RA gain head of steam in the relegation fight
Andrei Ardelean of Team Northumbria battles for a header against Darlington RA DARLINGTON RA gave themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation with a brilliant 4-3 away win at league leaders Team Northumbria.
Ben Dibb-Fuller put Team North ahead on 15 minutes with a 30-yard screamer but just two minutes later Glen Donaldson’s glancing header found the net.
After 49 minutes Daniel Flounders ran from the halfway line beating several players and fired home to put RA 2-1 up. They increased their lead six minutes later when Paul New slotted home but Aidan Haywood reduced the arrears on 70 minutes when his header found the bottom corner.
Darlington went 4-2 ahead with seven minutes left via Isam Mohammed’s brilliant shot, and despite Ross McKeown heading home a third from Team Northumbria, Darlington held on for a crucial win.
Stockton Town are now just two points behind the leaders with a game in hand after winning 2-1 at Durham City. The hosts took the lead in the fourth minute when Stockton’s Thomas Coulthard headed past his own goalkeeper for an own goal.
Stockton equalised on 29 minutes when Fred Woodhouse fired low into the corner from close range. The winning goal came on 72 minutes when Max Craggs found Christopher Dunwell and his bullet header flew past goalkeeper Dean Caris for the winner.
Billingham Synthonia remain third after a 3-2 home win over Tow Law Town. Dean Thexton fired Tow Law into a ninth-min- ute lead but Synners equalised on 18 minutes with a brilliant acrobatic finish from Macauley Langstaff. Billingham took the lead on 32 minutes thanks to Nathan Steele’s neat finish.
Six minutes later the visitors equalised when Kevin Dixon side-footed home from close range – but the crucial winner came in the 48th minute.
Anthony Peacock was tripped in the box, Langstaff powering home into the bottom corner.
Heaton Stannington won their 10th game in a row and remain hot on the heels of the top three after a 4-0 win at bottom club Ryton and Crawcrook Albion.
Shane Jones put Heaton ahead after just four minutes when his left-foot shot found the top corner. In the second half Dan Robinson completed a brilliant hattrick, finding the net on 68, 88 and 90 minutes to seal the win.
Billingham Town remain fifth following a 3-1 away win at Alnwick Town. The visitors went ahead when Mark Dixon poked the ball home from close range.
Luke Hogan made it 2-0 on 55 minutes when his shot found the net and although Sam Walton reduced the deficit five minutes later, Craig Hutchinson scored from the penalty spot after 65 minutes to secure the points.
Easington Colliery had a 2-1 home win over in-form Whickham and took the lead after 22