direct in their attacks and managed to hit the woodwork on three occasions. Their was a strong shout for handball in the penalty area on about 65 minutes which I thought was a certain penalty but it wasn't given. With 10 minutes left, another handball claim was given and Darren Kokes hit his spot-kick hard and low into the left corner. There followed more frantic attacks by Crook but resolute defending by the Birtley defence marshalled by new signings Martin Nugent and Robbie Houghton ensured the points for Birtley.

West Auckland Town 2-1 Hall Road Rangers

2008-08-16T22:20:00.008+01:00

I chose this FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Tie as I had not been to Darlington Road for about 3 seasons and I thought it was time I put that right.

West Auckland is famous for being the first team ever to win the World Cup! Sir Thomas Lipton, a multi-millionaire and keen sportsman, put up a trophy for a tournament to be played in Italy in 1909. Apparently, none of the higher profile English clubs were interested so, West Auckland took up the challenge and ended up as winners! Two years later, they were invited to defend their title, which they did. The players, mostly coal-miners, had to finance their trip to Italy themselves and when they returned home, they had to sell the trophy to redeem a debt of £40. The full story of their World Cup exploits can be found at http://www.westaucklandweb.co.uk/

West Auckland has one of those grounds which are apparently unique to County Durham, having been affected by subsidence and the pitch resembles a handkerchief held at the four corners.

The match started off well, Rangers looked the more dangerous but when West attacked, the Rangers defence looked a little suspect and I thought that West would be able to exploit that weakness. Each side had a player sent off inside the first 20 minutes - my Facebook Friend, Dale Jardine retaliated after a nasty two-footed tackle on him and both players were red-carded.

0-0 at half time. Rangers took the lead against the run of play in the 52nd. minute, courtesy of Martin Thacker with a rocket shot into the top corner. West replied 2 minutes later through Ian Maddison. Steve Flockett put West into the lead with about 15 minutes left.

The mince 'n' onion pies were delicious - I had two (!?!), but my day was rounded off by winning the second prize of 4 cans of ale in the half time draw!

Photographs of my match day at West Auckland can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/blackfelladder/WestAucklandTownVHallRoadRangers

Whitehaven Amateurs 5-1 Washington

2008-08-10T21:09:00.004+01:00

It's not much more than 100 miles from Washington to Whitehaven, but the journey took the coach about 3½ hours each way. We arrived at about 14:45 and the kick-off had to be delayed by 15 minutes to allow the visitors time to change and warm up. Nightmare!

Whitehaven's ground is part of a sports complex, nicely laid out but only accessible down a very narrow lane - the driver must have been a bag of nerves by the time we got there. There is a very good playing surface and probably the minimum requirement of seating and covered standing.

Although Whitehaven were not 4 goals better than Washington, they did take advantage of a disorganised Washington defence on more than one occasion.

Scorers: Whitehaven - Lee Dixon pen, 6 minutes, Carl McGrady, 21 minutes, o.g. 41 minutes (not sure who), Kevin Law, 47 minutes, helped into the net by Bradley Brooking, Craig Robson, who took advantage of a mix-up between the Washy keeper and one of his defenders to round off a very impressive personal performance with his goal into an empty net.

Washington - Derek Waters with a very clever left-footed free kick on 52 minutes.

League Chairman Mike Amos arrived at half time with League Chaplain Rev Leo Osborn after their sponsored walk. Fair play to the both of them the weather was not very nice, to say the least.

My photos from my day at Whitehaven are to be found at

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/blackfelladder/WhitehavenAmateursVWashington

Counting Down

2008-08-03T14:21:00.002+01:00

It is now less than a week away to the start of the Northern League season and I am unhappy at having been able to watch only one of all the friendlies which have been staged over the past few weeks. It's a sin how much family and work can get in the way of a man's hobby! All I can do is dream of getting to a match every day!

Matches Attended Season 2008-9

2008-07-14T22:36:00.033+01:00

09/07/08 Birtley Town 1-6 Dunston Federation Friendly
09/08/08 Whitehaven Amateurs 5-1 Washington Northern League Div 2
16/08/08 West Auckland Town 2-1 Hall Road Rangers FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
23/08/08 Birtley Town 2-1 Crook Town Northern League Div 2
30/08/08 Billingham Synthonia 0-2 Ryton FA Cup Preliminary Round
02/09/08 Ryton 2-1 Billingham Synthonia Northern League Div 1
03/09/08 Brandon United 0-1 Whitehaven Amateurs Northern League Div 2
10/09/08 Crook Town 3-2 Billingham Synthonia FA Vase 1st. Round Qualifying
13/09/08 Norton & Stockton Ancients 4-1 Whickham Northern League Div 2
20/09/08 Birtley Town 1-2 Scarborough Athletic FA Vase 2nd Round Qualifying
27/09/08 Washington 5-1 Darlington Railway Athletic Northern League Div 2
04/10/08 Sunderland RCA 1-2 Marske United FA Vase 1st Round Proper
11/10/08 Consett 5-2 Ryton Northern League Div 1
18/10/08 Seaham Red Star 1-2 Northallerton Town Northern League Div 2
29/10/08 Sunderland Nissan 3-1 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
01/11/08 Ashington 3-1 Northallerton Town Northern League Div 1
08/11/08 Chester le Street Town 4-1 Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastic Northern League Div 1
15/11/08 Spennymoor Town 2-1 Stokesley S.C. FA Vase 2nd Round Proper
19/11/08 Shildon 4-1 Billingham Town Northern League Cup 2nd Round
22/11/08 Esh Winning 3-1 Whitehaven Amateurs Northern League Div 2
29/11/08 Horden C.W. 3-2 Guisborough Town Northern League Div 2
06/12/08 Billingham Synthonia 5-2 West Auckland Town Northern League Div 1
27/12/08 Consett 2-2 Dunston Federation Northern League Div 1
03/01/09 Bishop Auckland 1-4 Dunston Federation Northern League Div 1
13/01/09 Tow Law Town 2-3 Billingham Synthonia Durham County FA Challenge Cup 3rd. Round
17/01/09 Dunston Federation 5-6 Chalfont St. Peter (after extra time, 4-4 at 90 minutes) FA Vase 4th. Round Proper
24/01/09 Spennymoor Town 1-1 Coalville Town (after extra time, 0-0 at 90 minutes) FA Vase 4th. Round Replay. Spennymoor go through 5-4 on penalties.
31/01/09 Jarrow Roofing 1-0 Darlington Railway Athletic Northern League Div 2
04/02/09 Billingham Synthonia 3-0 Shildon Durham County FA Challenge Cup 4th round (semi-final)
04/04/09 Bedlington Terriers 1-3 Spennymoor Town Northern League Div 1
10/04/09 Esh Winning 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients Northern League Div 2
25/04/09 Spennymoor Town 2-3 Whitley Bay Northern League Div 1
10/05/09 Glossop North End v Whitley Bay FA Vase Final (at Wembley Stadium)
15/05/09 Penrith 0-2 Newcastle Benfield Northern League Cup Final
22/05/09 Newton Aycliffe 0-1 Teesside Athletic Sunderland Shipowners' Cup Final

The warm-up begins!

2008-07-11T23:20:00.002+01:00

Wednesday 09/07/08
Birtley Town 1-6 Dunston Federation
Birtley started the better and took an early lead with a good individual goal but no one knows the scorer (N0. 16). Dunston got stronger as the half went on and scored through Richard Logan's 16 yard shot on the turn, Mark O'Bern from close range and evergreen Steve Preen converted a pinpoint Fergal Harkin cross.
After a period of home pressure Birtley committed suicide when keeper Andy Mallinson dallied too long on the ball and sub Thompson within a minute of coming on charged the attempted clearance into the net. With time running out Kane Young converted a fifth from 10 yards and an 88th minute Neil Pattinson free kick deceived everyone and went straight in.
Tossed it down throughout but really enjoyed the first game of the season, especially the craic!
Birtley now have the building of their club house in place and are waiting to have it fitted out.

New addition to the Northern League line-up!

2008-05-26T21:51:00.004+01:00

It has just been announced that Whitehaven Amateurs FC will take their place in Division 2 next season, having been granted promotion from the Wearside League. This will be a new venue for me, although it will mean a long day as Whitehaven is about 2½ hours drive from my home.

Sampling the fare offered by the Sandwich Van at Moor Park, Chester le Street

2008-05-09T21:43:00.003+01:00

I always have a snack before kick-off or at half-time, usually a pie of some description, however, the Bacon Butties at Chester le Street must not be missed! That's me on the left with a gob full of buttie; the lad on the right is an Ashington supporter. (Ever wondered why we wear those silly badge-encrusted woolly hats?)

el Queso Grande's Northern League Experence

2008-04-26T20:35:00.002+01:00

This site will record all the games I attend from the beginning of the 2008-9 season. I intend concentrating on those Northern League grounds which I did not visit during season 2007-8 and will get to them all. I will be selective, however, and choose those matches which are most attractive to me on a week-to-week basis. Last season, I achieved my target of visiting the Northern League grounds which I had never visited and my records can be found at http://www.freewebs.com/blackfelladder/First on my list, although in no particular order other than alphabetical will be the grounds of Billingham Town, Bishop Auckland, Brandon United, Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA, Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics, Penrith Town, Seaham Red Star, Shildon, Thornaby, Tow Law Town, West Auckland Town, Whitehaven Amateurs and Whitley Bay.