Good day for Bay as Pont pummeled

PONTELAND’S 3-0 reverse at Whitley Bay A saw them slip from second to fourth after other results went against them.

Goals from Kyle Patton, Chris Moore and Andy Robertson saw the Bay claim all three points to remain sixth, with the Pont missing the chance to narrow Killingworth Town’s lead at the top, their game at home to Northbank postponed.

Early-season favourites Walker Central stormed into second with a comfortable 5-1 win away to North Shields Athletic, whose off-day was compounded by Matthew Haydon’s hat-trick taking his league tally to 23 for the season. Central also netted through Abu Salam-Baker and Michael Baxter while Athletic scored a consolation through Danny Barlow.

Newcastle University kept up their hopes of a title-winning season when they drew 2-2 at home to Gateshead Rutherford, the point keeping them in third. A goal in each half from the visitors’ Johnny Crossall and Graham Troughton were cancelled out by Uni’s Keith Douglas, who notched a brace.

In the remaining Premier Division games, draws were witnessed at Ashington Colliers and Seaton Delaval. The Colliers were held 2-2 against visiting Percy Main – the hosts scoring all four as strikes from Joe Moscrop and Adam Davies were cancelled out by two own goals. Delaval were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Shankhouse as Matthew Bailey’s first-half effort was cancelled out by Nathan Edwards.

In the mid-table clash at Wallington, the hosts crashed to a 4-3 reverse against Newbiggin, victory seeing them move up two places to tenth. John Wilson (2), Jordan Miller and Craig Towart scored for the victors with Kyle Reardon (2) and Sam Walton replying.

In the First Division, Gateshead A hold a 16-point lead over the chasing pack after a Lewis Dalton brace helped them on their way to a 3-2 home win against Wallsend Boys Club, Joe Robson also scoring with Woodhead and Gallen replying for the visitors.

Hexham suffered a 4-3 reverse in their top-five clash with Wallsend Labour Club for whom Declan King scored twice alongside Ryan Ferrier and Karl Redshaw; Tony Lancaster, Kurtis Harvey and Will Forsyth replied.

Cullercoats beat visitors Hebburn Reyrolle 5-1 courtesy of a Carl Patterson brace and goals from Luke Newton, Chris Conner and Lewis Vines. Jordan Reid notched a consolation.

New Fordley lost 3-2 at home to Seaton Burn.

Cramlington Town defeated visitors Heaton Stannington A 1-0.

PETER MANN